Reviews

Ο μάγος by John Fowles, Φαίδων Ταμβακάκης

omgitsmandy's review against another edition

5.0

damn boi

mladenovicda's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

vegantrav's review against another edition

2.0

This book is on the list of the Modern Library of the World's Best Books. I must disagree with this assessment. Although the plot is initially quite intriguing, none of the characters--not the protagonist Nicholas Urfe, not his two love interests (Alison and Lily), and not the antagonist (Maurice Conchis)--is even likable or really even psychologically interesting, and the plot becomes simply unbelievable as the novel advances. Fowles never really gives any reason for the trials and tribulations through which Nicholas suffers, and the "lesson" he learns seems all too obvious, something most people learn rather easily and without all the drama that Nicholas is forced to undergo by Conchis and his cohorts; moreover, the expense and extremes to which Conchis resorts in order to "educate" Nicholas seem utterly ridiculous. Additionally, the erotic scenes are atrocious: they appear to have been written by a second-rate romance novelist. [*****SPOILER ALERT*****:] Finally, the ending, intentionally left open and vague by Fowles is quite frustrating; his refusal to bring the novel to a definitive conclusion leaves the reader feeling quite unfulfilled, especially after trudging through over 700 pages (in the hardback version).

palespectyre's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 … leaning towards 5 stars but just didn’t quite get there

jeannebaillij's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

ymkeroselinde's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

erinchezick's review against another edition

mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

This book was probably a revelation at the time of publication but now it just reads as an unlikeable protagonist who wasn’t written to be intentionally unlikeable. The worst man you’ve been on a date with probably loves this book. 

norehearsal's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

taltal68's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

irlorion05's review against another edition

5.0

This is the best book I've ever read. I am so angry and terrified and confused right now. This is my favorite book of all time. Recommend to no one.