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The Great Snape Debate
Making the case for Severus Snape's guilt or innocence, this discussion takes a look at both sides of the most debated character in the Harry Potter series. With sections on Snape's history, Slytherin House, and Snape actor Alan Rickman's past roles, as well as Snape as villain and as hero, the book scours the Harry Potter novels for hints about Snape's final loyalty and the series' end. There's food for thought for any Snape fan, including those who like him, hate him, or just want to speculate about the contents of his iPod, the greasiness of his hair, or why his name is an anagram of "A Perverseness For Soups."
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185 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
4 people are currently reading
796 people want to read
About the author
Amy Berner
6 books11 followersI design and produce events for a living, and I write about television, books and pop culture on the side. I'm also a showtune-and -Irish-song singing, baseball-cheering, wine-and-beer-loving, book-obsessed geek.
I've contributed to nine Smart Pop Books anthologies so far, including Five Seasons of Angel, The Anthology at the End of the Universe, Alias Assumed, Farscape Forever, Neptune Noir (Veronica Mars), Getting Lost, In The Hunt (Supernatural), Filled with Glee, and Fringe Science. I also co-wrote The Great Snape Debate for BenBella Books/Borders Press.
I've contributed to nine Smart Pop Books anthologies so far, including Five Seasons of Angel, The Anthology at the End of the Universe, Alias Assumed, Farscape Forever, Neptune Noir (Veronica Mars), Getting Lost, In The Hunt (Supernatural), Filled with Glee, and Fringe Science. I also co-wrote The Great Snape Debate for BenBella Books/Borders Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 24, 2008
The books by J.K. Rowling are all about Harry -- so why are we so fascinated by Severus Snape? For fans of the series, that's easy: Love him or hate him, he is one mercurial and fascinating character. His actions at the end of Half Blood Prince have stirred up a raging debate, and this book follows the pros and cons of each side. I found it interesting that there was more space dedicated to the "Snape is Good" side than the "Snape is Evil" side. Of course, now that the seventh book is out, maybe this was prescient?
This was an interesting read. The "Snape Is Evil" side had presented some pretty strong arguments, but made a couple canon mistakes. One, it stated that James knew about the plot to throw Snape to the emerging werewolf and decided at the last minute to pull the future Potions master from the brink. Well... is that really established? I know that is what Snape *believes,* but I would argue there's a difference. And while I can buy the arguments as to why Snape might not be a "good guy," I think that side of the book comes down rather hard on Dumbledore. For example -- it argues why didn't Dumbledore stop Harry from participating in the Triwizard Cup, if he were so powerful. Well, there are things more powerful than even the late Hogwarts headmaster and it's stated: the names coming out of the Cup are a binding contract, one you simply cannot break without consequence. Dumbledore did not like the situation, but he really had no choice. Another argument that fell flat is that if Dumbledore was so powerful and respected, why did noone believe him about Voldie's return, until practically too late? Obviously, whomever wrote that is not familiar with the political arena. Human beings (including wizards) have an absolute gift for burying their heads in the sand when an uncomfortable truth gallops in, and we have to be knocked flat to acknowledge it's existance. Usually a few times.
I agree that Dumbledore had "Ivory Tower" syndrome, and was very trusting. But I think the strongest argument for Snape's innocence was this: the whole theme of the book, about trust, and friendship.
This was an interesting read. The "Snape Is Evil" side had presented some pretty strong arguments, but made a couple canon mistakes. One, it stated that James knew about the plot to throw Snape to the emerging werewolf and decided at the last minute to pull the future Potions master from the brink. Well... is that really established? I know that is what Snape *believes,* but I would argue there's a difference. And while I can buy the arguments as to why Snape might not be a "good guy," I think that side of the book comes down rather hard on Dumbledore. For example -- it argues why didn't Dumbledore stop Harry from participating in the Triwizard Cup, if he were so powerful. Well, there are things more powerful than even the late Hogwarts headmaster and it's stated: the names coming out of the Cup are a binding contract, one you simply cannot break without consequence. Dumbledore did not like the situation, but he really had no choice. Another argument that fell flat is that if Dumbledore was so powerful and respected, why did noone believe him about Voldie's return, until practically too late? Obviously, whomever wrote that is not familiar with the political arena. Human beings (including wizards) have an absolute gift for burying their heads in the sand when an uncomfortable truth gallops in, and we have to be knocked flat to acknowledge it's existance. Usually a few times.
