Why are the Harry Potter books so uniquely successful?

Question

I am a huge fan of the Harry Potter books, and have loved and cherished them for years now. I've awaited each new release with what one can describe as fanatical eagerness! There is no doubt that many of you out there are the same. Personally I find the books wonderful in every way. They’re magical and trapping, even when you are re-reading for the tenth or so time. But what is the secret behind this success? Why do we love J.K Rowling's world so much? What makes the books unique and unlike all others? Surely Magic has a lot do with it, but what's your other explanation?

Answer 1

I dont think if they had been brought out in the 1980s when I was a child there would have been nearly so much fuss about them. Children's literature was full of magic and adventure stories which captured children's imaginations - classic Enid Blyton books like the faraway tree etc were commonplace. These days there is so little written about that sort of thing that adults and children love so J K Rowling's books were seen as ground breaking, when in fact a few decades ago these stories were not so rare. Don't get me wrong, I love Harry Potter books, but I don't think they're so different to the books I read as a child

Answer 2

The Harry Potter books are not uniquely successful, there have been other books published which have been just as, & possibly more, successful. They certainly have been successful, but you are right in asking the question about the secret behind their success. Part of it I think is because they are MODERN. The setting is something that readers can relate to & it could in fact be taking place now without us realising (e.g there really is a platform 9&3/4). Readers do not have to imagine themselves in a medieval world etc. Another reason is that a bording school where adventures happen is a classic kids favourite - almost 'exotic'. The recent film adaptations have also increased the 'hype' surrounding the books.
I am not a huge HP fan, sure I've read the books but I found them predictable, not always entirely well written, continuity errors, the ideas are not new (although I'll admit a lot of aspects of fantasy aren't) and some parts with obvious parallels to other fantasy books, notably LOTR, but I admit that a lot of Tolkien's work was based on mythology also. I didn't find any of the spells clever etc. either (I studied Latin for several years).

The books are not 'unique' & I would recommend Tolkien's works, Ursula Le Guin, Terry Brooks, Anne McCaffrey, Garth Nix etc. before I recommended J.K. Rowling. But I do approve that her books have got children, especially, back into reading.

~StarQueenEle~

Answer 3

I am a huge Harry Potter fan as well. I read all books a dozen times, I can't get enough.
It is not easy to tell why we love it so much, but I'd say it is because we want a bit magic in our lifes. Rowling has created a co-existing world so full of details, that we wish it would be true. But we can be a part of that- by reading!
Another reason might be her funny way of writing, when she extremely exaggerates adults behaviour. I think she critizises a lot through the Dursleys.
The books have so many aspects which make them so wonderful, that I would need a day if I would write down everything!
To make it short: the good-evil conflict(s), the humour, the way of writing, the tension and unexpected developments, the power of friendship ... all these things and many more combined made us reading the books again and again...
(It is obvious I'd say that I really love the books!!) :o)

Answer 4

I agree with what everyone has said, and I love the books too. There have been other books that were just as huge, for instance the DaVinci Code. I see two main differences between Harry Potter and other blockbuster books. First, Harry Potter is a series, and we have always known there would be 7 books. So although each book is good and complete on its own, the reader knows there is more and that it is all leading to the ultimate climax in book 7. Second, the books are equally attractive to adults and children. That is why sales are so huge in my opinion. Thirty-somethings like me are going to reserve the book and read it the day it comes out. And then we are going to read them to our children when they are old enough, and that is how the books are going to live forever, like Lord of the Rings, Little House of the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, etc.

