The Magus

By: John Fowles

Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton

John Fowles’ The Magus was a literary landmark of the 1960s. Nicholas Urfe goes to a Greek island to teach at a private school and becomes enmeshed in curious happenings at the home of a mysterious Greek recluse, Maurice Conchis. Are these events, involving attractive young English sisters, just psychological games, or an elaborate joke, or more? Reality shifts as the story unfolds.

The Magus reflected the issues of the 1960s perfectly, but even almost half a century after its first publication, it continues to create tension and concern, remaining the page-turner that it was when it was first released.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©1977 J. R. Fowles Ltd (P)2012 Naxos AudioBooks

A fantastic psychological mystery

John Fowles best work, one of the best pieces of literature ever written, any reader would love his work!

What a downer!

I very much looked forward to rereading The Magus. I read it for the first time during what I have often described as “the best week of my life”. I remember reading it to be a wonderful experience. Perhaps I was not able to recall reality.

It was 1970 and I was a Marine lieutenant in Vietnam. For some reason I thought someone was trying to kill me. I was sent to the hospital ship USS Hope with incipient ulcers. I spent a week undergoing tests while we cruised the South China Sea. I was medicated with Valium. I slept like a baby and read The Magus during every waking hour. I was enthralled.

I was discharged from the hospital and sent back to my same assignment as an artillery forward observer with an infantry company. I never had another symptom.

I have told the story of “the best week of my life” many times. I own a first edition inscribed by John Fowles.

Fifty years later I decided to reread/listen to The Magus. I did not remember a word. This time I had the benefit of having traveled to London, Greece and other locations in the book many times. The closest I have been to Spetses, the inspiration for Phraxos, is Nafplio, which is often mentioned in the book. It helps, but...

I was disappointed and disillusioned and my “memory” has been shattered. While “well written”, the book is a slog. When it ended I felt empty. I have seen other reviews which say this book is for young adults not seasoned citizens. Maybe. On the other hand it might have been the Valium more than the literature I admired.

Great narrator annoying protagonist

Although this story takes place in a beautiful setting and has an interesting story plot the main character is annoying, self centered, womanizing, racist and kind of pathetic. The author intends this, of course, because it illustrates his point. You see this blatantly in the trial scene, where the main character is forced to listen to a psychological analysis of himself. The narrator did a fantastic reading of this book, but it is a long time to spend with such an annoying main character.

Outstanding Books with Exquisite Narration

This is one of the best books I've had the please to experience! The narrator has done no less that a masterful performance bringing the events and characters to life. I look forward to hearing his voice on other masterpiece of literature.

Meh.. not my thing

I have tried reading this multiple times throughout my life. Too long and a bit boring. Even with Greek tragedy knowledge this was a disappointment. Though I must admit I do enjoy John Fowles’ The collector, I only finished this thanks to the ability to speed up the audio.