Growing Up with Harry Potter

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 :)

Women on Wednesday - J. K. Rowling

This weekly event is hosted by Susan at Rocks n' Reads West of Mars : 

She says: " Every Wednesday, write about a book you loved that’s written by a woman. Celebrate a woman author whose books you love. Talk about a book you’re dying to read. "

There are some books that are very personal. J.K.Rowling's literary phenomenon Harry Potter is one such  for me. I've never ever debated feverishly about theories and storylines as I have for HP. I've never stood eagerly in anticipation, outside a bookstore during the wee hours of the morning for any other book. I've met loads of people, made great friends across the World, because of HP. I've broken down to tears when Dumbledore died. I've memorized the Black family tree. I've tried to accio things. When I've had bad days, I've read HP as an antidote, as  the best way to cheer up. HP was, is and will always be my biggest fandom experience. 

For all that and more, I just can't thank Joanne Kathleen Rowling enough. A single mother, writing a book in a cafe owned by her brother in law, while taking care of her daughter all by herself is quite an inspirational story in itself. That her story turned out to be purely magical to the millions of readers who followed Harry, Hermione and Ron in their adventures and sort of grew up with them, is testament to Rowling's talent. She writes captivating stories, creates varied characters  and builds an entire, multi-layered magical universe in great detail right from the great wizarding sport of Quidditch to Floo Powder to the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office to the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests.

Rowling's creative genius is perhaps one of my favourite things about her books. That, along with her immensely quotable penchant for humour, Fred and George style, or sarcasm, Snape or Harry style. Not all the books were as satisfactory as one would have hoped, but there have been more hits than slight misses with Rowling. Rowling's Harry Potter series spurred on a whole generation to get back to books. I've always loved books so that won't apply to me, but I've seen several of my friends run to the library or come home in haste to borrow Goblet of Fire because they've just finished Prisoner of Azkaban and 'cannot wait for more!'

Plus, the underlying theme of Rowling's Harry Potter series has been a beautiful one, that love is our greatest power. A power that can and will prevail over seemingly unsurmountable problems and ordeals. I find that a theme worth reading about. The Harry Potter series is one that I shall definitely pass on to my children, feeling very proud that I was part of a generation that had the opportunity to eagerly anticipate book after book of this magnificent reading experience. Thank you again for letting us be part of your magical world, Ms. Rowling. We're still waiting for the admission letter from Hogwarts though =)

Featured on Women on Wednesday:

November 25, 2009 - Louisa May Alcott 

December 2, 2009 - Enid Blyton

December 16, 2009 - Nayantara Sahgal