Magic (novel)

For the feature film adaptation, see Magic (1978 film).
Magic: A Novel

First edition
Author William Goldman
Cover artist Richard Huebner[1]
Country United States
Language English
Publisher Delacorte Press
Publication date
August 1976
Media type Print (Paperback, Hardcover)
Pages 243 pp
ISBN 0-440-05159-2
OCLC 2415446
813/.5/4
LC Class PZ4.G635 Mag PS3557.O384

Magic is a psychological horror novel written by William Goldman. It was published in the United States in August 1976 by Delacorte Press. In 1978 Richard Attenborough directed a feature film adaptation of the story that starred Anthony Hopkins and Ann-Margret.

Plot summary

The novel concerns a man named Corky Withers, a shy, odd-tempered and alcoholic magician, whose lackluster performances start to turn around when he adds a foul-mouthed ventriloquist's dummy, Fats, to the show. It chronicles Corky's childhood and adolescence, and his deep love for a high-school crush named Peggy Ann Snow.

The novel is written kaleidoscopically, changing time period, location, and point of view swiftly and leaving important information, such as the identity of Fats the dummy, unknown for extended periods of time.

Background

Goldman had the idea for a novel about a ventriloquist for a number of years before writing it.[2]

He says his editor suggested he cut the sequence where Corky's father talks about seeing Bronko Nagurski making a comeback in a football game, which Goldman had seen as a boy, but the author refused because he was so moved by it.[3]

Reception

Producer Joseph E. Levine paid $1 million for the film rights.[4] The novel was well received.[5]

References

  1. Modern first editions - a set on Flickr
  2. Egan p 130
  3. Richard Andersen, William Goldman, Twayne Publishers, 1979 p 100-101
  4. 'Levine Buys Film Rights To William Goldman Novel' New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 03 Mar 1976: 27.
  5. 'William Goldman pulls 'Magic' out of elliptical hat', Wolff, Geoffrey. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 03 Oct 1976: q1.

External links

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