Rating: 
Summary: Solid analysis coupled with a very personal interpretation
Review: ...The Hidden Key to Harry Potter is a must for types 1 and 2. The author, John Granger has the credentials to back up his thesis that the Harry Potter books have been written by a Christian writer that has a Christian story to tell. He compares the symbolism in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord Of The Rings series with the work of J. K. Rowling. He also mentions that Rowling has been greatly influenced by Austen and Dickens. Granger goes on to say that Rowling has an intellectual pedigree of the first order and that she is writing profoundly Christian books drawing on classical philosophy, theology and symbolism.If you can't get enough of Harry Potter and want to revisit the tales with a man of insight and understanding buy The Hidden Key to Harry Potter. You will be delighted.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Positive Light on Harry Potter
Review: First, I just want to say my actual rating is somewhere between three and four stars, and I DO recommend this book even with some glaring flaws. I bought it because I recognized some religious symbolism in the HP series on my own, and because I love to debate uninformed people who dismiss HP as evil, and this book will give you all kinds of ammunition! Granger's writing is intelligent, thought-provoking, and exceptionally well researched. Personally, I had no idea that alchemy was considered a spiritual purification, as well as a "science", or that many of the animals (other than the phoenix)were religious symbols. On the negative side, there are some areas that are a little repetitive or really drag (the chapter on alchemy- great information but didn't need to be nearly that long). I also don't think his theory about the origins of Harry's name is remotely likely, or that Lockhart is based on Philip Pullman, as I believe that's been disproved. Some of his other theories, however, are better supported and may very well come about. Granger didn't convince me either that JKR is intentionally writing a series to promote Christianity, like Lewis or Tolkien but I appreciate that he takes her seriously as great literature, so I can overlook some bias! Anyway, get this book if you need convincing that HP is good for you, or if you just want learn a little more about the series.
Rating:
Summary: Current review for a pre Order of the Phoenix item.
Review: Firstly The hidden key to Harry Potter is a good book to buy, for understanding of the whole series. Unfortunately, the book was published before Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was published, and since that book is about to be re-published in paperback it goes that much of the information in John Granger's book could be updated. And of course, Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince, the 6th volume of the series of seven books, has already been started. The book is dotted with tables that illustrate eloquently what the author is talking about, but while I was re-reading the book recently, it was all I could do (like not having a biro handy at the time) to stop myself adding another column or row to these tables for relevance to OOTP. I felt like drawing over the book with my opinions of how relevant each remark was to the 5th book of the series. To do the book justice, I think many of the observations about the whole series are spot-on. John Granger makes some very astute observations. He foresees, for example, Percy Weasley's estrangement from his family in book 5, and much else besides. But it would be unreasonable to expect the author to upgrade the book to a second edition on the strength of the accuracy of observations about the contents of the already published and read Order of the Phoenix. There is another in the series imminent which would leave even the completed 2nd edition out of date. Therefore I suggest that people who buy the book for all the value it represents in analysis, should not expect to keep the book unused on the bookshelf for later donation to a library. Instead, buy the book in the full knowledge that the buyer will write over it, add to anything not included, adjust to the buyer's readings of later books, rewrite the book on the buyer's own terms, and generally have fun with it. Good luck.
Rating: 
Summary: Illuminating Survey
Review: Granger's work is an invaluable lesson not only for Harry Potter fans but for those interested in literature and the use of symbols to bring out greater issues. Focusing not only on Rowling but her predecessors, Tolkien and Lewis, Granger surveys the "world of Potter."
He examines major themes, particularly those involving death, rebirth, and transfiguration. After reading Granger's book (and is there something perhaps in the fact that he shares a name with the most intelligent of the Potter characters?), I re-read the entire series. The patterns and rythms seemed far clearer.
Granger uses his knowledge of the whole of classical literature from a myriad of sources to point out the development of the major themes of Rowling's work. It is fascinating. My seventeen year old, who seldom enjoys getting involved in anything involving literature beyond what is required for school, ripped through the book and then devoured Harry 5, declaring that she had found far more meaning in the book than she had previously found in all the others.
