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Sam W's Reviews > The Magicians
The Magicians (The Magicians, #1)
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The Magicians: 3/5 Reviewed: 2/22/22
By: Lev Grossman
This book was recommended to me by a nice couple at the bookstore when I asked them if they had any fantasy recommendations.
The Magicians is very well written, with great sentence structure and a quicker pace that still incorporates good imagery. The story follows Quentin (more on him later) who is invited to a school for people of magical aptitude. Here, he learns the ways of magic, takes part in a collegiate society, and learns the ways of the magical world. After graduation, he is sucked into an adventure in another world in the multiverse, with visions of grandeur and nobility that contrast the actual events.
What sets this story apart from another series that it gets compared to, is the grittiness it brings to the table, and the unapologetic realism in its dialogue. It’s been a while since I’ve genuinely been able to compliment dialogue in a story. Lev Grossman is able to convey the tone of what is being said without the reader having to read anything outside of the quotations. The dialogue is natural and crude, adding a layer of immersion to the story. Sometimes the characters’ motivations feel a little tacked on, and although that was originally a complaint I had with the story, I’ve grown to accept that it’s plausible for characters in their particular circumstances to do things that the reader might not do.
What I don’t like about the story? The main character, Quentin. Quentin is the most unbearable protagonist in any story I’ve read so far, and that’s a shame considering how well-done the rest of the story is. No, a character does not have to be a good person, as long as they’re interesting. But I felt annoyed whenever I was given insight into Quentin’s thoughts, which is frequent as he’s the main character. For a lack of a better word, Quentin is a pussy. If you don’t believe me, ask his girlfriend who literally calls him one. Quentin is unbearably pessimistic and self-loathing to the point where it’s painful to read. And it’s not just Quentin who perceives himself this way, but the author too who states, “Quentin was tall, though he habitually hunched his shoulders in a vain attempt to brace himself against whatever blow was coming from the heavens, and which would logically hit tall people first.” He also admits to fantasizing about his best friend dying so he can steal his girlfriend, and that’s not even close to everything miserable about Quentin. This spawns one of my favorite sequences of dialogue which goes like this:
“You can’t just decide to be happy.”
“No, you can’t. But you can sure as hell decide to be miserable.”
Advice that Quentin needed and did not apply, as he still reverts back to his old ways of self-entitlement later on. Maybe it’s just me, but I really can’t stand this character, and with the story being focused on him, it really diminished what would have been a great experience.
Overall, I think The Magicians is a really good read if you’re not bothered by Quentin, and although my enjoyment was lessened because of him, I would still recommend The Magicians.
By: Lev Grossman
This book was recommended to me by a nice couple at the bookstore when I asked them if they had any fantasy recommendations.
The Magicians is very well written, with great sentence structure and a quicker pace that still incorporates good imagery. The story follows Quentin (more on him later) who is invited to a school for people of magical aptitude. Here, he learns the ways of magic, takes part in a collegiate society, and learns the ways of the magical world. After graduation, he is sucked into an adventure in another world in the multiverse, with visions of grandeur and nobility that contrast the actual events.
What sets this story apart from another series that it gets compared to, is the grittiness it brings to the table, and the unapologetic realism in its dialogue. It’s been a while since I’ve genuinely been able to compliment dialogue in a story. Lev Grossman is able to convey the tone of what is being said without the reader having to read anything outside of the quotations. The dialogue is natural and crude, adding a layer of immersion to the story. Sometimes the characters’ motivations feel a little tacked on, and although that was originally a complaint I had with the story, I’ve grown to accept that it’s plausible for characters in their particular circumstances to do things that the reader might not do.
What I don’t like about the story? The main character, Quentin. Quentin is the most unbearable protagonist in any story I’ve read so far, and that’s a shame considering how well-done the rest of the story is. No, a character does not have to be a good person, as long as they’re interesting. But I felt annoyed whenever I was given insight into Quentin’s thoughts, which is frequent as he’s the main character. For a lack of a better word, Quentin is a pussy. If you don’t believe me, ask his girlfriend who literally calls him one. Quentin is unbearably pessimistic and self-loathing to the point where it’s painful to read. And it’s not just Quentin who perceives himself this way, but the author too who states, “Quentin was tall, though he habitually hunched his shoulders in a vain attempt to brace himself against whatever blow was coming from the heavens, and which would logically hit tall people first.” He also admits to fantasizing about his best friend dying so he can steal his girlfriend, and that’s not even close to everything miserable about Quentin. This spawns one of my favorite sequences of dialogue which goes like this:
“You can’t just decide to be happy.”
“No, you can’t. But you can sure as hell decide to be miserable.”
Advice that Quentin needed and did not apply, as he still reverts back to his old ways of self-entitlement later on. Maybe it’s just me, but I really can’t stand this character, and with the story being focused on him, it really diminished what would have been a great experience.
Overall, I think The Magicians is a really good read if you’re not bothered by Quentin, and although my enjoyment was lessened because of him, I would still recommend The Magicians.
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Reading Progress
January 17, 2022
– Shelved as:
to-read
January 17, 2022
– Shelved
January 20, 2022
–
Started Reading
January 20, 2022
–
1.0%
"4 pages in and I already can't stand the main character. Half of the bad in his life is the product of his own shitty attitude."
page
4
January 21, 2022
–
19.9%
"Author: Presents hero we're supposed to sympathize with
The Hero: Fantasizes about best friend dying so he can steal his girl, but that's acceptable because he's "depressed" even though he outright states he has no reason to be.
This is not how you make characters we want to root for"
page
80
The Hero: Fantasizes about best friend dying so he can steal his girl, but that's acceptable because he's "depressed" even though he outright states he has no reason to be.
This is not how you make characters we want to root for"
February 22, 2022
–
Finished Reading
