Lev Grossman The Magicians

Unfortunately because of my busy week, I was not able to read the entire book.

The Magicians is a fictional story that revolves around Quentin Coldwater, a brilliant yet miserable high school student. His life changes dramatically when he is given a secret invitation to join an unknown college of magic in New York. Once enrolled, he learns the secrets to wizardry and is taught how to summon enchantments. Coldwater's miserable existence slowly fades away as he settles more into the magical community. He slowly familiarizes himself with new discoveries: love, friendship, loss, boredom, etc.

I didn't really enjoy the amount I was able to read from the book. It reminded me much of Harry Potter and it wasn't as interesting. There didn't seem to be much magic and it lacked any optimism. I was unable to fully appreciate the main characters or even the other characters. I felt that the author tried to hard in incorporating an existentialist outlook to the novel and just didn't pull it off well. I feel that he should have stuck with pure fantasy. In the end, the book is too cold and sterile.

However, there are a few things I did enjoy in general about the novel. Coldwater turning from a nobody into a sorcerer is done well here. It is interesting to see the evolution from man to sorcerer. Grossman successfully conveys the huge rush of empowerment a disenfranchised teen would feel if magical powers were suddenly introduced to him.

The Hobbit by Tolkein

The Hobbit is a fantasy novel about the heroic tale of Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo is a simple, home-loving, hobbit who lived all of his life in the Shire, a community of peaceful hobbits. Bilbo embarks on a quest with a wizard named Gandalf and a band of dwarfs. The quest takes up almost the entire novel. It is a sort of right of passage for Bilbo, as he becomes more mature and wiser. He journeys away from the comfort of his home to the dark unknown territories of the Wilderland. After all his encounters with danger, he succeeds in doing something grand and heroic by facing the Dragon. In the end Bilbo lives to share his tale and returns home to the Shire. Bilbo's journey is a great example of the hero cycle. He explores his identity and confidence with the world beyond the Shire. Bilbo was first introduced as a timid and easily frightened hobbit. But he later proves to prove himself multiple times. He never lets himself be engulfed by greed. Stones and precious jewels do not corrupt him. He learns to become selfless and put the needs of others before his own. Indeed Bilbo transforms himself from a common hobbit into a purely heroic figure.

What I appreciate most about the novel is Tolkein's way of describing his fantasy world. He describes it in full detail so that we can immerse ourselves into his world and creation. His descriptions of the extraordinary are approached in a casual manner, so that the reader does not feel that he is trying to be convinced. It is fascinating to enter Tolkein's world and get to know his imaginative characters. The different races (elves, dwarfs, trolls, goblins) are different physically and morally.

We can also detect a sense of humor in Tolkein's tone. Even in Bilbo's most dangerous moments, Tolkein is able to sooth the tension with his wit.

American Psycho Bret Easton Ellis

This was a fascinating book to read. I had never read a book told through words of a psychopathic serial killer. The killer's name is Patrick Bateman, a wealthy businessman who graduated from Harvard and now works for his father's company. On first appearance, Bateman seems to be a well educated, successful businessman who is charming and humorous amongst women and his co-workers.

This novel is a psychological thriller that is told by serial killer and businessman, Patrick Bateman. The novel is simply Bateman describing his day to day life. He goes to expensive bars, and nightclubs, comments on expensive clothing, makes dinner reservations with his wealthy business partners and brutally murders his victims. What is most disturbing is that no matter what he describes, the reader percieves no true emotion in his voice other than the occasional disgust and greed. I believe that Bateman represents American capitalism since his only interest is to be on top and kill any competition that's holdin him back. Gradually Bateman's murders become more frequent and more brutal in nature. He even goes so far as to pull out the insides of his victims from their mouths while they are still alive. the murders consist of mutilation, rape, torture and cannibalism. However, as the story progresses, Bateman's state of mind becomes increasingly unstable. He has visions that seem to be real. The reader begins to question whether Bateman is actually committing these murders or whether they are some twisted fantasy that is going out of control. 

What really disturbs me about the novel is Bateman's indifference in describing the mutilations and other atrocities he commits. Even as Bateman's mask of sanity slips away, he still speaks in a calm and very descriptive manner. Its clear that without emotions, man is unable to control his morality. Bateman's thirst for blood increases and he is unable to control his obsession with murder. There is no connection between the victims.