Written By Vardhan Gaur (Grade 6)
We have heard of many fantasy tales and books. We also have heard of magic, which is practically impossible on earth. Some fantasy books are associated with magic like the best-selling series of all time, Harry Potter. This extraordinary series written by JK Rowling has sold over 500 million copies, all 7 books translated into 67 languages and now the Harry Potter franchise is worth $15 billion.
But how did J.K Rowling achieve such a feat? What made readers from all around the world read her books again and again and again? Take a deep breath with me and let’s step into the world of Harry Potter.
Firstly, J.K Rowling was able to create characters with varied personalities with deep roots. Her characters had some kind of history or role to play in the books. She used these personalities to showcase betrayal, success, good vs evil, and eventually the downfall of Voldemort, and the win of Harry Potter.
For instance, Harry Potter had a father and a mother. His father’s name was James Potter and his mother’s name was Lily potter. Both of them were killed by Voldemort. After their death, Harry’s official guardian then became Sirius Black (James Potter had selected him as godfather as he was a close friend of James). Sirius Black had a brother named Regulus Black, who was a death eater and follower of Voldemort. He then betrayed Voldemort and replaced his Horcrux with a fake. This shows the author connecting different personalities to create a story. She used traits like disloyalty and wicked vs righteousness while describing these events throughout the series.
Secondly, she described almost all the settings in such a perfect manner that the reader could easily imagine the scene. She used various mediums to describe varied situations. By doing the same, she made the reader feel as if he or she was present at the event. No wonder, readers enjoy each and every chapter of the book. Often, teachers say, one chapter can silence the whole rowdy of classes. This is the power of her writing.
Thirdly, she has been able to create a worldwide known franchise by expanding Harry Potter in various ways. She has participated and helped in the creation of the eight movies that still remain blockbusters. She has also partnered with various companies to make Harry Potter toys or accessories. Additionally, she has triggered a different perspective to the wizarding world by writing books like “Quidditch Through the Ages”, “The Tales of Beedle and the Bard” and Fantastic Beasts and where to find them (on which movies are based). She has also gone deep into the history of Grindelwald (a dark wizard referenced the main series quite often) by writing the screenplay of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” followed by “The Crimes of Grindelwald”.
To conclude, Harry Potter is truly an exceptional, spectacular and breathtaking series that gives young readers something to be excited about. As I am a Harry Potter fan, I would like to recommend the series to you if you have not read it. And if you have then why don’t you write what you think about the series in the comment section below. Even in these daunting times, one can find positivity, so I would like to end this article with a quote by Albus Dumbledore.
“Happiness can be found even in the darkest times if one does not forget to switch on the light” – Albus Dumbledore
Featured Image Courtesy – Collider