The Hidden Key to Harry Potter: Understanding the Meaning, Genius, and Popularity of Joanne Rowling's Harry Potter Novels

by John Granger

Book Overview

What you need to know about The Hidden Key to Harry Potter: 1) It is the first critical study to unlock the inner meaning of Harry Potter by treating the series seriously as literature along the lines... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0972322108
• ISBN13: 9780972322102
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: Zossima Press
• Length: 364 Pages
• Weight: 2.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Illuminating Survey

Granger's work is an invaluable lesson not only for Harry Potter fans but for those interested in literature and the use of symbols to bring out greater issues. Focusing not only on Rowling but her predecessors, Tolkien and Lewis, Granger surveys the "world of Potter." He examines major themes, particularly those involving death, rebirth, and transfiguration. After reading Granger's book (and is there something perhaps in the fact that he shares a name with the most intelligent of the Potter characters?), I re-read the entire series. The patterns and rythms seemed far clearer. Granger uses his knowledge of the whole of classical literature from a myriad of sources to point out the development of the major themes of Rowling's work. It is fascinating. My seventeen year old, who seldom enjoys getting involved in anything involving literature beyond what is required for school, ripped through the book and then devoured Harry 5, declaring that she had found far more meaning in the book than she had previously found in all the others. An amusing highlight were the predictions Granger made about future books. Since his book was written before Phoenix it was easy to check. He was wrong quite a lot, but on the other hand, he was also right in some places. And, as he has written after the last book, some elements he predicted mya come to pass in Harry 6. This is a fascinating read for those who enjoy literature as well as for Pottermaniacs.

Harry Potter for adults

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!

Extraordinary Analysis of Harry Potter!

Truly, this has to be one of the best, if not the best analysis of the Harry Potter series. As a Potterholic, I was looking for a book that definatively got at the heart of Potter's popularity using logical and supported literary analysis, and Granger's book fulfills that. John Granger looks at both the series as a whole, as well as book by book, the symbolism involved as an entity unto itself, and makes sound predictions for books 5-7 based on his analysis. The Christian themes that pervade Rowling's books are explained phenomenally well, and Granger puts, for example, information regarding Inkling literature and the Christian medieval morality plays (two important aspects of Harry Potter) into layman's tems, so that even those readers not familiar with those particular characteristics are not lost.It is a remarkable book, and I have read it several times as I prepare for the release of Book 5. You will not be disappointed with The Hidden Key to Harry Potter. It is by far, the best way to unlock the secrets that make Rowling's books such a magical series.

Good News for Defenders of Harry

John Granger examines the classical themes and devices in the Harry Potter series with skillful and convincing evidence. He connects almost every name not only with its etymological roots but also with its precise delineation of the character who owns it. He makes us see the 800 pound elephant which has been sitting in front of us all unacknowledged: the fact that J.K. Rowling's training in classics and her wide reading (I'm tempted to say "wide AND DEEP reading -- no shallow skimmer here!) have produced a fresh flow of the everlasting materials of Story. It is her use of those traditional elements that gives the books their sense of goodness. As C.S. Lewis said of George MacDonald's Phantastes, "It baptized my imagination." Granger shows that Rowling uses the device of the school for magic to get past "the watchful dragons" that belch smoke and fury at any overt use of Christian terminology. This sounds as if Granger's book must be difficult for us ordinary folks to read: nothing could be further from the truth! It is delightfully easy reading, making the connections between mythical elements and the details of the books very clear.Don't let the hoopla and doodads of the popularizers of Harry's stories keep you from reading this book and paying serious attention to what Granger says.

Tremendous Insights Into the World of Harry Potter

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.