The Magus: A Study in the Creation of a Personal Myth

Abstract

Criticism of modern fiction finds itself in a strange predicament, since far too much material is published on some well recognized authors, while those with lesser reputations suffer from inadequate treatment. On the other hand, some substantial novelists have received an inordinately small amount of attention. One popular, but not yet recognized contemporary writer who deserves more emphasis and would reward the reader for his efforts is John Fowles.' Although Fowles has to date only published three novels, The Collector, The Magus, and The French Lieutenant's Woman, each of these represents a different genre and is a significant achievement in its own right. All three deserve serious attention, yet The Magus seems to be by far the richest and most probing work.2 This novel haunts the reader long after he has completed it and consequently forces him to explore its fictional devices. In this process the reader uncovers a labyrinth similar to that constructed by Daedalus, the eternal artificer who, like Fowles, keeps manipulating the configuration so that we, like the Minotaur, remain forever trapped in the maze of his creative fiction/life. In another posture, Fowles, like the traditional mystery story writer, leads us through a circuitous route, but instead of resolving the crime he perpetuates the mystery that thus becomes the essence of the novel. These patterns both add to the interest generated by the novel's theme and detract from the novel's unity of structure and style.