Angus Wilson's As If By Magic has often been read as a self-conscious, parodic, picaresque narrative, ambitious in its global range and concerns. Its formal brilliance, parody and pastiche have also received much attention. However, the novel does not appear to have been seen in terms of the Campbellian paradigm of Separation, Initiation and Returnthe three stages of the mythological adventurewhich the hero ventures on from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder and encounters the fabulous forces to register his decisive victory. Finally, the hero comes back from his mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boon on his fellow men. The present paper seeks to examine Wilson's As If By Magic as a quest narrative, structured largely in the picaresque tradition. However, Wilson does not borrow literally from the Spanish predecessors, though he retains some of their major techniques, which account for the picaresque element at the structural level. In fact, in the process, to emphasize his humanistic concerns, Wilson transcends the traditional picaresque mode of fiction by subverting the pattern.

Search for self is the pervasive concern in twentieth century literature. It is, in fact, individual's quest for wholeness and individuality. As the seekers strive for the wholeness of being, they have to wrestle with their unconscious as well as social forces. This paper seeks to examine Angus Wilson's As If By Magic, in terms of the Campbellian paradigm of Separation, Initiation and Return. It is "a separation from the world, a penetration to some source of power, and a life-enhancing return" (Campbell, 1988, p.35). During his mythological adventure, "a hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from his mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellowman (Campbell, 1988, p.30)."

Book One, "Departure from Home," launches the two main characters, Alexandra Grant, a student of English literature, and Hamo Langmuir, a plant geneticist, into the world. Book Two, relates to "The Journeys: Alexandra in search of a hero; Hamo in search of a Dream-youth," while the third part concerns "Alexandra Comes Home." Hamo Langmuir and Alexandra Grant form the nucleus of the novel. They undertake journey from the West in England to the East in India. Hamo Langmuir, the scientific wizard, appropriately follows a route via Japan. His goddaughter, Alexandra Grant, a devout irrationalist, comes to India via Morocco and Egypt. Their journey from London to Goa by two different routes parallels their journey from self-deception to self-awareness.

Angus Wilson's, English literature, Mythological adventures, Campbellian paradigm, Agricultural schemes, Scientific approach, Philanthropic overtones, Moral commitments, Dialectic antithesis, Supernatural agencies.