Customer Reviews
COLLEGE LEVEL READ 
2007-07-23
This book is for those who are serious about literature. It is designed for college educated or those who read at the college level. I have a Master's Degree though not in literature. Parts of the book were a challenge to understand.
Wow, who knew?!!! 
2007-07-19
I am still reading this book, but I have to say that I think it's brilliant. It posits things that I really never would have thought about otherwise, and it is prompting me to read some of the suggested reading it lists inside. One word of caution though; you really need to be in an academic frame of mind to read it because at times it is not an easy read. Other than that, really terrific book!! I highly recommend it.
Another fine book by John Granger 2007-07-09
I highly recommend Unlocking Harry Potter as well as other books on this topic by John Granger. Granger shows the artistry in J. K. Rowling's books, enabling one to see patterns and symbols, and places the Harry Potter series in the light of current social ideas, particularly Postmodernism. This makes reading and re-reading the Harry Potter books that much richer in meaning. John Granger speculates at the end on the possible outcome of Deathly Hallows, basing his thoughts on the basis of Snape being a double agent for the Order. Although I also hope that Snape is working for the good, some weight should have been given to the opposite viewpoint as well. There are some copy-editing errors in this book, but that does not overshadow its value. The section on Literary Alchemy is worth the cost alone, and made me want to read more on the topic. Serious readers of Harry Potter should definitely get this book.
Only for the serious reader and poor proof reading 2007-07-09
For the most part,I loved the book What I did not like about it was the annoying proof reading issues - things like the word "hot" when "hit" was intended, or switching from calling JK Rowling, "Ms. Rowling" to "Mrs. Rowling" just to name a few. These occur regularly throughout the book, to the point where they start to grate on you.
Mr.Granger also has the annoying habbit of alternating the character names with some of his own nicknames. Calling Slughorn, "Sluggo" for example and Voldemort, "voldy" or "big bad wolf". If he would stick to these, it maybe wouldn't be quite as annoying, but he switches how he referrs to each character, several times, so you have to remember to which character he is referring.
It is definitely for the very serious reader though or perhaps writers. I think you have to have read the books several times, and really love the details to be the reader that will appreciate this book. It's not for the casual reader who is just a HP fan.
That being said, he does an excellent job of exploring the "keys" to the Potter series and brings up some very interesting points.
Perceptive Analysis Made Accessible 2007-06-14
Having read John Granger's excellent previous books including WHO KILLED ALBUS DUMBLEDORE? and LOOKING FOR GOD IN HARRY POTTER, the quality of UNLOCKING HARRY POTTER was no surprise. The erudite Mr. Granger has a great gift for presenting esoterica in accessible form: he makes alchemy and postmodernism downright transparent. Mr. Granger is well-attuned to J.K. Rowling's narrative patterns and shares his insights with infectious enthusiasm. This book will hold its relevance long after HP #7 is published.
Speaking as an experienced writer and critic of fantasy fiction, I highly recommend this book.
Amazing Erudite Work 2008-05-13
This is not always an easy read and there's some hard thinking required to keep up with John Granger's fascinating views. Likewise, I'm sure there are simpler books which roll around in the Potter mythos more completely. On the other hand, I cannot imagine a more thoughtful and though provoking analysis of the bigger historical movements and context that informs, flows within and, sometimes, drives the Potter series.
If you are someone for who learning is a pleasure and discovering new areas of learning to explore is a delight, this book is for you. Buy it right now, it is a great joy.
One note: this book was written before HP7 was published so it is somewhat dated in that respect. I would be curious to see a newer edition which encompasses the last book. But, having said that, it was very interesting to read this book knowing what Granger did not, the contents of the last book. His views stand up quite well and the honesty of this 'blind test' is comforting and fascinating.
Unsat 
2007-09-08
I purchased this for my grandson, who at 91/2 is an exceptionally bright boy.
Neither he nor his father were able to make heads or tails out of this purchase.
I'm a much more serious reader now 2007-08-17
Very early in the book John Granger recalls Professor Moody's trunk with 7 locks. Each time Dumbledore inserts a key into a different lock the trunk opens and contains different items. This book is exactly like that trunk! I have read or listened to every Harry Potter book (except Phoenix) more times than I can count and yet each time that Granger brings out a new key my reaction was "I didn't know that that was in there!" I even understand now why I didn't enjoy re-reading Phoenix (the alchemical "black" stage of the series)as much as the other books.
I didn't read this book until after I had read Deathly Hallows and I still truly enjoyed reading Granger's predictions. Some of them were spot on, while others weren't, but the premises on which they were based were solid. I had to laugh at one point, when a reference was made to the sun/Sol and moon/Luna coming together as part of an alchemical wedding. It wasn't precisely a prediction, but in Deathly Hallows Luna certainly did arrive at the wedding wearing brilliant yellow, "sun colors."
The best part is that I can reread the entire Potter series one more time, with a new perspective, and be assured of appreciating details that I have missed before.
Unlocking Harry Potter: Five for the Serious Reader 2007-08-14
I have seen the books' author on tv, I like the way he divided the book in 5 parts so you can understand about Harry Potter.
good read even AFTER finishing the HP series 2007-07-28
If you've already finished "Deathly Hallows," and you think this book is now obsolete, think again! This author's take on how Rowling thought while writing the HP series is fascinating and highly educational. Granger could teach a college course on the post-modern literary aspects of Harry Potter, and students would have to go on a wait list just to sign up for the course. Though Granger, I think, would be an annoying prof. His narrative voice has an edge of sarcasm and snobbery - which is hilarious and incredibly irritating at the same time.
Throughout reading this book, I was also fascinated with how on-target were many of his predictions for the "Deathly Hallows" book. At times he is way off-base, and other times you think he must have had an advance copy because he is so precise in his insights about how Rowling will think in crafting the 7th book. I learned a lot about this fascinating series - why I was duped by Rowling in almost every single book, why the themes are so compelling across 3 generations of readers ... and I was left wondering if we will ever again see a book or series like Harry Potter in our lifetime.
