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Debra is a fan of the teen-aged wizard.
I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again. I'm an adult that reads children's literature. Often. One of my favorite go-tos is the Harry Potter series. When I'm in the mood for something cozy and fun. Or when I need to get 'adult' language and story lines and genres out of my head when I'm writing...I pick up this series. At least once a year I read through all seven books.
Even if you're not a fan, hopefully you'll admit that this series is one phenomenon that changed modern literature. People of all ages (myself included at times) stood in long lines for the stroke of midnight waiting to get their hands on a book. How amazing is that? Some, after getting a newly minted copy in their hands sat down right in the book store to read, unable to wait another minute to dive into the story. Others took it home and read into the wee hours of the night. Some couldn't wait to get up in the morning to start reading again.
An entire generation of readers has never known a world without Harry Potter in it.
However you feel about the stories themselves, kudos needs to be given in that they got people (of all ages) reading. And that isn't ever a bad thing. And as the series has spawned web-sites and movies and amusement parks, its appeal continues to grow, and more and more readers flock to it.
Dare I use the label of 'modern classic'? There are good guys. Bad guys. Battles. Even a bit of romance. Only time will tell if the books will stand the test of time. But for now, Harry Potter is here to stay. And I for one am glad.
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
I so agree. I love Harry Potter. 12 years ago I was in Venice outside the Santa Maria della Salute. Curled up on the steps was a young man (late teens/early 20s) reading Harry Potter. I was so jealous, he had the latest book and I didn't! What a fabulous place to sit and read it. :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely an amazing place to read. Wow!
DeleteMust confess to never having read any of the books! Took my grandson to the first film but he spent half the time hiding his face in his jacket hood because it scared him! However, as you say, the books did get kids reading (apart from my grandson, that is! The first film put him off forever!)
ReplyDeleteOh no...I guess there is that, too!
DeleteRowlings' perseverance to submit her story so many times until she found that one editor at that one publisher is inspirational. Never give up!
ReplyDeleteA good lesson there.
DeleteI love the Harry Potter series. When we visited colleges last week, we went to the University of Pittsburgh and their main building looks like Hogwarts!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. A friend did some traveling and got to see the castle in Europe where they did some filming. I was excited to just see the pictures!
DeleteI've been to various places where they did location filming e.g. Alnwick Csstle, Gloucester Cathedral, Durham Cathedral, York - and of course King's Cross Station.
DeleteThey told us that Buzz Feed took a poll and Pittsburgh was voted more like Hogwarts than the actual place it was filmed. I thought that was pretty funny.
DeleteI have to confess too that I've never read Harry Potter books. How I wish I'd had the insight to write something like that.
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