This is the indispensable source guide to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels--revised and updated with information relating to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Anyone who has read the Harry Potter books is aware that author J.K. Rowling infuses her stories with references to mythology, literature, history, and legends. Even if you don't know exactly what a manticore or a griffin is, it's likely that many readers have at least a vague sense of the existence of these creatures in ancient lore. Inspired by Rowling's suggestion to a young fan to "go and look it up," author David Colbert did quite a bit of investigation himself. The result is the fun, entertaining, and enlightening Magical Worlds of Harry Potter.
From alchemy to hippogriffs to veela, Colbert explores the fascinating meanings between the lines and buried within the names of characters and places in all the Harry Potter books. Chapter headings include such intriguing questions as "Have Witches Always Flown on Broomsticks?" "Why Would Chocolate Help After Escaping a Dementor?" and "Are Any of the Famous Witches and Wizards Real?" A small purple tab in the margin of the first page of each chapter guides readers looking for specific subjects: Divination, Goblins, McGonogall, Owls, Voldemort, Wands, etc. Curious readers will learn the link between Hagrid's pet dog, Fluffy, and the mythological Greek sentry to Hades, Cerberus. And they'll get a taste of scholar Joseph Campbell's theories on heroism, with Harry as the hero, of course. The true magic of this book is that it will surely inspire Harry Potter fans to delve deeper into the various areas it explores. Readers will soon be clamoring for collections of Greek, Japanese, Indian, and Egyptian mythology, as well as copies of The Sword in the Stone, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Canterbury Tales, and Treasure Island, to discover the sources of their favorite Harry Potter books. (All ages) --Emilie Coulter
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Informative:
This book was fairly informative and answered as well as brought up numerous questions. Of course, some of these answers can be found off the internet, this book provides historical references which greatly aid in furthering the knowledge of the entire Harry Potter Series.
I hope that a newer and even more updated version becomes available so that some other questions could be answered.
Handy for any mythological references:
There are so many Harry Potter books out there that love nothing more than to dig ridiculously deep into the story and make things up. This book is refreshing in that it would rather explore the possible legends that may have inspired bits and pieces of Rowling's work (without pretending to predct anything). It's educational, simple, and well-researched.
Disappointed:
After checking this book out from the library I am very glad that I did not waste my money on this book. This may be a decent guide book for those who have not read any others are are looking for a very basic introduction to the wonderful writing of J.K. Rowling. I had to force myself to read through the book to come across information that I had not read in other guide books or online. Fortunately, there was one section that triggered something and that was the comparison of Harry Joseph Campbell's "Hero... more info
Bought as a Gift:
I bought this for my teen-aged daughter as a gift and have not given it to her yet. It looks to be an interesting book for Harry Potter fans.
