Long before Harry Potter, there was science fiction writer Andre Norton writing of mystery, magic and intergalactic chaos. Some religious people did not approve of her writing. I haven't figured that out yet; perhaps it is because our rational minds have not room for mystery, magic and chaos. Look at our love-hate relationship with the book of Revelation for starters.
Norton died in Murfreesboro, TN yesterday at the age of 93. She (yes, she changed her name from Mary Alice to Andre so that her books would appeal to boys)won every award given in the science fiction field. In my early days as a high school librarian, she was one of the sure-fire recommendations to boys along with Robert Heinlein.
I do not know her religious background. The newspaper said she asked that no funeral be celebrated and that she be cremated along with a copy of her first and last books. In 1999 she established a library in a three-car garage on a quiet Murfreesboro street for writers in her genre to do the research necessary for bringing their stories to life--research in ancient religions, weaponry, mythology, history, etc.
Thank you God for bringing us gifted writers who give us pleasure, challenges, questions and glimpses into the battle between good and evil.
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