The Magicians cover art

The Magicians

A Novel

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The Magicians

Written by: Lev Grossman
Narrated by: Mark Bramhall
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About this listen

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
Classics Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Literary Fiction Psychological Alcohol Heartfelt Young Adult Magic Users Witchcraft
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What the critics say

"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)

What listeners say about The Magicians

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  • Overall
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    3 out of 5 stars

good read

good read if you're bored. some original ideas. the action was very fast paced.. yep

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Long...

A lot of the reviews did you need to know the Narnia series to enjoy this, that is not true. Although a clear rip on Narnia, no knowledge doesn't matter. What does matter is how long and wordy this book is. It could have been half as long and would have still accomplished the same depressing feelings it does, and I probably would have enjoyed it a bit better. But in general, this book was really not very entertaining and more of just a long sad drone on of nothingness.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

HP for Misanthropes

I really liked this book, and it's because it made me love and hate the main characters at various points. It's magic if it was actually real, with real problems in imaginary worlds, with broken dissociated characters.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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You will fall in love

This book turned me on to this series and made it one of my favorites. A perfect blend of Harry Potter, the Narnia series, and the TV show "Skins" - perfect for any lover of high fantasy and teenage angst! #audible1

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A great book

I didn't know what to expect from this book, but I fell in love with the story. With some of the characters, it takes time to like them and to enjoy their storyline but all in all I very much enjoyed this book. Plus the narrator was amazing he really made the book come alive!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Unbelievablely Moving

Somehow the most rivoting, profound, deeply engaging, and visually beautiful book series I've ever read. Thank you Lev!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

was alright. a bit overhyped.

I think this could of benefited from the author painting a better picture of everything. I found the world building to be a bit lacking. furthermore, I found that there were alot of parts where someone should be speaking but their role was ignored or their existence was ignored. what happened to such and such?

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

More melancholy than magical

Grossman’s substantial talent for character building was wasted on this unlikeable protagonist. The world building could have been a lot better, I never felt immersed in the story as I would have liked to.

I don’t regret listening, but I won’t finish the series.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Entertaining for sure

Narration was exceptional - thought I was listening to Niles Crane from the show "Fraser". Story was very good - lead character was likable but I kept waiting for him to have extraordinary talents. Maybe that will unfold in book 2 which I will gladly purchase.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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An enjoyable listen

I came to this book series from the tv show. I’ve really enjoyed the the show and I’m really glad I listened to the books! It’s great to have an expanded understanding of this universe. I also like having a different perspective of each character and their story.

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