MoreThanItsCover
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Bookshelf Blog
This is where we keep the opinions...
This is where we keep the opinions...
Susanna Hickman Bartee is a military wife and mom of five kids aged 4 to 16. In her spare time she writes a little and reads a lot.
She founded MoreThanItsCover after looking for just such a resource for years. At last count she, her husband, and her kids have accumulated more than 600 books and five library cards!
Read Bookshelf Blog #1 for the whole story.
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What I like about Harry.
by Susanna Bartee
May 16, 2009
I have no intention of arguing (much less winning) a debate about Harry Potter and his magic. When I first opened book #1 I was certain I would not like it at all. Sorcery...witchcraft...creepy talking animals...not my favorite genre.
But after finishing the book (and subsequently the next six) I had to admit I was rooting for Harry. Not just in the story, but in the bookstores as well. Here's why:
1. I find Harry Potter the single most pro-family modern series I have ever read. From the very first scene until Harry's almost-bitter end, he is a boy yearning for his parents. There is no doubt all the way through that he would happily give up his fame and power just to be home with mom and dad. A wonderful piece of the story is that the faculty of Hogwarts continues to send Harry home each summer to spend it with his rotten uncle, aunt and cousin. Rowling could easily have had the witches and wizards of the world swooping in to save young Harry from his mean Muggle relatives. Instead they calmly explain to the protesting boy that family is important enough to endure some pain. And the Weasleys are a beautiful picture of a big, happy family.
2. I realize that Rowling "outed" Dumbledore as a quiet homosexual after the completion of the series (which was terribly disappointing as a reader and a parent). However, you have to look really hard--and use quite a bit of imagination--to find anything actually written in the books that has a homosexual undertone at all. She might as well have said that he was a football mascot or a champion bridge player. It's possible...but not evident through the plot at all. As a matter of fact--unlike many contemporary books for young adults--I could not spot homosexual undertones concerning any of the dozens of characters. Sexuality is refreshingly limited to flirting and a few innocent kisses.
3. Rowling has said she struggles with believing in God. I hope she figures it all out because she has some pretty profound insights into human nature and our search for something eternal. Just one example is the Mirror of Erised in book one. This magic mirror reveals the deepest desire of one's heart. Harry clearly sees himself wrapped in his parents' arms and subsequently spends hours in front of it yearning for that security. The lesson he has to learn (articulated by a gentle Dumbledore) is that people can easily waste away their lives wishing for what can never be. Wow. What a great discussion to have with our kids who are growing up in a "You can be anything you want to be!" culture. Sometimes we need to let go of an impossible dream and get back to focus on our calling.
4. Then there is the magic. This is usually where the emotions run high in the Potter debate. But in my opinion (having actually read all seven books), I find Harry's magic pure fantasy instead of realistic occultism. I think Harry may well be the great-grandson of Cinderella's Fairy Godmother. Having said that, I do not think Harry is appropriate for the young Cinderella crowd at all. The plots run darker as the series progresses and the issues get deeper too.
These are books that I would highly recommend a parent read thoroughly and discuss with his or her child. It will open a range of discussions from sacrificial love to school bullying to courage to eternal life. All good things to talk about.
by Susanna Bartee
May 16, 2009
I have no intention of arguing (much less winning) a debate about Harry Potter and his magic. When I first opened book #1 I was certain I would not like it at all. Sorcery...witchcraft...creepy talking animals...not my favorite genre.
But after finishing the book (and subsequently the next six) I had to admit I was rooting for Harry. Not just in the story, but in the bookstores as well. Here's why:
1. I find Harry Potter the single most pro-family modern series I have ever read. From the very first scene until Harry's almost-bitter end, he is a boy yearning for his parents. There is no doubt all the way through that he would happily give up his fame and power just to be home with mom and dad. A wonderful piece of the story is that the faculty of Hogwarts continues to send Harry home each summer to spend it with his rotten uncle, aunt and cousin. Rowling could easily have had the witches and wizards of the world swooping in to save young Harry from his mean Muggle relatives. Instead they calmly explain to the protesting boy that family is important enough to endure some pain. And the Weasleys are a beautiful picture of a big, happy family.
2. I realize that Rowling "outed" Dumbledore as a quiet homosexual after the completion of the series (which was terribly disappointing as a reader and a parent). However, you have to look really hard--and use quite a bit of imagination--to find anything actually written in the books that has a homosexual undertone at all. She might as well have said that he was a football mascot or a champion bridge player. It's possible...but not evident through the plot at all. As a matter of fact--unlike many contemporary books for young adults--I could not spot homosexual undertones concerning any of the dozens of characters. Sexuality is refreshingly limited to flirting and a few innocent kisses.
3. Rowling has said she struggles with believing in God. I hope she figures it all out because she has some pretty profound insights into human nature and our search for something eternal. Just one example is the Mirror of Erised in book one. This magic mirror reveals the deepest desire of one's heart. Harry clearly sees himself wrapped in his parents' arms and subsequently spends hours in front of it yearning for that security. The lesson he has to learn (articulated by a gentle Dumbledore) is that people can easily waste away their lives wishing for what can never be. Wow. What a great discussion to have with our kids who are growing up in a "You can be anything you want to be!" culture. Sometimes we need to let go of an impossible dream and get back to focus on our calling.
4. Then there is the magic. This is usually where the emotions run high in the Potter debate. But in my opinion (having actually read all seven books), I find Harry's magic pure fantasy instead of realistic occultism. I think Harry may well be the great-grandson of Cinderella's Fairy Godmother. Having said that, I do not think Harry is appropriate for the young Cinderella crowd at all. The plots run darker as the series progresses and the issues get deeper too.
These are books that I would highly recommend a parent read thoroughly and discuss with his or her child. It will open a range of discussions from sacrificial love to school bullying to courage to eternal life. All good things to talk about.
