British writer W. Somerset Maugham wrote a horrific novel of manipulation, romance and frightening manner first published in 1908 named The Magician. The work accomplishes much with respect to character, which is reason for some to take a closer look. That the book offers an authenticity for this genre with a stylistic quality that captures me like works by Ray Bradbury or H.P. Lovecraft; to be clear, my comparison is one of quality rather than explicit development within the stories.
The Magician delves into the notion of sorcery, setting its action both in England and in Paris, France. Starting within Paris, English surgeon Arthur Burdon visits his fiancée Margaret Dauncey and her friend, Susie Boyd. The scene for where the novel will go in sullying this begins quite innocently with the introduction of one Oliver Haddo, a vile and completely unlikable character behind much unexpected and unexpected mystery and motivation to follow.
Haddo introduces himself as a magician and acquaintance of an influential member of Arthur Burdon’s profession. The acquaintance to a member of Burdon’s past was claimed to occult scholar Dr. Porhoët; things advance between Haddo, Burdon, Dauncey and Boyd in an uncomfortable manner for several days, eventually witnessing Arthur Burdon fighting Oliver Haddo when the purported magician kicks Haddo’s dog.
The intense cruelty and revenge motivation of one Oliver Haddo, following the above fight, consumes Burdon, Dauncey and Boyd in an incredible and unlikely plot against the fidelity between Burdon and Dauncey. Despite her initial revulsion to him, Haddo uses seduces Margaret with magic and the force of his personality. Leaving nothing but a note to Arthur, Susie and Porhoët behind, Oliver Haddo and Margaret Dauncey flee Paris and marry.
The story includes much in terms of attempts to reconcile the suddenness and callousness of the above shift. The incredulity of the circumstances, the subterfuge and pettiness underpinning the change, and efforts to resolve the seemingly lost love and get to something just follow these initial and petty motivations. Comparisons to H. G. Wells and others follow with the subsequent plot points that follow.
While some of the underlying sense of manner and decorum within The Magician are clearly rooted in the years in which the story was written, there remains plenty of adventure and intrigue that sustained my interest through the reading. I found the underlying emotion and character deeply drawn and believable, while I needed to suspend some of the doubt in the magic and intrigue that hardly feels different than some popular storytelling of the modern day. I rate The Magician as written by W. Somerset Maugham at 3.75-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.
Matt – Saturday, April 23, 2022
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