The Magician

by Sol Stein

Over 2 million copies sold in print, and now available in digital format for the first time! At their big prom, Ed Japhet scares the wits out of the attendees with his fantastic and dangerous feats of magic. Then when the young man and his girlfriend leave, they see four figures sitting inside his father's car, one with a chain around his fist. That's only the beginning of this story of a screwed-up justice system and a high-school student who decides to use his magic tricks to stop a tough gang of extortionists from bothering him and his girl. The New York Times says, "I cannot recall a gripping novel of this type with greater pleasure." The Library Journal declares, "A shark-like bite that won't be easily forgotten. Fast moving, incisive, angry, fine, and dramatic!" First published in 1971, this literary thriller shows off the masterful storytelling skills of its legendary author, Sol Stein.

Genres: Fiction, Horror, Coming Of Age, Audiobook, Novels, Crime, Dark

301 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Sol Stein was a best-selling novelist and the publisher of works by James Baldwin and Che Guevara. He also worked with David Frost, Jack Higgins, Elia Kazan, Dylan Thomas, and W.H. Auden.

Stein and Baldwin met as students at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, where they worked on the literary magazine.

Stein served in the Army during World War II. In 1949 he received a master’s degree in English literature from Columbia University.

In the 1950s Stein worked at Voice of America, wrote plays, and moved into publishing. He established his own publishing company, Stein & Day, in 1962 with his then-wife. Stein used other publishers for his own novels so he would not be competing with the authors that Stein & Day published.

Stein & Day closed after 27 years, and Stein wrote the nonfiction A Feast for Lawyers as a result of the bankruptcy.

Stein went on to write books about writing, and he taught in colleges. He also helped create WritePro, software to teach fiction writing to its users.

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meant to read something for banned books week or month and here it is some time later. This was according to the extensive (and somewhat pompous though fortunately that tone in no way transported to the book itself) briefly banned in one of those small minded small towns that also banned The Great Gatsby. Anyway, this was actually a pleasant surprise. Billed as a YA book, it doesn't come across as one, because at the heart of it isn't so much the confrontation between two sixteen year olds as it is a perversion of justice. Justice is, of course, the matter for adults and the lawyers who go on to battle this seemingly straight forward case of assault in court turn the case into something where justice isn't just blind, it's made irrelevant. So this is very much a frightening sort of social commentary on the fact that justice (yes, I'm overusing the word, but only to make up for the fact that it's scarcely found in the story) is all about who has the best lawyer as in who has the best fact manipulator and doesn't even pretend to care about morality, empirical right/wrong, etc. The fact that the kids are involved and especially the tragic ending make it all the more poignant and resonant. Originally published in 1971, it is dated and yet not dated at the same time strangely enough. The salient factors...class differences, racism, violence, legalities, mentalities...remain fairly similar, definitely recognizable in today's society. It may be a cynical view, but individuals don't seem to change as much as the technology around them, there is a basic nature that is just ugly and I think the author did a good job of reflecting that by really developing the characters so that the ugliness can be not just shown but understood. Emotionally difficult story, but a good and important one. The audiobook version was very well read. Recommended.

[Jake · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a banned book so I thought it must be good. Nope. It’s one of those books that fishes for anger by fabricating injustice. In itself, that’s not bad. This was just so poorly executed. Blah.

[Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hated this book. It made me angry, and that's reasonably difficult. However, it made me angry through truths, and while that's even more difficult, it's valuable.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This effectively plotted novel dramatizes the question: Does the adversarial system for trying serious crimes promote justice? The magician of the title at first refers to the victim of a felonious assault, a high school student who performs magic tricks. By the end of the novel, however, it refers to a skillful lawyer who can so skew the facts of a case as to suggest a conclusion opposite to the their obvious import. And of course the obvious import of a series of facts can be false as well as true (recall the plot of the play or film, Twelve Angry Men).

This work is a perfect springboard for discussion of this and related issues. I decided to keep it on my poor overloaded shelves to have at hand its several well-crafted meditations, perhaps even more relevant now.

[TJ Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was torn between a 4 or 5 star rating, but considering the book had me wanting more, I went with 5. This book is a gripping tale of bullying and school gangs with a good twist ending!

