Today, we’re diving into an interesting topic that’s been debated in cozy reading nooks and heated online forums alike: Have the words “wizards” and “witches” become clichéd in modern literature? Oh boy, let’s talk!
So, we’ve all read Harry Potter, right? I mean, if you haven’t, you’ve at least heard of the Chosen One, and the iconic Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. J.K. Rowling set the gold standard for how magical beings should be portrayed, leaving us in awe of wizards dueling with wands and witches concocting potions. However, it’s been years since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows wrapped up the series, and yet it feels like every other book on the shelf aims to recreate that world.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the idea of wizards and witches. The magic, the spells, the robes—what’s not to love? But lately, there seems to be a slight overdose. For instance, The Magicians by Lev Grossman was marketed as “Harry Potter for adults,” but, despite its darker tone and complex characters, some folks felt a little déjà vu. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the Brakebills Series because Grossman managed to make the trope all his own which is what good writing is all about. (I can’t say the same for the TV version–that was a bit of a snooze).
And then there’s Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series. Though not directly revolving around witches and wizards, the presence of magical beings gives off similar vibes. But what sets it apart is its inventive approach to magic and its lore. No wands or pointy hats here! See, it’s like Sarah J. Maas knew we needed a break from the clichés.
It’s not that these books aren’t good; they are often fantastic reads! It’s just that the terms “wizards” and “witches” might be losing their original charm. So many authors use these archetypes that we almost expect any book with magical elements to feature them.
And, for the love of books, can we please have a moratorium on the whole “Chosen One” narrative?
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for our magical friends. There are some fresh takes out there that breathe life back into these terms. Take The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. It’s less about wizards and witches and more about the mystery of magical abilities, and let me tell ya, it’s a breath of fresh air.
Or what about Naomi Novik’s Uprooted? It flips the wizard trope on its head, giving us a cranky, powerful magician known as the Dragon who isn’t exactly your typical wise mentor. No Dumbledore vibes here!
In the end, are “wizards” and “witches” becoming clichéd? Maybe a little. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, what we call a cliché is just a well-loved storytelling element that resonates with a lot of people. And if you ask me, there’s still plenty of magic left in these words.
So what do you think? Are you tired of the old wand-waving, spell-casting characters, or do you think they’ve still got some juice left? Grab your wand (or don’t) and sound off in the comments below!
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