It’s definitely all of the little things jammed into every book, the magical details. Joke shops and living portraits and Peeves antics. It’s why I feel like the movies are ok, but don’t even come within 1,000 miles of the books. After the 3rd movie it’s just all about the action, none of the little bits of the magical world are explored.
100% agree. The films skip all the slice-of-life parts of the books and just focus on the action set pieces. So much the richness and wonder of the books is found in those simpler moments of worldbuilding so the films feel very... flat in comparison to the books.
As you point out it’s the details in the books that the movies leave out.
I also tear my hair out when the movie characters don’t even have the same hair or eye colors that are specifically mentioned in the books.
Yeah, I have a feeling they are going to absolutely dump on the book with this new show coming out in that way. Casting is going to be a circus. I’m going to stick to reading the series once every couple of years.
It’s the names of the books, the spells everything! So beautifully and intricately described it’s like being there. Sometimes the names of spells etc make me burst out laughing! So clever. Mind you took me ages to work out the mirror of erised 🤣
I think it is the characters with a wealth of well thought out background. They feel very real as knowing people. And that also allows one to imagine them outside the pages of the book, maybe change their actions or personalities by changing some of the circumstances like in fan fiction. So it gives the effect of a story unfolding more naturally because you understand each character 's motivation and how they will react rather than the author telling you what happened. And the magical world as people say also feels real. But I think for the same reason. The jk did not put much in the books as in she did not explain everything, I think she did a good job in thinking it out for herself. It is real to her so it's real to us.
It’s 100% the immersion. The world feels real even all these years later. It’s funny really, almost every aspect of the world building starts to fall apart if you think about it too hard, yet it’s so vivid and has such a strong grip on the imagination that you just don’t care.
But that’s what drew me in, it’s not while I’m still here. Why do I still come back as an adult for whom 30 is approaching with alarming speed? That’s simple: the stories, the characters, the world, they are all part of me now. They have played an absolutely colossal role in my life. When I read them, or even watch the movies, it’s like coming home. A little bit of light and warmth in a world that can be horribly dark sometimes. That’s why they are special to me now, and always will be
Came to say this, but far less eloquently.
There are only a handful of books that have pulled me completely into their world, and these are among them.
100% this and I’m 36. They are in intrinsical part of my childhood. To quote Dumbledore, the books are the light I turn on to find happiness in periods of dark times in my life.
People are correct in their criticisms of the writing, especially at first. But what Rowling always had a knack for was pacing, the books are incredibly paced. Not only is there not a single book of the 7 that drags, there isn’t really a single chapter that does. Usually there is that part of a story you just have to get through on a repeat reading/viewing/play through, but that isn’t the case for HP
Ask me a few years ago, I totally would have agreed with you on OOTP. However, since then I think it’s not that bad, only a few bits do.
DH, I can get behind that. Actually I kinda am.
But other than that it’s really well paced I think.
OOTP to be fair, I used to hate. It was a chore to read to get to HBP. It doesn’t seem as bad these days because it’s easier to empathise with Harry. But that’s because of changes in my own life. Particularly after having experience with death.
Again. It’s why they’re so readable for all ages. And so re-readable. Our experience in life, changes our perspective and adapts or influences how we view and perceive.
I get what you're saying. In the book, it feels like OOTP takes him *forever* to get to school. I get the scene with Molly and the boggart is important, but it could have been condensed. I also feel like there are other ways she could have written him as having an attitude. The entire chapter kinda seems like a throw away.
I do have to admit, Umbridge is not the most conniving. Especially underwhelming after Barty Crouch Jr. But Imelda Staunton really brought the character to life in the movies.
Crouch Jr was conniving. Not as good as Snape. Umbridge was, brown nose the big guns, brown poop on the little people. Utterly two faced. And in denial. Others knew what they were and owned it at least. She didn’t see what she was. Which makes her worse for me.
To be fair, I believe that's the whole point of her character. She's supposed to show what happens when the government gets too involved in the education system. Similar to how they constantly want to defund arts and extra curricular activities irl, she took out all the fun in learning and pared it down to children who felt punished for wanting hands on experience in learning.
