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The End of Harry Potter?: An Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries that Remain
The publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final Harry Potter novel, is probably the most eagerly anticipated event in the history of publishing. Even the smallest hints from author J. K. Rowling about what may happen to Harry and his friends have been major news stories.
In The End of Harry Potter?, David Langford―Potter fan and award-winning writer―delves into the many mysteries which remain unsolved. Is Albus Dumbledore really dead? Whose side is Severus Snape really on? What are the remaining horcruxes, where He Who Shall Not Be Named has stashed his soul? Does Harry bear a part of the Dark Lord's soul in his scar, and is this why he understands Parseltongue?
J. K. Rowling is the only person who knows the answers to these questions. But in this highly entertaining book, Langford uses his deep knowledge of the six published Harry Potter novels to explore these and other mysteries, and to present a selection of possible outcomes.
Only the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will lay these questions to rest, but in the meantime, fans of the series will find David Langford's book entertaining and thought-provoking, and a perfect way to refresh their memory of the first six books in readiness for the last.
In The End of Harry Potter?, David Langford―Potter fan and award-winning writer―delves into the many mysteries which remain unsolved. Is Albus Dumbledore really dead? Whose side is Severus Snape really on? What are the remaining horcruxes, where He Who Shall Not Be Named has stashed his soul? Does Harry bear a part of the Dark Lord's soul in his scar, and is this why he understands Parseltongue?
J. K. Rowling is the only person who knows the answers to these questions. But in this highly entertaining book, Langford uses his deep knowledge of the six published Harry Potter novels to explore these and other mysteries, and to present a selection of possible outcomes.
Only the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will lay these questions to rest, but in the meantime, fans of the series will find David Langford's book entertaining and thought-provoking, and a perfect way to refresh their memory of the first six books in readiness for the last.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
81 people are currently reading
13036 people want to read
About the author
David Langford
200 books43 followersBritish science-fiction author, editor and critic. He publishes the newsletter Ansible.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 27, 2009
You may think that with the end of the "Harry Potter" book series, reading a "guide" like this would prove pointless, but nonetheless, I found myself reminiscing quite a bit and enjoying the several theories and the then unanswered questions forwarded by avid fans before Rowling published "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows".
With a title like "The End of Harry Potter? An Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries that Remain" I expected the book to, well, speculate on the mysteries that remained. Oddly enough, it didn't really postulate a lot of theories on how the book/series was going to end. Since this was the primary purpose for buying the book I was, at first, a little dismayed.
But as I continued to read the book, I came to like it more and more. It flowed and was a good read. It was intelligent and thoughtful. I think the nicest thing I can say about the book is that it will make the reading of Book 7 more enjoyable. Some theories I'd seen, others I'd thought of, but he did manage, more than once, to slip something in that took me by surprise.
The most I appreciate was when Langford discussed Rowling's ability to fool us in-depth, like a magician waving a rabbit in front of our faces but convincing us that we can't see it. She's a master at that. And I know that most, if not all, Harry Potter fanatics would agree wholeheartedly.
Book Details:
Title The End of Harry Potter? An Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries that Remain
Author David Langford
Reviewed By Purplycookie
With a title like "The End of Harry Potter? An Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries that Remain" I expected the book to, well, speculate on the mysteries that remained. Oddly enough, it didn't really postulate a lot of theories on how the book/series was going to end. Since this was the primary purpose for buying the book I was, at first, a little dismayed.
But as I continued to read the book, I came to like it more and more. It flowed and was a good read. It was intelligent and thoughtful. I think the nicest thing I can say about the book is that it will make the reading of Book 7 more enjoyable. Some theories I'd seen, others I'd thought of, but he did manage, more than once, to slip something in that took me by surprise.
The most I appreciate was when Langford discussed Rowling's ability to fool us in-depth, like a magician waving a rabbit in front of our faces but convincing us that we can't see it. She's a master at that. And I know that most, if not all, Harry Potter fanatics would agree wholeheartedly.
Book Details:
Title The End of Harry Potter? An Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries that Remain
Author David Langford
Reviewed By Purplycookie
June 20, 2008
Now that the series has ended, you'd think this book would be a waste of time. Not so! Like Hermione in a Muggle Studies class, I find it fascinating to watch someone try to understand what I already know. Langford does a great job of analysis and more often than not his guesses are eerily accurate.
