John King answers “Here is my request: Assuming that I love...”

Mike Nelson asked this question about The Magus:

Here is my request: Assuming that I love "The Magus" (which I do), please recommend one novel which I might enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed "The Magus". (Background ... I loved "The Magus" because it is exceptionally well written, and also because the "psycho-social" context resonates so strongly with the culture of those of us who grew up in the 60s and 70s. I have, BTW, read "The French Lieutenant's Woman".) ??

John King I suggest Alberto Moravia's Contempt. It's one of my favorite novels. The Magus is my favorite. Contempt does not have the length and level of mystery…moreI suggest Alberto Moravia's Contempt. It's one of my favorite novels. The Magus is my favorite. Contempt does not have the length and level of mystery of The Magus but it explores the deteriorating relationship between a married couple. The mystery is why does the wife suddenly start disliking her husband. Her husband can't figure it out.
Not to plug my own book, but I unintentionally modelled my narrator, Ben, in Maid of Honor on Nicolas in The Magus. I only saw their similarities when some readers described Ben as unlikeable in his use of women. As Mrs. de Seitas tells Nicolas, the Godgame developed for him was to teach him that sex is not love and vice versa.(less)

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