Wizards, Wardrobes and Wookiees: Navigating Good and Evil in Harry Potter, Narnia and Star Wars [Paperback]

Connie Neal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 11, 2007

Luke Skywalker. Lucy Pevensie. Harry Potter. For millions of children and adults alike, these names and stories are as familiar as those of close friends and family. We read and watch their adventures over and over again. We feel their fears and betrayals. We are inspired by their courage. And perhaps we wish we could live in their worlds, fight important battles and have our chance to become heroes. In these pages Connie Neal shows that we too--in our seemingly ordinary world--have a call on our life that's just as powerful, just as adventurous. While we won't run into Darth Vader or the White Witch on the street, we face villains as formidable as they. And though we don't have Obi Wan Kenobi or Dumbledore to mentor us, Wizards, Wardrobes and Wookiees reminds us of the Helper who teaches and guides as we walk through each day. By highlighting adventures from Star Wars, Narnia and Harry Potter, as well as true stories from Scripture and her own life, Neal shows us the way to victory over evil in the battles we face. This hope-filled, encouraging book takes us into mythical worlds we love in order to help us live wisely and well in our own so that our stories, in turn, can inspire all who see and hear.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A deft and inspiring insight into the storytelling power and inherent spirituality of Harry Potter, Narnia and the Star Wars movies. According to Connie Neal, human life in its full meaning is an adventure requiring Christlike and Christ-given qualities, and these popular and abiding narratives of today sustain and encourage such a visionary journey." (Colin Duriez, author of A Field Guide to Narnia and Tolkien and C. S. Lewis )

Product Details

• Paperback: 229 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (April 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830833668
• ISBN-13: 978-0830833665
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #894,424 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Connie Neal is sought by secular and Christian media discussing pop culture and its intersection with Christianity, as well as family, marriage, and parenting issues. Connie has authored dozens of books including:The Gospel According to Harry Potter featured in Time, Christianity Today, and Entertainment Weekly. What's a Christian to Do with Harry Potter? featured in Newsweek, also Wizards, Wardrobes, & Wookiees and her signature book Dancing in the Arms of God, Connie has a BA in Communication from Pepperdine University and a MS in Education, specializing in Instructional Design for Online Learning from Capella University. She has created videos and curriculum for parents and teens. She toured as a guest speaker with Women of Faith. Her latest focus is on transitioning content to electronic publishing and online learning in keeping with the science of instruction and research-based multimedia learning principles.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars, July 6, 2007

By 

AK "Bro" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wizards, Wardrobes and Wookiees: Navigating Good and Evil in Harry Potter, Narnia and Star Wars (Paperback)

***** No one will be surprised to see a book praising the merits of C.S. Lewis' beloved Narnia series to Christians. However, suggesting that Christians can and some have already found echoes of their faith and lessons in, of all things, Star Wars and Harry Potter will probably scandalize as many people as it delights. Ignore those crying "heresy" and give this book a hearing. Ms. Neal brings out a wealth of Christian insights gleaned not only from Narnia, but also from that galaxy long ago and far away and from Hogwarts. In fact, I daresay she finds more to glean from the two strictly secular series than from the conventionally Christian one. The introduction to this tome is enough to reassure parents about the merits of reading or watching such things, but reading the entire volume will enhance your enjoyment of all three sagas. *****

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Do you want to find the extraordinary amongst the ordinary of your life?, June 15, 2007

By 

S. Sala - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wizards, Wardrobes and Wookiees: Navigating Good and Evil in Harry Potter, Narnia and Star Wars (Paperback)

As I read "Wizards, Wardrobes and Wookies", I really enjoyed how Connie contrasted all of the extraordinary events of Harry Potter (and the other wonderful fantasy stories I had enjoyed) against biblical events and our own "ordinary" lives. I was struck by the implications -- where does "ordinary" end and "extraordinary" begin? When opportunities show up in our lives do we have the courage to face our fears and "cross the threshold" and voyage out into the unknown? Connie provides a fun exploration into the world of the hero and their adventures to inspire us and to help open our eyes to the magic that can be found in our own lives. She also has some good tips on how to negotiate our way along difficult paths and how to prepare and arm ourselves for battle.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wizards, Wardrobes, and Wookies embraces the positive aspect of uplifting popular culture stories, September 1, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wizards, Wardrobes and Wookiees: Navigating Good and Evil in Harry Potter, Narnia and Star Wars (Paperback)

Author, speaker, and expert on the intersection between Christianity and popular culture Connie Neal presents Wizards, Wardrobes and Wookies: Navigating Good and Evil in Harry Potter, Narnia and Star Wars, an examination of two popular fantasy epics and one popular space opera, and what they say to Christian readers today. Harry Potter, Narnia, and Star Wars are all inspirational tales of courage and heroism, drawing the reader to imagine himself or herself in the fantastic world. Neal examines specific adventures from the three sagas, true stories from Scripture, and experiences from her own life in order to show the path toward victory - though we don't have Obi-Wan Kenobi or Dumbledore to help us, we do have a divine Everlasting Helper who is always with us. Wizards, Wardrobes, and Wookies embraces the positive aspect of uplifting popular culture stories, and how their lessons can reinforce the Christian faith, and is recommended reading especially for youth pastors seeking to better connect with their subjects through shared media.