The Illusionist by Anita Mason
"The Illusionist" is a novel that speculates on the life of Simon Magus, a historical figure mentioned in the New Testament. The story begins with Simon wandering through Palestine for fifteen years in search of the source of his magical abilities, which include extraordinary feats like flying and creating illusions. His journey leads him to encounter a burgeoning religious sect called "The People of the Way," which follows the teachings of Joshua, a figure who has recently been crucified and resurrected. Intrigued by the sect's leader, Kepha, who possesses miraculous healing powers, Simon seeks to acquire similar abilities, leading to his infamous attempt to buy divine power—a concept that gives rise to the term "simony."
As Simon's story unfolds, he becomes disillusioned and begins to preach ideas that challenge societal norms, including the controversial elevation of a prostitute, Helen, to a divine status. This rebellion against traditional religious views culminates in a dramatic confrontation with Kepha in Rome, where the two engage in a public debate of their beliefs. The climax of the novel showcases their attempts to prove the validity of their respective concepts of God through miraculous displays. Ultimately, Simon's failure to perform his signature act of flight leads to his demise, symbolizing the triumph of Christian faith over the older magical traditions. The narrative intertwines fantasy and historical fiction, presenting a complex exploration of faith, power, and the nature of divinity.
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Subject Terms
The Illusionist
First published: 1983
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Fantasy—theological romance
Time of work: The first century c.e.
Locale: Judaea, Samaria, Syria, and Rome
The Plot
The Illusionist speculates about the life of Simon Magus, a magician who appears in the New Testament (Acts 8:9-24). Simon angers the apostle Peter when he attempts to buy the power to summon the Holy Spirit, thereby increasing his magical powers.
As the novel opens, Simon has been wandering through Palestine for fifteen years, looking for the source of his magical powers. Simon can fly, plunge his hands into fire, assume the face of another person, and change the density of his flesh so that knives cannot penetrate it or so that it seems to melt beneath a pursuers hands. He also has the gift of illusion, such as creating a magnificent castle hanging in the air. The novels descriptions of Simons magic and other supernatural events identify it as fantasy, although the realistic depiction of recognizable figures from the early Christian era is more typical of historical fiction.
When a bout of demoniac possession leaves Simon doubting his own powers, his slave Demetrius introduces him to a new religious sect that is rapidly gaining followers. “The People of the Way” follow the teachings of Joshua, a recently crucified and briefly resurrected religious philosopher. Simon is fascinated by the groups leader, Kepha, who has the power to heal and raise the dead. Wanting to gain these powers that are greater than his own, Simon is baptized. Eventually Simon convinces himself that Kephas ability to work miracles stems from a secret teaching that is held back from most members of the group. Because he is unable to persuade Kepha to initiate him to this level of secret knowledge, he attempts to buy the power. This act gives his name to simony, the act of using the sacred for profit or gain. In response, Kepha, who is based on the apostle Peter, throws Simon out of the sect.
After being cast out, Simon wanders for a year, spending his time with beggars, lepers, and other pariahs. He concludes that the misery, death, and horror in the world prove that God is evil; human beings, not God, are the true divine beings. He begins to preach this message and creates religious rites that deliberately break the strongest sexual taboos of his society. Simon further outrages religious convention by elevating Helen, a prostitute, to the position of Holy Spirit.
Word of Simons religious teachings gets back to Kepha, who is horrified. Kepha eventually tracks Simon to Rome, where they publicly debate the nature of God. In a final competition before Emperor Nero, they attempt to prove whose concept of God is correct by outdoing each other in amazing feats. Simon creates wondrous illusions, and Kepha appears to bring the dead back to life. Simon, finding it difficult to top resurrection, tries his old trick of flying, but he has lost the power of flight and falls to his death. Thus Kepha wins, reflecting the historic conquering of magic and old religious beliefs by Christianity.