Basically what the title says: Is there any fiction book you’ve ever read that has emotionally or intellectually connected with you so much it changed the way you viewed the world, changed the way you viewed yourself or changed the way you viewed life (your own or in general)?
If so…
- What book was it?
- Why did it connect so well with you?
- How did it make you feel?
- And how did it change you?
Just to emphasize, I’m solely asking about works of fiction here. So nothing like reading just an academic book on philosophy or a self-help book or something.
The Magicians by Lev Grossman.
I think it helps that I was a similar age to the main characters when I read it, and that I was a “gifted” kid who had high expectations placed on me from early childhood. Also I’m prone to existential crises.
I really resonated with how Quentin was so overjoyed to find out that magic is real, like his childhood dreams have come true, but then as the series goes on, he learns that magic is just another set of skills that you have to work really hard at to accomplish anything meaningful. I loved the point in the series when they all graduate from Brakebills, and they are sort of aimless.
It just really clicked for me that no matter what skills and talents you are born with or what advantages you have in life, no one is going to decide for you what to do with it, and you still need to put in the work to accomplish amazing things.