The Magicians-- Lev Grossman vs. The Catcher In The Rye -- J.D.Salinger

I absolutely adored The Magicians. I thought it was genius. I read it in two days, and nearly threw a tantrum when I finished because I wanted to read more and there wasn't any book left. I made approximately everyone I know read it. Before I even finished the book, I was lending it out to my friends. I will not proselytize for any cause except really really excellent books. Lev Grossman's next book, The Magician King is out this summer and I am making every effort to make August happen faster simply so I can get my hands on the book as soon as possible.

The Catcher in the Rye inspired no such fervor in me. We read it in English class, but I wasn't the type of student to write off a book just because a teacher had the gall to recommend it. My first year of High School we read After the First Death, and ever since then I've been fairly trusting that my English teachers know what books to read. A Separate Peace challenged that conviction, but whatever. Catcher in the Rye pissed me off. And not in the right way, because I think you're supposed to finish the book somewhat aggravated. I think Salinger wanted you to put that book down, and sigh for Holden. Feel that the world was a little clearer now that Holden had exposed it and that your perspective permanently changed because of it. Surely that's what the most powerful books do, leave you a different person than you were when you opened the cover.

I hated Holden. I thought he was conceited. I thought he was lame. I didn't understand why he was taking all of this opportunity and throwing it as far away as he possibly could. Rather than finding him sympathetic, I found him abominable. His boredom didn't inspire me to do anything other than put the book down.

So when I read an interview with Lev Grossman that called out Quentin for his Holden likeness (here: http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd%2F4spot%2F20110113#72585) , I immediately balked. Surely not! Quentin is nothing like Holden! Their names both end in n and that is where the similarities end.

When I calmed down, getting over the tragic error in comparing one of my favorite books to an utterly uninspiring work took some time, I began to reconsider. Quentin and Holden do share some remarkable similarities. Namely, they are both bored. In both books, the ennui is palpable. The pages are pervaded with a sense of endlessness that comes from a person who is truly lost and feels absolutely no desire or power or ambition to change. Both make dumb decisions because of their boredom (to say any more on the matter would necessitate spoilers, so I'll stop there). Both are young men, leaving high school and facing the vast world in front of them. But really, their major similarity and a defining characteristic of both is their boredom.

So why is Quentin so attractive? Why does he work so much better for me? Is it simply because Quentin is smarter? He is a self described math nerd, and it takes a brave soul to claim that title. Is it because there's magic in the magicians and only resounding tedium in Holden's world? Perhaps the characters are not all that different and in the Magicians the context is different; I adore Quentin because he lives in a universe I cherish.

I'm not sure. However, I do know that all of you should go out now and get a copy of The Magicians. It's absolutely worth your money.