Night Magic [Hardcover]

Tom Tryon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 26, 1995

An amateur magician is approached by a mysterious old man who offers him a taste of true sorcery and is torn between the human life he has been following and the dark world of mystical arts that threatens to overtake him and the woman he loves. 75,000 first printing. $25,000 ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Published posthumously, Tryon's contemporary version of The Sorcerer's Apprentice is a lifeless, tedious affair that never transcends the restrictions of its stock plot. NYC street magician Michael Hawke is performing his tricks in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art when a mysterious older man suddenly takes control of the show in a frightening manner. Instantly aware that the stranger is a master of the dark arts, Michael tracks him down, eager to perfect the mystical powers of which he's been given a taste. Once he finds Max Wurlitzer, Michael's life takes a sinister turn, until ultimately he must choose between following his mentor and returning to his girlfriend. Seeking to invoke a sense of evil and foreboding, Tryon succeeds only in making the forces of darkness seem ordinary. His prose is wordy and ponderous, with his cliched narrative leading to a leaden, anticlimactic ending. For compelling depictions of darkness and mystery, Tryon's fans will need to revisit his satisfyingly spooky Harvest Home and The Other. Movie rights to Paramount; audio to S&S Audio.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

"Finalized" by Valerie Martin and John Cullen, this last novel by the late Tryon (In the Fire of Spring, LJ 3/15/92) is a retelling of The Sorcerer's Apprentice set in contemporary Manhattan. While performing in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, magician/mime Michael Hawke innocently draws Max Wurlitzer into his act. Unbeknowst to Michael, Max is not only a magician of some renown but also a practitioner of "night magic," the dark arts. Adopted by Max as his protege, Michael soon finds that his overriding ambition may have dangerous consequences. Tryon's writing partly saves an otherwise weak and predictable story whose ending is something of a letdown, given the author's tantalizing glimpses into Max's history. Movie rights have been optioned, and Tryon's many fans will demand Night Magic. Still, like some magic, this book is mostly smoke and mirrors and is ultimately unsatisfying. For large popular collections.
--Eric W. Johnson, Teikyo Post Univ. Lib., Waterbury, Ct.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (May 26, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684803933
• ISBN-13: 978-0684803937
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #800,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An UNFORGETTABLE last novel from a BRILLIANT Writer!, March 17, 2000

By 

Rosemary (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Night Magic (Hardcover)

I read this book a few years ago and was shocked to learn that Thomas Tryon had passed away while revising the story. This will truly be his last novel. I loved Harvest Home (his best), The Other and Lady, but I was not disappointed with Night Magic. The Story was captivating and was hard to put down. At times it was scary and moving, and had a great ending that brought tears to by eyes. I wish there could be more beautiful books from him. Can't wait for the movie. Loved it and hope you will too. He will be missed!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unfinished work, October 29, 2009

By 

Gina "wickedly curious" (Creedmoor, New Caledonia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Night Magic (Hardcover)

Any criticism of this last novel by Tom Tryon must be tempered by the fact that it was actually an unfinished work at the time of his death & therefore any review must acknowledge that the final version of his novel may not have met even the author's high standards at the time of its publishing. Tom Tryon was an exceptional writer, and those parts of the novel that are clearly written by Mr Tryon are superb... the unsatisfying parts I leave credit for at the feet of those who "finished" writing it for final publication... after his death.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not 5 stars, January 24, 2008

By 

Dcl70 (colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Night Magic (Hardcover)

I bought this book since the prior reviewer gave it 5 stars.... Well, I wasn't as impressed as the other person. It wasn't a bad book & did have a good storyline/ending. The problem I had was the history of the older magician was confusing. Also, I would have liked more history regarding the older magician's wife. I thought she was the most interesting character other than than the older magician. Basically, this book could have been better IMO & wasn't a 5 star read.... I ended up donating my copy to local library....