Book Review: The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Posted By CarrieK on October 8, 2009
Title: The Magicians
Author: Lev Grossman
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Viking
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Source: Print copy from my personal library
First line: Quentin did a magic trick.
The Magicians
Quentin Coldwater has always been a bit different. He’s smarter than almost all of his peers. His parents don’t understand him. He’s spent hours reading and re-reading novels of a fictional place called Fillory, wishing he could get there. When he arrives at an entrance interview for an Ivy League university, and finds the interviewer dead, things start to get a little strange. He follows a wind-blown piece of paper and finds himself at Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy.
At Brakebills, Quentin finds a part of himself that he always knew – but could scarcely believe – existed. He spends five years studying magic – and then has to enter the rest of the world and decide what it all means.
I had a very hard time deciding what to rate this book. If I was basing my rating on the creativity of the story and the brilliance of the writing alone, I would probably rate it four stars. But because mood and theme also play hugely in a reading experience – and believe me, I know this is completely a matter of opinion – I can’t say I loved this book. I liked it, but it had an over-arching mood of darkness and cynicism that I couldn’t shake. I closed it with a sense of relief – I’d finished it, and I could move on to something with a bit more faith in the world and in humankind.
Grossman is an extremely talented writer who has come up with a very unique idea, and I do think that many people will thoroughly enjoy this book and not mind the mood at all.
I’m debating reading this one. I was so eager to get my hands on it, and did actually get a library copy but didn’t get around to reading it before I had to return it. I’ve read so many reviews that say it’s really a very dark book, and I prefer my magic to be bright with a dash of hope and optimism, so I’m not sure if this one is for me.
Belle´s last blog ..Incoming! The Memoirs Edition
Belle – You might try it from the library again – that way you’re not investing money in case you don’t like it.
This is an area in which Rowling is masterful. The later Harry Potters are as dark as it gets, really, but are never oppressive. How she does it, I have no idea. I’m thinking that I might have issues with comparing this to HP which is never a good thing, because it would lose the battle every time. In fact, it would probably lose against Narnia, Brideshead Revisited and LOTR as well!
Sandy´s last blog ..Rebecca Read Along – Week 1 Discussion
Sandy – maybe I shouldn’t have compared it to so many books!
This sounds like a book I would check out of the library if I read it at all. The constant comparisons to Harry Potter, but without any of the fun, doesn’t make it sound appealing to me.
Tasha – I know – it’s hard to live up to HP, but any book set in a magical college is going to get those comparisons, I think.
I’ve been really paying close attention to the reviews of this one because it sounds like something I like. I am glad to hear you say what you did about the writing and creativity. I don’t think the darker more negative tone and mood of the book would bother me. As long as I’m in the mood for it. Thank you for your great and well-balanced review, Carrie!
Literary Feline´s last blog ..Review: Haunting Bombay by Shilpa Agarwal
Wendy – you’re welcome – I hope you enjoy it!
The reviews of this book seems to be all over the place. I have it on hold at the library, so one day soon I will know what I think of it!
Kailana´s last blog ..The Day The Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan
Kailana – I haven’t actually read any other reviews yet – I’ll be interested to see what others are saying.
I finished this pretty recently, and I have to say, I was dissapointed…. all of the ennui and depression and angst! Too much for me.
Fyrefly´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: Read-a-thon is coming!
Fyrefly – I couldn’t agree more!
I’m going to be reading this one for book club, so I’m really curious as to what people think about it. Thanks for the review!
S. Krishna´s last blog ..Pendragon’s Banner – Helen Hollick
Swapna – this would be a great book for book club – should spark a lot of discussion, I would think.
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