Comments on: “The Magicians” by Lev Grossman http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3371 Reading, Writing, Movies and Mothering in Minneapolis, Mostly Sun, 31 May 2026 08:06:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: girldetective http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3371&cpage=1#comment-18320 girldetective Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:55:23 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3371#comment-18320 Carolyn, I don't think people are comparing French to Tartt, but saying that the premise of the Likeness is similar to the premise of the Secret History--they're both psycho-social mysteries set within a group of clique-y academics. Magicians has that same set of clique-y academics, that's why I was reminded of both the others. Carolyn, I don’t think people are comparing French to Tartt, but saying that the premise of the Likeness is similar to the premise of the Secret History–they’re both psycho-social mysteries set within a group of clique-y academics. Magicians has that same set of clique-y academics, that’s why I was reminded of both the others.

]]> By: carolyn http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3371&cpage=1#comment-18314 carolyn Sun, 20 Jun 2010 02:31:21 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3371#comment-18314 This sounds really interesting, although I'm going to refuse to think of my longing for a fantasy world as a character flaw. I think I've got enough of those already! :) But in resopnse to Steph's comment: Really? People are comparing Donna Tartt to Tana French? Woah. In my opinion, Tana French is a MUCH, MUCH better writer than Tartt. Not even in the same league. This sounds really interesting, although I’m going to refuse to think of my longing for a fantasy world as a character flaw. I think I’ve got enough of those already! :)

But in resopnse to Steph’s comment: Really? People are comparing Donna Tartt to Tana French? Woah. In my opinion, Tana French is a MUCH, MUCH better writer than Tartt. Not even in the same league.

]]> By: girldetective http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3371&cpage=1#comment-18308 girldetective Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:49:31 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3371#comment-18308 Steph, I read Secret History a long time ago and remember it was overlong, but had one of the best reveals I'd read. The similarity that runs through it, French's The Likeness, and The Magicians, is the academic clique living together, and the benefits and significant psychological drawbacks of such. I didn't like Quentin either--not sure it's possible to--but I did recognize and guiltily identify with his childish longings for a magic world and lasting happiness. I spent the book hoping for his comeuppance, and come it did, which felt satisfying to me. Steph, I read Secret History a long time ago and remember it was overlong, but had one of the best reveals I’d read. The similarity that runs through it, French’s The Likeness, and The Magicians, is the academic clique living together, and the benefits and significant psychological drawbacks of such.

I didn’t like Quentin either–not sure it’s possible to–but I did recognize and guiltily identify with his childish longings for a magic world and lasting happiness. I spent the book hoping for his comeuppance, and come it did, which felt satisfying to me.

]]> By: Steph http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3371&cpage=1#comment-18306 Steph Sat, 19 Jun 2010 03:21:02 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=3371#comment-18306 You already know that I wasn't a fan of this one (I hated Quentin so much, and I felt the story dragged a lot, among other things), but I didn't think it was without merit. That said, I won't be reading the sequel when it's released! But I am really curious about The Secret History now. I've read a lot of good things about it (most frequently I see it compared to Tana French, of whom I am a big fan), though you're the first to have compared it to The Magicians. I won't hold that against it though... ;) You already know that I wasn’t a fan of this one (I hated Quentin so much, and I felt the story dragged a lot, among other things), but I didn’t think it was without merit. That said, I won’t be reading the sequel when it’s released!

But I am really curious about The Secret History now. I’ve read a lot of good things about it (most frequently I see it compared to Tana French, of whom I am a big fan), though you’re the first to have compared it to The Magicians. I won’t hold that against it though… ;)

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