Leaky Review: "Dear Mr. Potter"
Leaky
Posted by: Edward
June 11, 2011, 04:34 PM
This week, Leaky was lucky enough to review the upcoming book: Dear Mr. Potter: Letters of Love, Loss, and Magic. Here is our first look at the book, which is available to pre-order and will be on sale at LeakyCon 2011 this July in Orlando, Florida.
It can be difficult, sometimes, to visualize just how widespread the connection of the Harry Potter series has been-- and continues to be-- across the world. However, while reading Dear Mr. Potter, the image Harry Potter fans from across all ages, sexes, nationalities, and backgrounds each connecting with the not only the series, but each other, becomes clearer than ever.
Dear Mr. Potter shares the oftentimes emotional stories from fans who have been touched by the story of Harry Potter. This 223 page book contains hundreds of letters, memories, and photos from our shared experience as fans of these books. The collection of letters comes from fans across the world, as well as actress Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), HP Alliance's Andrew Slack, authors John Green and Melissa Anelli, wizard rocker Paul DeGeorge, and Mugglenet's Andrew Sims. Each letter, however, comes from the same place.
One particularly touching realization which occurred to me while reading this book was that many who submitted letters to this project, first read the series at the same time I read the books. We were connected then, before any of us even knew it. We grew up together. We learned and changed and grew as one-- as Harry Potter fans. This history is explored and shared throughout the book and makes it that much more special.
Letters also speak of what is to come. Many letters share how the story of Harry Potter changed lives in such a way that J. K. Rowling's story inspired them to find and follow new paths in life. Together, Dear Mr. Potter truly showcases how J. K. Rowling's story touched as all. It made this community possible by giving us the seed and nourishment from which we could grow. I would highly recommend this book both as a way to further connect with one and other and to look back at the impact Harry Potter has had on all of our lives these past twelve years.
Proceeds from
Dear Mr. Potter benefit the HP Alliance. More information about the book can be found
via this link.
33 Comments
97 Points
first comment!! awesome i want one!! :)
75 Points
My aunt helped to create the graphic design for this!
886 Points
I have a really emotional story about my own discovery which I would have felt honoured to have shared but I did not know about this book previously. My parents are divorced. And when I was with my father, he was often drunk. I was seven. Both of my parents were (and are) very succesful. Mum’s a doctor. Dad owns a big real estate company which makes hotels and such. When my dad would be drunk, sometimes abusing, sometimes plainly scary, I would cry and cry in my room, and couldn’t fall asleep. I had no TV in my room so to distract myslelf I read. But the only books in my Dad’s book shelves were Sci-Fi novels, and thrillers which scared me even more. Or biographies which did little distracting, for I thought they were very boring. But there was also the first six Harry Potter books, (#7 was not out yet), and I read all of them in the nights in which he happened to be unfortunatley intoxicated. Before I couldn’t speak about this, his problem, I was too frightened, and shocked. But with the love Harry Potter gave to me, (turns out I was clinically depressed), I spoke to my mum, who immediatley fixed everything. The court made it so I only see my mum (and step dad and 1 year old brother and cat i guess lol). I’m now very happy. Harry Potter and Jo made my life amazing. I thank Harry Potter for my life, literally. Sorry, but I feel like I can share this because really know one knows who I actually am, (not Hagrid, folks, theres a hint).
18706 Points
So true, the world of Harry Potter has brought us all together. Our generation has grown up, loving laughing and saying goodbuy to beloved characters, (who sometime can be more ‘real’ than the real people in our lives) together. We will always have the wonderful world of Harry Potter. :)
14500 Points
wow rubeushagrid, thats very brave of you to be able tospeak up after so long, and harry potter helped ! u should send that to jk or the editors of this book ! that is a truely amazing story and again your so brave ! this just proves how important books are in peoples lives !
thank you again for sharing this ! i will remeber this for a long time ! i really hope you see this !
79297 Points
Lots & lots of memories over the years… Have met a lot of fascinating folks I otherwise never would have.
948 Points
I tried to visualize how my letter would look and what I would write if it was to be printed in that book…but there is so much emotion, so much love surrounding me and the Potter world…that I don’t know if I could describe it in words!
Can’t wait to buy that book ;}
169 Points
Its so inspirational to everybody what JK has done.
277 Points
I can’t wait to read this. Harry Potter has played a huge part in my life, it has been an amazing world to escape to when things get too much. I owe a lot to JK Rowling, and I’d love to read about other people the books have helped as well.
2394 Points
@RubeusHagrid that story will stick in my head for a few years to come thank you very much for sharing it. Can’t wait to have this book and rifle through it’s pages. You know what it’s been an honour talking with all you guys on here over the past decade
2552 Points
Sounds interesting!
10863 Points
That is a wonderful story, RubeusHagrid. Thank you for telling us about it.
490 Points
Touching!I am SO getting one!
528 Points
Nice story RubeusHagrid. I have this sugar problem so that when I eat sugar I get really mean to my parents. i can’t control it and I hate it and myself! when I read Harry Potter, I found that I could control it better. i now have some Harry Potter playing cards and when I get mad all I do is take a certain card and read it. This is the card, “The world isn’t split into good people and Death Eaters.We’ve all have both light and dark inside of us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. that’s who we really are.” The quote is by Sirius Black.
528 Points
It really helps.
first comment!! awesome i want one!! :)