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A Closer Look at Harry Potter

Just a load of Hogwarts?

A Closer Look at Harry Potter
By John Houghton
Kingsway. 92 pages
ISBN 0 85476 941 2

What shall we do with Harry Potter? On the one hand, J. K. Rowling's books (four to date) are exciting stories, rattling good yarns, which have got even children who think books are boring and reading is for sissies, devouring print. On the other hand, these are stories about witches and wizards and the study of magic and all sorts of things which are a big no-no for Christians.

John Houghton is an able writer. He has written several fantasy books himself. In this short, intelligent book he argues the case for looking below the surface. What are the issues? What precisely are the dangers? If we ban Harry Potter, what else should be added to the bonfire?

Be careful, says Houghton. Man is a creation in the image of God, the Imaginer God. Humans cannot live without stories, nor should they, and in our desire to protect we must beware of stifling or denying what is a God-given tool for shaping and inspiring thought, feeling and action.

Houghton examines the place of myth, the question of witchcraft and magic and the significance of worldview in stories. These chapters are extremely helpful for any parent or teacher who wants to know what questions to ask of a text. The book then becomes an extremely well-crafted apologetic for that 'better story'-the greatest ever told - which Houghton summarises with warmth and freshness.

Finally Houghton unpicks Harry Potter and demonstrates how this flawed but popular piece of secular neo-pagan imagining may be used to initiate discussion on many important themes: good/evil, loyalty, friendship, conflict, rules and even the meaning of life. This is a masterclass in engaging with the culture, questioning its assumptions and pointing to the more excellent way. We can all learn from it.

John Houghton's critique will disappoint those who would like to burn Harry Potter and his creator at the stake. He examines honestly the legitimate concerns of Christian parents and teachers and he admits to some of his own, but he advises against the witch-hunt approach. He writes: 'Find the right cause for which to die, Christians. Harry Potter is not one of them.' That sounds like good sense.

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