Harry Potter For Nerds: Essays for Fans, Academics, and Lit Geeks Paperback – June 22, 2011

I'm not really a literature person per se, though I do love to read. I've been in love with the Potter series since I first picked up SS in 7th grade (99/00). This book gives an excellent sampling of some of the deeper themes in the series. As I was a Biblical Studies major in college, and now a minister of the Gospel, I was particularly intrigued by the essays that dealt with religious themes. I know there are a number of books like this one on the market (including a sequel to this one) and I look forward to reading more like it.

Really challenge yourself with this - it will take your thinking for HP to a professor level. For anyone who appreciates the strong literary nature behind the wizarding world and recognized the Chaucer in 7.

This is a fantastic book, recommended by Mugglenet Academia. I chose this to begin with as a way of getting into the more academic dissection of the hp books. I can't wait to dive into some of the books suggested by the many great authors.

As with any collection of literary essays, this book is filled with thoughtful pieces that really open your eyes and help you see the Harry Potter series anew, and It is also filled with nearly incomprehensible dreck where the writer started with a clear agenda and forced the novels to “reflect” their premise with the most desperate grasping at straws. Of course a John Granger essay is included because there’s always a John Granger essay because he’s a renowned “academic.” I’ll spoil his essay for you: everything is about Jesus. It always is.Enjoy the good stuff and skip the rest.

This review is for the paperback version which I purchased not long after it was first released. The book consists of 12 very interesting & informative essays. Unfortunately, my copy is missing the last forty pages. This means the last essay is incomplete. I actually first learned of the problem via the editor's website. ( I was reading just one essay from time-to-time at a leisurely pace & hadn't made it to the end.) There was an offer to send a pdf of the missing pages by e-mail as well as replace the book. I used the contact form on the site as suggested, but after numerous attempts, have gotten no reply. I am pretty sure anyone purchasing the book from this point on will get the whole thing, since they are aware of the problem. The book is well worth a read in any case!December 1, 2012- I'd like to modify my review to five stars! I heard from the editor. He apologized for having overlooked the e-mail & quickly sent a new copy of the complete book and the promised PDF. All is well!

I bought this book after hearing it discussed on the Mugglenet Academia podcast (highly recommended) and wasn't disappointed. It's a collection of essays with some truly original insights into what make the Harry Pottter series one of the most popular series ever written. It's academic, yes, but very accessible and highly recommended for those who want to reflect on the themes of the books