The Magician

Name: The Magician
Author: William Somerset Maugham

The Magician, by William Somerset Maugham: A literary analysis of the novel's themes, characters, and symbolism.

By William Somerset Maugham · First published 1908 · Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Gothic Fiction · 16 chapters · 84,736 words

First lines

Arthur Burdon and Dr. Porhoët walked in silence. They had lunched at a restaurant in the Boulevard Saint Michel, and were sauntering now in the gardens of the Luxembourg. Dr. Porhoët walked with stooping shoulders, his hands behind him. He beheld the scene with the eyes of the many painters who have sought by means of the most charming garden in Paris to express their sense of beauty. The grass was scattered with the fallen leaves, but their wan decay little served to give a touch of nature to the artifice of all besides. The trees were neatly surrounded by bushes, and the bushes by trim beds of flowers. But the trees grew without abandonment, as though conscious of the decorative scheme they helped to form. It was autumn, and some were leafless already. Many of the flowers were withered. The formal garden reminded one of a light woman, no longer young, who sought, with faded finery, with powder and paint, to make a brave show of despair.

What this Textopian page supports

The Magician is listed on Textopian as a novel by William Somerset Maugham, dated 1908 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: William Somerset Maugham
Date: 1908 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Gothic Fiction, Romanticism, Psychological Fiction
Length: 84,736 words
Structure: 16 chapters, 1,773 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Magician by William Somerset Maugham
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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Magician?
How does this novel by William Somerset Maugham fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Fantasy — The book details the pursuits of a powerful magician and explores occult and supernatural themes.
Horror — There are elements of horror, such as dark magic and sinister intentions, presenting frightening situations.
Gothic Fiction — The novel incorporates the hallmarks of Gothic fiction, such as a focus on fear and the supernatural.
Romanticism — Features characteristics of Romanticism, like emphasizing emotion and the individual, along with aspects of sublime horror.