- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Zossima Press; illustrated edition edition (Jan 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0972322108
- ISBN-13: 978-0972322102
- Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,368,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
symbols and secrets,
By
This review is from: The Hidden Key to Harry Potter: Understanding the Meaning, Genius and Popularity of Joanne Rowling's Harry Potter Novels (Paperback)
Having read several books *about* the Harry Potter books, I was intrigued to come across the HKHP by John Granger. It is streets ahead of the 'competition' in its brilliance, humour, depth and intelligence.The HKHP is something of a tour-de-force as it explores the symbolism of the four novels in some detail, considers what that means for the Harry Potter series and even dares to make some bold predictions about what will come in the last three books! My anticipation of OOP and the remaining two Potter books has been heightened by wanting to know how close Granger has come. Based on a series of four lectures the author gives, the book allows Granger's delightful humour to show through and although there is much detail about literature, symbolism and alchemy - the erudition is worn lightly and draws the reader into wanting to know more. Granger's thesis that we should take a 'high road' approach to Rowling's work and that she is in the Inkling tradition of Lewis and Tolkien, is virtually a lone voice in the critical world; too many see the books as "just" children's books. Also of interest is his survey of other books about Harry Potter attached as one of the four appendices. For those who want to take Harry Potter seriously, I can't recommend this book enough. But be prepared for surprises. tc
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Harry Potter for grown ups,
By
This review is from: The Hidden Key to Harry Potter: Understanding the Meaning, Genius and Popularity of Joanne Rowling's Harry Potter Novels (Paperback)
If you are one of the many adult fans of J.K. Rowling's books I am sure that you would find The Hidden Key to be a fascinating read. I would also highly recommend this book to you if you have no intention whatever of reading the Harry Potter series but are interesting in understanding what all the fuss is about. It is the best attempt I have seen to account for the unprecedented worldwide phenomenon that the books have become. Granger takes the Harry Potter books seriously as literature, and the depth of analysis is remarkable. However it is done with such enthusiasm and humour that it is also a very enjoyable read. I'd always suspected that there was more to these books than met the eye, and Hidden Key puts the complex weave of plot, symbolism and allusion under the microscope to reveal its intricate structure. As well as a detailed analysis of the four books so far published there is also some intriguing speculation about where the next three might go. This book gives us the chance to be informed about and involved in a remarkable literary event as it unfolds, don't miss the opportunity!
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tremendous Insights into Harry Potter,
By
This review is from: The Hidden Key to Harry Potter: Understanding the Meaning, Genius and Popularity of Joanne Rowling's Harry Potter Novels (Paperback)
This book succeeds on a number of fronts: 1) It details the important themes of the Potter books extremely well. This has allowed me to enjoy and appreciate the books much more than when I first helped read Sorcerer's Stone to my son. The Potter stories are great on their own but Hidden Key allows you to see the deep themes Rowling is baking into these stories. I guarantee you will appreciate her writing skill and the books themselves significantly more after reading this guide. 2)This has helped me to reinforce the themes in the Potter books, which are really the great themes we are faced with in life, for my son. It has given me an informed, adult view on Rowling's writing that has created many "teachable moments" with my son. In fact, I just had several more of these moments in the theater, while watching Chamber of Secrets, that were directly inspired by the Hidden Key's content. I consider myself a decent reader but, to be honest, it's amazing how much I missed in Rowling's books that John Granger has captured in great detail. From the themes in each of the four books to the hidden meaning of most of the character's names--the detail and analysis will astound you if you are a Potter fan. Plus the predictions for the future direction of the story provide great fodder for musing and discussion. I've looked at a few of the other guides out there but they really don't compare. If you'd like to see a serious treatment of Rowling's world as literature--and benefit from the experience--this is your book. If you are a Christian reader, you'll appreciate this guide even more--although the prime criteria needed to enjoy it is being a dedicated Potter fan or the parent of one! Actually, that leads me to my only disclaimer. This book is not written for the 8 year old Harry Potter fanatic. It is probably best suited to good teen readers and adults. But I do think the 8 year old fanatic's parents should buy it so they and their child will get the most from the magical world of Hogwarts.
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