Answer 5

Uniquely successful? What about Lord of the Rings? That did incredibly well around the world and has been around a good bit longer than Harry Potter. Mind you, I can see why Harry Potter's so successful, it rocks. The books are simply a delight to read, but Lord of the Rings was also a massive seller and it's just not any fun at all!! It's long, it's dull, the characters are so flat a rubbish and all that elvish malarkey!! That's a mystery, mate, not Harry Potter

Answer 6

I know, especially now, that there are a lot of books that are "magical" granted it is nice to read occasionally its not what keeps me interested in the books. Its hard to pin point all the things but, the characters are very well rounded and have excellent depth. The world she created - you can feel the depth, its got hmmm...roots, you can sense it wasnt created just to tell her story, if that makes sense a lot of stories I have read it feels like your just dropped head first into a world or unvierse and you are treated like of course this does that didnt you know? In other words its all about the details, details if you go back to the first book your like, huh it was there all along. She takes the time and patience to explain things however on the other hand, you are not getting a five page lecture on how magic is possible.
It doesnt feel like a children's book, it is darker and more realistic, granted the first one was slightly fluffy. You learn things about morals and human nature but its off to the side, the point of the story is not to hit kids over the head with 'the moral of the story'. The story is so complex, more complex then anything I have read in a long time.
She to me is magical, a truly gifted story teller - i know for me the details that filter through each book fascinate me.

Answer 7

I honestly don't know. I've attempted to read the books and found that I didn't enjoy the style of writing. I've watched the movies and thought that they were alright. I don't "dislike" the series, but I wouldn't consider myself a fan either.

I think some of the reason is that for the last 10-20 years, people have stopped making books and movies that are targeted specifically towards young people (other than mundane things that are all the same, like redundant superhero stuff)

As another person said further up, I grew up in the 80's. We had stuff like 'The smurfs', 'Fraggile Rock', 'My little Ponies' 'Rainbow Bright' 'He-Man' 'The Flintstones' 'Thunder Cats' 'Scooby Doo'...etc. and lots of good family and Disney movies. Back then we had a huge abundance of stuff that was directed at us and there was lots of variety. I have a five year old of my own now, and most of the cartoons and stuff aimed at kids and teens today is boring and repetative. I think "Harry Potter" filled a gap for this generation.

Answer 8

For children who are fans of the books, I think Harry Potter is popular because he's a very special kid in a group of special kids who do wonderful things. These stories fuel the imagination of the reader and Rowling makes it very easy to visualize what is going on.

For adults, Harry Potter taps into the part of our brains that makes us want to be kids again. Around every corner there is a new adventure. It makes us feel like kids again. Also, the characters age as the books progress, and anyone who's been through puberty can relate to a lot of what these characters go through.

One other thing: the characters are fleshed out so well in each book that we feel a sort of emotional attachment to them. We rejoice with Harry when he fights off bullies like Draco. We appreciate the fear within him as he tries to ask out Cho Chang. We can relate to the embarassment of Ron having to wear hand-me-downs. And whenever bad things happen to key characters, we feel the pain of those around them.

Answer 9

Personally, I think she's tapped into something in all adults. I've only read the books as an adult so can't comment on a younger person's take on them. Here we have an adult, writing children's fiction for adults! It might be packaged for kids, but I truly think she writes these for herself to preserve those childhood imaginations. How do you sell a childlike plot to adults- sell it to the kids and wait for the word to spread. Many of us will have pretended to have magic powers whilst playing as kids.

Who cannot say that the thought of even the most down-trodden and ordinary amongst us having some spectacular gift hidden within is not appealing?It gives hope that there is something out there beyond the mundane and we live that through Harry. I think it also taps into the cult of celebrity- Harry being famous in his new world resonates with a modern culture obsessed by fame.

The camraderie of the group of friends is so endearing. Many cult TV sitcoms have flourished based on this concept- 'Friends', 'Cheers' are some examples. We'd all like to have mates like these.

Lastly, I think the writing style appeals to all ages- it has the ability to allow you to escape back to a time in life when the only responsibility you had to was to turn up at school. You live your youth again through Harry and he takes you safely on an escapist adventure, the rich and detailed mythology weaving its web around you whilst you read. She supplies you with so many details to furnish your imagination, that you are taken on a journey of wonder with Harry which is addictive.

Answer 10

I think that the books are simply well written and we get so attached to the characters that it is hard to tear ourselves away from that world, which is much more exciting than our lives. It will be a sad day when I read the last word of the last book because there will not be any more.