The theology sections are fascinating, although the alchemy analysis quickly loses its luster after abfew chapters. Worth the read, though you can skim the FAQ at the end. ( )

Granger does some Harry Potter analysis (as he does) centered around Deathly Hallows. Some very good insight--the sum-up of the literary alchemy stuff (what he talks about in more detail in the pre-HP7 Unlocking Harry Potter) is the highlight here. The discussion of Christian themes is also good, as is the FAQ at the end where Granger answers (in some depth) questions he's often asked at lectures. The Dante chapter sort of fizzles (we're meant to think of Dante at Chapter 33 because The Divine Comedy has thirty-three cantos in each book? Really? We're supposed to think of Dante at Chapter 34 because it's called "The Forest Again" and there's been no other forest chapter in HP7? It couldn't be called that because of the direct parallels (which Granger himself points out later in his book) with Chapter 15 of HP1, "The Forbidden Forest"? I'm being a bit snotty to make a point here; suffice it to say, the Dante chapter didn't hold together as it should have). Like some of Granger's other books, this one is very badly edited, and it gets worse as the thing goes along: missing words, whole sentences repeated over again word for word, and missing explanations of important points--all of which is a shame, because (despite my little snot attack up there) much of the book is interesting and has compelling insights to offer. Definitely worth picking up if you've already read some of Granger's other work and you want to watch him do his stuff with Deathly Hallows. ( )

I was quite impressed by this analysis of the seventh and final novel in the Harry Potter series. I have not read any of the other books by John Granger, so I have a fresh look at Granger. His style of writing is cribbed from his lectures, so this is not entirely smooth. But he has really absorbed Harry Potter and his confreres and comes up with some ideas about Deathly Hallows and the whole series that greatly expands my own thoughts.

I have seen Deathly Hallows as a Christian liturgical process. John Granger sees this too, but overlays it with a spiritual alchemical process, somewhat in the sense that Jung saw alchemy. Granger is careful to break the book up into three sections, each corresponding with an alchemical process. First is the nigredo (black) period in which Harry has a real dark night of the soul with Dumbledore and what he has meant for his life. The second is the albedo (white) stage, after light comes back into his life, abetted by Ron Weasley, who has reappeared, and Harry's "baptism." The third is the rubedo (red) stage, which happens mostly back in Hogwarts, and Harry follows a Christlike passion and resurrection in his final successful fight with the Dark Lord. Granger sees the epilogue as a bit of latter-dy trinitarian experience, whereas I have been thinking of a Whitsunday experience.

Granger likes the idea of the medieval fourfold interpretation of scripture and applies it iwith something of a variation to Deathly Hallows. The four types of interpretation are literal, moral, symbolic (or allegorical), and anagogical. Granger uses these categories: surface, edifying, and alchemical. To some degree the alchemical resembles the anagogical, and he sees the symbolic as permeating the three other types. Nevertheless, multiple layers of meaning are to be found in scripture, Deathly Hallows, and other great works of literature. And the meanings interpenetrate in both types.

The authors Granger most oftern refers to are C.S. Lewis, Dante, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Shakespeare. A whole chapter is spent on Dante and his Divine Comedy, and comparing that with Rowling's story.

Another significant influence on Granger is that of traditonalism, the "sophia perennis". This is the idea that there is an underlying unity in all the great religions, that we have largely overlooked in the modern age. The exponents that Granger refers to most often are Rene Guenon, Frithjof Schuon, and Titus Burckhardt. So, while Harry Potter has many Christian ovetones in his journey, anyone can appreciate him, as the hero is following a traditional path of understanding and transformation that speaks deeply to our soul. ( )

Not nearly as enjoyable or readable as "how Harry cast his spell" or "unlocking Harry potter" - much more like his twilight book which I was also disappointed with-but maybe I'm asking a lot to live up to that first favorite ( )

To be honest, I was disappointed in this book after enjoying the author's Harry Potter's Bookshelf earlier. I found this one has less polished writing (perhaps as a result of the format--from actual lectures--and/or rushing to publish) with more than a few typos. I specifically saved reading this until re-reading Deathly Hallows itself, but in the end did not gain as much insight as a expected. Mr. Granger's best ideas can also be found in other places and books, which I still may explore. There are still some gems here don't get me wrong, just did not work for me. ( )