The Magicians is an amazing work of fantasy by Lev Grossman, and the Syfy show is frigging awesome. I have always loved fantasy (magic, medieval times, exc.) but something about The Magicians sets it apart form other fictional series. And that thing is: it makes the fantastical, real.
My favourite character story line - especially in the books - is that of Ms. Julia Wicker. Why? Well, while Julia is all around a bad-ass character, her story line makes magic tangible.
In Harry Potter, you’re born a wizard or witch; in Star Wars, you’re born a Force user; in Mortal Instruments, you’re born a Shadow Hunter. These are just some examples, but you get the idea. And while it maybe cool to read about, or watch, these stories, we all secretly dream about having powers of our own. But these works kill that dream by saying that those powers come from fate or genetic lottery.
The Magicians discards that notion. While, yes, Brakebills is very exclusive, so many may never be even offered the chance to go there to learn magic, people from the outside world, old and young, can still use magic if they learn the proper spells. Julia’s story brings magic out of the sub-dimension that is Brakebills, and brings it into the real world. Feeding into the delusional child in the back of all of our minds that says “I could be a magician!”
Whether that was intentional or not - which I believe it was - it makes the story so much more powerful, and allows the audience to connect more.
This is why I identify more with hedge magicians than I do Brakebills magicians. I’m a fairly intelligent person, but I only got average grades in school, and not for a lack of trying. I love magic, and would be dedicated to learning, but that doesn’t matter to Brakebills, it’s all about conformity, and who will do the work without causing waves.
“Everyone will learn this abstract, complicated and complex idea f shaping the very ether to our whims at our pace and on our time.” Which isn’t what magic is about. Where as hedge magic is learned at a person’s own level and speed.
Basically, The Magicians has made magic stop being an elitist thing, and makes it available to all people. That’s why I love it.
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