THE MAGICIAN

by Sol Stein ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1971

Mr. Stein's second novel, better than The Husband, is about what Pamela H. Johnson called ""the affectless society where violence is meaningless."" And also an equally guilty one where justice is meaningless. The story, reduced to its straightforward and self-generating essentials, deals with the brutal and almost fatal assault on Ed Japhet, a high school boy in suburban New York, by another one, a confirmed destroyer, Urek. Ed had just given a magic show and he is very good with his hands which, after he almost dies (twice), he trains to another skill -- karate. The case finally comes up before a grand jury where, in spite of his father's impassioned and eloquent speech with broader significance, the case is dismissed largely due to the effectiveness of Urek's lawyer Thomassy. Forthwith, Urek attacks Ed again and Ed, in defense, and with a powerful chop chop, kills him. There will be another case for Thomassy. The novel reads well, with its double prong of curiosity and shock, and even if the point it's making veers to the right rather than the left, it affords other options (paperback, film?).

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1971

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Delacorte

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1971

Categories: FICTION