The Magicians

A Novel

By: Lev Grossman

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Length: 17 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

A thrilling and original coming-of- age novel about a young man practicing magic in the real world.

Quentin Coldwater is brilliant but miserable. A senior in high school, he's still secretly preoccupied with a series of fantasy novels he read as a child, set in a magical land called Fillory. Imagine his surprise when he finds himself unexpectedly admitted to a very secret, very exclusive college of magic in upstate New York, where he receives a thorough and rigorous education in the craft of modern sorcery.

He also discovers all the other things people learn in college: friendship, love, sex, booze, and boredom. Something is missing, though. Magic doesn't bring Quentin the happiness and adventure he dreamed it would. After graduation, he and his friends make a stunning discovery: Fillory is real. But the land of Quentin's fantasies turns out to be much darker and more dangerous than he could have imagined. His childhood dream becomes a nightmare with a shocking truth at its heart.

At once psychologically piercing and magnificently absorbing, The Magicians boldly moves into uncharted literary territory, imagining magic as practiced by real people, with their capricious desires and volatile emotions. Lev Grossman creates an utterly original world in which good and evil aren't black and white, love and sex aren't simple or innocent, and power comes at a terrible price.

©2009 Lev Grossman (P)2009 Penguin

Critic reviews

"This is a book for grown-up fans of children's fantasy and would appeal to those who loved Donna Tartt's The Secret History. Highly recommended." ( Library Journal)
"Provocative, unput-downable....one of the best fantasies I've read in ages." ( Fantasy & Science Fiction)
" The Magicians is to Harry Potter as a shot of Irish whiskey is to a glass of weak tea." (George R.R. Martin)

Extraordinary captive and interesting, shows Magic

captive and interesting, shows that without effort one can't achieve his purpose. really magical the way it works through personnalite.

Hate to say it but

I'm really into the show, emotionally invested in the characters from the show, which are not the characters from the book. The book characters seem very two-dementional in comparison to the dynamic portrayal by very excellent actors. I had hoped to get some background on the characters that wasn't in the show, but there really wasn't any. And this is perhaps the worst narrator I've heard yet, or maybe it's just the prosey writing style. Long sentences, monotone, my mind wanders. And he does the thing, overpronouncing wh's. Cool whhhip. Wish the book was more flushed out, wish the narrator was anyone else...

A realistic look at depressive malcontents

Well written. The story captured my imagination. The performance is good but I've heard better voice changes for females and accents by other readers.

Print vs audio

Would you listen to The Magicians again? Why?

I enjoyed the overall story, there were interesting situations and a few
Very original responses to the now cliche " surprise ! You're going to magic school.”
I would like to read the third book. I emphasis the word read as opposed to listen.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The most intersting aspect of the story was also the worst aspect. These characters
Are completely charmless. There is not one I care about or wish to have further
Insight into. Selfish, shallow and cliche , they were the students we should dislike
In that self pity novel of poor prep school kid torment. They move through situations of potential charm, awe, terror, wonderment all with the same "meh" attitude with few
Exceptions. I would have expected them to be electrified into change but they remain
As unpleasant as they begin. An interesting treatment.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Although there were little elements of many other once original, magic realm vs mundane
story devices , the overall path of the story and wonderful odd events makes
These novels an entertaining read. Do READ them.

Any additional comments?

However the worst aspect of this book was the narrator's voice. And it was also perfect.
Think of a bored sarcastic peevish John Lithgow. That is the voice reading about
Bored, self centered , unsympathetic characters. Truly horrible.
I will read the third novel and spare myself one more level of disenchantment.
However if you want to maximize the unattractive qualities of the novel's characters
This narrator serves nicely.

Rewarding Wizard Book that Takes Itself Seriously

I got this book after watching the made for television version "The Magicians". Of course the book was better!! Of course the TV series doesn't flow or it has stuff that wasn't in the book. Don't be stupid! Get this book to listen an outstanding performance by Mark Bramhall. Then watch the TV series on Amazon prime to have fun and to stop being such a stuck up little pill.

Fantastic book

It is everything I hoped and more! It's magic meets real life and adulthood! Not for someone looking to escape their everyday life!

MAGIk

Loved it. A little different from SciFi series, but love Quin and Elliot. Penny from TV version is my favorite!

Great Universe, Ok Story, Mediocre Narrator

I really enjoy the universe of this story. Plenty of places for your imagination to run wild and a great listen. Sadly I’ve been watching the show before I listened to the book and I think the show is better. The book is a little whiny and the monotone narrator was really hard to listen to at first. His female voices are the worst. Over all though I really enjoyed comparing the stories from the book and the television show. Definitely on to the next one. :)

thoroughly enjoyed this book

wow!!! the television series made me want to read this. much more understanding of Fillory and it's story now! on to the next book!

average at best

I rated the book at about 2.5 stars. I wasn't impressed I have read reviews that the second was better.