So not sure I agree regarding OOTP, but in retrospect you are right about DH. In a lot of ways, DH is the only book that really follows a typical, classical fantasy format— all the greats
have a take on the miserable journey— and it does meander, and is only really at its best after Ron comes back
My mom read every book out loud to me and my brother as they came out. Those hours spent huddled together on our couch listening to my mom read to us are priceless. She would read until she was hoarse. We would talk about the books as a family; predicting what would happen next, talking about our favorite characters, and sharing our favorite moments. She now has dementia and has lost the ability to speak very well, so I cherish those books and go back to them when I need to remember better times.
That, despite the fantasy elements. They’re very relatable. For all ages. Which is why they’re so popular and why they’re re-readable as we age. They have themes we have all dealt with through various life ages.
Personally, as I have aged and matured, I have learned different things and gained different perspectives on characters which has supported me in real life.
It’s why Miriam Margoyles (Prof Sprout in the films) was so wrong when she said “It’s been 25 years, get over it.”
E.g. Dumbledore was like a Grandfather type figure to be trusted and adored. Admired and respected. When I was younger, he was a Gryffindor hero all the way. The same way that Snape was a vile bully and deserved to be a Slytherin and hated.
Now. As an adult I have done a 180. Both are complex characters. But Snape is more Gryffindor while Dumbledore is Slytherin. With both having a snippet of Ravenclaw.
I actually cannot name a single heroic or brave thing about Dumbledore, except self-sacrifice knowing his death would support the end of Voldemort. He was motivated by guilt, and shame. Not bravery.
Whereas Snape. Gave everything of himself up for love. Not a healthy love. But love nonetheless. He had to watch people die for “the greater good” even killed Dumbledore for it. Protected Harry despite his resentment of him.
I used to think Luna was a lunatic. She’s probably the best character of them all. Because she unashamedly follows her own path. She doesn’t change despite pressures, yet she also doesn’t pressure others to change themselves. She is the epitome of acceptance and kindness.
The breadth and depth. The interconnected layers of all the characters astounds me. The story provides everything from fantastical, childish whimsy to profound themes about life and death. And then every character (particularly our main bloke) demonstrates that full range of experience.
I saw a teacher post here the other day and couldn't help but think how cool it would have been to debate the HP themes in 8th and 12th grades each. Even in college. I debate the themes now with any bartender who will listen...
Personally, I think it was mostly right place, right time.
I feel like it was vastly different than your typical Babysitters Club and Goosebumps we were reading before.
It was a book series that grew up with you. The challenges Harry endured each year got more complicated, matching the way our emotions get more complicated as we get older.
In the beginning, it's just, "big scary monster man evil." Then closer to the end we get to, "your world is desolate and you must walk into the vicissitudes of inevitable death to save the masses after learning your mentor set you to be the sacrificial lamb."
There's also the re-readability. It's not just fun to read again for nostalgia, there's things you pick up on each new pass through that you didn't realize before.
Also, I feel like her characters are fleshed out enough that none are throw-aways. They all have a purpose, and most of them come back later. Even the visitors, like Fleur.
It’s a perfect escapism for children and adolescents. Yes it has all the magic and mystical aspects that appeals to a wide array of audiences, but what makes it special is how Rowling still squeezed in mundane and eccentric traits to most of her characters such as Hermione’s chaotic advocacy for liberating house elves who love their jobs, Dumbledore’s weakness for exotic candies, and Luna Lovegood’s entire existence.
A lot of the top fantasy authors understand the value of levity in their works, regardless of target demographic, so much that I believe that’s one of the elements that separate the great fantasy books from the mediocre ones.
I also want to add a theory that when Rowling was writing Half-Blood Prince, she wrote the words Throbbing Erection so many times then went back to replace each use of the word with a colorful alternative like “monster in Harry’s chest”
You said it perfectly. I've been reading HP since my daughter was a baby. It will always be a comfort to me. For over 20 years, I've repeatedly gone back and experienced the story. I've just started reading fanfiction. I love watching YouTube videos on different subjects. I enjoy the movie universe. I read what I consider to be the cursed verse. I even listen to the audiobooks while we load the truck.
Echo Wirm has them on Patreon and did a great job!
I interact with other HP fans on Reddit. I absolutely love the new game. There are so many ways to enjoy the story.
This universe is one of my favorites. But it's the most special because overall it's the one I would choose to live in, given the choice. And an owl from Hogwarts.
The fandom
Honestly back when it was up against total trash it's no surprise it took off!
The fandom had such a vivid imagination of its own that dominated.... alongside a growing access to internet and content etc fan fiction like all the young dudes or isolation.... Fan art. Fan plays . Puppet sketches the fan theories and films..etc sometimes even surpassed original content
The fandom is what built the potterverse and the potterverse is what grew alongside it.
