Harry Potter expert will answer fans’ questions

By Katie Williams
Collegian Editor
November 15, 2006

Attention Harry Potter fans: John Granger (yes, like Hermione; he swears that’s just coincidence), author of Looking for God in Harry Potter, will be speaking in Backstage Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. The meeting is a part of Professor Vincent Kling’s class called “Harry Potter: Blasphemy or Blessing,” but the event is open to the public. Spotlight caught up with Kling to learn more about this event.

Spotlight: Can you tell me a little bit about John Granger?

Professor Kling: He is a clergyman in the Orthodox Church. He got involved with Harry Potter because one of his children came to him and asked if she could read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which had just come out at the time. Like most people, he thought the book was about witchcraft and demonology, so he told her that she could read it on the condition that he read it first so he could talk to her about it afterwards. He read it and was overcome by the messages of faith, courage and redemption. He then wrote Looking for God in Harry Potter, which traces these symbols of the Christian faith throughout the book. Currently, he teaches Latin at the Valley Forge Military Academy.

SP: So will his talk be focused on the Christian aspects of Harry Potter?

PK: It’s going to be more of a question and answer session. He’s made a lot of predictions, not only from reading the book, but also by focusing on alchemy.

SP: Alchemy, really?

PK: Yes. He proposes that alchemy isn’t just dark magic, but that it’s really a Christian way of understanding elements. He has a lot of very interesting predictions based on this.

SP: Is it a bad idea to come if you haven’t read all the Harry Potter books?

PK: You’ll hear stuff you don’t know, obviously, but any Harry Potter fan who doesn’t mind hearing spoilers is welcome.

SP: So, people who aren’t in the class are welcome?

PK: Yes. Anyone is welcome to come. However, since it is for my class, those in the class will have first dibs on asking questions.

SP: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

PK: The group Granger works with is trying to buy textbooks and other school supplies for Romanians, and I believe some students are trying to get a fundraiser here for him, so look for that in the future. Also, his Web site is www.hogwartsprofessor.com.

williamsk1@lasalle.edu