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(More customer reviews)Of the many wonders of the Harry Potter series, J K Rowling's suggestion that gateways to her enchanted world exist right under unsuspecting muggle noses is certainly alluring. Tucked behind an inauspicious doorway we meet a toothless innkeeper by the name of Tom. With a tap or two of a magical umbrella an overlooked brick wall transforms into a portal to the bustling Diagon Alley. Kings Cross Station, the most famous of these magical portals, is so readily identified with the Potter series it now bears a signboard marking the location of platform 9 ¾. Locating the rest of these magical landmarks, however, requires a painstaking analysis of the text. Fortunately for devoted Potter fans, this investigation has been done with the meticulous devotion of the man well noted for this ability, Steve Vander Ark, in his new book "In Search of Harry Potter".
The book provides a detailed explanation of Vander Ark's year long journey through London,the West Country and Scotland searching out locations for Privet Drive, St Mungo's, the Burrow, the Ministry, Hogwarts, Spinner's End, Godric's Hollow and numerous other magical landmarks. The Godric's Hollow section was particularly fascinating complete with a rather stunning find on a gravestone in the little village identified in this book. This little village is likely to be on the map for Potter fans planning a tour to England and Scotland any time soon. The search for Godric's Hollow is illustrative of the meticulous analysis that made Vander Ark's website distinctive. He synthesizes all known elements provided in the books on Godric's Hollow and incorporates the rigorous investigations of John Kearns to narrow down the only plausible location for the fictional home of James and Lily Potter.
There are many charming photographs included to give the reader the comfortable assurance they are welcome company for the adventure. The photographs of Scotland where the author seeks to identify locations of Hogsmeade, the train stations and Hogwarts itself are breathtaking. Throughout the book Vander Ark retells what he learns of the folklore of the areas he explores and provides interesting connections to the series throughout. There is a great example in the Scotland section on a legend of two quarreling giants sourced to a local author Alec Cunningham in "A History of Rannoch". Thoughts of Hermione's magical evening bag being stocked with the Cunningham book immediately sprang to mind as Vander Ark recounts what he learned from the books he purchases after locating Hogsmeade Station in Rannoch. The giants and their legend is an added bonus placing Grawp in the vicinity as we would imagine he might be with Hogwarts so close by.
The 208 page book is packed with vivid description, imagery, legends and folklore that take the reader on a delightful journey through Rowling's magical universe. Vander Ark's book is an engrossing read that is fascinating and often quite humorous. The book itself is a beautiful addition to the collection of any Potter fan. The artwork for the cover by Camilla Engelby is quite exceptional in person. There is a greater depth to the color that doesn't quite show as well in the photograph. I highly recommend "In Search of Harry Potter" for those fortunate enough to be planning a trip to England and/or Scotland in the near or distant future. More importantly, I recommend it for those who aren't planning a trip but would like to feel they too have scoured the countryside in search of the magic that gave Potter fans lovely daydreams, stimulating conversation and yes, even raging debate. In Search of Harry Potter recaptures that magic in every respect.
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