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| SFReader Forums > SF Fiction and Art > Right Now I'm Reading.... > Don't Laugh - I'm finally on HP7 | Forum Quick Jump
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Lyn
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Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 1359
| Posted 5/9/2008 9:18 AM (GMT -4) |   | I disagree with burning books, yes. lol I'm a fan of Bradbury's  But I'm all for the constituents of local libraries complaining about books - that's the democratic free market at work. Censorship is when the government bans the publication of books on principle (and I'm against that, generally - obvious examples excepted, like "How to Make a Nuclear Bomb in 3 Easy Steps").
So petitions to "remove that book" aren't censorship. However, it can result in bad PR, which I think the early-in-the-HP-series Christian opposition engendered. This has more to do with the general tension between fantasy fiction and faith than with HP specifically, imo. Although because Rowlings didn't come right out and tie her story to the Christian mythos (a la Lewis' Narnia), HP became a lightening rod for much of our pent-up confusion.
(BTW, the most intelligently argued and cogent apologetic I've read of the positive connection between faith and fiction is offered by R.L. Copple as a bonus commentary in the back of his novella-length collection of short stories titled, "Infinite Realities." My review of his book should be at SFReader soon. And I'm seeking permission to re-print that column at ResAliens in the future. Many nonChristians could give a hoot, but it's still a huge issue in many of our circles.)
That being said, let me provide just one example of why Harry Potter should be read as a Christian story. And if there's interest in the topic, we can continue to hijack this thread for our discussion. First and foremost (most compelling, in my estimation) is that HP (an 'every man' figure that also serves as a 'Christ figure') dies and is resurrected in every book. Harry may not literally die (although in #7 it seems he does), but he comes to the brink of death and is restored. I don't have chapter and verse (page numbers!) but if you're familiar with each subplot, HP faces a crisis in every book and overcomes. I can share more, but that should suffice to begin a conversation if people are interested.
Thanks for asking. lol
Lyn from ResAliens
Reviewing Zines at The Fix
Reviewing Short Stories at My Blog
And Promoting Strange Worlds of Lunacy | | Back to Top | | |
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Lyn
Adopt
Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 1359
| Posted 5/6/2008 9:05 AM (GMT -4) | | Almost done with HP7 - (I read it in snippets before falling asleep, lol) - and I have to say that, other than my usual complaint of too many words (reminds me of Amadeus: "too many notes" lol), Rowling's plotting is actually very compelling, imo. I think that's one reason why they're so popular, she knows how to tell a story - maybe not in a polished, literary sense, but man can she juggle the elements and provide a story arc that can truly sustain itself over 7 books.
Another reason I believe these books are so popular is that the series is very "Christian" - both in its core message and in its overarching world view. And, I know I'm biased, but I believe the Christian mythos is the most compelling and fully satisfying storyline put forth through the ages; and any well-written snapshot of that story will resonate with people. (We all know the power of LotR, for example.)
More once I'm done.
Update: Finally finished the series. Whew! Very satisfying conclusion. Enjoyed it as a whole.
Lyn from ResAliens
Reviewing Zines at The Fix
Reviewing Short Stories at My Blog
And Promoting Strange Worlds of Lunacy | | Back to Top | | |
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erazmus
Master
Date Joined Jul 2005
Total Posts : 4503
| Posted 5/5/2008 2:55 PM (GMT -4) | | | | |
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Nathan Jerpe
Acolyte
Date Joined Nov 2007
Total Posts : 228
| Posted 4/9/2008 1:44 PM (GMT -4) | | | Don't laugh, I haven't read any of them! I plan to, just one of those things I haven't gotten round to doing...
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Lyn
Adopt
Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 1359
| Posted 4/8/2008 7:34 PM (GMT -4) | | | | |
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