Harry, A History

Harry, A History by Melissa Anelli
Pocket Books, 2008
330 pages
Non-fiction; Harry
3.5/5 stars

Source: Library

Summary: Anelli started as a fan of HP and soon emerged as the webmistress of the Leaky Cauldron.  She sets out to investigate the phenomenon that is Harry in this book.

Thoughts: I grew up with Harry although I cannot claim to have been one of the first readers; I was probably 8 when I read Sorcerer's Stone and then I was 17 for Deathly Hallows.  Thus I missed out on a lot of the sensation at the beginning being a. young and b. rather sheltered.  It was interesting to read about the passionate immediate fans and the explosion.  From my POV, it really exploded in anticipation of HP5 but this book helps fill in the spaces.

I understand Anelli's point with this book but I felt that she would have been better off writing more about the world of Harry.  She ends talking about an eight-hour interview she conducted with JK Rowling and that's the place where she's most passionate.  When she talks about the minutiae of the series and the themes, she's golden.  When she talks about the outside, it's less interesting.

Two particular things bugged me.  First Anelli's description of herself immediately post-graduation.  Basically she sat around mooching off of her parents and complaining; that really turned me off.  Second, she's kind of a ***** about people who shipped H/H.  Now that bothered me as someone who yes does like Harry and Hermione.  I feel like the smart heroine and the very heroic hero could belong together; Ginny is still a bit of a Mary Sue to me; and I just never really liked Ron-he rubbed me the wrong way.  I do not persist in championing H/H because the books are done although I do block out the epilogue (there are other reasons for that).  But I hated the way she wrote about H/H vs R/H and that soured me on the book.

Overall: A competent narrative although I wish she had changed her focus to inside rather than outside the books.

Cover: Cute.

The Deathly Hallows Lectures

The Deathly Hallows Lectures by John Granger
Zossima, 2008
276 pages
Non-fiction; Harry Potter
2/5 stars

Source: Library

Summary: An examination of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to look at its multiple layers and meanings and argue for the greater significance of these children's books.

Thoughts: I had read some other Granger books and while there were some boring sections, I thought it would be worth it to read some more.  I was wrong-I was so bored and I struggled to finish it (I'm not sure why I didn't just give up).  I liked the parts where he actually talks about Harry but not the long discussions about alchemical literature and I did not enjoy the exhortations to buy his other books.

The part I liked the most was the FAQ at the end. It was shorter and focused more on the books instead of the possible influences.

Overall: Boring; not recommended.

Cover: Combines Harry with lecturing in a cute way.

Harry Potter Should Have Died

Harry Potter Should Have Died by Emerson Spartz and Ben Schoen
Ulysses Press, 2009
187 pages
Non-fiction; Harry Potter
2.5/5 stars

Source: Library

Summary: Short essays arguing various points of HP fandom: such as best book, should Harry have died, viewpoints on Snape as well as more frivolous topics such as would you rather make-out with Voldemort or a dementor?

Thoughts: I like the title because I kind of did want Harry to die AND it would have spared us that awful epilogue (sorry I hate H/G and H/R)

They describe Polyjuice Potion as easy to make because Hermione was able to make it in her second year.  Um, that's because she's brilliant and even then it takes months of being particularly vigilant in order to successfully create the potion.

I had a big problem with one of their verdicts-GOF as the best HP book.  That only works if you define "best" as a book that tries to bridge between the first three and the last three but is instead disorienting, confusing, and unenjoyable.  I hate GOF-it does not function as a great middle book (although generally the middle book of trilogies sucks and that is applicable here).  Plus only PoA, GOF, and DH are debated.  What about the fantastic introduction to the magic world in SS/PS?  How about the intriguing mystery in CoS?  The general epicness of OotP?  And I personally love all of the Tom Riddle backstory in HBP.  And they end up declaring OotP as the worst book! Inconceivable!

Not well written-I think it would have worked in online format but as a book, I expect more.

Overall: Poorly written with some shaky conclusions drawn. Not recommended.

Cover: It's okay-not outstanding.