As If By Magic

by Angus Wilson

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Hamo Langmuir flies westwards round the world to examine the effects of his miraculous high-yielding rice, leaving a bleak and impotent existence behind him. His god-daughter, Alexandra Grant, travels with her magic of myths and mysticism along the hippy trail to the East. With a wry wit Angus Wilson brings into focus their separate adventures (Quixotic in Hamo's case, dreamlike in Alexandra's) until the tragic denouement when they meet in Goa. 'Enough thought, comedy, wit, excitement and pathos to keep a dozen less profligate and inventive novelists busy for years.' Francis King, Observer… (more)

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Angus Wilson is a wonderful author! This is my favorite of his for its rich humor, and fantastic dialogue from a great bunch of characters. What is the cost of always being on the cutting edge? (

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dbsovereign | Jan 26, 2016 |

Dated and embarrassing effort to write a "with it" sixties novel. The characters are shallow stock constructions. The plot lurches absurdly. A tedious epilogue brings it to a merciful end.
The blurb calls it " a deeply serious anti-escapist plea for the humanistic approach,..." ; but it isn't.
Poor Mr. Wilson.

ivanfranko | Jun 19, 2015 |

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Hamo Langmuir flies westwards round the world to examine the effects of his miraculous high-yielding rice, leaving a bleak and impotent existence behind him. His god-daughter, Alexandra Grant, travels with her magic of myths and mysticism along the hippy trail to the East. With a wry wit Angus Wilson brings into focus their separate adventures (Quixotic in Hamo's case, dreamlike in Alexandra's) until the tragic denouement when they meet in Goa. 'Enough thought, comedy, wit, excitement and pathos to keep a dozen less profligate and inventive novelists busy for years.' Francis King, Observer

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