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Magicians Book 1
by
Lev Grossman
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Synopses & Reviews
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ISBN13:
9780452296299
ISBN10:
0452296293
Condition:
Standard
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Awards
2010 Powell's Staff Top 5s
4.2
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Average customer rating 4.2 (19 comments)
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MustInvolveEggs
, September 25, 2018
(view all comments by MustInvolveEggs)
Quentin Coldwater is that guy drinking his fifteen-dollar Icelandic black coffee out of a chipped mason jar while he writes a twelve-page poem about how cheating on his girlfriend made him sad. I give it six months until there's a mass exodus out of Fillory to get away from Quentin stealing everyone's weed and asking them if they've read Kafka yet. Alice deserved better.
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Jeffrey Bluhm
, July 13, 2015
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This review will be for the series as a whole and, in short, it is simply outstanding. While clearly, sometimes explicitly, paying homage to the worlds of Narnia and Harry Potter, there's more mature themes as are found in, for example, Catcher in the Rye and Less Than Zero. Yet none of those laudatory comparisons should in any way detract from the superlative originality of this series. Strong and interesting characters, ideal plot pacing, and dialogue that never strikes a false note. Magic, materialism, platonic and romantic relationships, introspection and thoughtful contemplation, and climactic conflicts and battles - I wouldn't have thought there were books that could comfortably sit on my shelves between Tolkien and Irving, but this series is worthy of that spot.
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clloop
, July 10, 2015
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Part Harry Potter part Chronicles of Narnia. This fun book takes you through the years of magicians school and a good adventure post graduation. The only thing I found kind of odd about the book is the story feels like quality YA reading that adults can enjoy, but the inclusion of sex, drugs and depression makes it seem a little to heavy for some YA readers. If you are however slightly older YA or an adult it will keep you wonder what is up next for our adventurers.
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mccaly28
, July 07, 2015
(view all comments by mccaly28)
This book rating is more around a 3.5 star for a number of reasons. A lot of this book is setup for the series, it's some fascinating world building but the story reads to me as two books packed into one. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it hadn't been so hyped to me by other people. After being told that this book is an awesome example of strong women in fantasy...I felt like the characters fell a bit short, particularly the women. Don't get me wrong, I'll at least read the second book since the story was certainly interesting, it has a grittiness and realness that Narnia and Harry Potter don't capture. But it also didn't read as easily as either
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dtengstrom
, March 18, 2015
(view all comments by dtengstrom)
Yes, you could say "if you liked the Harry Potter and Narnia books, this book is for you..." You could say that. And I would, if people asked me if they would like this book (or this series). But, and this is a big But, it's not like Harry Potter or the Narnia books. It borrows the ideas of what those books represent to kids and how, when you grow into a young adult, your views of the world, of magic, of reality and fiction, all blend into something a little more disconcerted and distorted. This is a book about the pain of growing up, of finding yourself and your place in the mix of things, struggling wildly to figure it all out...what makes you happy? And there is magic and adventure. But if you haven't read this book, beware - it's a beautiful idea with flawed characters and an ending you might not have seen coming...it's sad, thoughtful, magical, constructed with wonderful world building. Read it. But don't read it expecting Hermione and Aslan. You'll be disappointed.
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Samantha Smith
, December 21, 2014
(view all comments by Samantha Smith)
As a lover of fantasy, it was interesting reading this critique on the genre of fantasy and the obsession with which people read fantasy. I continuously found myself relating to Quentin as he wished to be away from his boring life and in the fantasy world of his childhood, Fillory. He encountered the world of magic and hoped, prayed even, that it would change his life for the better, but discovered that his life and his outlook on life, remained quite dreary. As the story continues, however, I, as a reader and alongside Quentin, discovered the "secret" to being happy, not in the escape into a fantasy world, such as Narnia, which the book mocks religiously, or Fillory, but in myself and in the situations in which I find myself.
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Jennie C
, November 26, 2014
(view all comments by Jennie C)
This is easily the worst book I've read all year, and I read a lot of books. I almost didn't finish it, but I kept waiting for it to suddenly turn into the wonderful book that reviewers and critics have claimed it to be. JK Rowling and the estate of CS Lewis should be suing for plagiarism - except this interpretation of the two works is so completely flat and unappealing in every way that no decent author would want to admit to being its inspiration. If someone held a gun to my head I might consider reading the other two books in the trilogy - emphasis on the "MIGHT."
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LitDoc
, October 29, 2014
I loved all three of the books in Grossman's trilogy. Just like everyone says, it's like Harry Potter and Narnia for adults, which is necessarily disturbing. The world Grossman creates is believable and the characters are realistically flawed. Quentin is not particularly likeable in this first book of the trilogy, but that too is realistic--what 18 year old narcissists are likeable? Dive in, and enjoy. You will be happy there are two more books following this one.
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luvagoodstory
, May 22, 2013
I am surprised this book got such great reader reviews. I do love fantasy, but this one did nothing for me. I was disappointed in the characters especially the main one. Quentin was... ugh... always feeling sorry for himself. It was all teenage angst in my opinion. Which is interesting because one of the reviews said it was an adult version of Harry Potter etc. Teenage angst is not an adult subject it is a reminder of all the petty stuff adults don't care about because they have grown up. Possibly since sex and drugs were added that may mean adult? -(which may have been the only appealing topic in the book) I wanted more magic and interesting characters to keep me turning the pages. I read this book because I heard it compared to other epic stories. I did not think it even came close. Unfortunately I did not care what happened to the characters. I felt the characters had no depth and were very shallow (except possibly Alice). I felt the setting was not very engaging. I like it when the author puts you into their world, but I did not get that from this book.