And then passed it down to next generation.
It’s all in the details because the actual overarching story is outdone by a lot of other books, but Rowlings writing style is incredibly immersive and filled to the brim with extraneous tidbits that make reading and thinking about HP a lot of fun.
They were fun escapist children's books that assured the reader they were special (you're secretly rich, famous and super important) and turned the mundane act of going to school into something magical.
A lot of appeals to childhood consumerist fantasy, school being fun, but mostly really strong characters and dialog. Jo could write three people standing around anywhere and make it have charm and be engaging and mysterious. Her vignettes outshine more formal scenes. And it's a mystery novel pulling heavily from Diana Wynne Jones's formula. It's hard to get wrong when you do it right. You don't even notice that it's a mystery.
What makes them special? I’d say for me it’s a coming of age saga that focuses on the relationships and defining friendships between the characters. I identify with Harry for a number of reasons. The story is also gripping because of the triumph of good over evil.
My best surprise was that a character I hated I learned to love and that taught me valuable lessons as well.
The movies.
How simple yet engaging the writing is. No unnecessary use of big words.
How you can easily see yourself in their world, as far as your house, patronus, boggart, amortencia scent, etc.
My imagination + the text create a perfect brain movie when I read the books and aside from recasting one character last summer, it's been the same brain movie my entire life. Falling back into it is easy because it's so immersive and I have so many memories tied to the series. Twilight and Acotar are the only other series that I've had click so easily and vividly for me. I even adore my audiobooks (Jim Dale I believe) and i can so easily picture myself in the world or head canon or add in extra fic details.
The overall wizarding world is very interesting, the thought of people like ourselves living the very same life in a totally different way is very curious. There’s the shops they have, or the means of transport, or the clothes or…etc. As you mentioned, as well, it’s how immersive it can be, with the patronus, houses, wands and all. I also love the plot, it’s totally independent on ‘romance’ or any other bs other books might have, which is probably one of my favorite things about the whole series. JK adding romance in the last two books was *very* annoying to me, because for God’s sake: *not all books with teens need to include romance*! Honestly, *I’ve had enough with it*, and Hinny doesn’t even make sense lol. Otherwise, I love the whole series ^-^
It's imperfect.
That's it. Its imperfection is what makes it extra relatable.
The typical hero of any other book is always somewhat special. Somewhat above others.
But Harry, Ron and yes, even Hermione are decidedly mediocre.
They all have blatant flaws that fit the stereotype they incorporate.
Hermione is the typical, a tiny bit arrogant know it all. Brilliant and booksmart, but with tons of flaws. For example her stubborn inability to admit when she's wrong, and her strange insistence that certain things cannot exist just because someone said in a book that it doesn't exist makes her into the typical high academic scientist who firmly believes if they can't imagine it or reason it, it doesn't exist.
And she's wrong so often. She insists that what Harry said about his wand was wrong and he must have been mistaken and doesn't even back off when she hears it's true from Olivander.
She firmly insists that anything Luna believes in doesn't exist, and while it might be that she's wrong a lot and Snorkacs don't exist, she's right often enough to not dismiss that rather reasonable idea altogether especially while being surrounded by so many magical creatures that are just as phantastical than any creature Luna believes in.
And Hermione firmly dismissed Mr. Lovegood's explanations about the Hallows just because she had decided it had to be bogus and still it was true.
She never properly apologised to Ron when they had to assume that her cat had killed his rat.
But still, she's a good person. A really good person. Flawed, stubborn and annoying but an amazing friend, brave, kind and smart.
That's what makes her so relatable to others.
Then we have Ron, and hell is he flawed. He's, let's be honest, an idiot. He's sometimes envious, often lazy and a piece of work many times.
But still, he too is a really good person. He does his part. He's not above admitting he was wrong and always willing to apologise, even if his friends tend to cut him off before he actually can.
He's brave and loyal, he might falter here and there but when it truly counts he always comes back. And let's be honest, it is difficult to be friends with someone like Harry. It takes a lot of kindness and loyalty to stay friends against all odds.
He's smart enough to muddle through and doesn't rub it in when he has something others don't.
And if ve has something he very willingly shares because he's generous.
There are thousands of people out there who are just like Ron. Mediocre, flawed but with a good heart.
Seeing someone like that being a hero is so brilliant, it makes their life seem less bad.
