''Magic'' is a

psychological horror Psychological horror is a subgenre of horror and psychological fiction with a particular focus on mental, emotional, and psychological states to frighten, disturb, or unsettle its audience. The subgenre frequently overlaps with the related subge ...

novel written by

William Goldman William Goldman (August 12, 1931 – November 16, 2018) was an American novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. He first came to prominence in the 1950s as a novelist before turning to screenwriting. He won Academy Awards for his screenplays '' ...

. It was published in the United States in August 1976 by

Delacorte Press Dell Publishing Company, Inc. is an American publisher of books, magazines and comic books, that was founded in 1921 by George T. Delacorte Jr. with $10,000 (approx. $145,000 in 2021), two employees and one magazine title, ''I Confess'', and so ...

. In 1978 Richard Attenborough directed a feature film adaptation of the story that starred

Anthony Hopkins Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins (born 31 December 1937) is a Welsh actor, director, and producer. One of Britain's most recognisable and prolific actors, he is known for his performances on the screen and stage. Hopkins has received many accolad ...

and

Ann-Margret Ann-Margret Olsson (born April 28, 1941) is a Swedish–American actress, singer, and dancer. As an actress and singer, she is credited as Ann-Margret. She is known for her roles in '' Pocketful of Miracles'' (1961), ''State Fair'' (1962), '' ...

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. He says his editor suggested he cut the sequence where Corky's father talks about seeing

Bronko Nagurski Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski (November 3, 1908 – January 7, 1990) was a Canadian-born professional American football player in the National Football League (NFL), renowned for his strength and size. Nagurski was also a successful professional ...

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.

Reception

Producer

Joseph E. Levine Joseph Edward Levine (September 9, 1905 – July 31, 1987) was an American film distributor, financier and producer. At the time of his death, it was said he was involved in one or another capacity with 497 films. Levine was responsible for the ...

paid $1 million for the film rights and to do the screenplay."WESTWARD THEY COME, BIG BUCKS FOR BIG BOOKS" Rosenfield, Paul. ''Los Angeles Times'' 18 Feb 1979: n1. The novel was well received."William Goldman pulls 'Magic' out of elliptical hat", Wolff, Geoffrey. ''Los Angeles Times'' 3 Oct 1976: q1.

Adaptations

* ''

Magic Magic or Magick most commonly refers to: * Magic (supernatural), beliefs and actions employed to influence supernatural beings and forces * Ceremonial magic, encompasses a wide variety of rituals of magic * Magical thinking, the belief that unrela ...

'' (1978), film directed by Richard Attenborough * ''5 Minutes'' (2018), short film directed by Javan Garza

References

*Egan, Sean, ''William Goldman: The Reluctant Storyteller'', Bear Manor Media 2014

External links

* 1976 American novels American horror novels Novels by William Goldman American novels adapted into films Novels about magic Novels set in New York (state) Epistolary novels {{1970s-horror-novel-stub