[Doug · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a good book. Literate. Well written. I enjoyed it, sorta. The main issue was plausibility.
SPOILER ALERT!
We have a gang of high school thugs able to extort protection money with impunity from all but one student even though that one is not particularly strong nor athletic. We have a clear case of assault which results in hospitalization of the victim, but incompetent prosecutors are unable to obtain a conviction even though one and all agree on who the guilty party is.
END OF SPOILERS!
We have ... etc. Implausible. One result was that I didn't find any of the characters interesting enough that I wanted to get to know them any better. It seems that the story was written primarily to serve a political/philosophical agenda rather than to immerse me in wonderful characters and/or an intriguing plot. Ho hum.

[Louise Silk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this novel because I have found Stein's books on writing so useful. I really enjoyed this book. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is the ending which was disappointing and a bit trite.

Stein knows how to follow his own advice. It is so well written! The story is intriguing and moves along at a great pace. Considering that it was published in 1971, the characters and their actions are dated but certainly appropriate to the day.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This hasn't aged well. The political and social commentary create a plot that kept me reading through to the end, but it was full of distracting stereotypes. I think it would be much better as a play.

[Gary Lawrence · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Magician Sol Stein

I give up. I don’t often fail to finish a book but more than half way through I have decided that this is not worth another three hours when there are so many books yet to read.

It’s not all Sol’s fault either. I decided to read The Magician after getting so much out of reading Stein on Writing, in which he talks about the process of writing and editing this book, with plenty of quotes. I checked the reviews and found them mixed, some of them mentioning that some books age well and this one doesn’t and I agree with that point of view.

There are parts of the story that I like – the relationship between the young man and his father and also his girlfriend have a ring of reality and I can see why young people of two generations ago were attracted to this just as a previous generation were to A Catcher in the Rye. The book is well written, especially the dialogue. However the measure of any novel are the characters and their story and I just cannot get into this story and I have not found one character that I want to know more about. Most importantly, the writer has not convinced me - I do not believe!

My problem is my personal background. I have been a high school teach (of biology like the protagonist’s father) for 46 years and a psychologist/counselor to boot. I know Australia is different to New York but I cannot believe that the school football team pays off gangs of younger thugs to stay safe, even within the blackboard jungle. Football teams stick together and treat a low life who threatens their friends much more effectively than teachers or police are allowed to. Maybe I can accept that the American legal system is as dysfunctional as is painted her but I find the Old psychiatrist and his “investigation” of his simplistic theory of three personality types just unbelievable.

I think that in the 30 years since this book was written writers, along with schools and the legal systems may have changed a little but I think one aspect of writing has been revolutionised. Those writing novels set in specialised settings, for example the court systems and forensic detective stories now do a lot of research before they put a word on paper. Highly successful novelists employ researchers while beginners just talk to experts wherever they can trap them. I am not sure if Sol was writing from personal experience of his own schooling or he spoke to some teachers and students back in 1980. If he did and this is an accurate representation of a New York education then well done for surviving!


Stein On Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually had to order his book off eBay instead of reading it on a Kindle because some writers are so good, you need to hold the product in your hand and turn the pages as they were meant to be turned.

The writing is crisply precise and the story is edited well, but some parts of the plot seem underdeveloped (his relationship with his parents, why he was so interested in magic, and the cameo from the psychiatrist).

The dramatic irony in the final chapter was cleverly crafted, but disappointing without a satisfying denouement. I am still a fan girl. Love you, Sol!

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful quick read. Held my attention through the whole novel. There's no depth to the characters and hardly any back story. He wanders off a bit at the beginning into some unnecessary alleys but quickly comes back and moves on. Has a very ironic ending so hang into the very last sentence. Would definitely recommend.

[smoreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was basically a giant wtf, but in a fascinating, time-capsuley way? the 1970s don't hold back The Weird.