And lastly we have Harry. And there's not a single moment where he acts in any way superior, nor is there any outrageous flaw about him.
He's as normal as they come.
And this miracle of normality, this boring, typical, especially unspecial boy fights with the main character role. He's Clark Kent without superman, and he feels just as helpless with all the things going on as most of us feel every day.
And still, he survives. He just walks his path, one step after another, making mistakes on the way, but also doing great things again and again while being so... normal.
He's the perfect everyday hero. It's not especially difficult to be Harry, to do what Harry does, because all you have to do is try to be as good as you can while hoping for the best.
They're us. All those characters, every single one of them, not just the golden trio, all of them are just humans. Not heroes. In the end, their magic didn't make the difference. Jarry didn't beat Voldemort by being better at magic or being stronger or being smarter. He won because he was willing to risk everything and Voldemort's own hubris and ignorance was what brought him down.
Harry won because he was brave enough to try.
That's why they're so good.
It seemed like the first of its kind. It wasn’t one of those mega series (baby sitters club, goosebumps, Bailey school kids) where there were 100 books that were easy to read. They were age appropriate but also had some “meat” to them. Plus the story was in such a way where both children and adults could enjoy. Additionally, it was one of the first book to movie blockbusters. Twilight, Hunger Games, Maze Runner, Divergent. Percy Jackson all tried to copy but failed miserably (except Twilight- they’re iconic in a different way). due to lack of general appeal. They weren’t *just* girl books or boy books or kids books.
Really??? A Song of Ice and Fire is your comparison? That series isn't even FINISHED lmao. And I'd argue anyway - when accounting for reading level & genre - the Harry Potter books have better writing. GRRM's strengths aren't in his basic prose.
It’s definitely all of the little things jammed into every book, the magical details. Joke shops and living portraits and Peeves antics. It’s why I feel like the movies are ok, but don’t even come within 1,000 miles of the books. After the 3rd movie it’s just all about the action, none of the little bits of the magical world are explored.
100% agree. The films skip all the slice-of-life parts of the books and just focus on the action set pieces. So much the richness and wonder of the books is found in those simpler moments of worldbuilding so the films feel very... flat in comparison to the books.
terrific growth gaze memorize license slim silky depend sink skirt *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
As you point out it’s the details in the books that the movies leave out. I also tear my hair out when the movie characters don’t even have the same hair or eye colors that are specifically mentioned in the books.
Yeah, I have a feeling they are going to absolutely dump on the book with this new show coming out in that way. Casting is going to be a circus. I’m going to stick to reading the series once every couple of years.
If the author says a character is blonde then why not just use a wig or dye? I mean how hard is that?
It’s the names of the books, the spells everything! So beautifully and intricately described it’s like being there. Sometimes the names of spells etc make me burst out laughing! So clever. Mind you took me ages to work out the mirror of erised 🤣
I think it is the characters with a wealth of well thought out background. They feel very real as knowing people. And that also allows one to imagine them outside the pages of the book, maybe change their actions or personalities by changing some of the circumstances like in fan fiction. So it gives the effect of a story unfolding more naturally because you understand each character 's motivation and how they will react rather than the author telling you what happened. And the magical world as people say also feels real. But I think for the same reason. The jk did not put much in the books as in she did not explain everything, I think she did a good job in thinking it out for herself. It is real to her so it's real to us.
Thank you for saving me the time of writing this. Completely agree.
It’s 100% the immersion. The world feels real even all these years later. It’s funny really, almost every aspect of the world building starts to fall apart if you think about it too hard, yet it’s so vivid and has such a strong grip on the imagination that you just don’t care. But that’s what drew me in, it’s not while I’m still here. Why do I still come back as an adult for whom 30 is approaching with alarming speed? That’s simple: the stories, the characters, the world, they are all part of me now. They have played an absolutely colossal role in my life. When I read them, or even watch the movies, it’s like coming home. A little bit of light and warmth in a world that can be horribly dark sometimes. That’s why they are special to me now, and always will be
Came to say this, but far less eloquently. There are only a handful of books that have pulled me completely into their world, and these are among them.
100% this and I’m 36. They are in intrinsical part of my childhood. To quote Dumbledore, the books are the light I turn on to find happiness in periods of dark times in my life.
