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The Magician

W. Somerset Maugham,

Robert Calder (Introduction)

Start date: March 1, 2025

Finish date: March 30, 2025

Why we're reading this: March 2025 Old School Classics Read
[close] March 2025 Old School Classics Read

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Nov 19, 2020 Candi marked it as abandoned · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-book-i-own, classics-shelf

I'm setting this one aside. I just can't muster up any desire to pick it up. I had set it down temporarily to read a couple of others, and then almost forgot I had it sitting there partially read (probably not a good sign!) It's a Gothic sort of fantasy/horror story and I usually like that sort of thing, but I have little patience for this particular style right now. A tad too melodramatic for me in my current frame of mind! It's not a bad story, so I'm leaving it unrated, considering it's possi ...more

29 likes · Like · see review

Mar 02, 2025 Franky rated it liked it

Shelves: horror, 2025-reading-challenge, gothic, classics, kindle

I tend to side with those reviewers who commented on how this is a bizarre little book that seems to shift gears from its genre, going from a Victorian period drama to dark Gothic to full blown supernatural horror in the final portions.

This is one of those books that I decided to dig into a little before starting. This is noteworthy because the backstory of this book is as notoriously infamous as some of the elements of the novel contained within. The back story of the squabble and back and for I tend to side with those reviewers who commented on how this is a bizarre little book that seems to shift gears from its genre, going from a Victorian period drama to dark Gothic to full blown supernatural horror in the final portions.

This is one of those books that I decided to dig into a little before starting. This is noteworthy because the backstory of this book is as notoriously infamous as some of the elements of the novel contained within. The back story of the squabble and back and forth feud between author M. Somerset Maugham and Aleister Crowley, a magician who the author had met and had taken an extreme dislike to. It’s clear that our antagonist is the basis for Crowley.

Maugham goes out of his way to make our villain cartoonishly repulsive, pompous, and, well, grotesquely villainous as possible. Clearly Maugham is shaming Crowley, and doing it vicariously through his boastful caricature of a villain. This seemed to lessen the reading experience, as it came across as rather petty and sophomoric on the author’s part.

With regard to the novel itself, it is a darkly interesting and unpleasant journey. A prominent surgeon (Arthur) is due to marry his love (Margaret), and is awaiting this date and preparing.

However, when some acquaintances talk the two into meeting a certain Oliver Haddo, an eccentric who has delved into the dark arts and boasts to have certain magic capabilities, then things take a strange and sinister turn. Arthur takes an instant disliking to Haddo, and after an altercation and exchange later on, Haddo uses his “powers” to try to get vengeance on the young doctor through various means, including stealing Arthur’s bride to be.

One of the things that the author does effectively is create a rather uncomfortable vibe, especially with regard to his villain. As Haddo begins to hatch his plan, and cause havoc, the wheels begin to spin in the reader’s mind: Who exactly is this guy?

“Is he an imposter or a madman? Does he deceive himself, or is he laughing up his sleeve at the folly of those who take him seriously?”

I suppose the novel works well as a dark Gothic or horror, with the usual Victorian theatrics also at play. Once Haddo bursts into the scene, it’s as if an aura of fatalism envelopes the novel.

“She seemed bound to him already by hidden chains.”

The Magician was definitely reminiscent of Dracula in that there is a sinister force at force taking hold of a beautiful young woman, and a race for our principle characters to try to figure out how to try to stop this force and save the day.

While Maugham can clearly write excellent prose (this was a quick and easy read) and tell a story, I did have a few problems. As I stated before, it delves into some uncomfortable, off putting subject matter of occultism and dark philosophies. Also, Maugham makes his villain rather too much of a caricature to be taken seriously, and the fact that he bases it on a real person seems a bit much. Alongside this, the book’s final portions were a bit over the top, and seem to dissolve into Dr. Moreau, Frankenstein-like territory.

I’ve now read two of Maugham’s novels (the other was The Razor’s Edge) and both have been somewhat lacking. Still, I’m up for trying another one of his books. Maybe someone can recommend another one. ...more

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Jun 03, 2013 Laura rated it liked it

Shelves: gutenberg, kindle, read-2013, gothic-romance, british-literature, e-books, mtbr-challenge-2013, horror, fiction-20th-century

Free download available at Project Gutenberg

An astonishing gothic story written by Somerset Maugham.

Location 122:
Dr Porhöet knew that a diversity of interests, though it adds charm to a man´s personality, tends to weaken him.

Location 140:
One of my cherished ideas is that it is impossible to love without imagination.

Location 277:
She had learnt long ago that common sense, intelligence, good-nature, and strenght of character were unimportant in comparison with a pretty face.

Location 384:
I shall not ...more

9 likes · Like · see review