By Lev Grossman
Genre Adult fantasy
Pages 402
Recommended by Me???
First sentence Quentin did a magic trick.
Synopsis
Smarter than most kids in his school with a amazing GPA, Quentin isn't happy. All he wants is to live in the fictional world of Fillroy and he wishes magic was real. When he stumbles through a portal and finds himself suddenly enrolled at a school for magic he still isn't happy. When he graduates from the magic school and lives with his friends in New York he's even less happy. When the magical world of Fillroy ends up existing after all and he gets to go there...guess what? He's STILL NOT FREAKING HAPPY!!
What it has going for it
If you bothered to read my synopsis, and don't worry if you didn't, you can probably already tell I wasn't a huge fan of this one. However, and it is a big however, this book had me incredibly intrigued the whole time I was reading it. It's an absolutely fascinating read. It's a bit of Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia with, what I thought, were characters similar to any you might find in a John Green book. Quentin especially.
What's lacking
Uh, there wasn't a decent likable character, when all was said and done, in the whole freaking book! They were all so selfish and depressing. Ugh! Just thinking back about them frustrates me! And I really dislike books where I KNOW there's some meaning the author was trying to get across that was just beyond me. Either I'm a complete moron or he was way too subtle. Whichever it was, it was annoying. But after a weekend of reflection I just don't care anymore, I didn't like it. I mean, what was with that ending? I know there's a sequel but who the heck would want to read it? Not me.
Would I recommend it?
Don't laugh but, yeah, I would. It's an interesting story, if nothing else, and maybe, just maybe, you'll understand what Grossman was going for and can tell me.
Even with your recommendation, I'll pass on this one. There are enough real people that aren't worth my time without giving some to fictional characters.
ReplyDeleteExactly! The story was pretty engrossing though.
DeleteI kept thinking "isn't this Harry Potter?" while I was reading your synopsis! I don't know if I could read this one. No likeable characters is likely to make me want to smack someone. Maybe I'll leave it for a day when I'm already annoyed!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Yeah, I think he might have been going for some sort of satire of HP but who knows.
DeleteLol I loved your detailed synopsis. I have to admit I was slightly surprised you'd still recommend it after all! I think I'll pass on this one though....I usually prefer novels with a little more attention to the characters.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I wouldn't have recommended it but it was a very fast read.
Delete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteI did read your (amusing) synopsis, and it made me think of Harry Potter the entire time! Way before you mentioned the similarities! Isn't one meme of the more pensive Potter-heads, "I never got my Hogwarts letter"? (I think it even made it into my six-word memoir book!) The Magicians sounds like a real satire of that desire. I mean, how do we know we'd be happy in Hogwarts (or Fillroy), when there are unhappy people there, too? We always assume that we'd be Gryffindors or something equally cool, if we got to live in our ideal worlds, but what if we had to do it as squibs???
I'm not sure if that was what Grossman was going for, but it would be the question I'd ask, if I wrote something with the same premise.
Yes, I think he had several things he was trying to get across, a satire of HP being at the top of the list. You should read this one and dissect it for me. ;)
DeleteI've never heard of this book before but I don't think I'll be rushing out to get a copy any time soon! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm surprised you haven't heard of it. A few years ago I couldn't walk into a bookstore without seeing it everywhere!
DeleteBoy, That makes me laugh. Really, your review has deterred so many people, and yet you recommend it. I may just have to read it to counter balance all the those passing it up. but, then again. If he never does end up happy then maybe not.
ReplyDeleteOh, I seriously doubt what I have to say makes a difference to people. ;)
DeleteWow, characters that are all depressing and unlikable? Not for me. I'm attracted to great characters and character-driven stories. I like it when the characters are upbeat.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what type of books you like. I'm not sure you've raved over anything since I started following your blog. That's not a bad thing, because honesty comes first. But, I wonder what book would be perfect for you?
LOL! Yeah, if you stick around long enough you'll see that I rave about some books. I'm just a really picky reader. I LOVE the Matthew Swift books by Kate Griffin. THAT series is "the perfect book(s)" for me.
DeleteRemember it is the peoples most like us that most irritate us. Insert snooty church lady picture here. LOL
ReplyDeleteI have been asking myself lately why I'm choosing to be unhappy, depressed etc. Life is all about the labels we assign our experiences or something, sigh. That said, I could sure use a magic wand and a good spell book right now even if I would be miserable using it.
I can't wait to read this book.
Yeah, yeah, don't think I didn't realize that while I was reading. ;)
DeleteThank you for posting this. I've been courting this book for a while, trying to decide whether I want to make our relationship official. I'm intrigued that you were intrigued despite hating the characters. Hmmm...I don't think I'm ready to commit quite yet.
ReplyDelete