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A Modern Wizard

Written by Rodrigues Ottolengui

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HypnotismDetective and mystery stories, American

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About this book

"A Modern Wizard" by Rodrigues Ottolengui is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book unfolds in a period marked by intrigue, suspense, and legal drama, following the story of Dr. Emanuel Medjora, a physician suspected of murder. The narrative begins with young lawyers Mortimer Dudley and Robert Bliss who find themselves entangled in a sensational case involving the mysterious death of Mabel Sloane, a young musician who appears to have been poisoned. The opening of the novel introduces the legal atmosphere of 1873, depicting Dudley and Bliss’s aspirations for a high-profile criminal case, which materializes when Dr. Medjora unexpectedly seeks their legal counsel. As the story unfolds, the reader is drawn into a complex web of evidence, including Dr. Medjora's sudden disappearance and the complications surrounding the autopsy results. At the same time, young Jack Barnes, an aspiring detective, becomes embroiled in the mystery as he shadows the enigmatic doctor, leading to dramatic confrontations and revelations. This blend of legal suspense and psychological drama sets the stage for a gripping story of ambition, guilt, and the quest for truth.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in A Modern Wizard, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • Mysterious
  • Suspenseful
  • Intriguing

Rodrigues Ottolengui's "A Modern Wizard" is a late 19th-century novel blending legal drama, detective mystery, and psychological intrigue. It centers on Dr. Emanuel Medjora, a physician accused of murdering musician Mabel Sloane, whose mysterious death sparks a sensational trial. Young, ambitious lawyers Mortimer Dudley and Robert Bliss take on Medjora's defense, while aspiring detective Jack Barnes independently pursues the enigmatic doctor. The narrative delves into the complexities of evidence, the doctor's sudden disappearance, and the controversial autopsy, weaving a suspenseful tale that explores themes of ambition, guilt, and the elusive nature of truth. The novel is notably categorized under 'Hypnotism,' suggesting a psychological dimension to its mystery.

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Key themes

The Nature of Truth and Perception
The novel explores how truth can be elusive, manipulated, and subject to individual interpretation, especially through the lens of legal testimony and the psychological influence of hypnotism. It questions what constitutes 'truth' when facts are ambiguous and human perception is fallible.
Psychological Manipulation and Control
Given the 'Hypnotism' genre, this theme is central. The novel explores the power dynamics inherent in psychological influence, questioning its ethical implications, its potential for crime, and its role in shaping perception and memory. It taps into late 19th-century anxieties and fascinations with the emerging field of psychology.
Justice vs. Law
The narrative likely differentiates between the strictures of legal process and the broader concept of moral justice. It examines whether the legal system, with its rules and procedures, always leads to a just outcome, particularly when confronted with complex psychological factors or elusive evidence.

Worth discussing

How does the novel utilize the concept of hypnotism to complicate the traditional detective narrative?

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