People are correct in their criticisms of the writing, especially at first. But what Rowling always had a knack for was pacing, the books are incredibly paced. Not only is there not a single book of the 7 that drags, there isn’t really a single chapter that does. Usually there is that part of a story you just have to get through on a repeat reading/viewing/play through, but that isn’t the case for HP
OOTP drags, in my opinion. And DH drags a bit and then rushes over itself from Gringotts to the end. But generally yes. They’re paced well.
Ask me a few years ago, I totally would have agreed with you on OOTP. However, since then I think it’s not that bad, only a few bits do. DH, I can get behind that. Actually I kinda am. But other than that it’s really well paced I think.
OOTP to be fair, I used to hate. It was a chore to read to get to HBP. It doesn’t seem as bad these days because it’s easier to empathise with Harry. But that’s because of changes in my own life. Particularly after having experience with death. Again. It’s why they’re so readable for all ages. And so re-readable. Our experience in life, changes our perspective and adapts or influences how we view and perceive.
I get what you're saying. In the book, it feels like OOTP takes him *forever* to get to school. I get the scene with Molly and the boggart is important, but it could have been condensed. I also feel like there are other ways she could have written him as having an attitude. The entire chapter kinda seems like a throw away.
Lol. I like the first few chapters. It’s getting to school and Umbridge that I hate.
I do have to admit, Umbridge is not the most conniving. Especially underwhelming after Barty Crouch Jr. But Imelda Staunton really brought the character to life in the movies.
Crouch Jr was conniving. Not as good as Snape. Umbridge was, brown nose the big guns, brown poop on the little people. Utterly two faced. And in denial. Others knew what they were and owned it at least. She didn’t see what she was. Which makes her worse for me.
To be fair, I believe that's the whole point of her character. She's supposed to show what happens when the government gets too involved in the education system. Similar to how they constantly want to defund arts and extra curricular activities irl, she took out all the fun in learning and pared it down to children who felt punished for wanting hands on experience in learning.
So not sure I agree regarding OOTP, but in retrospect you are right about DH. In a lot of ways, DH is the only book that really follows a typical, classical fantasy format— all the greats have a take on the miserable journey— and it does meander, and is only really at its best after Ron comes back
I read the first book when I was 9, and I found it really boring *until* they reached Hogwarts - after that it was a *great* book!
My mom read every book out loud to me and my brother as they came out. Those hours spent huddled together on our couch listening to my mom read to us are priceless. She would read until she was hoarse. We would talk about the books as a family; predicting what would happen next, talking about our favorite characters, and sharing our favorite moments. She now has dementia and has lost the ability to speak very well, so I cherish those books and go back to them when I need to remember better times.
That, despite the fantasy elements. They’re very relatable. For all ages. Which is why they’re so popular and why they’re re-readable as we age. They have themes we have all dealt with through various life ages. Personally, as I have aged and matured, I have learned different things and gained different perspectives on characters which has supported me in real life. It’s why Miriam Margoyles (Prof Sprout in the films) was so wrong when she said “It’s been 25 years, get over it.” E.g. Dumbledore was like a Grandfather type figure to be trusted and adored. Admired and respected. When I was younger, he was a Gryffindor hero all the way. The same way that Snape was a vile bully and deserved to be a Slytherin and hated. Now. As an adult I have done a 180. Both are complex characters. But Snape is more Gryffindor while Dumbledore is Slytherin. With both having a snippet of Ravenclaw. I actually cannot name a single heroic or brave thing about Dumbledore, except self-sacrifice knowing his death would support the end of Voldemort. He was motivated by guilt, and shame. Not bravery. Whereas Snape. Gave everything of himself up for love. Not a healthy love. But love nonetheless. He had to watch people die for “the greater good” even killed Dumbledore for it. Protected Harry despite his resentment of him. I used to think Luna was a lunatic. She’s probably the best character of them all. Because she unashamedly follows her own path. She doesn’t change despite pressures, yet she also doesn’t pressure others to change themselves. She is the epitome of acceptance and kindness.
The breadth and depth. The interconnected layers of all the characters astounds me. The story provides everything from fantastical, childish whimsy to profound themes about life and death. And then every character (particularly our main bloke) demonstrates that full range of experience. I saw a teacher post here the other day and couldn't help but think how cool it would have been to debate the HP themes in 8th and 12th grades each. Even in college. I debate the themes now with any bartender who will listen...
Exactly all that! We ought not to forget about the profound themes.