[Sebastian Burgos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decepcionante...
Juicios aburridos, personajes con potencial desaprovechado, demasiado texto y poco mostrar... Por lo menos era corto.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really opened my eyes to how corrupt the justice system can be. Things are different in the UK and US but I'm sure that some of the same things go on here (if not most of them).
This case is handled so terribly, ending badly for both parties. The judge clearly shows that he is assessing by looks (including people's race) when he is first making a decision about them. In fact, racism plays a huge part in the trial with Urek being judged because he is not classed as American despite living there. The defense calls him Stanley to make him seen more American (or western) while the prosecution calls him Stanislaus, his given name, trying to constantly bring attention to the fact that they don't consider him American.
The lawyer goes to drastic (illegal) measures to get his client free despite knowing that he commited the crime, even making his client blatantly lie on the stand.
The prosecutor is slightly better in that he doesn't threaten anyone but he still tries to prepare people to say what he wants (which I know is common practice but surely it's not right?) and even goes as far as to not call witnesses, who potentially could have turned the case around, because he doesn't want Thomassy to make him look bad.
The ending is really devastating. It shows that the justice system failed both boys, not just Japhet. If things had been fairer then maybe Urek would have been taken from his father when it is clear that he beats him (even doing so in front of the prosecutor). Maybe if he hasn't been there in the first place then none of it would have happened.
I do feel that this book distinctly lacks female agency. Women are there as objects mainly and are judged by their looks, which is especially the case with Ed's girlfriend who isn't even allowed to take the stand because she is deemed too pretty and will make people jealous. I imagine that Stein was probably trying to make a statement with this but every time that he described a woman just by their breast size, I couldn't help but become frustrated.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad that I read the book before reading the synopsis below. If you don’t want a spoiler, then don’t read that!! I couldn’t put this book down. It was set, I believe, in 1971, but there were only a few moments of the book where things were mentioned that makes you remember that it isn’t contemporary. It was suspenseful, and you really get sucked and feel for the characters. The author, a few times, throws out these “thought” sections, where you are given insight into what that character is thinking at the time. They were a little disjointed. And by that, I mean, he didn’t use them often enough, or consistently throughout the book. It was almost as if he hadn’t fleshed out a scene enough, and needed to go back and somehow efficiently fill us in on what he (and subsequently we, as his readers) had missed, without adding too much to the content of the book. It didn’t stick out while I was reading, the book. But upon reflection, it was something that stuck out to me. Overall though, I really enjoyed this book. If his other books are similar, I could see reading more.

[RVP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Climatic courtroom scenes are noteworthy for accurate depictions of criminal case proceedings. An inventive plot that gets tangled in a lot of backstory that can feel distracting.

Stein’s introductory comments explaining how the narrative’s plot - a high school magician whose tricks at a variety show enrage a bully and put the magician and his family in mortal danger - are an interesting glimpse into efforts to scrub high school reading lists. Sex scenes and graphic descriptions of violence, a parent who once lied to advance his career, an ambivalent hero all seem to have been doomed this book.

Adult readers looking to “Magician” for guidance on plot, pacing and structure will find a lot to emulate. An unsatisfying ending is a reminder that resolving tension is a lot harder than creating it.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stein tries for a double meaning in the title, one for the high school aged magician and one for the lawyer defending a student who attacked the magician. Cute. Unfortunately, the protagonist and his district attorney prosecutor are written as though they are Marcia Clarke, unable to understand the most basic of trial processes.
The magic content is trivial, and not even a good basis for generating the title. Not even a decent McGuffin.
The story presents a ponderous and cynical view of the US adversarial justice system. Sure, overall lots of it rings true, after all, OJ was found innocent and DT has escaped justice for decades with his shit spouting bluster.
This is a waste of time for magicians.

[John Humphrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t understand the good reviews. This book is poorly written. Was it Steins first novel? I hope he got better after this one. I felt cheated after spending my time with it. The courtroom scenes are tedious and wordy. The fight scene at the climax was horrible. Come on, he “karate chopped” him??! I expected better based on Steins excellent book on writing. Perhaps some are better teachers than writers.

[Elisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm confused about what the message is about? Don't stand up to bullies? In any case, the main characters' position here explains how America started down the slippery slope that has us in the current moment. The plot is not bad, it's actually pretty interesting. Not the book I usually like though and definitely this "turn the other cheek" message is simply stupid to me so it mostly aggravated me.

[Ben Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bizarrely cruel and right wing, without seeming to realize it. Hate read to the end so I could use it as a fire starter without feeling bad, and because it’s hard to find English bookstores at the moment. Believes itself to be a sort of courtroom “no country for old men” but bases itself around a central plot point so stupid and asinine there’s nothing believable to get mad about. Terrible book which other reviews have indicated was at one point banned, imho should be so again.

[Cristina Gabriela · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book. I liked the ending however dark it is. I liked the story and Thomassy. I don't have a particular problem with the book as it is genuinly very well written. I think though that the characters are a bit simple for example how Ed gives no explanation for not wanting to testify and how Urek is simply just the bad guy with no other layers to him, although there are a few attempts at painting him more complex he ultimately just is ~the bad guy~. Also the psychiatrist is teased for a few chapters, then introduced and we see him talking with both characters for and I quote ~something important he is working on~ and then ...he vanishes...with no explanation, he doesn't even get to testify. So aside for these few things the book is a good read.

