Harry Potter has always been known as the boy who lived. And now he is known for leading one of the biggest, most popular franchises in the history of entertainment.
What started as a seven book series has spanned out to an eight-movie collection that inspired the creation of wizard rock that includes: over 750 bands, musicals, theme park rides, books on the philosophy of it all, pod casts, role-playing games, fan sites, film documentaries, conventions, tours, even live Quidditch Matches such as the one held in New York from November 13th to the 14th of this year. Pottermania has spread throughout the world and has enchanted the fans for not just now, but for years, if not decades, to come.
And now, for over ten years already, this is a series of books that has captured our attention and entertained us as readers with the world that JK Rowling has created. But what makes this series so popular? What is it about these books that make us want to follow a teenage boy through puberty, awkward relationships, and endure the periods of emo that we’ve already gone through when we were in high school?
It’s the magic, that’s why.
These books are an escape from the ordinary and reality all together. Opening one of these books allows you, the reader, the opportunity to experience a world that lights up the imagination. While it’s no literary masterpiece, these books still manage to charm adults and children alike. There aren’t any flying pick-up trucks, chocolate frogs that jump around, or time-traveling devices in our world; although it has certainly inspired us to try and bring them to life! A number of high schools and Universities have started their own Quidditch teams and candy companies have made so many of the treats a reality they could easily open up a Honeydukes!
It’s the creativity of these tales that get us caught up in his adventures. You become so involved with the story that you become attached to, not just Harry, but his friends and the entire cast of the books. When someone passes away you shed tears, and when someone does something completely despicable you just want to reach into the book and smack them around a bit (looking at you, Umbridge).
It’s fun to get away from your life for just a little while. Books make for the perfect, not to mention inexpensive, little vacation from stress and work. So sitting back with your favorite beverage and opening up a book –or pulling up the file if you happen to use an electronic book—is ideal for one’s alone time. And with Harry Potter, you can enjoy that alone time with a good story filled with humor, drama, adventure, and entertainment. Ranking up there with CS Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia”, it is one the most well known fantasy book series that both parents and children have enjoyed. You know a series will stand the test of time when old hardcover copies are so worn from constant rereading that you have to go out to replace it before it falls apart.
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