Critical Consensus for 8/11: Lev Grossman’s The Magicians
The Magicians
A few weeks ago we mentioned a book being promoted as “Harry Potter for grownups,” and now the wait is over! The book, The Magicians by Time book critic Lev Grossman, hits stores today and is getting encouraging reviews. Rather than pretending to write free of the influences of C.S. Lewis and J.K. Rowling, Grossman embraces fantasy series that came before him and alludes to them while creating his own story. Keith Donahue of The Washington Post describes the technique well by comparing Grossman to a jazz musician, saying, “he riffs on Potter and Narnia, but makes it his own.” In The Magicians, high school senior Quentin Coldwater is whisked away from his slightly nerdy existence to practice sorcery at the Brakebills School of Magic. Unfortunately, the troubles of young adulthood don’t magically disappear with this change of scene, and Omnivoracious says, “the sex, ennui, alcohol, and anti-climaxes of early adulthood exist right alongside the magic.” The book manages to ground its fantastical plot in today’s world, mixing magic with the conflicts we can all relate to. Sure it will thrill Potter fans, but it will speak to everyone else as well. See below for full reviews.
“For all the supernatural elements—talking trees, centaurs, time travel—Grossman’s characters belong to the here and now.” - Elaina Richardson, O, the Oprah Magazine
“Harry Potter discovers Narnia is real in this derivative fantasy thriller” - Publishers Weekly
“While this story invariably echoes a whole body of romantic coming-of-age tales, Grossman’s American variation is fresh and compelling.” - Keith Donahue, The Washington Post
“Grossman [...] captures the magic of childhood and the sobering years beyond..” - Jeff Giles, Entertainment Weekly
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