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The Palgrave Handbook of Magical Realism in the Twenty-First Century examines magical realism in literatures from around the globe. Featuring twenty-seven essays written by leading scholars, this anthology argues that literary expressions of magical realism proliferate globally in the twenty-first century due to travel and migrations, the shrinking of time and space, and the growing encroachment of human life on nature. In this global context, magical realism addresses twenty-first-century politics, aesthetics, identity, and social/national formations where contact between and within cultures has exponentially increased, altering how communities and nations imagine themselves. This text assembles a group of critics throughout the world—the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia—who employ multiple theoretical approaches to examine the different ways magical realism in literature has transitioned to a global practice; thus, signaling a new stage in the history and development of the genre.

The New York Times bestseller, now fully updated to include the complete seven-volume series.Who was the real Nicholas Flamel? How did the Sorcerer's Stone get its power? Did J. K. Rowling dream up the terrifying basilisk, the seductive veela, or the vicious grindylow? And if she didn't, who did?Millions of readers around the world have been enchanted by the magical world of wizardry, spells, and mythical beasts inhabited by Harry Potter and his friends. But what most readers don't know is that there is a centuries-old trove of true history, folklore, and mythology behind Harry's fantastic universe. Now, with The Sorcerer's Companion, those without access to the Hogwarts Library can school themselves in the fascinating reality behind J. K. Rowling's world of magic. Newly updated to include Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Sorcerer's Companion allows curious readers to look up anything magical from the Harry Potter books and discover a wealth of entertaining, unexpected information. Wands and wizards, boggarts and broomsticks, hippogriffs and herbology, all have astonishing histories rooted in legend, literature, or real-life events dating back hundreds or even thousands of years. Magic wands, like those sold in Rowling's Diagon Alley, were once fashioned by Druid sorcerers out of their sacred yew trees. Love potions were first concocted in ancient Greece and Egypt. And books of spells and curses were highly popular during the Middle Ages. From Amulets to Zombies, you'll also learn:• how to read tea leaves • where to find a basilisk today • how King Frederick II of Denmark financed a war with a unicorn horn • who the real Merlin was • how to safely harvest mandrake root • who wore the first invisibility cloak• how to get rid of a goblin • why owls were feared in the ancient world• what really lies beyond the Veil• the origins of our modern-day “bogeyman,” and more. A spellbinding tour of Harry's captivating world, The Sorcerer's Companion is a must for every Potter aficionado's bookshelf.The Sorcerer's Companion has not been prepared, approved, or licensed by any person or entity that created, published, or produced the Harry Potter books or related properties.

For fans of all ages. Here is an entertaining and easily referenced presentation of insider information to the world that J. K. Rowling has created in her spellbinding series of novels. The Complete Idiot's Guide® to the World of Harry Potter explores all aspects of the wizarding world and explains them in terms of their relationship to historical, literary, religious, scientific, or mythological roots.—In-depth information on the facts behind all seven books in the Harry Potter series. —Covers all the relevant influences for the Harry Potter series, from religion and mythology to science and literature. —Can be read from cover to cover or used as a quick-reference guide.

The Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the ysteries of Harry Potter: Books 1-4 shows would-be sleuths how to hunt for JK Rowling’s clues in a fun-to-read manner. With this Guide in one hand and the Harry Potter books in the other, you’ll read the series in a whole new light as you: -- uncover the detail with which Rowling has crafted her story and her world -- delve below the surface to ferret out Rowling’s sly clues Not only will you be amazed at how deceptively Rowling’s hidden those clues, you’ll learn how to discover new ones on your own! There are questions in Books 1-4 Rowling still hasn’t answered, even after Book 6! Do you know what they are? The Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter is for you if: -- You’re new to the series and want a leg up or -- You’ve read all the books, but it’s been a while. Pull out your memories for another look and tighten your skills! Do you know how to solve Snape's poison bottle puzzle in the room'through the trapdoor?'Did you know there are actually 2 solutions to that puzzle? Do you know what Rowling told us in the first four books about the secrets Neville and Professor Snape hold? Do you understand exactly how Dumbledore's'Mirror of Erised'worked? (Rowling’s said we’ll see it again!) Are you aware that what Harry saw in the Mirror was not accurate? Here’s what the Guide says about spotting a clue:'In chapter 16 of Book 1, J.K. Rowling writes that Harry'watched an owl flutter toward the school across the bright blue sky, a note clamped in its mouth.'Even after reading the book several times, it still catches readers by surprise when they realize that this note was the message used to trick Headmaster Dumbledore into leaving the school for a trip to London. That clue doesn't help us solve the plot of the book and it was never explained or mentioned again, but when we then see a similar clue in Book 4, we need to pay much closer attention! Look for yourself - it's awesome!'The Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter is best read alongside JK Rowling’s books—not as a replacement! It does not give the plot away in advance, but there IS a spoiler warning because it discusses the endings of each of the books in chronological order. No Harry Potter collection is complete without the Guide. Written by fans for fans, it is the perfect holiday gift for the Potter fan in your life—or yourself!