I agree that Dumbledore had "Ivory Tower" syndrome, and was very trusting. But I think the strongest argument for Snape's innocence was this: the whole theme of the book, about trust, and friendship.
February 2, 2022
This is truly an artifact of its time. Read one way, it's 75 pages defending Snape as a good guy working toward the light, flip and read it the other way and it's 70 pages arguing he's working for the Dark. And this was such a big deal between books 6 and 7. While it was fun to revisit that time period in the fandom, I was overall disappointed in this execution. These essays don't have the authors listed but each one is a mirror of each other and there's only 3 authors on this book. So I'm wondering if they each wrote a pro and con essay and that weakens the overall argument if it's not what they believe in. Also, arguing Alan Rickman's previous roles as an indicator of a good or a bad guy was ridiculous.
However, there was some good insight in some of the essays. There were some connections that I had missed even after several rereads. While some of the arguments had weak evidence or they really stretched to make pieces fit, there was also just as many good pieces and strong suggestions. Given that we now know how the pieces make up the true puzzle of Snape, I don't know how much I'd recommend this being picked up...but it was fun to remember all the forum debates from this time.
However, there was some good insight in some of the essays. There were some connections that I had missed even after several rereads. While some of the arguments had weak evidence or they really stretched to make pieces fit, there was also just as many good pieces and strong suggestions. Given that we now know how the pieces make up the true puzzle of Snape, I don't know how much I'd recommend this being picked up...but it was fun to remember all the forum debates from this time.
August 19, 2017
Reading this with the hindsight of what actually happens, and the circular arguments that took place between Snape's case for guilt or innocence before Deathly Hallows was released just goes to show how amazingly talented Rowling's writing is! To set up a character and story with that many layers which makes people scrutinise every phrase and look they make...wow!
August 14, 2020
Not worth a read in 2020 unless you want to be frustrated and feel like you're back in 2007.
February 11, 2017
The book was written and published after HP and the Half-blood Prince but before Deathly Hallows came out, when the debate about Snape - good or evil or just out for himself? - was at its hottest. I have recently finished reading the HP series and watching all the movies for the first time. (I know, I know, but after all HP was for kids . . .) So why read the book now, when we have the answer to the crucial question? Well, for one thing, it's about my favorite character in the series. It's a flip book, as has been mentioned, and I love that there are chapters in each section dealing with the casting of Alan Rickman - love him! - with some interesting discussion of Rickman as an actor and why that supports that Snape is evil or good. So for Rickman fans alone this book is worth the purchase price! In addition, the book is well written with a dry and sometimes caustic sense of humor in evidence. Orson Scott Card, who with Amy Berner and Joyce Millman in crafting the Snape is a Hero section, is a well respected science fiction author who wrote the bestseller Ender's Game, so that should give an idea of the quality of the writing. The arguments, especially on the good side, are solid, and it's a fascinating read on both sides, and I found even the filler sections to be lots of fun. For anyone who regards Snape, as I do, as their favorite Anti-hero of all time, this book is one you should have in your collection!
April 26, 2007
Yes, I've gone a bit nuts. This is a double book - one side gives evidence that Snape is bad (evidence in the books as well as literary devices used and, strangely, why the casting of Alan Rickman proves it!); flip it over for the same kinds of evidence proving Snape is good. A lot of the proof from the books is the same on both sides - Rowling is really good at hiding Snape's true colors, and he really could go either way (my vote is GOOD!! Remember Alan Rickman HAS been a good guy, too!)
