Friday, February 2, 2018

Book Review: Peace and Resistance in Youth Cultures, by Siobhán McEvoy-Levy

Rebellion and Peace.

2 qualities that have become the norm in society ever since the fall of man back in the Garden of Eden. Written on the pages of history are rebellions and treaties, revolutions and alliances. This book seeks to look at the modern view of these 2 ideas, as is evidenced in the literature of today’s youth, specifically the Harry Potter and The Hunger Games series. Now I know that neither of these series has been particularly well-received in Christian circles. What I am seeking to find from this book is not an analysis of these series. Rather, I am looking for the mindset of our culture now that people all over our country and our world have read these books.

Part 1 gives what it says are the “theoretical and historical foundations” of this work. This begins with how our culture so deeply desires peace, as is evidenced by every part of popular culture. It continues by defining youth, an often-overlooked part of our society, but also the very future of it. Youth is often seen on both sides of the rebellion and peace that are seen in society. Part 2 goes into the textual analysis of rebellion and peace. First, the author finds war and peace in the Harry Potter series, then compares part of the series to the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The author then continues doing this with The Hunger Games series, with a chapter on the peace that can come after a legitimate rebellion. Part 3, which extends from chapters 7-11 centers on this subject: can the mindset that we see in these works of fiction of overthrowing an oppressive government and finding peace translate into the mindset of the culture that we live in.

Ultimately, I have found that the most popular entertainment of our day will translate into what people believe. If they surround themselves with something, they will ultimately take it to heart. We must be careful when exercising the spirit that these books can sometimes spread. Not every situation that happens deserves to have a full-fledged rebellion. There must be a balance, and I feel that at times the protagonists of both series can get out of that balance. But when it comes down to what is right and what is wrong and the government violating those principles, we must continue to honor and respect the government. These books, while not always demonstrating that respect, can teach us this very lesson. Honor the government, and let God guide us in what we should do. For these reasons, I give this book 3 stars out of 5.

WHERE TO BUY THIS BOOK:
http://www.springer.com/us/book/9781137498700

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THIS BOOK:
McEvoy-Levy, Siobhán. Peace and Resistance in Youth Cultures: Reading the Politics of Peacebuilding from Harry Potter to The Hunger Games. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International, 2018.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL: I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Springer book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

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