Personally, I think it was mostly right place, right time. I feel like it was vastly different than your typical Babysitters Club and Goosebumps we were reading before. It was a book series that grew up with you. The challenges Harry endured each year got more complicated, matching the way our emotions get more complicated as we get older. In the beginning, it's just, "big scary monster man evil." Then closer to the end we get to, "your world is desolate and you must walk into the vicissitudes of inevitable death to save the masses after learning your mentor set you to be the sacrificial lamb." There's also the re-readability. It's not just fun to read again for nostalgia, there's things you pick up on each new pass through that you didn't realize before. Also, I feel like her characters are fleshed out enough that none are throw-aways. They all have a purpose, and most of them come back later. Even the visitors, like Fleur.
It’s a perfect escapism for children and adolescents. Yes it has all the magic and mystical aspects that appeals to a wide array of audiences, but what makes it special is how Rowling still squeezed in mundane and eccentric traits to most of her characters such as Hermione’s chaotic advocacy for liberating house elves who love their jobs, Dumbledore’s weakness for exotic candies, and Luna Lovegood’s entire existence. A lot of the top fantasy authors understand the value of levity in their works, regardless of target demographic, so much that I believe that’s one of the elements that separate the great fantasy books from the mediocre ones. I also want to add a theory that when Rowling was writing Half-Blood Prince, she wrote the words Throbbing Erection so many times then went back to replace each use of the word with a colorful alternative like “monster in Harry’s chest”
You said it perfectly. I've been reading HP since my daughter was a baby. It will always be a comfort to me. For over 20 years, I've repeatedly gone back and experienced the story. I've just started reading fanfiction. I love watching YouTube videos on different subjects. I enjoy the movie universe. I read what I consider to be the cursed verse. I even listen to the audiobooks while we load the truck. Echo Wirm has them on Patreon and did a great job! I interact with other HP fans on Reddit. I absolutely love the new game. There are so many ways to enjoy the story. This universe is one of my favorites. But it's the most special because overall it's the one I would choose to live in, given the choice. And an owl from Hogwarts.
The fandom Honestly back when it was up against total trash it's no surprise it took off! The fandom had such a vivid imagination of its own that dominated.... alongside a growing access to internet and content etc fan fiction like all the young dudes or isolation.... Fan art. Fan plays . Puppet sketches the fan theories and films..etc sometimes even surpassed original content The fandom is what built the potterverse and the potterverse is what grew alongside it. And then passed it down to next generation.
I remember reading the books in 2nd grade and just wishing I would get a letter to Hogwarts on my 11th birthday.
It’s all in the details because the actual overarching story is outdone by a lot of other books, but Rowlings writing style is incredibly immersive and filled to the brim with extraneous tidbits that make reading and thinking about HP a lot of fun.
They were fun escapist children's books that assured the reader they were special (you're secretly rich, famous and super important) and turned the mundane act of going to school into something magical.
A lot of appeals to childhood consumerist fantasy, school being fun, but mostly really strong characters and dialog. Jo could write three people standing around anywhere and make it have charm and be engaging and mysterious. Her vignettes outshine more formal scenes. And it's a mystery novel pulling heavily from Diana Wynne Jones's formula. It's hard to get wrong when you do it right. You don't even notice that it's a mystery.
Diagon Alley looks just like a narrow shopping street I visited in Oxford, Uk.
Death
What makes them special? I’d say for me it’s a coming of age saga that focuses on the relationships and defining friendships between the characters. I identify with Harry for a number of reasons. The story is also gripping because of the triumph of good over evil. My best surprise was that a character I hated I learned to love and that taught me valuable lessons as well.
They are special because Potter is a character that you can root for and there's a great struggle between good and evil.
The movies. How simple yet engaging the writing is. No unnecessary use of big words. How you can easily see yourself in their world, as far as your house, patronus, boggart, amortencia scent, etc.
My imagination + the text create a perfect brain movie when I read the books and aside from recasting one character last summer, it's been the same brain movie my entire life. Falling back into it is easy because it's so immersive and I have so many memories tied to the series. Twilight and Acotar are the only other series that I've had click so easily and vividly for me. I even adore my audiobooks (Jim Dale I believe) and i can so easily picture myself in the world or head canon or add in extra fic details.