It does a good job of dissecting the situations and dialogue that point to whichever version, but I guess we'll never really know until July!
It does a good job of dissecting the situations and dialogue that point to whichever version, but I guess we'll never really know until July!
January 25, 2009
This book really helped me look deeper into the harry potter series's symbolism and arguements about Snape. I<3 Snape!
September 25, 2020
Although the installments of the HP series have been (sadly) over, and this topic is not really “a debate” anymore, I would highly suggest this book to Educators. It can easily be used as a non-boring tool to teach perspective, how author’s distinct choices influence our takeaways as readers, debate-focused writing, and specifically literary criticism skills. This is filled to the cauldron with Close Reading as the co-authors use careful and sustained interpretations to prove each point. They also demonstrate keen contextual analysis when pointing to other instances of anti-heroes, villains, and shapeshifters whom we know well from cult movies, literary classics, and iconic TV shows. Further, there are sections where a multitude of worldwide mythologies and other interesting symbols, such as anagrams, are also discussed. I admired the playfulness. In short, by being heavily researched, students have an exemplar of how supporting evidence can be masterfully implemented to keep people engaged and ever-guessing. Simply fun to talk about and think about.
July 7, 2018
Most of the essays are absolutely phenomenal, especially Orson Scott Card's. However, "The Case for Snape's Guilt" tend to reach a bit, making it obvious the authors viewpoint being that Snape is innocent, as others have previously mentioned.
February 4, 2019
Good easy read. I kind of wish I had been there when I didn't know what happened and had this book as a way to explore the options available for the seventh book based off so many literary references throughout the book that I had never noticed in my many years of rereading the series.
February 10, 2013
Prior to the release of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, I remember seeing at least a dozen books published (all unauthorized, or course), all speculating on what might transpire in the final volume of J.K. Rowling's magnum opus. This book focuses on just one question (among many) left by the ending of Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince. That question: To whose side did Severus Snape's allegiance belong? Was he an agent of Voldemort, or was he an agent of Dumbledore?
The Great Snape Debate is a flip book, fashioned after the style of the old Ace Doubles. One side puts forth "The case for Snape's innocence." Flip it over, and the other side presents "The case for Snape's guilt."
In presenting each side of the argument, the authors present supporting evidence from the first six Harry Potter books, along with extensive quotes. There is the initial argument for each side of the question, sections on Snape as hero or villain, and a look at Slytherin House (not always evil, or home of the ethically challenged?)
There are also sections dealing with Alan Rickman, the actor who played Snape in the movies, and a look at his other notable acting roles, both heroic and less than heroic. (My favorite non-Snape role of Rickman's was the voice of Marvin The Paranoid Android in The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy)
The section I found most amusing was the discussion of what Snape's secret vice might be. As presented in the books, Snape really doesn't drink that much, really doesn't socialize, and since he dresses and acts like a Puritan minister, he doesn't seem to be the type to do drugs. The authors do suggest that there is one form of Muggle entertainment that would be his form of guilty pleasure. If their speculation is true, Carrie Ann Inaba and Tom Bergeron (among others) might be surprised to learn that Severus Snape is one of their most ardent viewers.
Each side concludes with a Top 10 list -- the top 10 reasons readers love Snape, and the top 10 reasons the readers love to hate him. The authors did not reach any definitive answer to the question, leaving that to the reader to decide. (And of course, by now you know what that answer is.)
-jc-
The Great Snape Debate is a flip book, fashioned after the style of the old Ace Doubles. One side puts forth "The case for Snape's innocence." Flip it over, and the other side presents "The case for Snape's guilt."
In presenting each side of the argument, the authors present supporting evidence from the first six Harry Potter books, along with extensive quotes. There is the initial argument for each side of the question, sections on Snape as hero or villain, and a look at Slytherin House (not always evil, or home of the ethically challenged?)
