I rarely post links to snarky criticism of the Potter books because there isn’t enough substance between the snide asides and sarcastic, patronizing assertions-posing-as-arguments for even an Elvendork like me to get me teeth into as a response. L.O.O.N.y Linda, though, sent me this piece from a Medievalist that made my morning. It and a previous one pointing out what Ms. Rowling herself has admitted (her Latin spells are clever not genius or even Eton grade Latin) left me smiling and taking myself a little less seriously. [Read more…]

In a hardback, ribbed spine, collector’s edition available only At Amazon.com. Thank you, Dr. Sturgis, for the news. There is also a “standard edition” in paperback going on sale 4 December 2008 for $7.59. All proceeds will be going to Children’s High Level Group, Ms. Rowling’s preferred charity.

The ‘surprise inside’? Commentary and footnotes for the five stories by the late Albus Dumbledore! I think (1) we are about to read Ms. Rowling’s satirical treatment of literary criticism, and, perhaps, (2) we’ll get some idea of how she thinks it should be done. Stand by, Elvendorks! This may not be pretty…

I’m confident, though, of one thing: we now know July’s bestseller at Amazon — and I expect for the next few months. Happy birthday, Ms. Rowling, and thank you for this gift.

All-Pros, your comments, please!

Our wont here is to discuss Ms. Rowling’s postmodern themes and her use of Christian symbolism and alchemical imagery and story structure to advance these themes and criticism. Over on the “New for Medievalists” weblog, they take a different view. Among the subjects in their ‘Call for Papers for the 2009 International Congress on International Studies’ is “J. K. Rowling’s Medievalism.” I confess I was as intrigued by a few of the other subjects (Beowulf as Children’s Literature; The Serbian Middle Ages: Between Byzantium and the West; Beyond Beer and Celibacy: Exploring Monastic Productions) but a few thoughts come to mind about Medieval Harry. [Read more…]

This week last year HogPro and Hog’s Head were counting down the days to the release of Deathly Hallows with predictions and spoiler alerts. Do any of you have plans to commemorate the first anniversary of the closing of the InterLibrum and the Harry Potter saga? I know the PotterDelphians are planning a MeetUp on Saturday,2 August, for a belated Birthday bash. I think the Grangers may watch a movie or two with some popcorn after dad talks at dinner about the eyes in Deathly Hallows (the Mirror, the Symbol, Mad-Eye’s funeral, and, of course, Snape’s “Look at me!”).

What are your plans?