Mix fantasy themes from “Harry Potter”, and “The Chronicles of Narnia”- add sex, drugs, and violence- and you have Lev Grossman’s 2009 New York Times best-selling novel “The Magicians.” In “The Magicians,” Grossman uses compelling, descriptive writing technique and controversial themes to tell the story of a young man whose life is changed when he discovers that he has been selected for enrollment into an elite college of magic.
While the basic synopses of the stories sound similar – magicians living in secret among regular humans, and attending schools for magic – comparing “The Magicians” to Harry Potter is, as one review put it, like comparing “a shot of Irish whiskey to a glass of weak tea.” Humorous, action packed, emotional, and intense, “The Magicians” is anything but a children’s tale; rather, Grossman’s debut novel uses adult themes to deliver a realistic “what if” depiction of what life would be like if magic, and schools for magic, actually existed. The novel blends fantasy with contemporary realities of young-adulthood; not for the “faint of heart,” readers will find descriptions of magic, monsters and demons on the same page as alcohol, sex and cocaine.
As mentioned above, the story begins with the main character leaving his friends and family as he discovers that he is part of a small minority of the human population that has the ability to use magic. Without revealing too much of the plotline, the novel chronicles the ascent of a boy into manhood, following him through his time at the “Brakebills Academy for Magic” as well as his adventures after, and details the relationships, conflicts, temptations, betrayals- and horrors- that come with his new life.
While its status as a “New York Times Best Seller” would imply popularity, “The Magicians” has, for some reason, gained little recognition in the mainstream media- an error that requires correction, as the novel’s raw and realistic story telling combined with themes of fantasy and adventure make it a book that can appeal to almost anyone. While references to “magic” might turn away potential readers, it shouldn’t. This book isn’t some “soft” or “nerdy” fantasy novel.
If you haven’t heard of “The Magicians” yet, which is probably the case, give it a chance; Grossman’s book is arguably one of the best works of fiction published in the past year and once you start reading it, you will find it difficult to stop.
Matt Boyd can be reached at MB634884@wcupa.edu.