Looking for God in Harry Potter

A bit hard to understand at times, but still really good nonetheless. Good for any Harry Potter fan who wants to defend that there is God in Harry Potter. I think the title is misleading and would turn some people off from the start who might actually enjoy reading this book. Those who doubt the literary depth of Harry Potter should read this book regardless of their religious affiliations or lack thereof. John Granger is pretty much beside himself most of the time, trying to hold back from digressing from digressions as he describes the various links to the Great Works of English Lit and the link between the Great Works of English Lit and Biblical, spiritual, and religious references, allusions, imagery, and symbology.While I don't agree with all of the assertions Granger mixes in about humanity and God, he does touch on beautiful themes and symbols that deal with both humanity and God. And I also really appreciate his patience in explaining the truth of English literary devices like symbols before launching into what the symbols of HP are (e.g. a symbol is not something that simply stands in for something else, a symbol has more depth and demension than merely a stand-in).

Growing up, I was always told the devil was in Harry Potter, so it was with a bit of trepidation that I read the series. I was a bit confused when I felt like the series was really speaking to me. I felt like I saw God within Harry Potter and didn't understand why everyone didn't feel the same way. Then I stumbled upon this book while doing some research on Christian themes within the series.I found I wasn't alone! The things I was feeling, the draw within the series, was real. God really can be found within it, and the glimpses I was seeing were put there on purpose!I love the way John Granger lays it out in this book; it's helpful and easy to understand. And reading this book lead me to other scholarly books on Harry Potter (both by this author and by others).If you question whether God resides within the Harry Potter series, or if you feel like He does, but you've always been told He doesn't, I encourage you to read this book. It helped me understand deeper themes within Harry Potter and actually appreciate the series even more!

I have no intention of repeating what was contained in the previous reviews because the reviewers have already made the case that this is an indispensable book for those who love Harry Potter books and for those who fear the books. I would only add that Roman Catholics and those of the various Orthodox churches ought to really appreciate Granger's analysis since some of the symbolism and the allegorical elements reference the traditions and beliefs inherent in those religions. My only caveat would be that if you do not want to have to re-read all five Harry Potter books, then avoid reading Granger's book, because you will surely want to re-read them to see what you missed the first time around.

I haven't read any pages in this book yet, but the cover of it caught my eye when I saw it on this website. I'm a Christian woman, but I also grew up reading the Harry Potter series. My pastor at my church has preached several times against Harry Potter, but I don't see anything wrong with the book and movie series. I say, as long as you don't worship Harry Potter and actually practice witchcraft, the book and movie series is alright.

Does not cover all of the Harry Potter series. Mr Granger wrote his theories of the first 5 books. Gained insight into the background of J.K. Rowling and many of the connections to classic literature and folklore. Enjoyed his ideas.

I haven't read the whole thing, but so far it's interesting. I like that he came from a position of reading the books in order to show why they were not going to be acceptable reading for his children and in the process became a fan.

Granger has refined and sharpened his already-potent message of how these phenomenally successful books have such broad appeal and why they deserve to be taken seriously as literature from his first book on the subject (Hidden Key to Harry Potter, 2003). Granger's base message is that love conquers death, a fundamental principle of Christian thinking ... but it is a message that has resonance for others as well. Granger shows compellingly how Harry is resurrected from the dead via sacrificial love and/or a clear Christian symbol in each of the 5 books. Accordingly, I thought his writing was at his strongest in Chapter 7, titled "The Triumph of Love Over Death."I always enjoy hearing (or reading) Granger's explanation of the alchemical imagery and structure in the Harry Potter novels. Once the reader understands the basics of alchemy and its uses in great literature, it is possible to appreciate the rich layers in these novels so much more. I think that appreciation of the alchemical structure and symbolism, following a grand tradition in British literature in particular, is fundamental to really understanding these books, and this is an area of analysis of Rowling's work not previously touched on by many (or any?) scholars. The chapters in Granger's book relating to the symbolism replete in the Harry Potter novels, as well as the name meanings, are also a joy to read.I thoroughly enjoyed the book-by-book analysis, which is perhaps an excellent starting point for Christians who are skeptical or even hostile to Rowling's novels. Granger's analysis of each of these books is so compelling that it should foster questions and reflective thought in even the staunchest of critics. I now also have a greater understanding of why I favor the 3rd and 5th novels in the series so much (the 1st, 3rd and 5th novels being more introspective, while the 2nd and 4th novels are more focused on the greater world around Harry).I think this is easily one of the greatest commentaries on the work of J.K. Rowling. As one promotional reviewer noted, it will make Christians who love the books appreciate them all the more, and it will give Christian critics much to consider. But, I want to emphasize that this isn't just a book for Christians; Granger's fundamental thesis and his explanations of alchemy and doppelgangers should have appeal to all Harry Potters fans, regardless of religious persuasion. I heartily recommend this book to all the Potterphiles out there!

Granger has mined the Harry Potter books yet again, and this time he found God, or at least references to Christianity.