The Magician

Name: The Magician
Price: 12.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781434103123

✍️ W Somerset Maugham

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$12.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A gothic horror tale about a couple whose engagement is threatened by a sinister magician in Paris.

The narrative follows Arthur and Margaret as their idyllic life together collapses under the weight of Oliver Haddo’s influence. Set against the backdrop of Parisian cafe society, the story examines the power of hypnotism and occult practices. Maugham uses Crowley as a primary inspiration to create a compelling atmosphere of dread. The text is organized around the growing obsession between the characters and the destructive nature of Haddo’s presence. This edition preserves the original tension while offering a fresh visual presentation for contemporary readers interested in classic horror.

Key Themes

hypnotism fatal attraction occult practices

Literary Context

The story is set in the bohemian cafe society of Paris at the turn of the nineteenth century. It reflects early twentieth-century literary interests in the occult, drawing direct inspiration from the life and persona of Aleister Crowley to shape its narrative tone.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Shirley Jackson · Daphne du Maurier · M.R. James · Clark Ashton Smith

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Waking Lion Press 📅 2011 📖 256 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781434103123

📝 Description: The Magician

W Somerset Maugham crafted a narrative centered on Arthur and his fiancée Margaret, who anticipate a peaceful future together. Their plans unravel when they meet Oliver Haddo, a figure described as both mesmerizing and repulsive. The story unfolds within the bohemian cafe society of Paris during the turn of the nineteenth century. This setting provides the backdrop for an exploration of hypnotism and the occult, genres that define the work's gothic horror elements. The plot draws inspiration from the sinister black magician Aleister Crowley, infusing the tale with themes of fatal attraction and hidden secrets. Maugham, recognized as a master of twentieth-century literature, presents this neglected gem through Waking Lion Press. The edition features a stunningly rejacketed design that accompanies a major reinvention of the text. Readers seeking a compulsive gothic horror story will find their interest piqued by the dangerous dynamics between the innocent couple and the dark influence of Haddo. This book suits fans of supernatural fiction who appreciate historical settings and psychological tension. It may not appeal to those preferring modern thrillers or non-fiction accounts of magic. The narrative relies on character interaction and atmospheric dread rather than explicit gore. Maugham’s prose guides the reader through a world where love is tested by occult forces, ending with the consequences of such dangerous encounters.

💎 Our verdict on The Magician

“

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Maugham crafts a compelling tale centered on the collapse of an idyllic engagement under the weight of sinister influence. The narrative excels in building psychological tension through the bohemian Parisian setting, utilizing hypnotism and occult practices to create a sense of inevitable doom. The prose guides readers through a world where innocent characters face repulsive forces, offering a study in fatal attraction. This edition appeals to lovers of classic horror who value atmospheric dread and character-driven plots over action. It is best suited for those appreciating historical supernatural fiction that relies on subtle menace and the erosion of sanity rather than jump scares or gore.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a classic gothic horror experience will find this narrative compelling for its psychological tension and atmospheric setting rather than explicit gore. Those interested in the dynamics of fatal attraction and the destructive power of occult influence will appreciate the focus on character interaction. The book suits fans of supernatural fiction who enjoy historical contexts where love is tested by sinister forces. It offers a fresh visual presentation for contemporary audiences while preserving the original text's dread, making it ideal for those who prefer atmospheric storytelling over modern thriller pacing or non-fiction accounts of magic.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Maugham crafts a compelling tale centered on the collapse of an idyllic engagement under the weight of sinister influence. The narrative excels in building psychological tension through the bohemian Parisian setting, utilizing hypnotism and occult practices to create a sense of inevitable doom. The prose guides readers through a world where innocent characters face repulsive forces, offering a study in fatal attraction. This edition appeals to lovers of classic horror who value atmospheric dread and character-driven plots over action. It is best suited for those appreciating historical supernatural fiction that relies on subtle menace and the erosion of sanity rather than jump scares or gore.