As a writer, cracking the code of JK Rowling's success with the Harry Potter series has definitely been on my mind. So when this book popped on my radar, I was intrigued. I grabbed it during a sale, and set to reading it almost immediately. I have to say, while the writer waxes a bit academic at times, the overall information given has been incredibly helpful.

That being said, it's not a road map for writing a bestseller. The book is not even intended for that, but the principles, the themes explored, and the very Christian message throughout the Potter series are incredible when laid out like it is here. I know it has given me a new perspective on my own writing.

If you're curious as to why the world has taken so easily to Pottermania, I think this book provides a lot of great information. And while the book doesn't exactly say it's any one thing, I think the author has hit the nose with his assessment of the stories that are so widely loved. ( )

An updated (post publication of HP7) edition of Looking for God in Harry Potter (probably a better title). Granger discusses the Christian symbolism and story points throughout the Harry Potter series and argues that the inclusion of these Christian motifs and themes is the reason Harry Potter is so popular, even among lapsed or non-Christians. He overreaches a bit sometimes with that argument (or rather, he couches it badly--he often comes across as saying "Christianity is the answer" when what I think his argument needs is "Christianity has answers." An important distinction he only half gets at and which is probably essential to making this argument fully fly.), but the discussion of the symbolism itself is convincing. Some repetitive material here if you've read other works by Granger (especially The Deathly Hallows Lectures), but How Harry Cast His Spell brings all the discussion of religion together in a well-organized package. ( )

John Granger has written several books analyzing J.K. Rowling’s complex fantasy series from various view points including the many literary and folkloric influences on her work. This is the third one that I've read and they have all been outstanding but this one may be the best one of all, at least so far.

In this book Granger focuses primarily on the Christian influences that permeate the series. The first half of the book he explores general Christian ideas that occur throughout the series. The rest of the books analyzes each volume in terms of how her series shows several views of the redemption story that is central to Christianity. I was fascinated by this in depth analysis which discusses the many layers of meaning in the series, including the how the names of the characters relate to their character and purpose. Anyone who loves this series should enjoy this book—and you'll get a chuckle when you discover which character she modeled after Margaret Thatcher. Highly recommended for serious readers of this outstanding series.. ( )