An amusing highlight were the predictions Granger made about future books. Since his book was written before Phoenix it was easy to check. He was wrong quite a lot, but on the other hand, he was also right in some places. And, as he has written after the last book, some elements he predicted mya come to pass in Harry 6. This is a fascinating read for those who enjoy literature as well as for Pottermaniacs.
Rating:
Summary: A must-read! Brilliant insights on every page!
Review: I cannot say enough about this book! I am truly astounded at the smorgasborg of insights that Mr. Granger has packed into this very thorough defense of the Harry Potter series. He puts forth an enormous amount of evidence (including 13 detailed charts), leaving no doubt in the reader's mind that J.K. Rowling is a first class Christian author who is writing in the same genre as "Inklings" literature (C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, etc.). He skillfully debunks the anti-Potter authors who (incredibly!) have painted Rowling as pro-Occult, and her writings as anti-Christian. After reading Hidden Key one is left wondering how anyone could maintain that the Harry Potter series is anything other than the best Christian literature since Lord of the Rings. This is the only book of its kind and is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in the Harry Potter series or good Christian literature a la "The Inklings".
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Summary: Harry Potter for adults
Review: If you are one of the many adult fans of J.K. Rowling's books I am sure that you would find The Hidden Key to be a fascinating read. I would also highly recommend this book to you if you have no intention whatever of reading the Harry Potter series but are interesting in understanding what all the fuss is about. It is the best attempt I have seen to account for the unprecedented worldwide phenomenon that the books have become. Granger takes the Harry Potter books seriously as literature, and the depth of analysis is remarkable. However it is done with such enthusiasm and humour that it is also a very enjoyable read. I'd always suspected that there was more to these books than met the eye, and Hidden Key puts the complex weave of plot, symbolism and allusion under the microscope to reveal its intricate structure. As well as a detailed analysis of the four books so far published there is also some intriguing speculation about where the next three might go. This book gives us the chance to be informed about and involved in a remarkable literary event as it unfolds, don't miss the opportunity!
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Summary: John Granger is Not Afraid
Review: If you were to define the Christian Right with one word, that word would be "fear". When J.K. Rowling unleashed Harry Potter on an unsuspecting public, Church leaders everywhere rose up to defend us against the evils of Wicca. One man, however, refused to panic. John Granger is the first Christian writer to take a rational approach to Harry Potter. In Hidden Key, Granger raises an important question -- just what, exactly, makes these books so popular? The startling answer: Harry Potter is good literature! Hidden Key was written before the release of the fifth book (Order of the Phoenix), but that didn't stop Granger from guessing what was to come. Naturally, not all of his predictions are correct, but enough of them came out right to prove his point -- that Rowling is an author in the tradition of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Granger devotes several chapters to a discussion of the philosophy of these men before diving into an interpretation of Harry Potter, and in the process delivers a lesson in worldviews which said Church Leaders could stand to learn from. In a sense, then, this book calls us to a higher viewpoint where we can see the real things -- truth, and love, and beauty -- beyond their shadowy projections in the external forms of magic and manners. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a better understanding of the Potter series.
Rating:
Summary: "Hidden Key" a great guide!
Review: John Granger's easily accessible style breaks down the hidden meanings behind everything from names to major recurring themes for anyone willing to read into the series beyond plot twists. For Christians who are looking to validate themselves for reading the novels so misjudged by some, look no further! After reading this book I was able to convice my strict father to see the good in the Harry potter books, somtimes ignored in light of the magic which Rowling uses as a backdrop. For non-Christians, this book will give you an interesting and fully-argued view into the series that may change your perspective on Rowling's novels. After reading this book, I enjoyed reading "Order of the Phoenix" so much more than I would have by catching some things I would not have recognized as meaningful.
