The Magicians
Lev Grossman
12 people recommended it in 5 threads, 2010–2020.
2 commenters pushed back on it — worth reading the threads.
What people on Hacker News said
The Magicians - adult magic fiction, and somehow it feels that if magic was indeed real, it would be like it is depicted here, not like anything in Harry Potter's (no matter how much I loved the storytelling, the magic theory was just so full of plotholes).
I hated The Magicians the first time, but I read it again once the tv show came out and I found it a lot better the second time. I just had to realize everyone in the book was supposed to be incredibly spoiled and bored assholes with barely any redeeming qualities.
Plus, a big chunk of the rest of the series revolves around <spoiler> Julia healing from sexual trauma </spoiler> and it was both nuanced and satisfying.
Both might not qualify as "great," but they both moved me and made me think, which few books accomplish.
I thought it was a wonderful take on fairy stories and the danger of getting what you want.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2018? 2018 · 8 recommendations
- Ask HN: Which books have you read more than once? 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2015? 2015 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Best books you read in 2012 2012 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Great books you read in 2009? 2010 · 1 recommendation