The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter: A Treasury of Myths, Legends, and Fascinating Facts - Softcover

Colbert, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 042519891X ISBN 13: 9780425198919

Publisher: Berkley Trade, 2004

Synopsis

Explores the sources and meanings of aspects of the literary world of Harry Potter within myths, legends, and history.

About this title

Review

Anyone who has read the Harry Potter books is aware that author J.K. Rowling infuses her stories with references to mythology, literature, history, and legends. Even if you don't know exactly what a manticore or a griffin is, it's likely that many readers have at least a vague sense of the existence of these creatures in ancient lore. Inspired by Rowling's suggestion to a young fan to "go and look it up," author David Colbert did quite a bit of investigation himself. The result is the fun, entertaining, and enlightening Magical Worlds of Harry Potter.

From alchemy to hippogriffs to veela, Colbert explores the fascinating meanings between the lines and buried within the names of characters and places in all the Harry Potter books. Chapter headings include such intriguing questions as "Have Witches Always Flown on Broomsticks?" "Why Would Chocolate Help After Escaping a Dementor?" and "Are Any of the Famous Witches and Wizards Real?" A small purple tab in the margin of the first page of each chapter guides readers looking for specific subjects: Divination, Goblins, McGonogall, Owls, Voldemort, Wands, etc. Curious readers will learn the link between Hagrid's pet dog, Fluffy, and the mythological Greek sentry to Hades, Cerberus. And they'll get a taste of scholar Joseph Campbell's theories on heroism, with Harry as the hero, of course. The true magic of this book is that it will surely inspire Harry Potter fans to delve deeper into the various areas it explores. Readers will soon be clamoring for collections of Greek, Japanese, Indian, and Egyptian mythology, as well as copies of The Sword in the Stone, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Canterbury Tales, and Treasure Island, to discover the sources of their favorite Harry Potter books. (All ages) --Emilie Coulter

About the Author

Formerly a head writer of television’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and an editorial director of HarperCollins, David Colbert is best known as author of the acclaimed Eyewitness history series. A graduate of Brown University, he studied anthropology and mythology and has spent much of his life in libraries.

About this edition

• Publisher: Berkley Trade
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 042519891X
• ISBN 13: 9780425198919
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288