Friday, July 20, 2007
Harry is Coming, Harry is Coming
So, tonight at 12:01, Harry is going to find out his fate. I was not one of those who bought into the Harry phenomenon from the beginning because I hate cool trends. But after seeing the first film I had to admit I liked the characters. But it was after I read the essay on Harry Potter from Wheaton College English Professor Alan Jacobs, where he talked about how great the series was, he convinced me to give it a real try.
What was interesting is that I did not start reading the books until I first started my Phd. What that meant was I was able to purchase book #5, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, from the local Waterstone’s in Manchester at 12:01. And while many hate the book, I loved it and read it two more times before I returned home. Then when HP volume #6 came out, I was in line again at 12:01, even though my flight home left early the next morning, and of course, I could have gotten it for less at the airport the next day, but it was the joy of the experience.
So, tonight, at 12:01, there I will be, at our Colorado Springs Borders. I am sad I am not in the U.K, but you know, it is still going to be great...and besides tonight I won’t have to hire a taxi to get home.
Stay tuned for my review of the book, and if you are interested in more on the theological connections of Harry Potter, check out http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com and http://astore.amazon.com/zossimapress-20 for great books by my friend John Granger, because even if J.K. Rowling is not a Christian ( I happen to believe that she is) and Harry is not, you can learn from books like Finding God in Harry Potter how reading the books can make you a better believer.
