In the CBC interview with JK Rowling, Jian Ghomeshi quoted the Daily Mail’s ridiculous idea that the novel was part of a socialist agenda. I’m wondering if the character’s names might signal a deeper structure to the novel, a religious one. The inciding incident is the death of Barry Fairbrother- is the Abel? The novel’s most central character is Crystal, a “diamond in the rough” if ever there was one.
New York Times Amanda foreman reviewer writes “Rowling has clearly thought long and felt deeply about the ills of modern society. Her success has given her a platform, and she intends to use it.” I think she might also have thought long and hard about that platform, about the forces that allowed her to become wealthy and what she can give back. Famously she talks about staying in England and paying her taxes, and no doubt that’s admirable and giving back. But she also seems to be saying something about what our collective responsibilities are to the poor and the young, the sick, the disenfranchised everywhere. Is this the result of that most desperate of brain processes: middle class guilt.
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