[Erin Go · Rating 3 out of 5]

Infuriating novel about a broken justice system unable to punish the obvious offender or protect the victim. Thought about giving it four stars but I dislike reading books that cause so many negative emotions, even if it may be a valuable book. Even knowing from the start that it won’t end the way I hoped, I had to see how it ended and was still angry and sad with the outcome. Poignant.

[Gail Canizares · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sol Stein’s novel The Magician lays bare some of the key problems still bedeviling the American justice system. The plot was almost too obvious, but the novel makes up for that through the incisive analysis of the people caught up in the system.

[Bob Box · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read in 1973. Not sure what this was about.

[Sue Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smart, unexpected, and as social commentary, as meaningful today as when it was written. Shocking page turner.

[A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

*Book source ~ Many thanks to Untreed Reads for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sixteen-year-old Ed Japhet performs a magic show at his Prom and that’s what brings things to a head between him and the local gang leader, Urek. After Prom Urek and three of his stooges attack Ed, Ed’s girlfriend Lila and Ed’s dad, causing grievous harm to Ed and smashing up Mr. Japhet’s car. Urek is arrested and brought to trial. But will he be deemed guilty or not?

While this book was first written in 1971 the basic meaning of it hasn’t changed 40 years later. A person is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, but that doesn’t mean a guilty person is always convicted. Unfortunately, what Ed says in the book is true, back than as well as today. The justice system is a game and the best person to play it wins. Or like Ed with his magic. Slight of hand. Look what I’m doing over here and ignore what’s going on over there. Thomassy knows his client is guilty but he achieves a physical high on playing the game and winning. He doesn’t care that he’s putting a dangerous person back on the street as long as he comes out the winner. Granted, there are many stereotypes in this book, but it doesn’t change the underlying message. Our justice system, on the whole, sucks. Depressing, but true. How can it be fixed? I have no idea. The ending starts the beginning all over again. All-in-all this is an excellently written story about what can (and usually does) happen in a courtroom.

[Tammy Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is fabulous. Ed, a teenage magician, performs at his high school prom. After the prom, as Ed, his girlfriend and his father are taking his equipment to the car, Ed is attacked by the school bully. The police are called and the bully is arrested. Ed discovers in the first court hearing that the defense attorney makes a mockery of the law. He declines to testify at the final hearing so the bully goes free. The ending surprised the heck out of me.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is classified as a "young adult" novel, and I think I first read it in my teens. I returned to it recently and it still has resonance, even today.

Set in 1960/1970's America, it is the story of Ed Japhet, a young high school pupil who has a nice life. His dad teaches at his high school, he has a nice girlfriend, and he is rather good at magic tricks. He lives in comfortable middle class white America, but he goes to school with Urek. Urek is a thug, and is jealous of Ed. One fateful evening, after Ed performs his magic show at the school, he is brutally beaten by Urek and hospitalised.

What follows is a riveting insight into the American justice system, and the law when taken into the hands of one Thomassy, a genius at defending the poor, the lower class, because he, too has a chip on his shoulder. Earlier rejections by "Wasp" Law firms have left him burning with a desire to smash their nice, middle class comfortable lives.

As Ed and father watch helplessly, Thomassy performs his own "magic" - leaving the reader to decide, who, indeed, is "The Magician" of the title.

It is a compelling book that shows the reader just how divided America is/ was on the cusp of immense change and upheaval. To me, a classic. Thomassy will live long in the memory......

[Mikepottz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward at 16 had been practicing magic for 3 years. He performed the lead act at the high school prom mesmerizing the students and teachers with his magnificent display of tricks. A gang of shit bags who terrorise the school don't like Edward. As Edward leaves the prom with his girlfriend and father he will be violently beaten resulting in being taken to intensive care. The perpetrators lawyer will do anything to get this client off and relishes in committing incidents not appropriate for legal counsel. The lawyer will downplay the serious assault to a simple fight between young kids, confuse and manipulate the jury. Justice not given as the court system sides with the criminals and the ending really shows how unfortunate Edward is in the last altercation.

[Rich Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite courtroom drama novel. It is an honest, revealing classic that is shockingly well-written. The character depth is excellent, the twists and turns are unforseen, and the picture it paints of humanity is all-too real. Every 8th grade student should be required to read this book.