Scan barcode
mandimsadler's review
3.0
This was the first analytical book on Harry Potter I've read, and I enjoyed it. The sections on the alchemical symbolism and the storytelling "keys" were super interesting to me.
I found the rest to be rather repetitive, and kindof harping on the Christian undertones/symbolism in DH. Fair points made, but it got old after the third or fourth time reading the same points.
All in all, I would recommend this to people who are interested in a close analytical read of Harry Potter 7-- especially if you only read one or two chapters that sound interesting to you.
I found the rest to be rather repetitive, and kindof harping on the Christian undertones/symbolism in DH. Fair points made, but it got old after the third or fourth time reading the same points.
All in all, I would recommend this to people who are interested in a close analytical read of Harry Potter 7-- especially if you only read one or two chapters that sound interesting to you.
lemeilleurs's review
1.0
My first reaction "THANK GOODNESS THAT IS OVER!"
I hated this book so much. Too long and repetitive, for one. Secondly, Granger tries to pull the most obscure things and make them "symbolic". Sometimes I honestly wonder how I was an English major because I like to read books for their story, not their deep underlying meaning. So I did not appreciate the way Granger picks a part my favorite book series and tries to push forth an "agenda" that Rowling may or may not have actually intended. *CUE GIANT EYEROLL*
I hated this book so much. Too long and repetitive, for one. Secondly, Granger tries to pull the most obscure things and make them "symbolic". Sometimes I honestly wonder how I was an English major because I like to read books for their story, not their deep underlying meaning. So I did not appreciate the way Granger picks a part my favorite book series and tries to push forth an "agenda" that Rowling may or may not have actually intended. *CUE GIANT EYEROLL*
ehays84's review
4.0
A little unfortunate that it was thrown together so hastily (I try not to complain about this, but the editing is really terrible), but the content is great. John Granger is awesome! I plan to read his other ones about the Harry Potter books as well.
His basic point is the evaluate Deathly Hallows and all the books seriously, as they should be. He shows convincingly the various literary/religious/philosophical backgrounds upon which she draws to writer her books. Seeing the books in this light is extremely interesting and helps to see the amazing depth that Rowling put into her books.
I would recommend this author to anyone, but this particular book needs to be re-edited and then put out again.
His basic point is the evaluate Deathly Hallows and all the books seriously, as they should be. He shows convincingly the various literary/religious/philosophical backgrounds upon which she draws to writer her books. Seeing the books in this light is extremely interesting and helps to see the amazing depth that Rowling put into her books.
I would recommend this author to anyone, but this particular book needs to be re-edited and then put out again.
margeryb's review
4.0
This is a dense read and is definitely not for your casual reader. It is an in depth literary analysis that made me feel like I was back in my college class on aesthetics and interpretation. If you ever need a resource for some snooty type who just dismisses Harry Potter as a surface level children's tale, however good or popular of one, point them to this book and other's by John Granger. If you personally are looking for an easier to read literary-lensed analysis of Harry Potter, I would suggest Harry Potter's Bookshelf by this very same author.
Cons - Being published only a year after the Deathly Hallows, I think this must have been rushed to publication. The cover and back cover designs just scream cheap and their are a noticeable amount of types/spacing errors within the text. Also, many of the chapters are adaptations of actual lectures and that sometimes shows. Also-also, chock full of big, unfamiliar literary criticism vocab that can be alienating.
Pros - It pointed out a lot of symbols, parallels, and nuances of the text that I had missed and has gotten me re-excited for a reread of the Harry Potter series, realizing that there is more to be mined from not just another reading, but a close reading. The FAQ section in the back is really great. Really illuminating and great to see someone who takes the text of the Harry Potter books, not just the Pottermania, seriously. Despite any cons and the dense text, I read to the very end.
Cons - Being published only a year after the Deathly Hallows, I think this must have been rushed to publication. The cover and back cover designs just scream cheap and their are a noticeable amount of types/spacing errors within the text. Also, many of the chapters are adaptations of actual lectures and that sometimes shows. Also-also, chock full of big, unfamiliar literary criticism vocab that can be alienating.