There are also sections dealing with Alan Rickman, the actor who played Snape in the movies, and a look at his other notable acting roles, both heroic and less than heroic. (My favorite non-Snape role of Rickman's was the voice of Marvin The Paranoid Android in The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy)
The section I found most amusing was the discussion of what Snape's secret vice might be. As presented in the books, Snape really doesn't drink that much, really doesn't socialize, and since he dresses and acts like a Puritan minister, he doesn't seem to be the type to do drugs. The authors do suggest that there is one form of Muggle entertainment that would be his form of guilty pleasure. If their speculation is true, Carrie Ann Inaba and Tom Bergeron (among others) might be surprised to learn that Severus Snape is one of their most ardent viewers.
Each side concludes with a Top 10 list -- the top 10 reasons readers love Snape, and the top 10 reasons the readers love to hate him. The authors did not reach any definitive answer to the question, leaving that to the reader to decide. (And of course, by now you know what that answer is.)
-jc-
August 16, 2008
I loved the idea of this book (and not just because I am a Harry Potter junkie)--a systematic literary criticism of the Snape character to try to determine whether he's a good guy or a bad guy. It was fun to see how various scenes and events in each of the first six books revealed aspects of Snape's character that became important later in the series. The book was disappointing, though, because the authors weren't content to make their arguments pro and con and leave it at that. They decided to include a bunch of cheesy filler like a list of songs that would be on Snape's iPod and reasons why Alan Rickman was a good choice to play Snape in the movies. These sections were distracting and stupid--I wish they had either done a serious book or a light-hearted/funny book rather than trying to do both.
June 5, 2015
This flip book argued both sides of Severus Snape's story, was his good guy, or villain. Logical arguments were presented on both sides, each analyzed Snape'e behavior, personality, choices, words and actions. Both cases were well made, but, and this could just be because I'm biased and I love Snape as a character, the argument for him being a good guy was a lot stronger, and had a great deal more depth. Two points, this book was written before Deathly Hallows was released, so a lot was speculation, but it was also speculation that proved correct. Also, and this was a physical fact of the book's construction, the section devoted to arguing he was a good guy was much larger than the section arguing he was a villain, just saying. :)
Want to read
August 15, 2011I remember reading an article about four years ago (just before the publication of DH) by Orson Scott Card on the topic of Snape. It wasn't extraordinary or as detailed as many of the brilliant essays Snape fandom has put out over the years, but it was good writing with some solid points, so I might just take a peek through this book as well. Though it's years later, and the "Is Snape Good/Evil?" debate has been settled, reading and discussing Snape's role in the Harry Potter books will never get old. For me, there will never be a fictional character quite as brilliant as Severus Snape.
September 11, 2013
Call me a complete and utter nerd, but yes, I read "The Great Snape Debate". This book perfectly deconstructs the character of Serverus Snape from the Harry Potter series. As I was reading the Harry Potter's, I associated Snape with Voldemort, being just as hateful and cynical. Then I found myself completely dumbfounded as I read the scene where Snape is dying and he divulges how he really feels in his last seconds. This is what lead me to reading "The Great Snape Debate", and I consider it a must read for any Potterhead.
November 18, 2008
Going into this book, I was on the side that Snape is innocent. Coming out of the book, I'm still on that side (though wavering). Perhaps it was my original bias, but the case seemed much stronger on the innocence side of the book (even though certain items were repeated again and again). The guilty side seemed a bit light and even toward the end, the authors wrote just about Slytherin and not about Snape at all.
December 9, 2009
I really only completely read the Snape Is Good side, because DUH. During the time between the release of Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows, this was a wonderfully comprehensive resource for The Debate. I spent many many many hours thinking over Snape's allegiance, and this book helped me go from 95% sure to 100% sure that Snape was Dumbledore's man through and through.
A tear for our fallen warrior. /cry
A tear for our fallen warrior. /cry
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2010
So far I absolutely love this book. It brought a lot of good points up and has some really interesting facts. I am on to the second side of the book, the one saying that Snape is a bad guy, but that can not change my opinion I will always be on his side because he is a nice guy actually.
