The Magician

<p><I>The Magician</I> (1909) is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. Controversial for its portrayal of infidelity and occult ritual <I>The Magician</I> was instrumental in establishing Maugham's reputation as a leading author of the late Victorian era. Inspired by stories of Aleister Crowley an influential occultist and magician Maugham crafted a masterpiece of fantasy fiction that would inspire Crowley himself to write a hit piece for <I>Vanity Fair</I> erroneously accusing the novelist of plagiarism. Arthur Burdon has everything he could ever want. A successful career as a surgeon financial stability a beautiful young fianc��e-everything. On a trip to Paris to visit Margaret who is studying to be an artist he meets a man named Oliver Haddo a magician and acquaintance of Burdon's teacher Dr. Porho��t. Although Arthur his fianc��e and their friends are initially impressed with Haddo's magic tricks things soon take a strange turn when Margaret elopes with the mysterious magician. Distraught Arthur retreats from life to dedicate himself to his work at the hospital. When Oliver and Margaret show up at a party in London however Arthur becomes convinced that his ex-lover is being held against her will. <I>The Magician</I> is a sinister tale of desire disappointment and the occult by a master stylist with a keen sense of the complications inherent to human nature. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript this edition of W. Somerset Maugham's <I>The Magician</I> is a classic work of British literature reimagined for modern readers.</p>