The Illusionist (1984 Mason), novel

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The Illusionist (1984) is a novel by Anita Mason.

Abstract

A fictional biography of Simon Magus, a magician and performer who travels from town to town accompanied by his slave-boy Demetrius. After his encounter with the early Christians, he abandons Demetius, living as a beggar and befriending a prostitute Helen. He eventually travels to Rome for the climatic test of his magic powers before Nero and Peter.

Inspired by ancient Christian legends on Simon Magus, the novel was nominated for the 1983 Booker Prize in the UK.

Editions

Published in New York, NY: Holt, 1984.

External links

  • [ Google Books]