Harry Potter and the Bible by Richard Abanes Review

Plot Description: Is the Harry Potter series a dangerous influence on children? Does its anti-Christian values make it an inappropriate influence?

When I uploaded a picture of this on my Instagram account I got a lot of messages along the line of, “oh my god, cooooool!!” “Where’d you get this from?!” “F4F?” and “Send me nudes”. The latter two are, admittedly were just Instagram spam, but the amount of interest of what is basically literacy theory surprised me. The appeal perhaps proves the first point Richard Abanes makes, Harry Potter is one of the most, if not THE most popular book series ever written, and if it has Harry’s name on it, people are likely to be interested. This is, however, where mine and Mr. Abanes occurring views end.

Abanes states the argument of the book clearly on the front cover:

Harry Potter: Harmless Fantasy or Dangerous Fascination?

How many of you will be staring at your computer screens perplexed at this question? Harry Potters just a nice story about an orphaned wizard, right?! There’s nothing harmful in the plot that makes J.K. Rowling’s series inappropriate to children, Christian or not? Well just to cut a long story short you’re right. I’ll briefly sum up the main points of Abanes argument:

1.     Rowling’s representation of Magic is too close to the occult form of Magick denounces by the Bible, making it inappropriate of children.

Abanes states examples of how Rowling takes real figures and references of the occult world and intertwines them with her fictional world. Mythological, astrological, even the Arthurian legend and how they are used to gently and skillfully introduce the occult world in an appealing form to children. The occult, if you’re wondering is essentially ANY form of thinking or reasoning as to what or how we are here, that does not conform to Christian beliefs and the Bible. For example, the use of the feline in the series (Mrs Norris, Crookshanks, Professor McGonagall’s animagus) is used in clear reference to Wicca. And what we would think of as clever intertextuality of Harry’s books for class authored by Wicca figures and the reference to Nicholas Flamel is denounced as Rowling subtly trying to link the real to fiction to influence the reader.

      2) Ron, Hermione and Harry, in particular, portray behaviours and attitude             that make them dangerous heroes for young children.

*eye roll*

Sorry I couldn’t help it.

Abanes cites numerous examples of Harry and Ron sneaking out of their dorm, trespassing, lack of respect for adults, drinking, cursing and a general lack of Christian values. The faults to this argument are laughable.

·        As Rowling CONSTANTLY AND REPEATEDLY tells us: not all bad people are completely bad, and not all good people are completely good, this I believe is a very good lesson for children to learn. Harry, Ron and Hermione are Gryffindor’s. This means they are brave, courageous and loyal. However, they can also be pig-headed, stubborn and too fast to rush into things without thinking. If Rowling presented us with a 2 dimensional representation of a person with solely good values, not only would this be an inaccurate portrayal of human behavior, it would also be plain boring!

·        Harry Potter is a teenage boy. He’s going to be full of angst. He’s going to do things he’ll regret. If you try and deny that this will happen to your child and shield them from the world, that’ll blow up in your face. Big time.

·        Harry apparently shows bulling tendencies. For example, as Abanes cites, Harry and Ron’s attitude to Hermione and Neville in the Philosophers Stone.

“Hermione succumbs to peer pressure after overhearing Ron and Harry say she is disliked at the school. Hermione endears herself to them by telling a “downright lie” to a teacher in order to cover up for the boys… This morally troubling scene concludes with Hermione and the boys becoming friends” (p36)

This scene is in no way put into context. Harry and Ron on hearing there’s a “TRRRROLLLLLL!!!! TROOOLLLLL IN THE DUNGEON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” rush to try and warn Hermione as they are both extremely worried for her safety. Then on finding her in mortal danger save her life! If Hermione were to turn them into the teacher then she’d be a downright dislikable person. Perhaps, Rowling intention then, was to teach children a lesson about abandoning childhood self-centeredness in order to make friends. And as for Neville, yes Hermione curses him when he attempts to stand up to them leaving the dorm. Rowling however, more than makes up for this by making Neville the hero at the end of her book with Neville being the reason Gryffindor win the house cup, teaching children, that it is worth standing up to people.

                  3 )Due to the fact that Rowling places her fiction novel in the world of reality           (e.g. Kings Cross Station, locations in Surrey ect.) children will be unable           to distinguish what is fiction and what is reality.

If this is a genuine concern of parents then there’s no more hope for mankind. Let’s all just burn every fantasy and fiction book ever written. We wouldn’t want children thinking then short people are hobbits, would we?

 People really don’t give children enough credit, they’re capable of understanding and grasping maturer content that you’d think. Harry Potter is, after-all, a story about friendship and love; magic is a mere narrative backdrop. If children were to grow up with no fantasy, imagination or magic (see what I did there) it wouldn’t be much of a childhood at all.

