The magicians [Hardcover]

James E. Gunn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1978

Struggling PI Casey thinks he's finally found an easy score: an elderly woman has just walked into his office and offered him a thousand dollars to find out the real name of a man who calls himself Solomon. Solomon is a magician. Not only does he carry false identification, but he can change his physical appearance at will. One of Solomon's identities is nationally prominent, but another is a power-hungry crook with political ambitions. Casey finds himself at a magicians' convention where no one is who he appears to be and all the tricks seem to lead to death... Casey's death. Casey is caught in the middle of a power struggle between Solomon and Ariel, a young woman out to avenge the death of her father. It's a struggle between black and white magic, and when Casey throws his weight to the good, he may learn a few tricks of his own... James Gunn has been a professional science fiction writer for more than 60 years, and in 2007, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named him a Grand Master.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: London Sidgwick & Jackson 1978. (1978)
• ASIN: B00005WBWJ
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,744,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Magic as a new science- an old favorite, May 4, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The magicians (Hardcover)

Let me admit that I first read this book in an old paperback when I was 11. It was a favorite of mine,so I cannot guarantee that everyone will enjoy it as much, but I think many would get a good deal of pleasure out of this perfect little story.

The conceit is to take a private eye adventure, turn it into a story about witchcraft, which in turn is revealed to be a tale of a new science based on mathematics and incantations. Casey is hired by a little old lady to spy out a Convention, no, make that Covention, to find out the True Name of one Solomon Magus. He discovers himself in a world of boring receptions and thaumaturgy. This society has rediscovered sorcery. The laconic hard boiled detective tone suits the material, and the fancy of working magic with tensor analysis as a controlling factor is well worked out. It certainly got me interested in advanced math at a young age!

Although they are fairly conventional characters, the detective, the young and pretty witch and the old professor are all well done. Even their familiarity works in their favor instead of weakening the story.

A note about history and versions. This tale first appeared as "Sine of the Magus" in the the early '50's. It was reprinted, in a slightly expanded version under the title "The Magicians". In the late '70's it was further expanded and (slightly) updated-- look for the warlock in the leisure suit-- with a number of added scenes and a much heavier satanic/sexual slant. I do not know which edition is for sale here, but be aware that there are differences. Whatever edition you buy, it is good fun. One of the sad things about scifi and fantasy is that much good work goes out of print and is forgotten. This is a good story and a fun concept, recommended for those who like their magic to have rules and be set against a naturalistic background. Enjoy!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant read, January 20, 2011

By 

Gabriel - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magicians (Paperback)

This is novel about a PI detective who, during the course of his work, stumbles on an incredible world of magic, in the midst of modern society. The novel plot combines magical elements with references of scientific/mathematical elements, making an interplay between superstition and scientific logic. The book is written in a simple easy going manner, making it a very pleasant read. I highly recommend this book.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Free SF Reader, September 3, 2007

By 

Blue Tyson "- Research Finished" (Legion clubhouse) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magicians (Hardcover)

A fun story involving a private investigator at a magic convention trying to track someone done. Where there is a gumshoe, there is often a girl, and that is the case here.

Throw in some mathematics as rules for the magic, and you have a fun book.