April 27, 2012
Langford is brilliant! i read this after i read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, but how he manages to get most plots right is absolutely mental (i was like why did i not think of that?). Pretty brilliant and eerie piece of work; how did he guessed Regulus's name so correctly and thought of diadem as the tiara in the room of requirement?? Did he had a time-turner or did he knew legilimency?
September 16, 2013
This book was written between the 6th and 7th Harry Potter books and is meant to take a look at where the reader has been and speculate on what the 7th book will entail. Since the 7th book is out and has been for sometime this book might seem obsolete. However, this was not the case. There was a few pages here and there that I skipped through but overall the book was still enjoyable and thought provoking.
Langford is somewhat of an expert on the fantasy/science fiction genre and looks at works that might have influenced Rowling and the other myths tied to the world she created. He lays out a list of fun Rowling names and speculates as to their origin. This book is well researched and contains countless Rowling quotes. Langford is well researched and delves deep but also manages to have a light humorous tone.
A fun read for any HP fan, took me back to the days of waiting with baited breath for the next HP book and wondering where it would take me.
Langford is somewhat of an expert on the fantasy/science fiction genre and looks at works that might have influenced Rowling and the other myths tied to the world she created. He lays out a list of fun Rowling names and speculates as to their origin. This book is well researched and contains countless Rowling quotes. Langford is well researched and delves deep but also manages to have a light humorous tone.
A fun read for any HP fan, took me back to the days of waiting with baited breath for the next HP book and wondering where it would take me.
February 20, 2016
I like reading these books to see what, if any, speculations the authors got right. I would give this book about a 50% success rate. A lot of the characterizations were way off, in my view, however, some were very close to how things ended. Also, the author did go off on some very bizarre tangents, like what possible anagrams of Harry's name could mean. All in all, an enjoyable, if somewhat flawed, book.
September 3, 2011
This is a great review of the first six books, in-depth and intriguing. For a Harry Potter lover like myself, this was a huge blessing. It's about the six books that were published when this came out first, and analyzes them beautifully. I know a lot about Harry Potter and the background behind it, the logic and the randomness, the etymology and the plot devices, but this taught me so much more. And, just to finish it off, it's funny! It's a very easy and entertaining read. I've read this so many times, each read giving me something new to notice, and, now that the final book is long out, I can't help but continually marvel over how much it got right!
March 13, 2013
This is fabulous. I'm a fan, a real fan, and I must say the analysis of this book was beautifully done. It is well worth a read, even after the end of the series, after all the fanfictions have been read and so on. The way in which he deconstructs the texts, then comes up with possible scenarios is inspired. Now, in hindsight, some of the suggestions are too good to reject as mere guesswork. I loved it also for the way in which it gives a proper look into writing theory. Any fan of the serious side of Potterverse would I think enjoy this.
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January 20, 2022DnF page 55
This was interesting and I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if I had read the Harry Potter books as they had come out. Knowing how it all ends though, I didn’t feel the need to continue reading the theories.
This was interesting and I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if I had read the Harry Potter books as they had come out. Knowing how it all ends though, I didn’t feel the need to continue reading the theories.
October 19, 2015
Being an absolute Harry Potter nerd (And proud of it!) I became determined to read every Harry Potter related book in my local library, including this one. And honestly, most of it was hilarious, sometimes a dry humor but still, I laughed out loud a lot and that doesn't usually happen for me. It was also immensely intriguing, for some of the predictions the author had for the 7th book were right on, which was extremely impressive. The predictions, however, that were so amusingly off made me feel like I knew a secret and made me wish that I could step inside the story and hand the narrator a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
March 1, 2010
This was published before book 7 came out. I wanted to read it, since I had just finished re-reading book 6. I was never really into all the online speculation of what will happen - I just read the books. Obviously, most of this is now outdated, but I did enjoy learning about the origins of many of the characters names and analyzing some foreshadowing and how they were fulfilled in later books. Quick read but pointless if you are huge into the series.
