[.ca] The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter: Perspectives on a ... (ISBN 0826214436)

Outstanding Resource for HP Scholars!:
The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter: Perspectives on a Literary Phenomenon is an exciting publication for people who enjoy literary discourse, but cannot gain access to "Ivory Tower" journal publications since leaving the rarified atmosphere of college academics. This book offers a healthy cross-section of topical essays, giving readers a feel for the current critical dialogue about Harry Potter - something that is sadly lacking amid the media hype. Some of the essays concern the hype itself, and Harry Potter's role as a cultural phenomenon - but many others beg us to approach the texts of J.K. Rowling's books on their own merit - a chance to "deconstruct Harry" as it were. For we who are forced by life (and more mundane jobs that require fewer college degrees) to remain armchair critics instead of college professors, it is both a blessing and a curse...for I guarantee that it will be an ex-English major's urge to respond to many of these essays with a paper of one's own! But who would grade it? Seriously, though, it is a wonderful way to explore the myriad characters, symbols and themes contained in Rowling's incredibly rich text, while feeling vindicated all along that Harry Potter, no matter how enjoyable (or marketable) is a phenomenon worthy of literary merit...and more importantly, O.K. for grown-ups to read.

Could have been much, much better.:
This book is a compilation of scholarly articles/essays by different authors. As such, it's not very consistent. Some segments were very insightful and interesting to read, while others were confused, off-base, or just plain inaccurate. Several of the chapters I read got basic information from the books wrong, such as one that described Hermione Granger as a "half-blood" (not true!), and one that seemed to completely misunderstand the crucial events at the end of book 3. When an author misunderstands such important basic information, it is hard for me to take their analyses seriously. I wanted to like this book, but I can't reccommend it.

What is Rawlings up to??:
It is good to see Harry taken seriously. We need more books like this. Another good one is "Hidden Key to Harry Potter" by a University of Chicago graduate who majored in ancient languages and English (Cum Laude) John Granger. He offers an air tight case that Rowlings is writting from within the same world view as C.S. Lewis and Tolkein with the same purpose and that her books are popular for the same reasons. Absolute must reading for serious Potterites.

Ivory Tower:
What I found to be an excellent read for the comfort of my mind is _The lvory Tower - The Many Steps in life._ The Poetic suggestion covered many avenues to give the opportunity in my restructure a better approach in living despite the alarming events in the world I live in. Yes very thought-provoking of Mr. Jeffery Lynn Ivory as his poetic thoughts intermix with starting my early morning off on a sounder note.

A highly scholarly and insightful text:
Compiled and edited by Lana A. Whited (Professor of English, Ferrum College, Virginia), The Ivory Tower And Harry Potter: Perspectives On A Literary Phenomenon is an extensive analysis of J.K. Rowling's immensely popular and widely acclaimed Harry Potter series of fantasy novels. Originally intended for young adults, this fantasy series proved fascinating, exciting, and complex enough to attract readers of all ages and backgrounds. The scholarly essays here assembled are from a wide variety of authors and discuss Harry Potter's roots in folklore, its connection to gender issues, literary comparisons and archetypes, and much, much more. A highly scholarly and insightful text, offering new perceptions on beloved favorites, The Ivory Tower And Harry Potter is a welcome addition to Literary Criticism reference collections and highly recommended for scholars and non-specialist general readers who enjoy J.K. Rowling's original, intricate, (and continuing to expand) cannon of deftly written and increasingly influential fantasy.