Harry Potter Unlocked - Introduction

Taking apart one of the most compelling stories of my generation.

Introducing a new reading project.

Welcome to a new series kicking off this month where I dissect (i.e., take apart and analyze) a popular book. This project will officially begin next Friday when I cover the first scene in the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I will continue with weekly posts (see the Project Schedule below) until we’ve finished the book.

If you’re looking to dive straight into Chapter 1, click here: Chapter 1 Scene 1.

Three of my copies of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The top copy is the one my grandparents purchased for me in 2000.

Like many other millennials, I’ve read the original seven Harry Potter books sporadically since they first released in the late 1990s. Indeed, I’ve read them too many times to count. Even so, I’ve only really read them one way — for enjoyment. When I read Harry Potter, I’m not typically worrying about analysis and the craft of writing.

There’s another way to read books though — deeply, critically, analytically, etc. This is often how I approach reading classic works of literature (see my recent post “How to Deep Read Paradise Lost by John Milton”). But I’ve never read Harry Potter this way.

That changes now. I'll be reading it from a writer's perspective. Analyzing themes, story elements, character development, and plot. I'm hoping to experience one of the foundational texts from my childhood in an entirely new way; and I hope that you’ll join me.

Of course, I'll be compiling my analyses into weekly posts on this Substack. Everything will be posted for free and the comment sections will be open for everyone to engage.

Note for current subscribers: If you are not interested in this project, don’t worry; I have plenty of other book reviews, lists, and recommendation posts planned. The usual stuff. For example, with October fast approaching, it’s almost time to release my horror book recommendations for spooky season.

Here’s a little more about what to expect from this project for those that are interested:

What is it?

Each weekly post will contain an analytic breakdown of the corresponding chapter. I expect each chapter to take a full week, but the first chapter will take two weeks since there will be so much to cover. Each post will cover things like character profiles, story elements, interesting vocabulary, plot drivers, and other linguistic nuances that are worth attention.

The idea is to walk through the text and try to understand the authorial decisions. How did those decisions generate the readership that it did? How did it go beyond British culture and impact the world at large? Why does it evoke a feeling of nostalgia and catharsis in readers that can hardly relate to the story? What can aspiring novelists learn from Harry Potter? The answers to these questions should at least begin to emerge with a deep reading of the text.

Why am I doing this project?

First and foremost, I love the Harry Potter books. Nine years old when they were first released in the U.S., I grew up with the series and I reread it still. The Jim Dale audio version plays constantly in my car or while I’m getting ready in the morning. This project, I hope, will allow me to enjoy a beloved series in a brand-new way.

Also, I’m hoping that the series of posts that come out of this project can serve as a resource for aspiring writers. There is a lot to be learned from this book. How to build quirky, memorable characters so that every reader can find one to relate to. How to create an immersive and believable world with fantastical elements. How to make the learning curve of the book shallow enough so that the story is accessible to young readers. And much more.

How will I do this project?

I want to leave room for my posts to evolve over time as we learn new things about deep reading a book like this. However, for now I plan to follow a similar reading plan to my post about Paradise Lost. I will read each chapter in multiple ways (e.g., physical copy, audio book, read aloud); annotate my copy with notes and highlights; and respond to a series of Socratic questions that I’ve set up to help engage with the material.

Here are some of this Socratic questions that I plan to answer for each chapter:

In this chapter,

• Who are the primary characters and what are they literally doing?

• What are the main events/conflicts?

• How to the characters’ actions/decisions reveal their personalities?

• How do character relationships develop?

• What new information about the wizarding world is revealed?

• What themes or messages are present and how are they conveyed?

• How does the vocabulary/language impact the reading experience?

Are there other things I should be thinking about as I read each chapter? Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

What can readers do to support this project?

I encourage readers to follow along with me during the project schedule below. The pace will be about one chapter per week which is imminently achievable with a book as short and accessible as this one. I hope that many of you will deep read Harry Potter with me and engage in the discussions!

Readers looking to further support my work here should consider a free or paid subscription. If you’re looking for a way to financially support this Substack without a subscription, consider shopping at my online Bookshop. Linked here, you can find affiliate links for all of my favorite books (including a Harry Potter booklist). Every time you purchase a book from Bookshop, you not only help me out, you help out local bookstores everywhere. It truly is the best online alternative to Amazon.

Project Schedule:

Chapter 1 Part 1 is out!

Happy Reading!