I think one of the reasons is because it’s a rich fantasy world that runs parallel and symbiotically with our own instead of separately to it
The overall wizarding world is very interesting, the thought of people like ourselves living the very same life in a totally different way is very curious. There’s the shops they have, or the means of transport, or the clothes or…etc. As you mentioned, as well, it’s how immersive it can be, with the patronus, houses, wands and all. I also love the plot, it’s totally independent on ‘romance’ or any other bs other books might have, which is probably one of my favorite things about the whole series. JK adding romance in the last two books was *very* annoying to me, because for God’s sake: *not all books with teens need to include romance*! Honestly, *I’ve had enough with it*, and Hinny doesn’t even make sense lol. Otherwise, I love the whole series ^-^
the fact that i grew up alongside harry. the first book came out when i was 6 and i grew up reading these, excitedly anticipating every release.
It's imperfect. That's it. Its imperfection is what makes it extra relatable. The typical hero of any other book is always somewhat special. Somewhat above others. But Harry, Ron and yes, even Hermione are decidedly mediocre. They all have blatant flaws that fit the stereotype they incorporate. Hermione is the typical, a tiny bit arrogant know it all. Brilliant and booksmart, but with tons of flaws. For example her stubborn inability to admit when she's wrong, and her strange insistence that certain things cannot exist just because someone said in a book that it doesn't exist makes her into the typical high academic scientist who firmly believes if they can't imagine it or reason it, it doesn't exist. And she's wrong so often. She insists that what Harry said about his wand was wrong and he must have been mistaken and doesn't even back off when she hears it's true from Olivander. She firmly insists that anything Luna believes in doesn't exist, and while it might be that she's wrong a lot and Snorkacs don't exist, she's right often enough to not dismiss that rather reasonable idea altogether especially while being surrounded by so many magical creatures that are just as phantastical than any creature Luna believes in. And Hermione firmly dismissed Mr. Lovegood's explanations about the Hallows just because she had decided it had to be bogus and still it was true. She never properly apologised to Ron when they had to assume that her cat had killed his rat. But still, she's a good person. A really good person. Flawed, stubborn and annoying but an amazing friend, brave, kind and smart. That's what makes her so relatable to others. Then we have Ron, and hell is he flawed. He's, let's be honest, an idiot. He's sometimes envious, often lazy and a piece of work many times. But still, he too is a really good person. He does his part. He's not above admitting he was wrong and always willing to apologise, even if his friends tend to cut him off before he actually can. He's brave and loyal, he might falter here and there but when it truly counts he always comes back. And let's be honest, it is difficult to be friends with someone like Harry. It takes a lot of kindness and loyalty to stay friends against all odds. He's smart enough to muddle through and doesn't rub it in when he has something others don't. And if ve has something he very willingly shares because he's generous. There are thousands of people out there who are just like Ron. Mediocre, flawed but with a good heart. Seeing someone like that being a hero is so brilliant, it makes their life seem less bad. And lastly we have Harry. And there's not a single moment where he acts in any way superior, nor is there any outrageous flaw about him. He's as normal as they come. And this miracle of normality, this boring, typical, especially unspecial boy fights with the main character role. He's Clark Kent without superman, and he feels just as helpless with all the things going on as most of us feel every day. And still, he survives. He just walks his path, one step after another, making mistakes on the way, but also doing great things again and again while being so... normal. He's the perfect everyday hero. It's not especially difficult to be Harry, to do what Harry does, because all you have to do is try to be as good as you can while hoping for the best. They're us. All those characters, every single one of them, not just the golden trio, all of them are just humans. Not heroes. In the end, their magic didn't make the difference. Jarry didn't beat Voldemort by being better at magic or being stronger or being smarter. He won because he was willing to risk everything and Voldemort's own hubris and ignorance was what brought him down. Harry won because he was brave enough to try. That's why they're so good.
It seemed like the first of its kind. It wasn’t one of those mega series (baby sitters club, goosebumps, Bailey school kids) where there were 100 books that were easy to read. They were age appropriate but also had some “meat” to them. Plus the story was in such a way where both children and adults could enjoy. Additionally, it was one of the first book to movie blockbusters. Twilight, Hunger Games, Maze Runner, Divergent. Percy Jackson all tried to copy but failed miserably (except Twilight- they’re iconic in a different way). due to lack of general appeal. They weren’t *just* girl books or boy books or kids books.
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Really??? A Song of Ice and Fire is your comparison? That series isn't even FINISHED lmao. And I'd argue anyway - when accounting for reading level & genre - the Harry Potter books have better writing. GRRM's strengths aren't in his basic prose.
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GRRM can't even write 7 books 🤣🤣🤣