Harry Potter discussion
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Why did the Potter books work for you?
Wow, where to start? I'll narrow the list down to my top 5. But there are DEFINITELY more than 5 reasons why those books are amazing. 1. As Harry grows and learns, we grow and learn, and so does Jo Rowling. She gets better at writing with each book.
2.The series actually has a closure to it and each book was planned out in the whole scope of things (even though you can't tell that along the way). (Example: the mention of Sirius' motorbike, chapter 1, PS. Who knew both the man and the vehicle would come back to play later in the series?)
3. She always throws in just the right amount of humor, a clever joke to alleviate the tension of a dark scene. But at the same time, the snippets of humor don't detract from the story; if anything, they heighten the emotion. (Example: "I'm holey, Fred, geddit?" which makes the reader sob with relief that George is okay).
4. We see things from Harry’s point of view, which is not always the way things really are. That’s the mark of a good author--keep the readers guessing, because sometimes Harry is right, other times he is way off the mark.
5. The whole world she created is so intricate and so complex that, should she ever feel the need, she could concoct a completely different story with a new main character within the same canon.
Great answers. Abi, I couldn't agree more.I love the fact that she fused so many existing myths, a classical mythic narrative journey (the Hero's journey), embraced iconography from actual history (Diagon Alley is right out of Dickens) yet made the whole thing feel utterly contemporary.
This is all so true--it's J.K.'s writing that is the reason why the books are so exceptional. Not only characters and plotting, but the entire world she created. I think the combination of a separate magical world with it's own mythology combined with all that universal coming-of-age stuff hadn't really been done before, at least not as well, and elevated the series into true literature.
i don't know why they worked for me. they fit right into my book preferences, but my preferences were based off of harry potter. i guess because other fantasy books are just about the magical world, not mention of the real world, it's all make believe, but in harry potter, it includes the "muggle world". that, and i basically grew up on harry potter. they were my bed time stories when i was 2
Wow, Taylor. I always forget that people would now have literally grown up with. I first read a Potter book in 1999 (I was 30) and it seems like yesterday. I forget that younger readers have had them in a way I had Enid Blyton etc. Thanks for your comment.
I agree with what Amani and Abi said only think I would add is how for me and many fans we grew with the books...it started out fun and exciting and as more books a little bit scary not much but each book that came out was darker and scarier, but we were old enough to handle it by then, but for adults the story was all greatly written so they probably didn't feel that.
I've noticed the change in mood for all of the movies, PS and CoS and a happy, cheery,fantasy mood. PoA had a more adventurous feel. GoF had a different fantasy mood until the end where it went down to depressing, from then on it, most of the movies have been dark. You don't really get that corrupt feeling until you see/read that Dumbledore dies.
I had been a Harry Potter fan for all of my teen years and into college, still am now and always will be.To me it's her writing, characterization and world building. You can visualize everything so easily, and it was so much fun to theorize what would happen next to Harry. The community helped make it what it was too; I was part of Harry Potter Boards before it went down, one of the first members and it was the most active I'd ever been on a message board. It was a great experience. :)
Abi wrote: "Wow, where to start? I'll narrow the list down to my top 5. But there are DEFINITELY more than 5 reasons why those books are amazing. 1. As Harry grows and learns, we grow and learn, and so doe..."
The bit of humor you mentioned is called comic relief. It can really add a lot to the story. We learned about comic relief in English. Shakespeare used it in some of his plays.
I like the different levels of looking at Harry Potter. You can read it as a story once, but you can read it so many times after and see all of the foreshadowing. You can also develop different characters over time, and learn more about them. You can see what made them do what they did and how it relates to real life.
Plus, it is quite against prejudice (speaks out about the fictional prejudice of werewolves, muggle-borns, blood-traitors, muggles, and squibs). This is something that is important to me. So, while it has many ethical things to teach, that's my favorite moral of this story.
It also became something in common with both friends and family. We could mostly all discuss or watch Harry Potter at one point or another.
Lastly, I think a good book in a different world can get people through harder times if they let it. Imagination and escape.