September 25, 2007
This book was interesting because it brought up a lot of different theories about how the Harry Potter series would end. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it between book 6 and book 7. But since I read it after book 7 it was nice to get some supplemental history on the characters and plots throughout the series. A fun quick read.
July 2, 2013
This book is unbelievably entertaining. It's surprising how accurate Langford's predictions are, and his miscalculations for the seventh book would still make a good Harry Potter ending, but not J.K. Rowling's ending, which was perfect.
My favorite part would have to be "The Land of Voldemordor" sequence. That was simply hilarious.
My favorite part would have to be "The Land of Voldemordor" sequence. That was simply hilarious.
September 14, 2015
This book is very enjoyable as it refreshes your memory of important events in previous books that could play a role in the last novel, and also because it's tongue-in-cheek and hilarious, especially the part where Langford describes the possible ending by writing it like The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. And his discussion of Snape and the horcruxes is very interesting and spot-on.
May 25, 2007
The author gives an amazingly in-depth look at all the mysteries that remain of Harry Potter! Things I never even thought of were brought to my attention, and things that seemed to be important were thought about even more carefully. Great book!
September 17, 2007
There were some amazing insights and details pointed out from the books that I never would have noticed without Langford pointing them out (and a few I had to go back and find). The only drawbacks are in speculation of what to expect from the next book.
October 23, 2007
Some intersting stuff, but a lot of hooey too. The highlight was the author's analysis of the names Rowling bestows on her characters, locations and spells. Really interesting if you're obsessed with Harry Potter (like me) and fascinated by linguistics (like me).
May 11, 2009
You know you're a Harry Potter nerd when you enjoy reading books like this. : ) It came out about a year before Deathly Hallows did, and it has all of the theories for what would happen in the last book. For the most part, it was fairly accurate.
September 18, 2007
This was a fun book to read in those final, torturous days leading up to the Deathly Hallows release. I liked the writting style and the references to other fantasy novels.
June 26, 2009
3.5 stars.
Interesting. I love to read this after having read the last book, and seeing if the predictions were accurate or not.
Interesting. I love to read this after having read the last book, and seeing if the predictions were accurate or not.
May 9, 2011
It was interesting going back and seeing what theories he got right and what theories he was way off on for Deathly Hallows!
November 25, 2010
FANTABULOUS!!!!!!!!!! i enjoyed it better after i read the 7th Harry Potter book.
October 5, 2010
A good book to hold you over while waiting for the last book in the series; includes very interesting hidden facts about the books and some surprisingly accurate predictions.
Read
September 16, 2012AWESOME.....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2013
It's really interesting to read this after the publication of the seventh book; the author had some interesting ideas and also picked up on things that I know I would not have.
October 14, 2013
Interesting take on the end ... I dont know if i agree, but it is well written
January 6, 2015
Enjoyable, but not one of my favorites. Good read though.
Read
August 31, 2015cool book.
February 18, 2017
Funny. Mi parte favorita fueron las diferentes especulaciones respecto a los posibles finales de la saga de HP.
January 14, 2019
One of my devoted blog readers must be able to read crystal balls because he mercifully sent me a book about Harry Potter. Even though I have been going crazy waiting for the next movie and the last book to come out in July, this gift is a book that I never thought of reading while I wait, a book that I would never would have heard about if he hadn’t sent it to me, in fact. And thank goodness that he did send this book; I can re-watch the first four DVDs and re-read the first six books only so many times before I start to feel guilty about not indulging in more substantial and diverse literary fare. This book,
The End of Harry Potter?
(NYC, Tor Press; 2006), by David Langford provides what I have been looking for.
In this well-written and interesting book, the author, who has won the Hugo Award 27 times (is that even possible? I guess it must be) explores the many Potter mysteries that remain unsolved so far. Mysteries such as; does Harry have part of Voldemort’s soul in his scar? Why exactly does Harry understand Parseltongue (snake language)? What objects are the remaining horcruxes where Voldemort has hidden parts of his soul, and where are they hidden? Has Harry already seen one or more of these horcruxes in previous books? Is Albus Dumbledore really dead? Has Dumbledore left Harry a secret message in the Pensieve? And whose side is Severus Snape really on?
