This work is part of the "Continuum Contemporaries" series giving readers accessible and informative introductions to 30 of the most popular, most acclaimed and most influential contemporary novels. It contains a biography of the novelist, a full-length study of the novel, a summary of how the novel was received upon publication, a summary of how the novel has performed since publication, and a wide range of suggestions for further reading.

About the Author
Philip Nel teaches English at Kansas State Univ, USA. He is one of America's leading Harry Potter scholars.

Reviews
'Far and away, the single best piece of literary criticism on the Potter series has been Philip Nel's J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Novels: A Reader's Guide... there is an excellent list of recommended "further readings" ...along with classroom discussion questions (mostly for older students); there's also a very extensive and helpful list of Web sites that deal with the books... Nel's analyses are both insightful and helpful, citing a clear moral foundation throughout the series.' ~ Trelease-on-reading.com
Study Aids Get Chic Concerned about keeping up at the book club? Stuck for something to say when dinner party talk turns to Zadie Smith? Or no time to read Captain Corelli's Mandolin before the movie comes out? Never fear, cool new study aids are here in the form of Continuum Contemporaries - The Novel Approach, a series of handy readers' guides to contemporary fiction. Launching in September, with further waves in January and May 2002, they're much slicker than the frumpy cheat-aids of yore, including everything from website links to review buzz, and deliberately featuring new novels such as Bridget Jones's Diary, The Shipping News, Trainspotting, and even the Harry Potter books.
"A brilliant idea--short, perceptive books which tell you what you need to know about some of the most vibrant and challenging writing around today--a bit like having a reading group in your pocket."--Ian Rankin
"Nel gives the Harry Potter novels credibility as more than just a current fad. This study will be a useful defense to challenges of the novels because it explores the darker themes that are so often objects of complaint....Timely and relevant."--VOYA, February 2002
"This study will be a useful defense to challenges of the novel because it explores the darker themes that are so often objects of complaint. It is not bogged down by literary jargon or contexts, making it an accessible introduction to literay criticism and to the novels for students, parents, educators, and opponents of the novels. Timely and relevant, this guide is a helpful addition to any YA nonfiction collection." --VOYA
"the book is certainly successful...the greatest benefit of this book is in the list of works cited." --Orana, 11/02
"I have found Nel's book especially appealing for my college students who have read Rowling's work and are ready to read about it, and it would provide good material for an adult reading group discussing the Harry Potter novels...Nel's book will fit in your hip pocket adn definitely packs teh most bang for your buck for all the about-Potter books."--Lana Whited, The Lion and the Unicorn
"J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Novels: A Readers Guide serves as a good introduction to the world of Harry Potter without praising or damning it. It also has the most complete biography of Rowling contained in any of the books here [other books discussed: Harry Potter and the Bible: The Menace Behind the Magick, Richard Abanes; The Irresistible Rise of Harry Potter, Andrew Blake; Exploring Harry Potter: Beacham's Source Book for Teaching Young Adult Fiction, Elizabeth Schafer], as well as an unbiased discussion about Pottermania. This nook might serve as a minor reference work for the Potter scholar, and the discussion questions at the end could serve as inspiration for a critical paper or college classroom discussion about the Harry Potter books." Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts, Winter 2004 * A Closer Look *



Book Information
ISBN 9780826452320
Author Philip Nel
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 116g