Magic is a taut thriller by William Goldman, author of Marathon Man and The Princess Bride, as well as screenplays for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All The President's Men. Renowned for his screenwriting technique, his guides on the subject are standard classics.
A psychological thriller and a story of a descent into madness, and or, possession - this is one of the best.
Corky Withers is a failed magician trying to make a living. With a suggestion he try ventriloquism, his luck changes and he becomes a sensation, with a talent agent and prospective TV gigs. Feeling the success is coming too fast, he retreats for a breather to his rural hometown and stays at lakeside cottages run by Peggy, a girl he went to school with. Soon, they are sharing dinners and evenings while her husband is away. But there are three in this relationship, which includes his wise-cracking ventriloquist 'dummy' Fats. As conversations between Corky and Fats grow more intense, it's not clear who is in charge any more. Add to this the distraction of a returning husband and a curious agent, both who rock the boat.
Magic was made into a terrific film starring Anthony Hopkins and Ann Margret, directed by Richard Attenborough. Very much like the book, it is super creepy with the added bonus of one of Hopkins best roles. There are great visual touches that can't be duplicated by the book, but the ending of the novel is slightly superior.
For thriller readers, a definite must read.
1976 / Paperback / 252 pages
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