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Roseredd
, August 27, 2012
(view all comments by Roseredd)
Lev Grossman's two books, The Magicians and The Magician King surpass fantasy genre tropes. In their detailed character texture they reminded me of Salinger.If he were writing an adult version of the Narnia books. Fabulous, engrossing Read.
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Eileen Silva
, January 01, 2012
(view all comments by Eileen Silva)
A fascinating, dark coming of age story set in the modern world and the magical. Owes much to C.S. Lewis and Narnia, but though the major plot line is a teenager discovering a school for magic, the main character has more in common with Holden Caulfield than Harry Potter. Can't wait to read the sequel, "The Magician King."
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alchymyst
, October 07, 2011
(view all comments by alchymyst)
Was actually quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Usually, when people say 'it's Harry Potter for such-and-such group' about a book, said book rarely lives up to my expectations. This time, however, I'm glad I finally read it. I loved the writing style and the setting.
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Danielle M
, September 07, 2011
(view all comments by Danielle M)
Teenage angst plus magic is a dangerous combination, but it also makes for a great story. With a nod to Narnia and a wink at Harry Potter, The Magicians sinks its magical roots deep into the real world. Against this cold and mundane backdrop, teenage love, lust, and desire flare brightly, drawing the reader in, making us too wish for new worlds where magic is commonplace and adventure lurks around every corner--even if it comes at a great price.
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Serina
, January 31, 2011
(view all comments by Serina)
I wanted to really like this book - but in the end I just sort of liked it. The premise was great - a mash up of the Narnia books and Harry Potter with older, more knowing magical students. It turned out to be a bit like The Secret History - the main character and his entourage of fellow magic students suffer terribly from coming of age cooler than thou ennui. They feel cheated by the world because the heroic adventures promised by the fantasy novels they read as children haven't materialized. Apparently, being able to fly and run naked to the South Pole aren't enough for these guys. So they break the rules - drink, drugs, sex, betraying each other - while also clinging to their group. If you read it as a satire of rich kids or over achieving college graduates today who aren't getting the exciting dream lives they feel they deserve - then maybe it works. But I found the characters a little too shallow, self absorbed and narcissistic - it was hard to feel much sympathy for them. Their emotional development (or lack thereof) is the real story - the focus is not on creating a surprising fantasy world. The magic and magical creatures are taken from other world - Potter, Narnia, Tolkein. The premise is great and there were a lot of good things in the book - but I think it could have benefited greatly from a good edit (my version even had several typos). Not much subtlety in the writing - what they think and feel is just flat out stated.
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Too Many Notes
, January 25, 2011
(view all comments by Too Many Notes)
This book has a certain flavor about it that reminded me more of George MacDonald and the older Grimm's tales than of Harry Potter. Narnia mixed with a little Salinger, if anything. It has a compelling group of characters, a wealth of landscapes, some genuinely shocking moments, and a plot that I'm happy to learn will be continued in a new novel.
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CMB
, January 14, 2011
(view all comments by CMB)
This was a book I wanted to race through but didn't want to end either. The characters were so relatable, heartbreakingly so. It's been compared to Potter and Narnia but while it does tip it's hat in both of those directions it has a flavor and feel all its own. Plus it is very much an adult book with sex, drugs and rock 'n roll. Two out of three at any rate.
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juju
, January 06, 2011
(view all comments by juju)
Lev Grossman turns the legacies of Narnia and Harry Potter on their heads, creating a swift, compelling book about not just magic and its intricacies, but also about the humanness and fallibility of magicians and those who strive to be. This is a story about youth and coming of age, about arrogance and Achilles' heels, about the desire to excel at all costs... only to find that the reward comes at a grave price. Dark, rich and riveting, The Magicians will appeal to fans of fantasy and fiction alike.
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tavie
, January 04, 2011
One of the most enjoyable books I've read for a long time. Grossman perfectly captures the depression and wistfulness of nerds living out our magicless lives in Mundania. The hero's disillusionment when finally attaining all that his beloved fantasies promised was perfectly rendered. I didn't like him, but I sympathized with him. The prose was generally excellent. This is what adult fantasy should be.
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bmelven
, November 16, 2010
I read this because Neil Gaiman recommended it - and it was incredible. This is the adult version of the Narnia or Harry Potter books. The motives are complicated, there are no clear good guys and bad guys, teenage magicians are still hormonal and make bad decisions, and growing up being a magician doesn't make all of your problems go away. A great read, a fun flash-back to childhood favorites (Narnia most especially, for me) and a book to make you think. I couldn't put it down.
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Product Details
ISBN:
9780452296299
Binding:
Trade Paperback
Publication date:
05/25/2010
Publisher:
Plume Books
Series info:
Magicians Trilogy
Pages:
432
Height:
1.10IN
Width:
5.40IN
Thickness:
1.00
Series:
Book 1
Series Number:
1
Age Range:
18 and up
Grade Range:
13 and up
Number of Units:
1
Illustration:
Yes
UPC Code:
4294967295
Author:
Lev Grossman
Subject:
Science Fiction and Fantasy-Fantasy
Subject:
Fantasy fiction
$11.95
List Price:
$18.00
Used Trade Paperback
Ships in 1 to 3 days
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More copies of this ISBN
New, Trade Paperback, $18.00
Used, Trade Paperback, $12.95
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