The Magus
A startlingly original novel about a young English graduate who takes a position as a teacher at a private school on a small Greek island. Bored and lonely he spends his free hours wandering alone until he meets a wealthy and mysterious neighbour. Soon he finds himself a victim of this man’s increasingly bizarre psychological games and obsessed with a young woman who may or may not be a willing participant in these games.
Stats for nerds
10recommend
16mentions
14people
2013–2026years
63% recommend38% neutral
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- Judging from your comment, you may find it intriguing to take a peek at the authors and books listed in Appendix N (Inspirational and Educational Reading[0]) from the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide (1979). If you have any interest in the fantasy roleplaying sphere, this list should be all the more interesting.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appendix_N
On your latter question, I don't see much discussion surrounding The Magus by John Fowles (1965), which is one of my favorite fiction novels of all time.
- It was the books in my Dad's library that first got me to read for pleasure. I remember him suggesting The Lord of the Rings but it would be several years before I read it. 50 years later I can't actually remember what I read first but over the course of my late childhood, the one that sticks out the most is:
The Magus by John Fowles
I was maybe 14 at the time. You just never know because kids are weird.
- ‘The Magus’, by John Fowles. Masterful.
I have only read a few chapters but I highly recommend ‘The Beginning of Infinity’ by David Deutsch, it’s just so interesting!
- I think 'The Magus' may be my favourite book of all time. And it's the only Fowles I've read. I did lend it to someone that hated it however ! :)
Secret History by Donna Tart also recommended.
- "The Magus" by John Fowles
- The Magus, John Fowles
Dune (all 6)
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert M. Pirsig
Manufacturing Consent
The Demon-Haunted World, Carl Sagan
If This Is a Man, Primo Levi
Light, M. John Harrison