I've read a lot of novels and i can say i haven't found one that would generate in me the same interest i had while reading the series. Well, some are close but not quite. I think it's because the concept and the world jk rowling created was not only magical but also incredible.The chareacters are well-developed and brilliant.The broad and complex plot gave meaning the word "unputdownable".Sometimes, a smile crosses my face because man jk rowling has a sense of humor! I felt my heart soar because of the love story and break for the sad demise of the important characters, and I was completely riveted by the action-packed scenes especially during the end of every book. It's amazing how each book are interconnected.All the intense scenes from the previous books are expertly summed up to the last one. It undeniably lived up to my expectations.... That's why i will forever admire the author ... and no doubt, it be a classic.
They're, well...magical. They're written beautifully, with such diverse characters (i.e. the good vs evil in Snape, etc) that are so easy to relate to and love. They're also (if you're young) an escape to the world which (I, at least) found impossible to get to without Harry -- magic, spells, potions -- the idea made me happy.
The characters, although fictional, were relatable. Rowling was able to whisk you away on this magical adventure while still holding the characters true to human nature, there was nothing unrealistic about these people and their actions (besides the magic, of course). I also LOVED how I was able to start the series from a young age, and enjoy every moment of it until I was well into my teens. The characters, their scenarios, and the way in which the books were written, grew with the audience.
The characters just seemed so...real. Part of it is that everyone had a different take on things. like in CoS, Harry was accused of being the Heir of Slytherin, even though to the reader it was completely and utterly obvious that he wasn't and never could be Slytherin's heir. (at least to me it was that way)I also grew up with HP. I remember one summer my WHOLE family (cousins, etc.) had a HP week. We made wands, and searched for tthe Sorcerer's Stone (I'm not sure if I spelled that right XD) I was so excited when I became Gryffindor! My Grandpa was the only Slytherin. XD
I was bribed to read them, (I am the kind of person who doesn't like all the pop culture, and refuses to do what others like much :P) but I LOVE them! :)
I think it's everything together, you know? The plot is absolutely amazing and it all seems so real. The characters, the entire world she created. It is just incredible that JKR had all those little details in mind. I could probably write like ten pages just writing what I love about HP.
I agree with pretty much everyone who posted here! :D I read the first Harry Potter when I was 11. Which was amazing as I was Harry's age at the time! I was enchanted with this magical world with spells, schools of withcraft and wizardry, potions and magical creatures. It was fantastic and yet seemed so real. And I grew up with Harry, Ron and Hermione. They were such well rounded characters... they almost seemed real. And I learned so many valuable life lessons from J.K Rowling through her characters and books. I can never thank her enough for it!
I think it wouldn't be wrong to say that Harry Potter and JKR have largely contributed to my present personality. I'm 22 now and I'm more in love with this series than I was when I was at 11.
And the plot, imagination and creativity involved in writing of this book is really amazing.There's a whole new world created for us and I think any Potter fan would do anything to be a part of it. :)
I'm really attached to this series as it has been my childhood. And I thank J. K Rowling for it. :)
I like reading Harry potter because it grabbed my attention
I don't know. But I've always liked British authors since I discovered Agatha Christie in the 80's. And since I discovered her, I've always been able to find British writers that I like. Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, J.K. Rowling, H.G Wells and now somebody named P.D. James. With the exception of Dickens and Wells, they're all mystery or fantasy writers.
I think HP is one of the best series out there.
I think Rowling created the best, most relatable, awesome characters ever. I didn't feel like they were fiction or that they weren't real. They could've been people I know in real life or me. It made me wish I was friends with them, which I suppose I was.The magical world she created was astounding. She wasn't the first person to have witches, wizards and magic in her story, but the way she did it was so unique. It was a whole new world. Potions, spells, wands, goblins, mermaids, the whole shebang.
And the plot. I have no clue how she thought of something like that. It was different. I love how she did foreshadowing for book 7 in like book 2 or 3. It shows that she actually thought of the whole thing and knows her story so well. She wrote seven books not because she wanted money or was taking advantage of the popularity of her books (like so many author tend to do). She wrote seven books because that's the story.
I am forever thankful to J.K. Rowling because it was her series that got me reading.
The Characters, the plot, the way it's written... I think the only bad thing was Harry... :P
he just lost his temper so easily that it annoyed me... :(
Other than that Harry Potter us the best series in the WORLD!!!
he just lost his temper so easily that it annoyed me... :(
Other than that Harry Potter us the best series in the WORLD!!!
