Customer Reviews

J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Novels: A Reader's Guide (Continuum Contemporaries) - Unauthorized

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I've read a lot of books about Harry Potter, and a lot of them are not very good. But my only complaint with this one is that it's not long enough! Mr Nel the author knows a lot about Harry Potter, but he doesn't show off or get too clever about it. All of his ideas are interesting, like the prime numbers, and even though I knew some of what he says about JK Rowling already, I found out a few things too. Plus, the book is small and cute!

I think this would be a good introduction if you want to know more about Harry Potter. I hope the author writes more when there are more Harry Potter books to write about!

A thoughtful and intelligent companion to the Rowling novels that helps to identify themes and place the stories in their literary context. A worthwhile purchase for teachers and interested teens and adults; children will likely not be overly interested in such analysis.

This was a great little overview, covering the first four books. It was short and I read it quickly in one sitting. It does demonstrate that the author uses people and events from her own past. She weaves ideas for character and plot into something realistic seeming and not purely fantasy. There is no doubt that she likes to find and think up funny sounding names, as is mentioned too often in the book. Also, I do not believe that this book added a lot to my understanding of Harry Potter's story. (Why exactly did Voldemort want him dead in the first place? No suggestions were made.) There was a good section on her biography. By far my favorite part is toward the end where other books with similar themes are listed. (His Dark Materials, for example.) It's a good little book, but not much longer than a magazine in length. I enjoyed it. I may give it to a much younger pre-teen kid I know; he would like it too.

Although I've read many articles about the Harry Potter books and J.K.Rowling I found new and interesting information in this slim volume. For example, I didn't know what influenced J.K. Rowling's description of Professor Remus Lupin and his condition. Read the book and find out!

A thoughtful and intelligent companion to the Rowling novels that helps to identify themes and place the stories in their literary context. A worthwhile purchase for teachers and interested teens and adults; children will likely not be overly interested in such analysis.

The is a well written and thought out book. I learned a lot about Ms. Rowling and the Harry Potter books. It was interesting learning what influnced J.K. Rowling and help her create the characters and of course the car from her second book. The book is small and would be a good addition to your Harry Potter library. Buy it and see inside Harry Potter.....

I am, by all means, fascinated by a good analysis of Harry Potter. Despite what Rowling's critics may say, the books are brilliant, and I will ignore anyone who says otherwise.

So, really, I do appreciate what Nel is trying to do with this book. The information is short, but well-researched and professional presented.

Maybe a little too professional. Where this book loses points is in the passion department. I have a passion for Rowling's books, and I feel anyone presenting the books (at least in a positive light) should show the same passion. The book comes off as emotionless and very dry. There are few original ideas, and Nel doesn't look at them with any new angle. I realize that Continuum Contemporaries reaches for the intellectual, but I was not impressed. These same ideas are presented in plenty of other books, so this really isn't necessary.

It was a good effort to guide someone through the novels, but this does not stand out.