So, in DKT's pretty excellent intro to PC71 "I'll Give In" (a story I still need to think about before commenting), he discussed Magic as Fantastical Escapism as opposed to the conjunction of magic and the mundane. A recent - very well written - book that deals with this issue is Lev Grossman's "The Magicians". I should point out that this is not a very enjoyable book in my opinion - all the characters, especially the protagonist, are extremely unpleasant - but it is thought-provoking in the way it plays with tropes. Mostly, it points out that once that once the novelty of magic wears off, all of other life's problems remain - and that kids who were isolated and/or abused are likely to grow up into screwed-up adults, magic or not.
Anyone else here read it? What did you think?
Ok, so I read it. And you're totally right, there were some things I really, really didn't like about it, most of the people included. But I loved the trope play. Writingwise there was some enviable prose, and some very pretty imagery. Definitely a well done book. But I find teenage angst really boring a lot of the time. I found it boring while I was having it and am endlessly grateful I don't have to return to my teenaged years. So a lot of the ennui the characters felt translated too well to me. I am bored by your boredom! Stop whining! I need a magic ring so's I can reach into this book and SMACK you.
Although there was some great parts, and some of the prose was very pretty, I almost felt like I'd have preferred sitting around and talking to Lev Grossman about the conceptual aspects of the book instead of reading it. Like the execution was not quite up to the premise? Even though I can't point out where the execution went wrong, it's just that it didn't sparkle the way the idea of it did, I guess.
Hated the ending. So pat and Hollywood. WTF. It was like "Oh did I forget to tie up a thread? Allow me! There. Nice bow. All tidied up." For a book that was trying to be so much like real life, the ending was way too neat.
But loved, loved, loved the villain. That was awesome, and I didn't see it coming until I think I was supposed to.