Harry Potter brings people into a world of Fantasy that no one could imagine. There's mystery, adventure, life lesson, friendship and love. I can't find words to describe Harry Potter. I'm speechless with its awesomeness. I missed everything about HP.
I don't really know why - they kind of just clicked for me. The characters are wonderfully written and complex, and many are easy to fall in love with - as is the world that J.K. Rowling creates. I never really think about why I like books - I think I just fell in love with everything about them and then could never let go.
Harry Potter was the first book I re-read, and remains highest in my re-read count! I started reading them when I was in the third grade, after the first four had come out. I had gotten the box set as a Christmas gift. Since then, I have been growing up with Harry Potter, learning about life as he did. I loved the fantasy element of it as well, it has become the book against which I compare all other fantasy books.
Also, the most important reason I enjoy books, which is to escape reality, had by far been the easiest with this series. The words on the page draw me into the world Jo created with more ease than any other book I've ever read. It always has been, and will always be, the perfect place for me to escape when I need a break from reality.
Oh, and of course it has some of the greatest messages that I've ever read in any book. The message that friendship, love, and kindness are greater than power, greed, and hate. I love how it shows people rising out of the darkness and evil to become an essential part to goodness and happiness. I love how it teaches us that even though you were on one side, it's okay to admit that you were wrong. It's okay to switch sides.
It also helped me learn to deal with bullying. By observing them deal with being bullied, I learned how to deal with it myself. The Harry Potter series literally changed my life for the better. I owe myself to J. K. Rowling. Without her writings, I wouldn't be the same person I am today. I would most certainly have had a much more damaging childhood if it wasn't for the series.
Harry Potter is with out a doubt my all time favorite series!! I laughed during their happy moments. I cried when Sirius died. I was excited through out the TriWizard Tournament. I was mad during the time when Dolores Umbridge was practically taking over the school. So that's one thing I loved about the books. The events were so perfectly written (a personal note) that I was so~ moved.
Another thing that I loved was the Wizarding World that J.K. Rowlings created. It was very creative and imaginative. Everything about the book was just pure artistic!
I would read other books and I would love them. But time after time, Harry is still #1 :D !!!!
Another thing that I loved was the Wizarding World that J.K. Rowlings created. It was very creative and imaginative. Everything about the book was just pure artistic!
I would read other books and I would love them. But time after time, Harry is still #1 :D !!!!
Hello! I am new to the group. My name is Jessica and I am from Nashville, TN. Harry Potter is a great series. I enjoyed watching the characters grow, and not just in a physical since but in their emotions as well as their maturity.
When I read Sorcerer's Stone I was instantly sucked into this new world where magic is real. I mean, let's be honest, what child never wishes for a magic wand to work? I know I always did. I truly felt like a kid again. As the sereis progressed, I found myself getting very attached. I became most attached to Nevill, Sirrius, and Snape (by the end of the last book).
As the story progresses, the terror and threat that Voldermort evokes on the characters and reader becomes much more apparent and darker. His power gets stronger therefor so does the fear. The Goblet of Fire is where it truly becomes apparent that there is much more darkness to come. Cedric Diggory's death is so tragic. I was never effected by it in the book but I was during the movie. I still cry at that scene, to this day.
I think the series transcends all ages because there is something for everyone. And each time one goes back to read it there is something new to enjoy or maybe something is shone a different light. Rowling is so talented. Great series.
Honestly, I'll keep it simple.
Why I loved Harry Potter was because it was so, well, believable. J.K. creates such a rich picture in your mind that you can envision everything with such great detail. The characters were perfectly created. The plot was fantastic. The number of books was great; she didn't drag on the series just for more money.
Some people just get a great shock when they don't receive their letter on their eleventh birthday. That's how realistic it is.
Why I loved Harry Potter was because it was so, well, believable. J.K. creates such a rich picture in your mind that you can envision everything with such great detail. The characters were perfectly created. The plot was fantastic. The number of books was great; she didn't drag on the series just for more money.
Some people just get a great shock when they don't receive their letter on their eleventh birthday. That's how realistic it is.
I loved Harry Potter mainly because of the magical world it is. Hogwarts has a charm of it own. It was so very exciting to read about the magical world, all the spells and charms....all the different concepts. It was lovely reading about all the different subjects and their teachers...The characters come next. So realistic, lively, so well-defined. Each has a proper admirable character trait...even the villains were fascinating to read about.
