The Magician (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Dark RomanceBy William Somerset Maugham
Length9h 37m
About this audiobook
The Magician (1908) is Maugham's fin-de-siècle excursion into occult romance, Gothic melodrama, and urbane satire. Set largely among Parisian artists and medical students, it follows the sinister Oliver Haddo as he insinuates himself into the lives of Arthur Burdon and Margaret Dauncey, transforming aesthetic fascination into psychic domination. Maugham writes with lucid, ironic control, blending scientific modernity with decadent supernaturalism and exposing the era's anxieties about will, sexuality, and forbidden knowledge. William Somerset Maugham, trained as a physician before becoming one of the twentieth century's most accomplished storytellers, brought to fiction a clinician's eye for motive and weakness. The novel draws on his Paris experience and on his notorious encounter with Aleister Crowley, whom Haddo unmistakably caricatures. Maugham's cosmopolitan life, skepticism, and interest in human self-deception shape the book's peculiar mixture of realism and nightmare. Readers interested in occult fiction, Edwardian culture, or Maugham's development will find The Magician both entertaining and revealing. It is less restrained than his mature masterpieces, yet its theatrical darkness and psychological acuity make it a compelling study of charisma, credulity, and moral peril.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreHorror
Length9 hrs 37 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJun 7, 2022
LanguageEnglish
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