Mugglenet.com's Harry Potter Should Have Died: Controversial Views from the #1 Fan Site [Paperback]

Emerson Spartz (Author), Ben Schoen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 2009 | Age Range: 8 and up

HARRY POTTER DIDN'T DIE.

The seventh and final book is out, but fans still fiercely debate the many controversial issues left unresolved. Now, the experts at MuggleNet.com argue passionately about what really happened and what should have happened.

•Would the series be stronger if Harry hadn’t survived?

•Should we pity Voldemort or hate him?

•Is Severus Snape really a hero?

•Should J.K. Rowling have left Dumbledore’s gay sexual orientation a secret?

•Did Harry actually die in Deathly Hallows?

•Were the Slytherins too demonized, the Hufflepuffs too lame, and the Gryffindors too glorified?

•Should J.K.R. write more Harry Potter novels or go out on top?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Emerson Spartz founded the MuggleNet website in 1999 as a homeschooled twelve-year-old. He is a third-year student at the University of Notre Dame. Ben Schoen was webmaster at mugglenet.com during high school and is now a freshman at the University of Notre Dame.

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Ulysses Press (June 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569757119
• ISBN-13: 978-1569757116
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #605,105 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Passionate Debates- This is Where You'll Find Them! June 18, 2009

By Mary Monkoski

Format:Paperback

Don't let the tongue-in-cheek tone or occasional just-for-fun debate fool you, this book displays a rigorous analysis of the Harry Potter series presented in a concise enjoyable format. Despite having spent some time perusing the comment boards at various forums, there were debates presented here I had not considered before. The debate on which character is more underestimated by others, for example, led me to wonder what other characters might have been included. I was fascinated by the debate on whether secret keeper details in Deathly Hallows contradicted earlier information. I found myself rereading portions of the books to see whether I agreed with the conclusion here.

The book is filled with laugh-out-loud moments and some of the discussions on the movies are hilarious. While the authors are occasionally critical of the books and movies, their love of the series they have spent years discussing is thoroughly evident. I was often reminded of the trio debating Professor Snape or SPEW endlessly in the library or Hogwarts common room. Any true fan of the series has imagined being in on those discussions, this is the book that takes you there.

55 of 68 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars When fan boys publish September 3, 2009

By mrliteral TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

For those who picture the stereotypical science fiction or fantasy fan as a relatively young adult (usually male) who obsesses over the minutia of every piece of fiction (the sort who can speak in Klingon or Sindarin and will endlessly debate who'd win a battle between a Balrog or a Nazgul), the book Harry Potter Should Have Died will little to dispel that image. It is a book by fan boys and for fan boys.

The book is based on issues discussed on [...], a major website dedicated to the Harry Potter books. Each issue is presented as a question, with both sides presented. For example, the first question asks whether J.K. Rowling should have kept Dumbledore's sexual orientation private. Both sides present their argument and then the editors present their verdict.

Some questions are interesting. Is Severus Snape a hero? Are the female characters too stereotyped? Are the Slytherins too demonized? On the other hand, some questions are inane: Would you rather make out with Voldemort or a Dementor? Would you rather shave Hagrid's back or give Voldemort a foot massage?

Some discussions show that for all their knowledge of the Harry Potter books, the writers have little knowledge of other works of fiction. A discussion of who'd win a fight between Gandalf and Dumbledore (a true fan-boy debate if there ever was one) neglects the fact that for all his powers, Dumbledore was mortal and Gandalf was not. I'm not saying that's the deciding factor, but it shows how the writers aren't even that knowledgeable about Tolkien.

I am a fan of the Harry Potter books (and to a lesser extent, the movies), but the authors of this book are fanatics. I suppose it'd be okay, but I don't think they even get the answers right much of the time.... Often, they treat the issues as either/or situations, when the real answer is somewhere in the middle. If you enjoy the Harry Potter books, you might find this book interesting. To an extent, the questions are often thought-provoking, but the discussions are just as often silly. Read more ›

22 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Summer Read June 15, 2009

By SamPickwick-Esq

Format:Paperback

Once I started reading this book I couldn't stop. The chapters average 2-3 pages each, so pacing yourself is easy and you can read chapters out of sequence if you like. This book is intelligently written with humor and insight. The authors obviously know the Harry Potter series inside and out, and the essays offer opposing views of many important issues from the seven book series. The essays range from the lighthearted - "Would You Rather Shave Hagrid's Back or Give Voldemort a Foot Massage?" - to literary criticism - "Which Character Fails to Live Up to Expectations?" Some essays are serious, and some are laugh out loud funny. This book is written for grown ups and young adults: a great summer read.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy this book March 30, 2010

By C.E

Format:Paperback

This book has a few interesting topics, which it presents in the form of questions and then proceeds to give supportive answers for both sides of the issue. It could have been a really good book except for many of the topics chosen are simply ridiculous and un interesting, for example "Would you rather shave Hagrid's back or give Voldermont a foot massage." I mean who cares, right? There are a few interesting topics in the book but not enough to spend 13 dollars on the book. I plan on returning this book A.S.A.P.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice book for hardcore Harry Potter fans September 13, 2010

By Camillereads

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Nice book for hardcore Harry Potter fans. The book discusses numerous controversial HP topics (both sides) such as: are the Slytherins too demonized? (I have to say yes), is the epilogue a letdown? (no, I don't think so), who helps Harry more on his quest: Ron or Hermione? (Hermione of course even if she broke his wand), which is the best book (toss up between GOF or DH for me), is Voldemort the most evil fictional character ever? (ever, no, but he did try to kill a baby and that's pretty evil), are the HP books for adults or children? (I have to say adults but for some reason those kids seem to like 'em) and MANY more Harry Potter debate topics.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A well-designed resource for researchers April 3, 2011

By Derek Murphy

Format:Kindle Edition

Sure, we all LIKE Harry Potter. But what does it mean? What do we make of Rowling's writing itself, the social issues she engages with, the choices she makes for her characters, and the conclusion of the greatest contemporary epic in the world? Not a book for passive Harry Potter fans who want to be entertained, this is a book for people who want to read between the text and analyze (debate) relevant issues.