Greater complexity of plot and more difficult concepts are apparent in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. In contrast to previous books Harry, Hermione, and Ron are required to exhibit more thought and perception during their third year at Hogwarts. JK Rowling has respect for her readers and is not at all condescending. Readers should note small details and store them up for future reference.

'Boggart in the Wardrobe' is a chapter containing great theatre as well as being a fine lesson in 'Defense Against the Dark Arts'. A well-furnished mind and a well-developed sense of the ridiculous protects against fear itself.

Prolonged childhood is not a good thing. Harry is growing up quickly to discover that things are often not what they seem and that there is always a degree of uncertainty. Harry and his friends find out that human institutions are fallible, that there is injustice.

Friends count for much. Be careful who you choose as your friends. No person is an island. We rely on good friends. But there is big difference between 'friends' and true-friends. Fu-Manchu well remembers asking his teacher: 'Who are the informers?' Teacher who lived through the Cultural Revolution replied: 'The informers are your friends.' True-friends never inform. True friendship is often formed in adversity. Foul-weather friends are the best friends.

Like Albus Dumbledore you can trust Rowling; she provides a controlled world and won't let you down. Fu-Manchu luxuriated in front of a blaze of logs, reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, a pot of lapsang-soochong tea at his elbow, the only thing missing was Number-One Son to read to. Fu-Manchu sent the books to Little Sister, Nels Xiao-Jie, who read them to Honourable Nephew.

Dead we have loved do indeed live on in us. Fu-Manchu predicts these books never die.