The Magician

Interesting Facts

• The novel «The Magician» was inspired by a real person—Aleister Crowley, a well-known occultist and mystic, whom Maugham knew personally.
• The book explores themes of manipulation and illusion, showing how easily human perception can be deceived.
• Maugham used his impressions from a trip to Paris and acquaintance with occult circles to create the novel's atmosphere.
• The character Oliver Haddo in the novel is a reflection of Maugham himself, making the work partially autobiographical.
• The novel was written early in Maugham's career and did not receive much recognition at the time of publication, but later became more popular.