from the Chicago Tribune review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:
Does the Potter phenomenon reveal a desire for escapism, a yearning to turn away from dire complexity to wallow in a make-believe world of wizards and magic spells – or, conversely, do the books’ larger themes of good and evil, darkness and light, battling for supremacy, actually represent a brave engagement with this roiling, strife-strafed world?
Books always have two lives: the lives lived by their fictional characters, and the lives that the books themselves have in the world. The astonishing success of the Potter series is a commentary not only on the irresistible power of Rowling’s narrative skills, but also on readers’ hunger for what she has to say. Thus “Deathly Hallows” is many things: It’s a marketing miracle; a booksellers’ bonanza; the capstone to a publishing phenomenon –- and, perhaps, its own kind of instructive history.
Are there more significant issues upon which to focus than a mere book? Yes, there are. Will a single book affect the destiny of nations or the progress of civilization? No, it won’t.
Being back here in Nebraska, where I've finished six of the seven Harry Potter books, and finishing the last book really makes me realize how long I've been reading these and how much of my life and my perspective on the world they've influenced in some way. From starting out as my dream fantasy series (seriously, boarding school meets magical world, who could ask for more?) they've really gone on to give good perspective to difficult events in and out of Harry Potter's world. I don't want to give them too much credit, but I don't want to underestimate the power of a good book to give us perspective on the "real" world. I think Harry Potter has been as real an event in the world as many things that have happened in the stretch of its release, and unlike many things it has been delightfully positive.
Posted by linnea at August 3, 2007 3:24 PMDude, remember what Dumbledore said? ''Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?'' That's sort of what good books are all about.
Posted by: Laura at August 3, 2007 6:00 PMI know, I know, I loved that line!
Posted by: linnea at August 3, 2007 8:00 PM