The Magic Circle

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Time Travel
Review: The Magic Circle is a trip through time and space that leaves you feeling almost giddy. I read the book when it first came out in hardback and I am now reading it for the third time and still learning more from it every day. I've recommended it to all my friends and they feel the same. Neville is the only one doing books like this. I hope she keeps it up!

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Summary: Impeccable Science
Review: I was totally impressed with the level of scientific information scattered throughout this book, yet it doesn't interfere with the plot, but rather, it enhances the story and makes it more gripping. I don't frankly see how anyone can find the pursuit of wisdom and the meaning of life boring. I found The Magic Circle fascinating.

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Summary: Does Katherine Neville have any new ideas?
Review: This book was a sore disappointment compared with her last twonovels. There was no stable plot, it just went everywhere withoutaccomplishing anything. The family background was so complicated you wanted to write it down as you went to keep track. She seems to think that jumping back and forth between history and present is her winning formula, which is too bad, I'd like to see her come up with another approach. Neville has so much promise, but this book lacked the magic that was in The Eight and A Calculated Risk.

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Summary: EDGE OF SEAT SUSPENSE
Review: It takes a lot to interest me. In fact, I find most books too boring to entertain me on a plane trip. But The Magic Circle kept me gripping the seat until my knuckles turned white. I cannot agree with readers who found the family connections a problem. They must have skimmed the first half of the book. That was the entire point around which the plot revolves, and is critical to understanding the central message!

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Summary: Fascinating Historico-Modern Tour de Force
Review: Neville is my favourite author, and THE MAGIC CIRCLE is by far the superior example of her work. I agree with the readers who don't care for New Age topics. But this book has absolutely nothing to do with New Age thinking or any of the works that go under that name. I notice that some readers prefer the modern parts and some the historical. That seems typical for her previous work as well. There's always something for everyone. I should like to add that for those who think cousins shouldn't marry - what about Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt? Not to mention all the Caesars and Herods whose stories run rife throughout this book. A delightful and impressive masterpiece. Highly recommended.

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Summary: Finally ,a Good Gay Guy!
Review: Olivier is gay, isn't he? Or am I missing something here? And he's one of the best characters in the book. I love him, even if he isn't gay.

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Summary: Profound and Funny!
Review: The Magic Circle is completely unique. Thanks to Ms Neville for bringing us in touch with our history, our past. It also takes quite a lot of talent to bring humor to the most serious subjects mankind can think of. One of the most profound books I have read. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Great adventure book
Review: What a great book. Naysayers who blast this book are either jealous or illiterate. Glowing storyline and characters that we care for.

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Summary: The plot is too contorted and complicated.
Review: The history in the book is not accurate. The family relations are so involved and complex that to follow them one would need to keep a family tree. The story goes through three time periods which is not necessary for the story. In the end the book has nothing to say except that we need to live lightly on the earth and not destroy it. I have read many new age books that have the same message with a more interesting story that is easier to follow. I don't recommend this book to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating work for the discriminating reader...
Review: "The Magic Circle" by Katherine Neville is a fascinating work for the truly discriminating reader. Such a melange of topics: history, intrigue, geneology, religion, philosophy, non-traditional science, astrology, politics, family secrets, famous personalities...one could go on and on! One major problem with the book for me was Ariel's family history...so convoluted as to be almost ludicrous, not withstanding, hard to follow. I also found Neville's historical voice much stronger than her contemporary one; I would have been happier if the tale would have stayed in the time periods of the Celts, Jesus, Hitler, and the like, and there-by shortened the contemporary story-line. And when did society become so blase about physical relationships with cousins? However, yet another must-read on the cusp of another "new" millennium, where the only readiness one needs is spiritual. One final note: if you like this work, you'll love Barbara Wood's "The Prophetess."