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Does Harry Potter Tickle Sleeping Dragons
<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face { 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { ""; %; "Calibri","sans-serif"; "Times New Roman"; } span.attrvalue { } .MsoChpDefault { "Times New Roman"; } .MsoPapDefault { %;} @page Section1 { 11.0in; 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; } div.Section1 {} --> <!--[if gte mso 10]> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {"Table Normal"; ""; 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; %; "Calibri","sans-serif"; } <![endif]--> What did Harry Potter sneak past YOU? You've read all of Harry Potter, now what? Is that really all there is? Well.... it just depends on how you look at it. Considering J.K. Rowling's cleverness, it would be sad -- and also wrong -- to think we've fully deciphered all 4,000 pages of Rowling's Harry Potter books. Far from it! In fact, thanks to Rowling's humble genius, many of Harry's deepest secrets and veiled themes still remain completely unnoticed... by multitudes! Yet Rowling wasn't silent about Harry's secrets oh, no. Unbeknownst to most fans, Rowling spent 10 years fighting off the book-burners, and scattering a plethora of clues about Harry's true nature, and her real intentions. The problem is that they're buried in thousands of pages of interviews, hard-to-find transcripts, documentaries, and a very long trail of obscure clues, if anyone cared to follow them. What's a curious Potter fan to do? Not to worry! Author Nancy Solon Villaluz already invested 5 years fervently researching it all for you, in ''Does Harry Potter Tickle Sleeping Dragons?'' It's the first Potter analysis actually seeking to help fans view Harry through the most interesting perspective of J.K. Rowling's eyes. Inside, you'll plunge into a challenging, in-depth analysis of Rowling's named influences, her interviews, and, of course, all of her Harry Potter books. You'll learn a myriad of surprising things about Harry and Rowling that most people never suspect, all-the-while tackling the long-ignored mysteries of Hogwarts' school motto. (Which is Latin for, ''Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon.'') Dull, dry research? Never! Bring your imagination on this thought-provoking journey of discovery. Travel paths, dodge dragons, and have tea as you examine oodles of compelling evidence.
++ What surprising things influenced Harry...and how?
++ How does Rowling view herself, her writing, her success, and Harry?
++ Does Harry Potter actually promote witchcraft? How so... or how no?
++ What critical thing did Rowling finally admit was ''always obvious'' to her in the Harry Potter books... and why wasn't it so obvious to us?
++ Does Rowling view herself as an Atheist, a Christian, or something else... and what might that mean for Harry's readers?
++ What incredible secrets does Harry Potter still hold after all these years... and where's the proof?
++ Does Harry actually follow Rowling's no-tickling school motto advice? Or did Rowling have something else up her sleeve? So whether you've read Harry Potter only once, or a dozen times, there is still so much more for you to discover... quietly lingering in the subtle depths of Harry Potter's own pages where few even suspect. Come look through Rowling's clues, and you will see the hidden treasure trove patiently waiting for anyone brave enough to approach the Sleeping Dragons' lair. Do you dare come along?
++ What surprising things influenced Harry...and how?
++ How does Rowling view herself, her writing, her success, and Harry?
++ Does Harry Potter actually promote witchcraft? How so... or how no?
++ What critical thing did Rowling finally admit was ''always obvious'' to her in the Harry Potter books... and why wasn't it so obvious to us?
++ Does Rowling view herself as an Atheist, a Christian, or something else... and what might that mean for Harry's readers?
++ What incredible secrets does Harry Potter still hold after all these years... and where's the proof?
++ Does Harry actually follow Rowling's no-tickling school motto advice? Or did Rowling have something else up her sleeve? So whether you've read Harry Potter only once, or a dozen times, there is still so much more for you to discover... quietly lingering in the subtle depths of Harry Potter's own pages where few even suspect. Come look through Rowling's clues, and you will see the hidden treasure trove patiently waiting for anyone brave enough to approach the Sleeping Dragons' lair. Do you dare come along?
- GenresHarry Potter
356 pages, Hardcover
First published November 8, 2008
1 person is currently reading
99 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 20, 2009
I thought I couldn't learn any more about Harry Potter. NOT that I am an expert, but I'd thought that my several re-readings of the seven Harry Potter books, plus reading analyses of the books by Christian analysts John Granger and Janet Batchler (as well as other forgettable secular ones who were more concerned with fitting Harry Potter into the Hero's Journey or getting facts wrong in their rush to come out with a book to please screaming HP fans) had covered me. It took this book by Nancy Solon Villaluz to prove me wrong. Talk about the tip of the iceberg!
Once I signed on to her quirky style (which is laid on a little too heavily in the beginning: I got impatient, particularly with the autobiographical material, and nearly put the book down in the early chapters) the book revealed itself, like Dumbledore, to be more than just a funny old schoolmaster. I am pleased to have discovered this treasure. If you are a fan of Harry Potter, especially if you aren't convinced of its Christian roots, read this book.
If you're NOT a fan of Harry Potter, I'd recommend the books of John Granger or Nancy Brown instead, as Does Harry Potter tickle Sleeping Dragons? is really for the diehard fan who has exhausted herself reading the Septology over and over and is looking for something else to chew on. Read and enjoy tickling! PS: There is a planned sequel: apparently Ms. Villaluz has more up her sleeve....
