I haven’t read any of the Harry Potter books despite my earlier reference to Harry Potter’s magic wand. C.S. Lewis’s stories are too theological and fantastical for my taste. I can’t really relate to fantasy fiction, which is why a generally avoid reading anything related to politics and economic theory, both firmly entrenched in magical thinking. Although not an avid reader of science fiction, I put that subject matter in a separate gendre. Nonetheless, my reading of 19th century European literature remains steeped in religion because it was central to everything during the period and this remains cogent for all ancient and traditional mythologies (Greek, Roman, Nordic and Celtic). Magic in this context was integral to primitive culture and to avoid it, or overlook it, is like building an airplane without considering the principles of aerodynamics and applied physics. But then again, what do I know about anything?