I did, in a way enjoy this book. It made me slightly angry and annoyed, but being British I gain pleasure from this. I also enjoy reading literary theory, and Harry Potter being my favourite book series it was nice to read a critical theory on it. This is however, where my enjoyment ended. The examples cited were random at best and used only to fit his argument. The argument itself is EXTREMELY weak, and despite not being a Christian myself, I’m sure they too would find this reading hard going and disagreeable (Abanes himself uses multiple quotes from influential people in the Christian world who have only praise for Rowling’s series).

Of course make your own mind up whether you agree with the argument, after all what do I know? It’s interesting, none-the-less, to know other people’s opinions and thoughts. It’s like soup of the mind to read arguments that oppose our own!

Leave comment letting me know what you think!

Lots of Love,

Rhian

Xoxo

Richard Abanes, Harry Potter and the Bible: The Menace behind the Magick, Christian Publications, Inc, Horizon Books [2001]

Book bag Book bags

Want something fun and frivolous?! Look no further you little consumerist bookworm, you!! Look at these beautiful tote/book bags that are currently available at Waterstones!!  They’re £7-£10 each but if you want people that pass you in the street and know your reading preferences then look no further!!

      http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/gibbs+smith/i+love+books+bird+tote+bag/11430274/

      http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/gibbs+smith/darcy+heart+tote+bag/9473554/

     http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/gibbs+smith/mr+darcy+tote+bag/9473555/

    http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/littlelit+tote+future+author/11430266/

      http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/jennifer+adams/alison+oliver/pride+and+prejudice+tote/9768582/

   http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/alison+oliver/wuthering+heights+tote+bag/9515606/

I’ve so far collected 2,3 and 5 and they’re amazing for the overspill of stuff I have to lug to Uni each and every day. However, my desire for more is growing and the Wuthering Heights one is just a little bit too hard to resist. I also love the ‘future writer’ bag which for *ahem* a future, feature journalist, may hopefully act as inspiration!!

Have you managed to get a hold of them yet? Or have you seen them in store and, as me, been driven mad with lust!

Which one is your favourite?

 Lots of Love,

Rhian

xoxo

Book Haul / Merry Christmas PART 1

So I constantly have a list of books that are in the pipeline of my future reading adventures, books that if only I had the time and money for, or perhaps will ask for for an upcoming gift giving opportunity... perhaps, oh I don't know, CHRISTMAS!!

Yes it's that time of year again and these are the books I've read to see me through those dark, lonely, nights waiting for Santa Claus to get up off his keister and pay his favourite girl a visit (me, I'm his favourite).

READ 

1) THE HOBBIT

"Oh my gawddd!! Like she's totally just jumped on the bangwagon. She's only reading it cause the film is out. She's not a real fannn!!1!!111"

Stop that. It's annoying. 

If a film makes you want to read a book that's not a bad thing everyone. Calm down. But in my case I am the biggest, oh my gawd Legolas and Aragorn should kiss, how could Sam marry that hobbit hussy over Frodo, fan you'll find outside the asylum. And when Christmas rolls around I can't think of a nicer, sweeter, 'read in front of the fire' story to read, and such, has become a bit of a seasonal tradition for me. A story about friendship and adventure, 12 dwarves trying desperately to regain their home, one hobbit trying to get back to his hobbit hole home (whats more Christmasy than home and home comforts huh?). With an almost childlike approach to the narration, Tolkien's Hobbit, is a much softer, less mythologically intense, than the older brother's in the LOTR trilogy, makes the reading pure pleasure. Plus I'm a hell of a lucky girl who has an Alan Lee illustration edition.

 "DAUUUMMM BRO!! Look at that Shire!!"

Quote- Barack Obama 

2) SENSE AND SENSEIBILITY

I don't know about you, but at this time of the year where you're desperately trying to jam in family obligations and and an immense amount of food, you want a book that's easy. Where not an awful lot happens. The plot and narrative are simple and enjoyable to follow. In my opinion Mrs Jane Austin is the supreme of this particular genre of '... meh, that was nice'. Pride and Prejudice is probably the best example for this idea of literacy comfort, I mean what really happens? A mother wants to marry her daughters off, a woman disagrees with a man, they fall in love after-all, even though we all know they would in the first place. Sense and Senseibility follows this same premise, daughters need to be married off. The only question is which of the eligible young men in the neighborhood should they choose? It's heartwarming and truly lovely to have a plot so familiar and comforting.


What have you been reading over Christmas? Anything you feel is your go-to Christmas story? 


*jingle jingle* ... Hey what was that?! SANTA?!?!!! 

Oh wait it was my laptops low battery notification, never mind :( that's perhaps a hint that it's time to say goodnight and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas 

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz - Review / Bookworm hibernation

You know that feeling when a book is sitting on your book self, looking at you, taunting, teasing.

"If only you had time for me. You've seen my amazing reviews. I know you desire me. I know how much you want to tear open my book spine and ravish me"

....Only me? Okay then.

