The MagusThe Magus
Score Classic
What it's about
Nicholas Urfe, a bored, self-centered young Englishman, takes a job teaching on a remote Greek island. There he meets Maurice Conchis, a rich, mysterious recluse who draws him into a series of increasingly elaborate games, stories and staged scenes. Nicholas no longer knows what's real, who to trust, or what Conchis wants from him.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Modern Library list of the best novels and was voted onto the BBC's Big Read. It's a hypnotic, sensual puzzle that readers either adore or find maddening.
You'll love it if you liked
The Secret History
Rebecca
The Alexandria QuartetGood to know
It's long, and Nicholas is hard to like. There's sexual content and psychological manipulation. The ending is deliberately open.
By the numbers
- Readers54 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics59 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller37 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #136 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #288 of the 762 classics we rank
- #941 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Epic, Moving
More by John Fowles
If you like this, read next
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Beloved
Midnight's Children
The Master and Margarita
Pedro Páramo
GormenghastExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Magus worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Modern Library list of the best novels and was voted onto the BBC's Big Read. It ranks #941 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 73.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Magus about?
Nicholas Urfe, a bored, self-centered young Englishman, takes a job teaching on a remote Greek island. There he meets Maurice Conchis, a rich, mysterious recluse who draws him into a series of increasingly elaborate games, stories and staged scenes. Nicholas no longer knows what's real, who to trust, or what Conchis wants from him.
How long does it take to read The Magus?
About 16 hours (656 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Magus?
If you liked it, try The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier or The Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell.