Lost Book Gem:--> "The Magus" by John Fowles...and Dr. Hook




"This is the last morning’
that I drink my coffee standin’ up."
~ Dr. Hook ~



NO SPOILERS:

This novel is often found on many readers top ten “desert island” books and after reading this 700 page classic, it is easy to see what attractions this epic bares.

The Magus is one terrific “fuster-cluck” of a story. Easy to get into and leaves the reader a ton of delicious thought-provoking questions to discuss with mates late into the evening over your favorite beverages.

This story, written in 1965 by John Fowles, revolves around a young bored teacher, Nicholas, who answers an ad to teach on a remote Greek Island. He begins exploring the island, comes across a private piece of land owned by a wealthy, eccentric fellow…“The Magus” and begins a friendship.

The young teacher is soon asked to participate in an experimental “game” he is conducting with the other guests on the island.

What ensues is a bevy of fabricated moral tests put to the young man, where choices made are simply entertainment for the old guy. Or maybe not. Staged events and unstaged events make reality and fantasy blur, making Nicholas (and us) doubt his ability to separate the game from the truth.

The mind games Nicholas is subjected to is like driving by a car accident..  You feel awfully bad for the victims…but you can’t look away.

"Last Mornin' - Dr Hook (1972) Sloppy Seconds


This is the last mornin' that I wake up in this dirty city
Looking for the sunshine as the buildings block the skies
This is the last mornin' that I wash in rusty water
Tryin' to shave a face that I don't even recognise

Down the hallway rats are skitterin'
I can smell the garbage rottin'
Hear the children cryin' in an apartment down below
This is the last mornin', that I'm gonna have to listen to it
I'm going home, yeah

This is the last mornin', that I try to breath the heavy air
Fight the crowds, avoid the traffic, watch the world turn grey
This is the last mornin' that I drink my coffee standing up
Smile and speak to strangers who just turn and walk away

This is a tough cold city here
And I'll guess I'll never cut it here
And I'm so tired of tryin' to stand against it all alone
This is the last mornin', that I'm gonna have to fight it
I'm going home, yeah

This is the last mornin' that I wear these greasy overalls
Punch the clock and do just what I'm told to get along
And face the long evenin', layin' close beside my radio
Imaginin' the kisses of the girl that sings the song

Down below the subway's screaming
As I lay here halfway dreaming
Looking at the ceiling, wondering where, the dream went wrong (where, where)
This is the last mornin', that I'm gonna have to think about it
I'm going home

I'm going home
I'm going home
I'm going home


Good stuff

Casey Chambers
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