Harry Potter?

Mike Deneen · Post by **Mike Deneen** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 1:46 pm

I have never read one of these books or seen any of the movies. However, I am in awe of the fact that people are waiting in line to buy the last book.

In this age of internet, movies, TV and video games, that is something of a miracle. It has certainly been a wonderful tool to encourage kids to read. It also seems that adults are just as into it as kids.

Can someone explain to me what makes these books so popular? This seems to be a very unique phenomenon....I'm not aware of a book phenomenon like this at any time in US history, even before TV.

dl meckes · Post by **dl meckes** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:00 pm

I wondered the same around book 3. My nephew was kind enough to buy me a paperback and I found out why these books are so popular. Book one was enough to hook me.

Mine was delivered today and I have to get reading!

Some of the books aren't great, but the overall story has been quite imaginative and the fantastic settings have been fully realized.

I don't want to do an in-depth; these books are great summer reads for kids and adults alike.

Because they were serialized, Rowlings gets readers up to speed in every book - there's a lot you can skip over to get right in to the story.

I have seen one or two of the movies, but I'd prefer to see the one in my imagination.

Dee Krupp · Post by **Dee Krupp** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:55 pm

I don't get it either, but I can tell you my husband went to get his book from Target first thing this morning, and he hasn't stopped reading since...except for the ride to my son's baseball practice and for meals!!

He says that J.K. Rowling's writing is excellent. It's amazing how she can write about something in book 3 which isn't yet of too importance, but come book 5 or 6, it all ties together. Of course the movies don't do the books justice as he says they have to leave too much out.

I just wish I could sit around all day and read a book!! :wink:

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:07 pm

Dee Krupp wrote:I don't get it either, but I can tell you my husband went to get his book from Target first thing this morning, and he hasn't stopped reading since...except for the ride to my son's baseball practice and for meals!!

He says that J.K. Rowling's writing is excellent. It's amazing how she can write about something in book 3 which isn't yet of too importance, but come book 5 or 6, it all ties together. Of course the movies don't do the books justice as he says they have to leave too much out.

I just wish I could sit around all day and read a book!!

I attended the festivities at Borders with Jen. While I have no interest in HP at all, it was fun seeing everyone's excitement (and adults and kids alike dressed as HP characters).

We didn't leave with book in hand until after 2am.

Bryan Schwegler · Post by **Bryan Schwegler** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:16 pm

dl meckes wrote:I wondered the same around book 3. My nephew was kind enough to buy me a paperback and I found out why these books are so popular. Book one was enough to hook me.

Mine was delivered today and I have to get reading!

Absolutely, the same happened to me, although I didn't start reading until right before book 6 came out. Rowlings is truly a genious the way she's able to consistently tie together a series of books written over a decade so flawlessly.

I got mine today from Amazon and really need to start reading.

ryan costa · Post by **ryan costa** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:27 am

It is kind of a downer to know the series is over. On the bright side, they won't be churning out endless Harry Potter Universe paperbacks, like they do with Star Wars. I can totally not dig star wars since about 1996.

Maybe Orson Scot Card's Tales of Alvin Maker series will catch on here and generate similar commercial and cultural activity, but I doubt it. It's just too mormoned up. The best we'll do is another teenage mutant ninja turtles revival.

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:39 am

ryan costa wrote:It is kind of a downer to know the series is over. On the bright side, they won't be churning out endless Harry Potter Universe paperbacks, like they do with Star Wars. I can totally not dig star wars since about 1996.

With all the HP fanfiction out there, I wouldn't count it out...

Dee Krupp · Post by **Dee Krupp** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 2:57 pm

David Lay wrote:
ryan costa wrote:It is kind of a downer to know the series is over. On the bright side, they won't be churning out endless Harry Potter Universe paperbacks, like they do with Star Wars. I can totally not dig star wars since about 1996.

With all the HP fanfiction out there, I wouldn't count it out...

From what I hear, even though the Harry Potter series is over, she leaves the ending open to continue with another story line. I won't say how though :wink:

dl meckes · Post by **dl meckes** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:20 pm

I finally finished the last book and it was better than I had hoped. Summer is a great time, if you've never read them, to start.

While Pottermania is overblown, I must have checked my porch five times before the book was finally there. I've been sending one to my niece whenever they come out - she's the same age as Harry. This time, I didn't mention it was coming, so she had the opportunity to simply find it on her door-step.

One thing I've enjoyed about the series has been being able to enjoy a story in the same manner I would have as a kid. This isn't the type of story I would normally go for, but it was easy to get hooked.

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 5:44 pm

Jennie posted a review (with spoilers) in her blog:

http://emberlivi.livejournal.com/405500.html

Jennie Gerres · Post by **Jennie Gerres** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:35 pm

David,

I think this synopsis is better: http://diogenes-sinope.blogspot.com/200 ... ilers.html

Ah, my fangirling!

I must add that I did feel like I was sitting in a basement and playing dungeons and dragons while reading this book. Hermione even had a bag of holding!

Jennie

Danielle Masters · Post by **Danielle Masters** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:23 pm

I think this synopsis is better: http://diogenes-sinope.blogspot.com/200 ... ilers.html

Thanks for posting that link. That was great. I couldn't stop laughing.

Suzanne Metelko · Post by **Suzanne Metelko** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:38 pm

The beauty of this series is JKR's ability to tailor the depth of writing and character development to her audience. Her first book was written for fourth graders. Two years later the book took on a richer feel and plot development was somewhat more complex, as her audience reached middle school. By book three, the original group was in high school and so on. This last book had some pretty serious themes and a much darker plot.

I got mine on Saturday a.m., retired to the hammock and finished on Saturday night. Just a little slice of heaven.

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