The Philosophy of Magic

For fans of A Secret History and Katabasis comes a dark academia novel about the power of magic, both good and destructive, and one tightly knit group of friends.

Martin arrives at Brown University as a freshman, undecided on his major, insecure about his ability to fit in. But in his Philosophy of Magic class, everything changes. Along with five other students, he falls under the sway of a charismatic young professor, Juliann Kussnacht, who initiates them all in an occult magical tradition granting each a special chosen essence or “gift.” Martin, still mourning the loss of his mother and desperate for connection, asks for the gift of memory. And so, years after Professor Kussnacht was found dead, hanging from her ceiling fan in her apartment, Martin goes back in time to reveal what role her devoted students played in her demise, as well as how it affected their futures indelibly, for better and for worse. 

The Secret History by way of Proust and Susanna Clarke, The Philosophy of Magic is a compulsively readable and imaginative exploration of the true nature of magic and the uniquely transformative spells cast in our youth. 

• “Emotionally atmospheric, erudite, beguiling, and intellectually stimulating, lifted by strong characterization and precision writing. Fans of Donna Tartt and Susanna Clarke will love it.”
  Tan Twang Eng, Booker Prize-shortlisted author of The Garden of Evening Mists and The House of Doors