The Magicians Trilogy | Lev Grossman | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Lev Grossman talks about his journey as a fantasy fan and writer, the role of fantasy in literature, and his own experiences with writing The Magicians series.

Transcript

LEV GROSSMAN: My mom is English and she grew up in London. And like the [INAUDIBLE] kids, she was evacuated from London to escape the blitz during World War II. Although unlike the [INAUDIBLE] kids, she did not find her way into a secret, magical world of talking animals. And in fact, apparently, she was so naughty, in her host family's house that ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💨 Fantasy literature provides a unique avenue for exploring and confronting real-world problems in a different and imaginative way.
• ✊ Literary fiction should be recognized as its own genre, and the idea of escapism in literature is a misunderstanding of the power and purpose of fantasy.
• 🪭 Lev Grossman's personal experiences and upbringing heavily influenced his journey as a fantasy fan and writer, shaping his approach to the genre in The Magicians series.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Lev Grossman's upbringing and love for fantasy shape his writing career?

Grossman's exposure to fantasy as a child, coupled with his hyper literary household, ultimately led him to become a writer who is not bound by genre and who possesses a rich understanding of both fantasy and literary fiction.

Q: How did Lev Grossman approach writing fantasy differently in The Magicians series?

Grossman sought to bring a more realistic and contemporary perspective to the fantasy genre by exploring the complexities of magic, the struggles of young magicians, and the lack of clear moral lines that exist in the real world.

Q: How does Lev Grossman view escapism in literature?

Grossman believes that fantasy fiction is not about escaping reality, but rather about exploring and confronting the problems and complexities of the real world through a different lens. He states that fantasy can provide a unique way of understanding and grappling with reality.

Q: What are Lev Grossman's thoughts on the ongoing trend of long series in fantasy literature?

While Grossman acknowledges the appeal and enjoyment of long series, he felt that it was necessary to conclude his own Magicians series in order to have more creative freedom and address the narrative needs of his story.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Grossman shares his personal connection to fantasy literature, including his childhood love for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and his admiration for authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, T.H. White, and Ursula K. Le Guin.

• He discusses how fantasy remained important to him even as he grew up and pursued a career in literary fiction.

• Grossman explains his decision to write a fantasy novel, The Magicians, and his intention to explore the educational journey of a young magician in a more realistic and contemporary setting.