Thursday 16 July 2020

275. Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody

BOOK REVIEW: Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody by Michael Gerber

WARNING: If you are a major Harry Potter fan, a devotee of J. K. Rowling, and can't take a hit at the world-famous series, please do not pick up this book. I repeat DO NOT PICK UP THIS BOOK!! A parody and humorous poke at Harry Potter-dom, this book is going to elicit a load of laughs from those not too sensitive.

The Hogwash School for Wizards is the most famous school in the wizarding world and Barry Trotter is its most famous pupil. It's been that way ever since J. G. Rollins' Barry Trotter and the Philosopher's Scone (released in the USA as Barry Trotter and the Magic Biscuit) broke publishing records worldwide.

So important has Barry become to the school's reputation - not to say finances - that it has been agreed that he can stay at Hogwash for as long as he likes. Barry Trotter is 22.

Life is good for the perpetual student. He doesn't have to do any work and the wizard pipe he bought in London's Catty Corner leads him the air of mystery and maturity required to impress girls (well, Muddle girls...well, stupid ones).

But now disaster looms. The movie Barry Trotter and the Inevitable Attempt to Cash-in has gone into final production and the marketing machine at Wagner Bros. is going into overdrive. Hogwash is going to be submerged under a tide of souvenir-crazed Muddle fans, torn apart and sold on eBuy, stone by mossy stone.

The movie must be stopped. Barry, Ermine Cringer and Lon Measly must find a way to defeat the most powerful force of grasping sleazoids the world has ever known: Hollywood.

I personally found this book a light set of laughs, without taking the references to the original Harry Potter to heart. Do give this book a read if you are able to stomach laughs on the magic world's favourite hero.

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