User Reviews

Silly Squirrel Date: 6/29/2008
On one hand I'd like to give this top rating because it is clearly present problems with Harry Potter, but I expected expected something more thought through with the grand title Harry Vs. Narnia. The writer recognized that magic is a point of contention, (in my opinion main point of contention) but glossed over it. The magic point was the worst point of the essay because it points out Lucy's use of a spell being detrimental to her friendship yet completely ignores that she cast the visibility spell. One spell was selfishly done while the other was done to help. Does this observation mean magic is ok if it's done for good?! Or is it ok to do magic if you are threatened with harm? (While it's hard to imagine Dufflepuds hurting anyone, the plea for help was given with a threat.) The problem of magic in fantasy has been around for a while, Lewis and Tolkein explored what was edifying and what wasn't themselves. Their view was that Fantasy was a great tool for refreshing the soul and exploring difficult spiritual matters. "Lord of the elves and Eldils: Fantasy & Philosophy in C.S.Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien by Richard Purtill" helped compile their views for me, but it isn't the easiest thing to read. Pastor James Granger is more contemporary and has written on this topic as well, using diagrams to help explain. One simple way to look at things, if the magic gives you the collywobbles, don't read it or watch it. One useful gage I got from Granger is: Invocational vs. Incantational Invocational- calling on/calling IN magic,demons or nature for power. This is used in the Wiccan Religion and is dangerous whether or not the power is used for good. Narnia touched on this in PC and tLB summoning the White Witch and summoning Tash- appropriatly showing the danger in this. (The Newberry award winning book Wise Child does not.) Incantational-Is verbal magic, saying a spell like Lucy does in VotDT. This sort of magic is reminiscent of the Bible, namely Genesis where God says, let there be light, and it happens. Technology today is striving to reach that level, the most obvious application is The Clapper, you make the 'magic noise' and your light comes on. No higher forces are called upon, so verbal magic in fantasy is usually neutral, and it is the good or bad characters that use it for good or evil. Readers, authors and parents, have different comfort levels in magical fantasy, but hopefully recognizing the use of Invocational and Incantational magic in a book will help you decide whether or not it is good.

Silver Rose (SR) Date: 5/9/2010
I like how you did not bash the other book but saw how both had its ups and downs. Please continue your ratings.