Rating: 
Summary: One Of The Best Books on the "Harry Potter" Phenomenon
Review: Let me say up front that what kept me from giving this book 5 stars was its need for better organization and a stronger editorial hand. (More of this later.) In terms of content, thought and provocative analysis, it is 5 stars all the way. Anyone seriously interested in the Harry Potter books, pro or con, should read this book. Many Evangelical Christians consider the Harry Potter books objectionable, even Satanic, because of their magical milieu of Witches and Wizards. These objections have been stated most strongly in Richard Abanes' "Harry Potter: The Menace Behind the Magick." John Granger, an Orthodox Christian and a classics scholar, has now written a book, "The Hidden Key to Harry Potter", that challenges this view with the startling thesis that far from being Satanic, the Harry Potter books are in fact profound Christian allegories that are filled with Christian symbolism. Granger makes a very convincing case. Among other things, he examines the numerous Christian symbols that appear in the Harry Potter books: Unicorn, Stag, Golden Griffin, Phoenix, and others. He offers a compelling analysis of the climactic scene in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" that interprets Harry's battle with the Basilisk as an allegory of the Christian's fight against Satan and the healing power of Christ's sacrificial love. In an extensive section on alchemy (that could use a bit of pruning), Granger argues that "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is about the transforming power of Christ in the life of the Christian. Granger also shows how Rowling's books fit squarely in the "Great Books" tradition of Austen, White, Lewis and Tolkien. Granger argues that the Harry Potter books have been so phenomenally successful not only because they are corking good stories, but more importantly because they address the reader's spiritual needs on a fundamental, even subliminal level. This argument is certainly more convincing that the one offered by some Evangelicals, namely, that the series' runaway success is due to help from Old Scratch himself. Granger identifies and examines some of the principal underlying themes of the books - prejudice, dealing with death, the importance of choices in determining character, among others - and offers an analysis of the central meaning of each of the four books published thus far. Then, in a section demonstrating considerable analytical courage, Granger offers his own speculations on what lies ahead in the books yet to come. Talk about going out on a limb! It is not surprising that a great deal of this would have gone over the head of the average reader of the Harry Potter books. At the very least, one would need a working familiarity with Medieval Christian iconography to pick up on a lot of the symbolism Granger identifies. Assuming, of course, that Rowling is in fact writing from the perspective Granger claims she is. Sometimes, in reading Granger's book, I wondered what Rowling would think of all this. Would she say, "Finally, someone got it!"? Or would she be thinking, "Gee, I never knew I was putting all that stuff in my books!"? Unless and until Rowling herself speaks on these issues, we won't know. But at the least, Granger makes an excellent and thought-provoking case. And he also provides the great service of cutting through all the "Single-Mom-Turned-Overnight-Success" malarky to point out that Rowling is in fact a highly-educated woman with Firsts (the English equivalent to Summa Cum Laude) in Classics and French from Exeter, one of England's leading universities - which of course bolsters his arguments about the serious, scholarly underpinnings of these books. On the debit side, Granger sometimes pushes his theories too far and strains credibility. For example, his analysis of some of the names, the title character's in particular, is unconvincing and gives the impression of grasping at straws. And his theory on the identity of the real-life model for Gilderoy Lockhart is torpedoed by a comment Rowling herself made in an interview. Also, Granger's intriguing arguments are sometimes undercut by the book's rather haphazard organization and its annoying redundancy. Apparently the book was based on a series of four lectures Granger gave, and this shows in the organization. One sometimes has the feeling that Granger has simply transcribed his lectures and notes into book form, without taking sufficient pains to adapt the lectures to a written medium. A stronger editorial hand was needed in preparing this book for publication. But these are problems that could be solved in a revised edition, and hopefully one will be forthcoming. The Harry Potter books have sometimes been likened by their Christian critics to a kind of literary Trojan Horse, sneaking Satanism and demonic influences into the citadels of our homes and our children's minds. But if John Granger is right, the books are indeed a Trojan Horse, but of a different kind: Rowling will have stormed the citadel of secular public education and public libraries with profoundly Christian books proclaiming the Gospel, disguised as stories about witchcraft. If, indeed, these are Christian books, what are the secular humanist guardians of public school portals going to do when they find out? Hold their own book-burning? If nothing else, contemplating the delicious irony in this state of affairs makes me hope devoutly that Granger's analysis is correct. Let me repeat: anyone seriously interested in the Harry Potter books, pro or con, needs to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: The Hidden Key to Harry Potter: Understanding the Meaning, G
Review: The Hidden Key to Harry Potter: Understanding the Meaning, Genius, and Popularity of Joanne Rowling's Harry Potter Novels by John Granger is an amazing analysis of the great Potter books. Very well written indeed.
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