By: David Forbes

David Forbes — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:42:51 +0000

I think all your comments are valid. In fact, I was given an ARC of the book after having read a pretty scathing review by someone who brought up a lot of the same comments you did, e.g., that the main character was a self-absorbed asshole who didn’t grow or learn anything, how shallow some of it was, etc. I guess when I finally decided to read it I was really expecting something loathsome and so was somewhat surprised when it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. The power of low expectations, I guess!

By: Libby

Libby — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 01:32:31 +0000

I had mixed reactions to the book. I agree that one shouldn’t get upset about the derivative nature of Grossman’s magical world. But the lack of growth of the characters bothered me; it might ring true but who wants to read about totally self-absorbed a-holes? (Same trouble I had with Less Than Zero by Brett Ellis many years ago). But Quentin tells Martin Chatwick that Fillory didn’t fulfill him because he (Martin) never changed or grew, he just found the same problems he had in his life on earth. And then the book ends by Quentin returning to Fillory without dealing with any of the problems that have plagued his life. But it was presented, I thought, as sort of happy ending. Plus who was the second woman? And who would want to go anywhere with icky Janet? It just didn’t do it for me.

Comments on: A review of Lev Grossman’s THE MAGICIANS

By: David Forbes

By: Libby