Pros - It pointed out a lot of symbols, parallels, and nuances of the text that I had missed and has gotten me re-excited for a reread of the Harry Potter series, realizing that there is more to be mined from not just another reading, but a close reading. The FAQ section in the back is really great. Really illuminating and great to see someone who takes the text of the Harry Potter books, not just the Pottermania, seriously. Despite any cons and the dense text, I read to the very end.
sarahlchaps's review
2.0
This provided some good insight into the final book in the Harry Potter series. I learned why JK wrote the way she did, along with more specific things like why Harry and Lily's eyes are green (why Harry has his mother's eyes). In order to find these things out, however, you really need to plow through a ton of information. I felt like I was reading a text book, but the book was filled with terms I didn't quite understand. So, I had to skim most of it and get the gist of what the writer was saying. I ended up not finishing it, because I think the things I learned weren't really worth shoveling through all the other crap. You really need to know your literary terms and all about alchemy (which I knew nothing about before reading this) if you want to tackle this one.
helenephoebe's review
3.0
Review - I actually found this quite hard going, especially at first. I preferred the likes of [b:The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy: Hogwarts for Muggles|7942674|The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy Hogwarts for Muggles|Gregory Bassham|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348815696s/7942674.jpg|11383649], which was much easier to read and I found it more enjoyable. Perhaps I didn't like this one so much because it spent a lot of time linking everything to god and religion, and I have to admit I don't really believe in god or have a religion so to speak, and I'm not particularly interested in it. I like to know about the symbolism and the possibility of what is behind Rowling's fantastic novels, but linking everything back to religion seems too much to me, though there are some interesting points made.
General Subject/s? - Literature / Harry Potter / Religion / Magic
Recommend? – Maybe
Rating - 15/20
General Subject/s? - Literature / Harry Potter / Religion / Magic
Recommend? – Maybe
Rating - 15/20
katiemulcahy122's review
5.0
This was actually a mind blowing experience for me. My friends took to watching me read this book for their own entertainment because I had no control over my reactions. It was just SO interesting and eye-opening.
mbayne's review
4.0
This is a dense read and is definitely not for your casual reader. It is an in depth literary analysis that made me feel like I was back in my college class on aesthetics and interpretation. If you ever need a resource for some snooty type who just dismisses Harry Potter as a surface level children's tale, however good or popular of one, point them to this book and other's by John Granger. If you personally are looking for an easier to read literary-lensed analysis of Harry Potter, I would suggest Harry Potter's Bookshelf by this very same author.
Cons - Being published only a year after the Deathly Hallows, I think this must have been rushed to publication. The cover and back cover designs just scream cheap and their are a noticeable amount of types/spacing errors within the text. Also, many of the chapters are adaptations of actual lectures and that sometimes shows. Also-also, chock full of big, unfamiliar literary criticism vocab that can be alienating.
Pros - It pointed out a lot of symbols, parallels, and nuances of the text that I had missed and has gotten me re-excited for a reread of the Harry Potter series, realizing that there is more to be mined from not just another reading, but a close reading. The FAQ section in the back is really great. Really illuminating and great to see someone who takes the text of the Harry Potter books, not just the Pottermania, seriously. Despite any cons and the dense text, I read to the very end.
Cons - Being published only a year after the Deathly Hallows, I think this must have been rushed to publication. The cover and back cover designs just scream cheap and their are a noticeable amount of types/spacing errors within the text. Also, many of the chapters are adaptations of actual lectures and that sometimes shows. Also-also, chock full of big, unfamiliar literary criticism vocab that can be alienating.
Pros - It pointed out a lot of symbols, parallels, and nuances of the text that I had missed and has gotten me re-excited for a reread of the Harry Potter series, realizing that there is more to be mined from not just another reading, but a close reading. The FAQ section in the back is really great. Really illuminating and great to see someone who takes the text of the Harry Potter books, not just the Pottermania, seriously. Despite any cons and the dense text, I read to the very end.
simplyparticular's review
1.0
I had a very hard time getting into this book. I've read the first 200 pages at least three times, and can't seem to get past Granger's heavy language. Maybe I'll try again when I'm not exhausted from having small children and no sleep.
More...