The Magus by John Fowles was my least favorite book on the Modern Library's Top 100 Novels list.
I could not stand The Magus! It may be the only book that I actually hate. Pompous nitwits running around a stupid island playing games with each other! And all the time spouting humanistic gobblygook about the death of God, or whatever they were prattling on about. It has a cult following, but I thought it was overwrought nonsense.
So no full-length review -- just my gut reaction.
Thanks for being so honest about your reaction to this book - I have never read it and don't really intend to now...
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing
Hannah
I read this and wrote that rant a couple of years ago. I didn't post it because it isn't very constructive, but I am trying to add information to my Modern Library post.
ReplyDeleteI find that it is good to trust the gut reactions:)
ReplyDeleteThis is on my long, long list of books to read. Or at least: it WAS.
ReplyDeleteI always wondered about this book, The Magus. I would pick it up and put it down for years. Thanks for your honest review.
ReplyDeleteI had it recommended to me a long, long time ago and for some reason I've never gotten around to it. No need to now!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
This is just my opinion. You can find a hundred or so people who disagree with me over on the amazon review page. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a high tolerance for reading books that I don't really enjoy. But this one really drove me bonkers.
And the thing is, his French Lieutenant's Woman is a real favorite! I've read it twice.
I like The French Lieutenant's Woman a lot and was so-so about The Collector. I never read this because well, I'm not terribly attracted to the title. And now with your review I'm even less attracted.
ReplyDeleteI don't even know what The Magus is about but I do see if often in lists. I've read The Collector which was pretty good and I have The French Lieutenant's Woman sitting on my shelves.
ReplyDeleteBybee -- The Collector is on my TBR shelf, but I've been avoiding it since I read The Magus. I'll get to it one of these days.
ReplyDeleteMad B -- I had never heard the word "magus" until I read this and learned that it is the singular form of "magi" -- as in Gift of the Magi or the three wise men of Christmas.
But the "wise man" in the book is just some old rich coot on an island, manipulating a bunch of people into pervy sex shows. At least, that was my "take away" point. :)