is the best thing that I can say about Lev Grossman's The Magicians, a book that is being touted as "Harry Potter for grownups" imbuing the genre with sex and grittiness.
Have you ever enjoyed reading a book so much that wished to live in that magical world? I sure have. After reading the Fillory books for years, Quentin Coldwater, the whining apathetic protagonist of Grossman's book, stumbles onto the college campus of a magical world. Sounds fun, huh? Well, it isn't.
I found the Magicians to be, dear god, so slow and BORING. A friend of mine recommended this book to me and I really wanted to like it, but ultimately did not. (Sorry, K. I am currently reading and thoroughly enjoying The Ethics of What We Eat. So, maybe we should just stick to nonfiction.) The language is both lackluster and dragging. There was zero entertainment. I didn't care enough to finish it.
The very derivative plot gave nods to Narnia, Harry Potter, and Tolkien. Maybe the reason I didn't like the book was because it is a satire of the whole science fiction genre. He reminded me of Francine Prose another writer that the critics seem to enjoy, but whom I find grating. :(
Oh! I thought of another positive aspect of The Magicians. Grossman's take on magic is somewhat interesting and more believable than Rowling's, but it doesn't sustain the book (at all).
If you are looking for "Harry Potter for grownups" stick with Jim Butcher's "Dresden Files." They are actually fun and enjoyable, both of which are missing from this book.
Friday, April 9, 2010
It has a pretty cover
Posted by Super Karen at 3:21 PM
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2 comments:
Uhoh, Karen! Prepare to face off!
I LOVED this book, even bought the hardback. I know people can differ on books (I put down Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the world seems to disagree), but Katherine and I loved the pants off this book.
I agree, Jim Butcher is great for Harry Potter fans, and I love that series, too. What I liked about The Magicians is that it took you to such a macabre place. I was just like the main character - read the Narnia books and wished so hard it was real (I think it's more than a nod), and to have it happen and totally go all tits up was great, imho.
I liked the storytelling, how side characters stayed in play and hints were dropped. It was strange and bizarre, but gotta say I loved it.
It's in paperback now, too.
See, R, you are the most awesome. I love talking to you about books, because you always help me to see/understand books differently. I love your passion and your perspective! You have helped me enjoy quite a few that I would normally have dismissed.
Now, saying all of that, I am not going to pick this book up again.
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