Once I signed on to her quirky style (which is laid on a little too heavily in the beginning: I got impatient, particularly with the autobiographical material, and nearly put the book down in the early chapters) the book revealed itself, like Dumbledore, to be more than just a funny old schoolmaster. I am pleased to have discovered this treasure. If you are a fan of Harry Potter, especially if you aren't convinced of its Christian roots, read this book.
If you're NOT a fan of Harry Potter, I'd recommend the books of John Granger or Nancy Brown instead, as Does Harry Potter tickle Sleeping Dragons? is really for the diehard fan who has exhausted herself reading the Septology over and over and is looking for something else to chew on. Read and enjoy tickling! PS: There is a planned sequel: apparently Ms. Villaluz has more up her sleeve....
January 27, 2010
The goodreads title above is incorrect. The book is actually titled "Does Harry Potter Tickle Sleeping Dragons?"
An interesting book. The central thesis is essentially that in the Harry Potter books J. K. Rowling tried to do what Lewis did and sneak the gospel past the "watchful dragons" of secular, materialist culture and shape and prepare the Western heart in Christian directions rather like Narnia. Running as a thematic key to this book is Hogwart's motto, "Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon," which she takes as Rowling's hint that this is what she is doing. That suggestion might initially seem a bit far-fetched, but Villaluz presents a staggering amount of information that bolsters her case. She has managed to master a huge amount of information on Harry Potter, including an encyclopedic knowledge of the vast number of interviews, documentaries, biographies of Rowling, as well as the Potter series, the Narniad and Lord of the Rings.
She has done a lot of close reading of the books to discover a number of things that had gone right past a veteran Potter reader such as myself, even after multiple re-readings. Things like how many times Harry is actually said to be praying explicitly to God in the books and we didn't even notice. Did you know how many times Rowling uses ideas such as "cathedral" "church" "repent/remorse" and other clear Christian themes? Or how many times she references Christian (particularly Christmas hymns and what they are saying? Not me. Especially not in the last book, where you would need knowledge of the Christmas Eve liturgy of the Church of Scotland to know what hymn is being sung in the church when Harry is gazing on the graves of his parents). There is much gold to be discovered here.
A couple of big flaws in the book are: that she seems to assume John Granger's studies on the Potter books but does not cite him; in spite of a tremendous amount of insight, she is also guilty of tremendous reaching, especially in the first chapter or two.
The largest flaw, the one most frequently mentioned, is the presentation of the material. This is by no means an academic book. In fact, it is written as though it were a quest we embark on with her as Guide through a fantasy realm, and we must sneak through landscapes filled with "Sleeping Dragons," Lewis's metaphorical "watchful dragons" lulled to sleep by Rowling's surface story. This approach gets annoying, because she is not a skilled imaginative writer. (This is especially obnoxious in the first chapter and the last; from chapter two onward this plays a relatively small role and she actually presents her evidence, so muscle through and get the gold amid all the dross - it is well worth it).
An interesting book. The central thesis is essentially that in the Harry Potter books J. K. Rowling tried to do what Lewis did and sneak the gospel past the "watchful dragons" of secular, materialist culture and shape and prepare the Western heart in Christian directions rather like Narnia. Running as a thematic key to this book is Hogwart's motto, "Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon," which she takes as Rowling's hint that this is what she is doing. That suggestion might initially seem a bit far-fetched, but Villaluz presents a staggering amount of information that bolsters her case. She has managed to master a huge amount of information on Harry Potter, including an encyclopedic knowledge of the vast number of interviews, documentaries, biographies of Rowling, as well as the Potter series, the Narniad and Lord of the Rings.
She has done a lot of close reading of the books to discover a number of things that had gone right past a veteran Potter reader such as myself, even after multiple re-readings. Things like how many times Harry is actually said to be praying explicitly to God in the books and we didn't even notice. Did you know how many times Rowling uses ideas such as "cathedral" "church" "repent/remorse" and other clear Christian themes? Or how many times she references Christian (particularly Christmas hymns and what they are saying? Not me. Especially not in the last book, where you would need knowledge of the Christmas Eve liturgy of the Church of Scotland to know what hymn is being sung in the church when Harry is gazing on the graves of his parents). There is much gold to be discovered here.
A couple of big flaws in the book are: that she seems to assume John Granger's studies on the Potter books but does not cite him; in spite of a tremendous amount of insight, she is also guilty of tremendous reaching, especially in the first chapter or two.
The largest flaw, the one most frequently mentioned, is the presentation of the material. This is by no means an academic book. In fact, it is written as though it were a quest we embark on with her as Guide through a fantasy realm, and we must sneak through landscapes filled with "Sleeping Dragons," Lewis's metaphorical "watchful dragons" lulled to sleep by Rowling's surface story. This approach gets annoying, because she is not a skilled imaginative writer. (This is especially obnoxious in the first chapter and the last; from chapter two onward this plays a relatively small role and she actually presents her evidence, so muscle through and get the gold amid all the dross - it is well worth it).