Langford spends time discussing the structure of a good mystery novel, telling us about such plot devices such as a McGuffin — an object of desire that provides a convenient motive for all the narrative action. He also explores the background for many of the characters’ names, giving the reader a whole new appreciation for the multiple layers of meaning that can be extracted from the books as a result. Additionally, the author investigates those annoying “Slips and Falls” that have driven readers crazy — especially me, since I have taken to re-reading these books multiple times and in several languages. One of the most annoying and obvious slips in the entire HP series was the Priori Incantatem effect, where Voldemort’s and Harry’s wands connected, causing Voldemort’s wand to produce echoes of its last spells, thus causing images of all the people that Voldemort killed to appear in reverse order of their deaths. But the order of Harry’s parents’ reappearance was reversed. Unknown to me, this error in the original edition of the book was corrected in later editions. Surprisingly, one slip that the author doesn’t mention is Voldemort’s reference to Harry’s mother as a “muggle” in HP4, if I recall correctly. Perhaps that too, was corrected in later editions?
If you are an intense Harry Potter fan and you are anxiously awaiting the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows , then this delightful and intelligent book is essential preparatory reading for you. It also is a quick read: this book arrived in the mail yesterday, and I devoured it in less than four hours, and am re-reading it today on the subway.
NOTE: Originally published at ScienceBlogs on 8 May 2007. Curated on Medium.
In this well-written and interesting book, the author, who has won the Hugo Award 27 times (is that even possible? I guess it must be) explores the many Potter mysteries that remain unsolved so far. Mysteries such as; does Harry have part of Voldemort’s soul in his scar? Why exactly does Harry understand Parseltongue (snake language)? What objects are the remaining horcruxes where Voldemort has hidden parts of his soul, and where are they hidden? Has Harry already seen one or more of these horcruxes in previous books? Is Albus Dumbledore really dead? Has Dumbledore left Harry a secret message in the Pensieve? And whose side is Severus Snape really on?
Langford spends time discussing the structure of a good mystery novel, telling us about such plot devices such as a McGuffin — an object of desire that provides a convenient motive for all the narrative action. He also explores the background for many of the characters’ names, giving the reader a whole new appreciation for the multiple layers of meaning that can be extracted from the books as a result. Additionally, the author investigates those annoying “Slips and Falls” that have driven readers crazy — especially me, since I have taken to re-reading these books multiple times and in several languages. One of the most annoying and obvious slips in the entire HP series was the Priori Incantatem effect, where Voldemort’s and Harry’s wands connected, causing Voldemort’s wand to produce echoes of its last spells, thus causing images of all the people that Voldemort killed to appear in reverse order of their deaths. But the order of Harry’s parents’ reappearance was reversed. Unknown to me, this error in the original edition of the book was corrected in later editions. Surprisingly, one slip that the author doesn’t mention is Voldemort’s reference to Harry’s mother as a “muggle” in HP4, if I recall correctly. Perhaps that too, was corrected in later editions?
If you are an intense Harry Potter fan and you are anxiously awaiting the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows , then this delightful and intelligent book is essential preparatory reading for you. It also is a quick read: this book arrived in the mail yesterday, and I devoured it in less than four hours, and am re-reading it today on the subway.
NOTE: Originally published at ScienceBlogs on 8 May 2007. Curated on Medium.
September 18, 2023
The Harry Potter series concludes with the seventh book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." In this book, the major storylines are resolved, and readers discover the fate of the main characters. It's a highly anticipated and thrilling conclusion to the series, featuring the ultimate showdown between Harry and Voldemort, the resolution of long-standing mysteries, and the future of the wizarding world.
Without giving away too many spoilers, I can say that "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" ties up loose ends, reveals the ultimate destiny of Harry and his friends, and provides closure to the overarching conflict that has been building throughout the series. It's a must-read for anyone who has followed Harry's adventures from the beginning, as it offers a satisfying and emotional ending to the magical saga.
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Without giving away too many spoilers, I can say that "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" ties up loose ends, reveals the ultimate destiny of Harry and his friends, and provides closure to the overarching conflict that has been building throughout the series. It's a must-read for anyone who has followed Harry's adventures from the beginning, as it offers a satisfying and emotional ending to the magical saga.
Send a message
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews