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Harry Potter. The name conjures up J.K. Rowling's wondrous world of magic that has captured the imaginations of millions on both the printed page and the silver screen with bestselling novels and blockbuster films. The true magic found in this children's fantasy series lies not only in its appeal to people of all ages but in its connection to the greater world of classic literature.
Harry Potter's Bookshelf: The Great Books Behind the Hogwarts Adventures explores the literary landscape of themes and genres J.K. Rowling artfully wove throughout her novels-and the influential authors and stories that inspired her. From Jane Austen's Emma and Charles Dickens's class struggles, through the gothic romances of Dracula and Frankenstein and the detective mysteries of Dorothy L. Sayers, to the dramatic alchemy of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and William Shakespeare, Rowling cast a powerful spell with the great books of English literature that transformed the story of a young wizard into a worldwide pop culture phenomenon.
Ten genres all mined and explored with "solid light" (golden) insights! This text about texts is a pure gift from one who loves literature about Harry Potter and much, much more. Bram Stoker to JK Rowling? YEP! Shakespeare to JK Rowling? YEP! And there's more gold in them 'ere pages, too.
AS Byatt referred to Harry Potter and the Childish Adult in a review of the same title some time ago. She missed the boat. Granger does NOT miss the boat. In fact, if you had to take one tour guide to the boat of English Literature, this is the one to take. It will open up possibilities and connections that will enhance your re-reading of Harry, Romeo and Juliet, Dante, and Dorothy L. Sayers, to mention just a few authors.
Granger has solidified the light and set it on candlestick so all may see. Get your copy and start seeing in many ways and manners that now become consciously appreciated. You appreciated Rowling and Harry before this; you will appreciate them more after reading this study.
6 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.dchan
Posted July 10, 2009
I Also Recommend:
You needn't be a Harry Potter fan to enjoy, appreciate, and benefit from John Granger's newest offering. For both literary geeks and those who read merely for pleasure, HARRY POTTER'S BOOKSHELF is a magic carpet ride to understanding books. Even beach reads can contain within them story elements and genres revealed in this book.
As always, Granger offers his literary x-ray goggles to see below-the-surface story structure, symbolism and meaning, to reveal the depth and detail that make a book not only work, but "do a work" within the reader.
HARRY POTTER'S BOOKSHELF opens up Harry Potter and English literature as keys to one another in a personable, entertaining way. Granger's sparkling prose, witty style, and often laugh-out-loud summaries of Great Books (Gothic antiheroes are jerks!) and Harry Potter passages, make this book a page-turner.
Invoking icons from Homer to Star Trek, Granger explains complex insights in a manner accessible to teens and adults. Using the four layers of meaning (surface, moral, allegorical and anagogical, i.e. mythic/edifying), Granger enjoyably expounds on literary genres and authors that influenced Rowling, and how she remarkably "rowled" them all together in creating her epic. These genres include Austen's narrative misdirection a la pride & prejudice/twists, gothic romance, detective mystery, the boarding school story, postmodernism, satire, the Hero's Journey, and the Everyman allegory. He concisely and clearly explains the eye imagery, circle meaning, eye imagery, and literary alchemy scaffolding of the Potter books.
I believe this book should be required high-school reading, because it prepares students to understand classics assigned in their courses up through college, and books they'll read throughout their lives. Adult readers will have new appreciation for the books already on their shelves, and may find themselves rereading that "boring" Great Book--and Harry Potter--in a new and revealing way.
For understanding Harry Potter, John Granger's your man--and there's so much more to discover. Check out his other insightful books-HOW HARRY CAST HIS SPELL, UNLOCKING HARRY POTTER, and THE DEATHLY HALLOWS LECTURES. Put on your x-ray goggles and jump on his magic carpet for more rides through storytelling magic.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DonHolmes
Posted July 13, 2009
I met John Granger about four years ago after contacting him when I found out he lived near my home. He and his wife are delightful along with their seven home schooled kids. He saw significant insights to the HP books that never crossed my mind. I asked him if he was maybe reading things into the books that weren't there. He said "not a chance!!!" He is a graduate of the U of Chicago with a degree in Ancient Languages and Literature, the same degree that J. K Rowling received from Execter College in England. John says when you see it, you just see it. No mistake. With his education, he says you would have to be blind not to see it. We all own John a debt of gratitude for his work on this great book. Go buy it - I promise that YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPOINTED!!!!!!!!!!!!! Surprised, but not disapointed.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 3, 2012
EVEN IF THE BOOK IS NOT THAT GOOD, DONT HATE HARRY POTTER!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 8, 2012
Dont read the sample!!!! It is only the introduction and credits. But the real book looks good.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 9, 2012
I hate this book!!!!!!!!!!!
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I did not realize that Harry Potter was connected to so much famous literature. I also think it's so cool that The author's last name is Granger, because that is also Hermione's last name.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 19, 2013
Wals in
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Posted February 19, 2013
Why can't people here Spell? Normal, easy words should be spelled correctly, otherwise it makes you look like an Idiot! Forget Harry Potter books, Buy Spelling Books First!
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Posted February 14, 2013
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 7, 2013
I didnt say it that mean but yea tats basicly what happened.
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Posted February 2, 2013
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Anonymous
Posted January 31, 2013
I just noticed something: John Granger, Hermionie Granger(excuse my spelling.)
Anonymous
Posted February 25, 2013
*hands her a pillow*
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Posted February 1, 2013
Hi
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Posted March 19, 2013
"Hello! Welcome to Griffindor! I am Rose Granger you are?" She says cheerfully.
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Posted March 17, 2013
GRYFFINDOR DORM; Password: pottermore
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Posted January 21, 2013
Is his name really granger? If so i am very jealous! I think hermione is the best person ever! She is an amazing role model! Hermione granger inspired me so much i wish fiction was nonfiction......
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Posted January 18, 2013
Awesome
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Posted January 17, 2013
I lov harry potter so much that when I was in pre k I dressed up in a harry custumes for fun!!!!!!! #1 fan!!!!! P.S please don't say bad words on here... I'm 9 years old.
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Overview
Harry Potter. The name conjures up J.K. Rowling's wondrous world of magic that has captured the imaginations of millions on both the printed page and the silver screen with bestselling novels and blockbuster films. The true magic found in this children's fantasy series lies not only in its appeal to people of all ages but in its connection to the greater world of classic literature.
Harry Potter's Bookshelf: The Great Books Behind the Hogwarts Adventures explores the literary ...