The Magician [Hardcover]

W. Somerset Maugham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2005

"Though Aleister Crowley served as the model for Oliver Haddo, it is by no means a portrait of him. I made my character more striking in appearance, more sinister and more ruthless than Crowley ever was. I gave him magical powers that Crowley, though he claimed them, certainly never possessed. Crowley, however, recognized himself in the creature of my invention, for such it was, and wrote a full-page review of the novel in Vanity Fair, which he signed 'Oliver Haddo.' I did not read it, and wish now that I had. I daresay it was a pretty piece of vituperation, but probably, like his poems, intolerably verbose." -- W. Somerset Maugham

Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: Aegypan (August 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598181653
• ISBN-13: 978-1598181654
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,775,069 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Maugham's Best; However..., December 31, 2006

By 

John Conner "part-time professional student" (Lake Orion, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Magician (Paperback)

If you are a fan of W. Somerset Maugham's work, then you should surely read THE MAGICIAN. If you haven't read Maugham, I'd suggest reading THE RAZOR'S EDGE, THE MOON & SIXPENCE, or OF HUMAN BONDAGE first.

It's not that THE MAGICIAN isn't a well crafted story, but rather it does not have the vitality of Maugham's better known work.

This tale was roughly based on the infamous turn-of-the-century (20th) magician Aleister Crowley. Maugham creates a setting where newly-trusted (modern) science can scoff at the alchemists of the previous century. Those familiar with Paracelsus and Rosicrucian thought in general will find the sub-story of Dr. Porhoët's detached study of the occult compelling.

Overall this is an average story with a predictable plot, and Maugham's writing skills are "singularly" responsible for making THE MAGICIAN an enjoyable read.