Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This was an OK book. Some of the content was a little silly, and I ended up just skipping over several "chapters." Most of this book's discussion can be read on their website, mugglenet.com...or heard on their podcasts, mugglecast.
Overall, an OK read for avid Harry Potter fans, but I wouldn't buy it again.

Loved the book. Really great debates. Only gave it four stars because for some reason pages 111 and 112 were missing from my book. I thought this was funny so don't particularly want my money back or anything, but just beware.

This is a great book. The authors brought up many issues that I, too had wondered about, and it was nice to see people who agreed with me, and really interesting to read the opinions of thoes who didn't agree with me. I even changed my mind about some things that were discussed.
If you listen to MuggleCast you'll love this book. It's full of the same intelligence, discussions, and random humor that we all know and love from their podcast. If you've read the series, you'll enjoy this book.
And it's not just about the books! I really enjoyed their discussions about the movies-the best, the worst, the cheesiest moment and more.

I didn't really like the ridiculous discussions, though (Would you rather shave Hagrid's back or cut Voldemort's toenails) because I didn't care, and they weren't very funny, though they were supposed to be. They just felt like a way to make the book longer.
I wish I could have joined in some of the discussions when they didn't discuss points I wanted them to. Like, when they're discussing if Harry's usage of unforgivable curses was justifiable, they only talk about the Cruciatas Curse, and never mention him using the Imperious Curse.


All in all, this book is well worth the money. I'd recommend it to anyone. I read it in a day after I bought it, it's that good

This book is great because is objectively takes fans' questions and opinions, and then summarizes them into concise arguments. Then, the authors summarize and give their objective opinions. While I did not agree with every outcome, I enjoyed reading every word!