Another thing would be details and precision. I can't even begin to imagine how Rowling must have thought out the whole story....I mean, not a single clue or mystery is left unsolved....she's though about everything, detailed everything perfectly....and given a proper explanation for everything which happens.
I'm just now becoming a fan of the Harry Potter books (I'm almost ready to start the fourth one). I like them because they have adventure, wit, magic, friendship, and suspense all in one. They're really great
I liked that J.K. Rowling took basic things about witch and wizard stories (potions, wands, flying broomsticks, etc.) and explained them and wrote about them in a way that made them seem almost real. (Of course there are more reasons but I'm afraid if I type them all it would be one big unorganized mess :P)
I loved the magic about them.I also got emotionally attached to the characters and when they hurt, I hurt. When they are happy, I am happy.
The book is just so well and clearly written.
The characters are real to me, and so is hogwarts.
All the plots and twists and turns just make it all the more fun.
Hogwarts will always be there to welcome me home.
I think Harry Potter really worked for me because I connected to the characters. I could see myself in Hermione, and the fact that you can't read the series without it becoming a part of your heart is amazing. I love how you seem to grow with the characters, and experience everything with them. The series is life changing. I don't see how it can't work for some people!
I loved the world she created. She took different concepts and blended them well together that makes me want to go that world. The characters are amazing, I love the plot, and the anticipation. She carries each book pretty well and always on point with detail.
There are too many things that made me love these books to list. But I know that I owe them a lot- if I hadn't read them, I probably never would have gotten into reading. J.K.Rowling is not only the cause of countless magical childhoods; she's also the cause of kids who can't stop reading and whose best subjects are English.
Abi wrote: "Wow, where to start? I'll narrow the list down to my top 5. But there are DEFINITELY more than 5 reasons why those books are amazing. 1. As Harry grows and learns, we grow and learn, and so does ..."
True that..
My thoughts exactly..:)
Not really sure...I think it was because it started as children's books and those usually have a lot of charm. The first 4 HP books felt very magical and pretty... and were wonderfully written as well.
I didn't like 5, 6 and 7 that much, most likely because those are more YA than children books. Actually, if the whole series had started as YA I probably would have dropped it by the second book (no ofense)
The books worked for me because they have been written by the greatest writer of The world. I started reading them when I was around 11, and the magic world that Jo created spell-binded me. I grew up reading the books, spending my otherwise dull years re-reading them or waiting in eager anticipation of the next one.The characters are so realistic, the books are so unpredictable, the writing so smooth and enchanting....it is natural to fall in love with them. After reading HP I decided to study English Literature! All that is good in me has been shaped by the HP series. That is why they work for me!
good question. there are soo many reasons why people love HP and that's why it is hard to get book recommandations for it.. most of the recommendations are fantasy novels, but I didn't necessarily loved it because of this. I mean it's pretty low fantasy. I loved the characters. .this is what got me reading the whole series. the dialogue was entertaining, the characters real, and Hogwarts -- magic. It's a place I would fancy in real life, and the kids are actually awesome. even the grown-ups are awesome.
I agree with most of what I read here. I particularly liked the comment about learning to deal with bullying from Harry Potter. That is just amazing. I also liked the comment about them being a against prejudice.One thing I didn't see mentioned is the names of the characters. I never thought much of the name Harry Potter until I started getting into the books and realized he has an ordinary name for a reason. We're supposed to identify with him in his ordinariness at the beginning of the book, so we'll still identify with him after he essentially has super powers.
And then there are the names of other characters and everything else in the book. Rowlings's names are always pitch perfect and suit the people and places they describe. A lot of times they make me laugh. It makes me pay that much more attention when I'm naming my own characters. I've seen this with other writers, but not as always pitch perfect where so many names just jump out at you,
I think it was growing up with the books that when you reread them its like visiting old friend. I loved the characters and the concepts of the books i.e friendship, love, a mothers love, family all being stronger than power. Also the Philosopher Stone was the book that got me into reading and thats what will always make it special to me.
The characters as well as the fantasy aspect. I always loved the supernatural, magic, wizards, witches and other creatures. This series is chocked full of it and it really drew me in
Personally, I loved the lack of pretention, the readibility factor and the sheer charm.
But why did HP work for you?
Carl