The Magician [1921]

The Magician [1921]

Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset), 1874-1965

George H. Doran Company

[1921]

In catalogues this is often put as first edition published in 1908, which is not true, as can be verified by the other books listed as by the same author, including Of Human Bondage (1915), The Moon and Sixpence (1919), and The Trembling of a Leaf (1921).

The first edition was published by Heinemann in 1908, and the first American edition by Duffield & Company did not come out until the following year. The Doran edition only has the information of the copyright year held by Duffield & Co. 1908. According to Stott, George H. Doran acquired the book in 1921 and reprinted it again then. Thus, all the books in the catalogue with Doran as publisher should be recorded as 1921 edition instead of first edition or registering the year 1908.

Summary:
The subject is magic and necromancy, with a minor character Dr. Porhoët, researcher also in necromancy, to counter the black arts of Haddo. After a very well-described humiliating scene in which Arthur thrashes Haddo like a dog, the latter (Haddo, not the dog) takes his revenge by mesmerizing Margaret to yearn for him uncontrollably and thus stealing Arthur's love of his life. Then the narrative plunges into the mysterious.

Charaters:
Arthur Burdon
Dr. Porhoët
Margaret Dauncey
Susie Boyd
Oliver Haddo
Warren - painter
Jagson - painter
Marie - waitress at Chien Noir
Mr. O'Brien - painter
Rouge - illustrator
Madame Rouge - Rouge's mistress
Madame Rouge's mother
Madame Meyer - mistress to a landscape painter
Raggles - painter
Clayson - American sculptor

Collation:
p. [1] half title, p. [2] BY W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM [6 titles published by Doran, p. [3] title, p. [4] copyright, p. [5] fly-title, pp. 7-288 main text

19.5 x 13 cm, hard cover

Magic -- Fiction.

Paris (France) -- Fiction.

MMC_N_M1921GHDC

Text

Public domain

en

Reprint

New York

Print book

Novel

#79754F (Go Ben)

No

2010