Dec 30, 2009

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix | Critical Overview

Critical reaction to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix reflects significant attention to the "Harry Potter" series in general; that is, the largest debate surrounds whether Rowling's writing earns consideration as quality, valid, adult literature. Critics are asking the same question often asked of any text enjoying enormous popularity: Is it any good?

To answer the question of literary merit, scholars approach Rowling's work from a number of perspectives. Considerations of genre, style, and content provide fodder for both sides of the debate, and establish a...