But wanting to read a book but, unfortunately, having those annoying pre-commitment otherwise known as 'having a life', is a universal feeling. For me, it was a mixture university reading, writing for the school paper and Modern Family DVDs (aka laziness).

However, the day came, where I was finally able to give into my inner bookworm and read 3 books for my choice in a week. Among these was the pretty bloody amazing Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe. Now, unless you've been living in the hills of the Himalayas or otherwise living without internet connect, you've probably heard about this book, being the popular choice on Tumblr and Instagram.

As the cover shows, it’s won a shit load of awards, and it’s not hard to see why, it's definitely above the standard of most teen fiction/literature.

 The book, set in El Paso, Texas in the summertime 1980's, follows the first person narrative of Aristotle (or Ari as he's nicknamed himself) who is possibly the most angst ridden character in history. Think Harry Potter in the Order of the Phoenix x10. He's fifthteen. He's confused. He's confused about what he's confused about. His family are closed off and distant, his father traumatized by his experience in the war, his mother haunted by his older brother's incarceration. He wants answers but is too afraid to ask.

Then the friendless Ari meets Dante. An offer to teach Ari how to swim turns into a friendship of joint exploration of self-discovery and sexuality. Ari’s not sure why he befriends the strange Dante. Maybe it’s the similarly bizarre name, or perhaps he’s unlike any other fifthteen year-olds, or perhaps its Dante’s laugh. The boy’s relationship is honest and heartwarming and beautifully written, you believe in their friendship and feel for them both when they’re in pain.  

The book predominantly focuses on a teenager’s journey of self-discovery, what it means to be happy, to accept who you are, and most importantly, be happy when you realize that who you are isn’t necessarily what is accepted by others.

Without giving away too much, the story Ari’s growing alienation and hostility towards, well everybody, is developed to the point of explosion. Answers to why are only hinted at and only explained on the last two pages with a huge…. BOOM!!! This makes the books narrative hella thrilling and (I know, I know it’s a cliché) but you won’t be able to put it down. The chapters are only about two pages long which I LOVE; makes you zoom through the book without realizing that 4 hours have pasted and you haven’t fed the cat yet. I managed to finish it two days all in all which, for me, is pretty bloody brilliant. 

Rating

4/5

The Rosie Project - Graeme Simsion / That awkward first post

So..... Blog. 

Bloggy, blog, blog....

Feels like I've had a baby. Or to a less dramatic extent a goldfish.

I suppose I should start filling you, huh. Filling you will cool little perspectives on life and jazzy witticisms about modern day literature. Not fair to leave you hanging round cyber space naked and bare with all the other neglected blogs. 

So no making fun of me, I'm new. 

The Rosie Project by Aussie Graeme Simsions was released last year in good ol' 2013 (remember that year? He was kinda a dick) and won a poo ton of publishing and writing awards, and to be honest, its not hard to see why. Its hilarious* without making fun, sad without being pitiful but still manages to be hella romantic. 

Lets first lay out what this makes this book so flipping great. Our main character is a University Professor of genetic engineering , Don Tillman, a extremely efficient chef, avid cyclist, all round hunk but unfortunately: painfully single. Don also has Asperger's Syndrome, a fact that neither occurs to him, nor is even necessarily stated in the book (which I personally think is a pure lightening bolt strike of genius by Simsion). His condition DOES, however, lead to some really amazingly funny incidences in social interactions. Think Sheldon Cooper meets the matchmaker and you've basically got this 295 pages of awesomeness. 

So Don decides he wants a woman in his life. The perfect woman. Nothing wrong with that, most men, after all do. Don, however takes the word 'perfect' in its most literal meaning when he beings 'The Wife Project' in form of a questionnaire. Lets run through an example shall we?:

"'Question 35: Do you eat kidneys? Correct answer is (c) occasionally. Testing for food problems. If you ask directly about food preferences, they say "I eat anything" and then you discover they're a vegetarian'"  

Dons dates vary in success.

Then he meets Rosie. Beautiful, wild, outspoken, who probably eats kidneys (a) extremely often. She's not perfect. But then again she is.  

But do you know what I love most about this book? The things that's made it stick in my head for over a year, when all other summer books of 2013 have been long forgotten? The perspective it gives to how different minds work, that Simision couldn't have achieved if he had written in anything other than first person. During the character description of Don, I found myself typing, "who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome", but during the narrative Don in no way suffers from his differences! Suffering after all is such a nasty, extreme term. Don has grown up to be a extremely successful adult with a damn fine job with close friends, who finds no hindrance with his 'disability'. After all, Don's somewhat obsessive qualities are, one more than a handful of times, able to get him out of some pretty sticky situations. And i'm talking hot wax on hairy legs, sticky. 

Rating 

5/5 - Dogs Bollocks 

* When i say hilarious I mean, laugh out loud like a dunce scare the cat kinda hilarious.