John Granger

John Granger is a reader in the Greek Orthodox Church, and the author of several books analysing J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels.

Granger was born in Corning, New York and grew up in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. He attended prep school at Philips Exeter Academy and holds an honors degrees from the University of Chicago, where he studied classical languages and literature. He is currently a teacher of English, Latin and journalism at Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Previously he taught Latin at The Asheville School, Peninsula College, and Chimacum High School.

Granger served for 6 years in the US Marine Corps including postings at the Air Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms, CA, and at Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan. He is married to Mary, and has seven children.

Granger guest lectures at universities on various topics, and has given more than 100 radio and television interviews.

Works about Harry Potter

Granger first became interested in Harry Potter when his daughter was given a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. He read the book with the intention of pointing out to his daughter what was wrong with it but instead was impressed by the Christian imagery, classical references, and 'acerbic criticism of muggledom'. The interest developed through debating the books in the C. S. Lewis society and giving lectures about them to the point where the lectures became the basis for a book, 'Looking for God in Harry Potter' (Tyndale, 2004). This deals with the books from the perspective of Christianity and Christian imagery included in them and has sold more than 50,000 copies. He has described Voldemort as 'the most powerful indictment of the humanity of our times of any book I have read' in popular literature.

'The Hidden keys to Harry Potter' (Zossima, 2002) discusses the symbolism used in the first four Harry Potter books, links with the literary traditions of Tolkien, Lewis and others, and considers the story from the perspective of a traditional series of trials refining and strengthening the hero. It summarises the story up to that point, and suggests how the plot might develop in the remaining books. [ cite web |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/kopel/kopel062003.asp| title= Review of "Hidden keys to Harry Potter"|author=National Review Online|accessdate=2008-01-22|date=9 June 2003]

Granger has taught Harry Potter courses on the online Barnes and Noble University since 2004. He has also appeared as a guest in favour of the Harry Potter books on several radio and TV shows, including CNN. As a proponent of the Christian imagery in the novels, he has become involved in the debate criticising them as encouraging paganism and witchcraft.

Describing himself as "one of the leading authorities on the Harry Potter books as read in the context of English literature," his specialist interests are the post-modern qualities and Rowling's use of literary alchemy in the Harry Potter novels.

Works

* "The Hidden Key to Harry Potter: Understanding the Meaning, Genius, and Popularity of Joanne Rowling's Harry Potter Novels" (Zossima Press, 2002, ISBN 0972322108)
* "Looking for God in Harry Potter" (Tyndale House, 2005, ISBN 1414300913)
* "Who Killed Albus Dumbledore?" (Zossima Press, 2006, ISBN 0-9723221-1-6) - six essays, of which one is written by Granger, and the other five by five Harry Potter 'fan-theorists' (Wendy B. Harte, Sally M. Gallo, Daniela Teo, 'Swythyv', and Joyce Odell (or 'Red-hen')), and collected together by Granger. A proportion of the proceeds of the book are being donated to the Children's High Level Group [http://www.chlg.info/content_pages/02.html] , a charity co-founded by Rowling in 2005.
* "Unlocking Harry Potter: Five Keys for the Serious Reader" (Zossima press, 2007, ISBN 0972322124)

References

* [http://www.zossima.com Zossima Press]
* [http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com hogwartsprofessor.com]
* [http://www.vfmac.edu/academicsA_faculty_profiles.html Valley Forge Military Academy Faculty]
* [http://sonorus2007.org/presenters.html Biography for Sonorus lecture]
* [http://www.christian-fandom.org/oli-jg.html Interview with John Granger]
* [http://www.orthodoxspeakers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=13&Itemid=35 Orthodox speakers bureau biography]
* [http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB117876383431898056-GThmnkKdFTp3CJQAcEEzWOdEkHA_20080509.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top Wall street journal review of books about Harry Potter]