Lets test your knowledge: Did you know that J.K. Rowling intended that Voldermort to be pronounced Voldermor (the t being silent) so that it would rhyme with Dumbledore. Pretty cool, huh?
Lets test your knowledge: Did you know that J.K. Rowling intended that Voldermort to be pronounced Voldermor (the t being silent) so that it would rhyme with Dumbledore. Pretty cool, huh?
May 24, 2011
I know that it seems kinda pointless to read a debate on whether or not Snape is good or evil now that the Deathly Hallows is published, but Severus has always been my favorite character and I was curious to read the 'Snape is evil' side of the debate. I was a bit disappointed that both sides used the same data for Snape is good and Snape is evil. None the less a very quick read and entertaining to say the least.
February 25, 2012
I really enjoyed reading this after I finished Half Blood Prince. I can agree that while the series focuses on Harry I was always a big Snape fan. It also probably helped that I am a huge fan of Alan Rickman and thinks he deserves an Oscar for Severus Snape, just saying! I enjoyed both sides of this book and it gave us very different views of whether Snape is a good guy or a bad guy. It was a great thinking book before reading Deathly Hallows.
February 20, 2016
This book was obviously meant to be read BEFORE Deathly Hallows came out, but I didn't get around to it. And this year, one of my goals is to read all of the HP-related books I have hanging around the house.
This book is more like a series of essays written by a few different people, and it made me want to re-read the series (again!) to catch all of the things I've missed on the first three or eleven readings.
And honestly, "The Case for Snape's Innocence" is really better than "Guilt."
This book is more like a series of essays written by a few different people, and it made me want to re-read the series (again!) to catch all of the things I've missed on the first three or eleven readings.
And honestly, "The Case for Snape's Innocence" is really better than "Guilt."
August 17, 2007
a Borders Exclusive book that is fun to flip and read "The Case for Snape's Innocence" on one side and "The Case for Snape's Guilt" on the other. It was well written and certainly made you think in depth about the previous 6 books. I read it before 7 came out when it was fun to predict what was going to happen! :)
December 29, 2015
This book is a great read, irrespective of if you've already read the entire series and/or seen the movies. Both sides of arguments for and against Snape are solid, and in particular it was interesting to read some key differences that essentially amounted to clues about Snape's allegiance that Rowling okayed for the films that weren't in the book.
January 6, 2014
This came out before the Deathly Hallows- that's the main thing you need to know about this book, other than the fact that it's very interesting and made some excellent point for both sides. If Rowling had wanted, she could have worked out some very complicated fates for Severus if she hadn't chosen the (rather perfect) one she did.
June 5, 2007
This book is divided in two, Snape as a friend versus Snape as a foe...the book is worth reading for the friend/Snapes innocence side, which has me more convinced that Snape may be a good guy...I can't wait for next month to find out!!!
August 31, 2007
It's a great read and it really helps you understand both sides of the argument. It is a perfect read before you read Deathly Hallows. I read it 3 weeks before DH because I wanted to understand why people hated Snape so much. I always believed he as a Friend not a Foe. *yeah for me I was right*
November 18, 2007
I'd already read seven when I read this book, but I wanted to see what people where saying for each side. until i read seven i was a great snape hater (though that hasn't changed much). this book was interesting though. i liked to look at the different viewpionts.
December 8, 2010
Amazing how accurate it was. I had never even considered that Snape could be good- I was so sucked in to Harry's opinions of him. I read this in between HBP and DH so it was a good filler- not sure why anyone would read it now...seeing as the debate is over...but hey, whatever floats your boat
February 19, 2015
This book was just super fun to read. It's a great change from just reading the Harry Potter book series for the 5th time. It sheds some light on the series and how things could have turned out had J.K. Rowling made Snape the opposite she did. (trying to keep spoilers out of it)
September 28, 2007
It was pretty good...a little repetitive. Turns out that the "good Snape" section was correct. :-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews