Buenos Aires, Jan 2 (NA) – With the reissue of 'The Magus' by John Fowles, the public once again encounters one of those classics that seem to belong more to readers than to critics.
Originally published in 1965, the novel retains its power of seduction, even though its imperfections have long been pointed out by specialized critics. This phenomenon is not new in literary history. Beyond its chronological value in postmodern English literature, the work raises classic questions of the novel: the fragility of truth, the distorted perception of reality, and the difficulty of distinguishing between sanity and madness—themes present from Cervantes to contemporary fiction.
One of the most powerful cores of the book is the exploration of the figure of negative charisma: the leader, the scholar, or the millionaire who promises security in exchange for the renunciation of one's own will. Just as generations of readers continue to enjoy 'The Catcher in the Rye' without worrying about the supposed loans from J.D. Salinger to F. Scott Fitzgerald, or return again and again to 'Rayuela' despite objections to its formal artifices, 'The Magus' maintains a relationship of loyalty with its public that transcends academic judgments.
From a strict reading, Fowles' novel exhibits weak points: a rough narrative voice, sometimes mechanical dialogues, erudite references not always smoothly integrated, and a plot that loses some of its effectiveness on a rereading. In this sense, 'The Magus' dialogues with a literary tradition marked by reflection on power, seduction, and the dangers of submitting to an authority that presents itself as superior.
Without being undisputedly a masterpiece, 'The Magus' confirms, with this reissue, its place as a cult novel and as a narrative experience that can still offer, even today, a reading as unsettling as it is enjoyable.
The story follows a young orphan, fresh out of Oxford and with no life experience, who takes a job on a Greek island. There, he falls under the influence of an eccentric millionaire who introduces him to a sophisticated web of psychological games, deceptions, and moral tests.