January 17, 2024
I feel like this was a great representation of how Harry Potter interacts with them dragons! He might like them a little too much, which is a little freaky. Deaky and I might not completely agree what he does with them dragons but I think that is up to the perspective of Voldemort himself, and what he completely believes about these dragons and how they interact with each other and how they interact with Harry Potter. This is a great insight into the cultural wizard world if you ever want to start getting into wizard tree but those dragons do not exist so maybe try tickling your dog whilst it sleeps.
February 22, 2009
After reading this book, I can state three facts:
1. Ms. Villaluz has certainly spent a lot of time researching J.K. Rowling's influences on the HP series and anything else relating to the HP author, including the books themselves,
2. She idolizes J.K. Rowling, almost to the point of infatuation,
and
3. The book certainly could have used at least one more editing session. (My hard-cover copy actually has words and phrases covered with whiteout and hand-written corrections on the pages. It's highly amusing, but I can honestly say I have never seen such a thing.)
I'm actually not sure how I feel about this book. First, it's written in this "oh, what fun, we're going on an adventure" tone, that is refreshing for a research book ... for the first chapter or so. It quickly grows old after that, particualarly when the author gets so caught up in the atmosphere of the scene she is setting that you are not particularly clear about WHAT she is trying to say.
Second, it is an exploration of the hidden religious premise of the HP series. That, in itself, is not a problem. After all, most of us die-hard HP fans recognize the closing chapters for the thinnly-veiled "Jesus" story that it represents. The author does manage to point out many Biblical references I missed, even after reading the entire series three times. However, there are times I felt that Ms. Villaluz was persuing her own agenda. For example, when pointing out the parts of the books that were supposedly Pro-life, the arguments were just too thin. Perhaps that is what Rowling intended, I don't know, but the evidence is just not as pat as this author would like us to believe. She also continually applauds Rowling as being "not too churchy", a compliment that could hardly be applied to some of her own commentary. I felt that I was in the midst of a revival a couple of times.
Mostly, it feels like an "in your face, so there" reply to the Christian groups (and the "sleeping dragons" of the title) that criticized and even literally burned the HP books. If you can look past this author's own agenda, you will find things you never saw in the series before. If you are interested in the religious themes in HP, I would highly recommend "Finding God in Harry Potter", by John Granger instead.
1. Ms. Villaluz has certainly spent a lot of time researching J.K. Rowling's influences on the HP series and anything else relating to the HP author, including the books themselves,
2. She idolizes J.K. Rowling, almost to the point of infatuation,
and
3. The book certainly could have used at least one more editing session. (My hard-cover copy actually has words and phrases covered with whiteout and hand-written corrections on the pages. It's highly amusing, but I can honestly say I have never seen such a thing.)
I'm actually not sure how I feel about this book. First, it's written in this "oh, what fun, we're going on an adventure" tone, that is refreshing for a research book ... for the first chapter or so. It quickly grows old after that, particualarly when the author gets so caught up in the atmosphere of the scene she is setting that you are not particularly clear about WHAT she is trying to say.
Second, it is an exploration of the hidden religious premise of the HP series. That, in itself, is not a problem. After all, most of us die-hard HP fans recognize the closing chapters for the thinnly-veiled "Jesus" story that it represents. The author does manage to point out many Biblical references I missed, even after reading the entire series three times. However, there are times I felt that Ms. Villaluz was persuing her own agenda. For example, when pointing out the parts of the books that were supposedly Pro-life, the arguments were just too thin. Perhaps that is what Rowling intended, I don't know, but the evidence is just not as pat as this author would like us to believe. She also continually applauds Rowling as being "not too churchy", a compliment that could hardly be applied to some of her own commentary. I felt that I was in the midst of a revival a couple of times.
Mostly, it feels like an "in your face, so there" reply to the Christian groups (and the "sleeping dragons" of the title) that criticized and even literally burned the HP books. If you can look past this author's own agenda, you will find things you never saw in the series before. If you are interested in the religious themes in HP, I would highly recommend "Finding God in Harry Potter", by John Granger instead.
October 26, 2013
It's rare that I read an analysis of Harry Potter without rolling my eyes at yet ANOTHER text comparing Rowling's nomenclature to Greek and Roman mythology. This is, thankfully, not one of those books. The book starts off with the basic assumption that, if you are reading this, you are a fan who is familiar with all the old analysis. The central tenet this book is arguing is that the Harry Potter series is, at its core, derived from very religious sources. It's a really interesting point, and the various other routes the book diverges into are all original points that, in my decade+ of being a diehard fan who reads analysis of the series, I'd never encountered before. I'm not the biggest fan of the way the book was laid out narratively, it seemed a little over the top for me, but I do think it's worth it to dig through the imaginative bits to get at the main point.
April 6, 2014
This book is actually part 1 in a 3-part series. This book itself takes an academic look at the JKR's religious allegorical elements in her books. I did not know that going into this, but I found that the way the author did it was a rather nice way of going about things. I gave it 3 stars because I generally dislike book that concentrate on religion in any way. This one managed to not sound "preachy" but I feel that it toed the line a few times.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews