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“Harry Potter: The Boy Who Lived”

Hitchens’ review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K. Rowling. I don’t think Hitchens is trying to be funny (for the most part) but reading his serious review of this book, as if it were a piece of real literature, is hilarious – especially the comparisons to Orwell and Beowulf. He also has a couple of funny quotes:

“Is there really no Death Eater or dementor who is able to grasp the simple advantage of surprise?”

“…every time the secret police close in, our heroes are able to “disapparate”— a term that always makes me think of an attempt at English by George W. Bush.”

New Learning: The lightning flash (like the one on Harry’s forehead) was also the symbol of the British Union of Fascists (1936-1940).

Harry and the BU of Fascist's logo:

Evidently, they also have souvenirs, like Harry Potter:

New word: Wizengamot = wizard high court (in Harry Potter Britain)