Anansi Boys

This was one hell of a story (pardon the language). The fact that Gaimen is the writer of "Coraline" as well only makes sense, for both possess a deep and rich plot line with a story that stems deeper than most I've read before. At first, I have to admit, this story didn't sit well with me, and it took a while for me to get into it, however, by the end I was completely enthralled. The story follows Charlie Nancy, an accountant tossed into a hidden and legendary world whose existence was entirely unknown previous to the death of his father, an ancient god from an ancient world of animal spirits. This book was entirely unpredictable to me, only adding to its appeal, on top of the story line that sucked me in at the first mention of unknown magical history. This followed the typical story of an underdog coming of age in a way, with some sort of unexpected event kick starting the flood of truth, the great reveal of an entire world previously a mystery. Much like Coraline, this book reveals a history of good and evil, and a destiny that the character simply cannot avoid. One of my favorite aspects of the book was the way Gaimen portrayed the Gods of this world. They are unlike anything from modern religion, apart from perhaps certain African belief systems, and for this reason truly gained my affection. Overall, the book was a really amazing read, flowing well from scene to scene and holding my interest throughout most of it. The ending seemed fitting, and wrapped around nicely with a believable and happy ending to a story that seemed to be heading down a dark path from the beginning. 

Labyrinth

Oh boy, was this a blast from the past. Being that most of the students in this class are 90's children, I am almost positive that I'm not the only one who found this movie to be extremely nostalgic. I grew up with this film, so being able to refresh my mind with its fantastic and original story and imagery was really amazing. The film is a coming of age story set in a world hugely different from our own. We follow Sarah, a young girl left to watch over her baby half-brother, as she makes her way through a series of tests and obstacles within a labyrinth created by the Goblin King Jareth. Seeking to recover her brother, whom she wished away in anger and frustration, Sarah meets a wide cast of characters and learns a bit about herself and life in the process. This film is nothing compared to the CG and animation of present day, but in its own way captures the magic it portrays in a way films of today just don't. Under harder scrutiny though, Labyrinth possess a plethora of common themes and lessons found in fantasy films of the era, and this one focuses on coming of age. Through the trials and obstacles Sarah encounters, she is forced into adulthood. The strange thing I can say I noticed, is the fact that she seems to be so absorbed in a fantasy world from the beginning, which in a way is something that you can say held her back, and yet it is a world of magic and fantasy that ended up being the catalyst she needed to kick start her maturity. We started the film with her reading a book, lines from which she recites throughout the movie, a book about goblins and such not much unlike what the movie seems to be about. It is here that we see the reflection of the world of the labyrinth, the world that provided her the reason and lessons to grow up, to become an adult and leave her childhood behind. All together, an amazing movie, just as good as I remember it being.

The Magicians

Fantasy novels wisp readers away to another world, a world of magic and wonder that can sometimes make the world we actually live in seem dull and colorless. They brighten our childhood and gull us into a sense of wonderment and awe, and provide for memories and ideas that we carry with us well into adulthood. The Magicians is a surprisingly good novel that pays homage to the magical and fantastic stories of so many fantasy writers before him, and provides a haven to those seeking another outlet after the epic conclusion of Harry Potter. The book follows Quentin Coldwater, a young man rejected from the college of his choice and cast into the world of magic and sorcery he seems to be so obsessed with since reading "Fillory and Further." He has lost all sense of wonder in his life and in the world around him, and that passion is reignited with his induction into Brakebills, a college for magic extremely reminiscent of Hogwarts. Grossman's piece has been labelled "Harry Potter for adults," and in so many ways this is true. I love the fact that he takes a childish and popular theme, magic and sorcery, and ties in adult and mature elements, injecting stories of sex, drugs, and apathy among other things into this daring book. This story takes the reader into a world that is a bit more believable, introducing real world problems and themes into this fantasy realm of life and magic. I have always had trouble getting into the genre of fantasy, as far as reading goes, mainly because everything associated with it seems immature in so many ways, and I find it difficult to relate. The Magicians broke that barrier, providing a healthy does of reality with each drop of magic and fantasy, breaking the barriers of what I thought this genre was about, and working to appeal to some of our most basic desires to bring enchantment and wonder to a world that has become dull and oppressive in so many ways.