The Magician

About this book

Oliver Haddo is a magician whose presence unsettles everyone near him. When he turns his attention towards a young woman, his ambitions lead towards an experiment that treats life itself as material to be manipulated.

W. Somerset Maugham drew on his knowledge of the occult circles around Aleister Crowley to create a novel of fascination, rivalry and danger. The story moves from social discomfort to a disturbing attempt at artificial creation. Its central figure is grotesque, but his extraordinary confidence makes it difficult for the others to dismiss him.