By which I mean, if you approach it as "The author trying to present concepts and points of view, but dressing it up to make it more interesting," it works. If you try to look at it as "Actual characters and plot designed to tell an interesting story" it starts to fall apart.
The biggest problem for me is the characters. Harry is a sanctimonious brat from the start, who, despite supposedly coming from a loving home, shows very little capacity for empathy. The "My better understanding of rational thinking makes me a more worthwhile person" stance works if Harry and his father are simple stand-ins for concepts, but if they're meant to actual characters and a representation of people, it's disturbing. Another example is Petunia. Instead of a person made bitter by disappointment, we're told she was highly insecure about her appearance, and a magical makeover prevented her from becoming as ugly on the inside as she thought herself on the outside. The Unfortunate Implications are carried further by the fact that Harry's father treats her in a very condescending manner.
Personally, I'm looking for a story, not a lecture, so I say "Skip this one."
Reminds me of Pilgram's Progress
By which I mean, if you approach it as "The author trying to present concepts and points of view, but dressing it up to make it more interesting," it works. If you try to look at it as "Actual characters and plot designed to tell an interesting story" it starts to fall apart.
The biggest problem for me is the characters. Harry is a sanctimonious brat from the start, who, despite supposedly coming from a loving home, shows very little capacity for empathy. The "My better understanding of rational thinking makes me a more worthwhile person" stance works if Harry and his father are simple stand-ins for concepts, but if they're meant to actual characters and a representation of people, it's disturbing. Another example is Petunia. Instead of a person made bitter by disappointment, we're told she was highly insecure about her appearance, and a magical makeover prevented her from becoming as ugly on the inside as she thought herself on the outside. The Unfortunate Implications are carried further by the fact that Harry's father treats her in a very condescending manner.
Personally, I'm looking for a story, not a lecture, so I say "Skip this one."