Customer Reviews

Mapping the World of the Sorcerer's Apprentice: An Unauthorized Exploration of the Bestselling Fantasy Series of All Time

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is probably the most enjoyable of the several different books of essays on the Harry Potter books that I have read. Perhaps it's because the contributors are, themselves, fantasy and sci-fi authors, which may give them a unique insight. Another possibility is that this is also the first collection to cover all of the books through Half-Blood Prince.

As with any compilation of work by several different authors, the quality of the essays is uneven at best. The contributors stretch to come up with original ways to look at the series and, inevitably, they sometimes fail. The ones that fell the flattest, in my view, were "The Proper Wizard's Guide to Good Manners" (Roxanne Longstreet Conrad) and "Harry Potter and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Counselor" (Mercedes Lackey).

At least, however, those two essays were near the end of the book. Throughout my reading, I never changed my view that the first essay, "Harry Potter and the Young Man's Mistake" (Daniel P. Moloney), was the one with the profoundest insight and most thoughtful probing of the pitfalls that Harry faces in his final struggle against Voldemort. Honorable mention also goes to "Harry Potter and the End of Religion" (Marguerite Krause) and "It's All About God" (Elisabeth DeVos), which should be mutually exclusive but, surprisingly, don't seem to be; "Hermione Granger and the Charge of Sexism" (Sarah Zettel), which should (but won't) dispose of that one once and for all; and "Why Killing Harry is the Worst Outcome for Voldemort" (Richard Garfinkle). All in all, a very enjoyable and satisfying read.

I have to admit, I'm generally not one to read companion books to my favorite series, be they literary or televised.

Mapping the World of Harry Potter, however, is quickly becoming one of my favorite books. The essays are smart, funny, and well-written and have prompted me to look at my Harry Potter books in a new light. The essay on fanfiction Snape alone is worth the price of the book! (Though I wouldn't recommend reading it while drinking anything, particularly if you aren't familiar with fanfic!Snape. I may never recover from that.)

I highly encourage any "grown up" HP fans to read this book.

Loved it! I am an old lady who got hooked on Harry Potter so I would have something to converse about with a new step-nephew, and I tell you this book sparked huge discussions amongst everyone I know who read it. Great variety of essays.

I am a college professor of english literature and composition, but I am also a huge Harry Potter fan. "Mapping the World of Harry Potter" appealed to both sides of my reading pleasure: it gave great insight into the HP books as well as providing really well-written and though-provoking literary analysis and criticism. I couldn't put the book down, and as I read each subsequent essay, I was more and more intrigued and it gave me so much to think about. Really fantastic!

I got this book for myself, but when I started reading it, I knew it had to go to my dad, who really likes Harry Potter. Great addition to a Harry Potter collection.

Finally I found it. A book worth reading, with views offered by real intellects on this series. This book has been a great read and well worth the money spent on it. I find it fun and enlightening. Some of the chapters seemed to drag on but overall they are very good. I found the chapter on Neville Longbottom great, since I completely share the sentiment felt for this character. A lot of thought provoking ideas in here. BE WARNED that there is a chapter on the sex symbol that has become of Severus Snape...this chapter and book are intended for adults. Overall really great!

My son is a huge Harry Potter fan and is always looking for more information on the series. I thought this book would provide additional insite and it would be something he would enjoy reading. I read through the book and decided not to give it to him. This book is garbage. One of the chapters discusses the character Snapes similarities to the lead singer of a rock band which makes him appealing to females. I'm okay with that but when the discussion turns to how well endowed he probably is, I tossed it in the trash. This book is not for the typical Harry Potter fan.

I received my book today, and I already read the introduction and the first essay in the book. At first, I had mixed feelings about reading these essays, worrying that they might just be either an unabashed hate session or an equally unabashed collection of adoration, but I was not disappointed-- the essay was clearly written with love and respect for the characters, the book, the author, and so on, but it still produced an essay worthy of reading and provoked an even deeper appreciation of the story through an analytical approach to certain aspects of the books. I enjoyed this very much, and I anticipate reading the rest of the essays. :3 In regard to the condition of the book and how it arrived, I noticed that it did have a bit of damage at the top of the spine where it appeared it had been pinched against something and had been pulled from it a bit forcefully, but otherwise, it arrived in excellent condition, which pleased me. :] I would definitely recommend this book for any hard-core Potter fans who search for an even deeper appreciation for the book. :3

Mapping the World of Harry Potter: An Unauthorized Exploration of the Bestselling Fantasy Series of All Time, edited by Mercedes Lackey

Complete through book six, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," this collection of essays takes a look at why and how the Harry Potter series appeals or angers people. There are essays on religion, education, politics, feminism, and more.

"Mapping the World of Harry Potter" mostly added to my enjoyment of J. K. Rowling's series; some of the essays gave me a lot to think about for the next time I reread the series.

Here is a list of the essays:
-Harry Potter and the Young Man's Mistake, by Daniel P. Moloney
-The Dursleys as Social Commentary, by Roberta Gellis
-To Sir, With Love, by Joyce Millman
-Harry Potter and the End of Religion, by Marguerite Krause
-It's All About God, by Elisabeth DeVos
-Hermione Granger and the Charge of Sexism, by Sarah Zettel
-Neville Longbottom: The Hero with a Thousand Faces, by Martha Wells
-Why Dumbledore Had to Die, by Lawrence Watt-Evans
-From Azkaban to Abu Ghraib, by Adam-Troy Castro
-Ich Bin Ein Hufflepuff, by Susan R. Matthews
-Harry Potter as Schooldays Novel, by James Gunn
-Harry Potter and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Counselor, by Mercedes Lackey
-The Proper Wizard's Guide to Good Manners, by Roxanne Longstreet Conrad
-Why Killing Harry Is the Worst Outcome for Voldemort, by Richard Garfinkle

While "Mapping Harry Potter" was written before the publication of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the essays are still worthwhile reading. All are authored by writers of science fiction and fantasy novels, and I plan to check out the work of several of the contributors.

I think my favorite was "To Sir, With Love," an essay on fanfiction and Professor Snape. I appreciated Joyce Millman's wit and humor, and I think I'll look up a few of the stories mentioned. I also enjoyed "Harry Potter as Schooldays Novel," which gave history on the tradition of British schooldays novels. I had heard Harry Potter referred to as that, but had no clue what it meant. Now I do, and it's a subgenre I plan to learn more about. I found "Why Killing Harry is the Worst Outcome for Voldemort" particularly clever, and something only the mind of a science fiction writer could create.

"The Proper Wizard's Guide to Good Manners" was my least favorite; I don't really see it as an essay but more fiction, and was a bit baffled while reading it.

I would recommend this for adult readers looking to expand their knowledge or thoughts on Harry, as some of the subject matter and language levels are above young fans.

4/5.

This book both kept my interest but some of the lectures bored me.I didn't know what to expect and for the most part it is entertaining. There is a section not suitable for children and I found it somewhat misplaced in the theme of this book. I can see that the writers really love Harry Potter and for that I will give it 4 stars. The cover is beautiful