To many of us, the Harry Potter series is more than just a best-selling book series that spawned a successful movie franchise. We grew up with Harry Potter. We stood outside bookstores early in the morning to get our copy of the books. We cried our eyes out when a character died. We debated endlessly about probably theories, ships and ideal endings. We kept track of every word J.K.Rowling said in her interviews, hoping to find clues about what would happen next in the series.
We met some amazing people and broke the ice by talking about Harry Potter. We managed to get a Harry Potter reference into the essays we wrote for school. We stuck Harry Potter posters on to our walls and could quote from the book extensively. If Harry Potter had been a subject, we would have all topped class. We have friends from across the world, people of different cultures, traditions - all united by The Boy Who Lived. We have cherished memories related to Harry Potter and it is so very much a personal thing. We are the Harry Potter generation.
I like the Harry Potter movies, but they're nowhere near as magical as the books. And as I get ready to watch the movie soon with a couple of friends, I can't believe how emotional this is! This is the beginning of the end of a movie franchise that is as unforgettable as the books it is based on. Though I want to run and watch the movie as soon as possible, part of me also wouldn't mind not watching the movie for a while, if just to extend the Harry Potter-related stuff I have left to enjoy.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to watching the movie and reviewing it and I hope everyone has something or the other to enjoy in Deathly Hallows Part 1. Because remember, in a sense, this is the culmination of our journey alongside a little boy with a lightning scar, who was left outside Number 4, Privet Drive one night.
P.S. I'm delighted that my blog now has 100 followers! Thank you all so much and I hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as I enjoy writing it :)
15 comments:
This post leaves me sniffling again and not just because of the 'flu that I am down with. I have done EVERY SINGLE THING you have described in that post. I guess we really are the Harry Potter generation. I was supposed to catch the movie today but I am home instead huddling beneath a blanket :( But you know, the further I put away watching the movie the further I am from saying goodbye to first times. Does that make sense? I love that some day I can tell my kids, I grew up reading Harry Potter :)
Thank you for writing this (I wish I knew your name!). I am one of the oldie devotees of Harry. I bought my daughter The Deathly Hallows the day it was released (and told her to forget the exam next day and finish it at one go). Today she has gone to watch DH Part One while I am writing this. To the Harry Potter generation, my contribution is here:
http://suvrobemused.blogspot.com/2007/04/waiting-for-harry-potter-7.html
Maybe you'd like to write a comment?
This post made me reminisce. I still have the HP glasses from standing in line till midnight to get book 4. I wonder if they have a 10 step program?
I love this post and I'm right there with you. The first movie came out when I was a senior in high school and it's so strange to realize the final installment is going to be in theaters next summer.
I've read and re-read those books. I've waited in lines for the newest release, rushed home and read it in one sitting. I even got a chance to attend the world premier of the 4th movie while living in London. I feel a bit like a chapter in my life is coming to a close. I'm off to see the movie now... expecting some tears.
Great post! Over the years I've taken my kids to bookstores and movies at midnight, but think I enjoyed the atmosphere as much as they did. Congratulations on hitting 100 followers.
We truly are the Harry Potter Generation. I remember the time I read my first book HP book. And since then I've been hooked for life. My only regret is that our future generations won't get that excitement of waiting outside bookstores, just plain waiting for the next book to arrive and absorb them into that world of magic. We've grown up alongside Harry and that is something we can never experience again.
I saw the movie last night and loved it! You're right though, they can't compare to the magic of the books. I hope you like the movie too!
Where does one start? A tale with no borders, diverse in itself, yet unifying the world over. Ms. Rowling's greatest contribution has been, perhaps, the triumphant influence which her works have exerted over the new generation and their fast-fading interest in books. It doesn't matter that we were not born in the time of Charles Dickens or Aurthur Conan Doyle; we are exhilarated and grateful that we had J.K.Rowling igniting our minds. Thank you, Ma'am.
Let us hope and pray that such creators are born in every generation to come. Goodness knows we need that!
Vaishnavi - * Hugs * I hope you're feeling better now! I can totally understand that. I'm so infinitely proud to have experienced the Harry Potter phenomenon as it happened :)
Suvro - Thanks so much for the kind words! You are awesome to encourage your daughter's love for HP. Shouldn't be hard to understand why she likes it, when you're such a huge fan yourself :)
Whitney - I was all nostalgic so I wrote this post. I've become even more nostalgic when I see everyone sharing their HP memories :)
Avid Reader - Thank you :) A chance to attend a world premiere? That is amazing!
"I feel a bit like a chapter in my life is coming to a close. I'm off to see the movie now... expecting some tears."
That is totally how I feel too.
JoAnn - Thanks so much :) Part of HP's magic is that this is a book that will captivate almost everyone!
Madjourno - I agree, word to word! :)
Alyce - I just read your Sunday Salon remarks about the movie. I'm glad you loved it and I hope I do too :) I'm so excited now!
Rajarshi - That is a beautiful comment :) We are all indebted to JKR for filling our lives with excitement, stirring the reading habit, turning a dull day into a captivating one in a span of a few pages. If I ever meet her, I'd not have enough words to thank her.
I saw the movie last night and thought it was great! I hope you enjoy it!
Congratulations on 100 followers! :) You've got a good thing going on here...
Oh my! I have been just avoiding this feeling... and now you spill it like.. you know exactly how I feel...
i just don't want to believe it! You know I was on vacation in Kerala, when one of my cousins, showing off the 1st book in the series, told me it was great fun. After she was done, and the entire lot was done - I was like - I have anything nothing to do, might as well read this kids book ( I considered myself Adult ;)) And man, was I hooked?! Darn yes!
And I cannot believe all this is going to end.. :((
I wish she would NOT finish it... I somehow wanted more and more...
I remember that I was heart-broken, crying and hating Rowling because she KILLED Dumbledore, oh my! how could she??? Ah well, now I am ready to really forgive her for that ;o)
Thanks for this post, love ya!
Congrats on the 100 followers :)
Kate - I'm glad you like it and I hope I will too :)Thanks so much!
Veens - Aww..hugs! Who better than a Potter fan to lend you support? We're all going through the same nostalgic emotions. I hated Rowling for packing off Sirius so fast. He was such a fascinating character! :D
And thank you :)
Loved Harry Potter, still do. Never been a fan of the movies though.
I do wish J.K Rowling would come up with another magical universe that I could fall in love with again.
And congrats on the 100 followers. Your blog is great, and deserves it :)
Oh I wish the same too! That would be my Christmas wish :D
Aww..thank you. That is high praise coming from you :) Thanks a lot * Hugs *
Congrats on your following! I loved all things Harry Potter as an adult. What an amazing thing to have adults and children reading the same thing all over the world at the same time!
With the last movie, I really missed Hogwarts -- it's scenery, music, and characters.
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