I finished reading the Harry Potters a couple of months ago and it was my first time of reading them. Whilst reading my initial thoughts where why haven’t I read these books before? And how easy they are to read, definitely a page turner as you just don’t want to put any of the books down.
Seven books to get to know the characters and we really do care so deeply about them by the end, we care what happens to them and want everyone to be safe. I think that is a tribute to J.K. Rowling and the way that she wrote the books. With such depth and understanding. She had a whole background to the Wizarding world and I loved being a part of it by reading the books.
I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting to like and even fall in love with the books as much as I did, but you really cannot help but to love them. The adventures Harry, Ron and Hermione find themselves in while at school. How much Harry has to learn about his destiny. The very careful way we get to see them growing up, reaching the awkward teenage stage and having arguments. All of these things that you must go through when growing up. We are taken on this journey with the characters, which makes it so much easier to relate with and understand.
We become engrossed in the relationships and situations the characters find themselves in. We find ourselves routing for certain characters and quickly having our favorites. I found that Neville Longbottom was one of my favorite characters throughout the books. With each book he became more lovable and grew so much over the years. You could not help feeling sorry for him throughout, yet totally loving how much he had grown into a man by the end.
My favorite relationship was between Lupin and Tonks, mainly because it was not obvious at all and so nice to read so deeply about it. How depression from it all made Tonks struggle to keep changing her appearance something she was well-known for. Then to read that he did not want to hurt her and he had made her an outcast, yet she did not care at all was real true love. I found it spellbinding as it was so unexpected. That brought the most tears from me in the final book when they both lost their lives at the battle of Hogwarts especially leaving baby Teddy with no parents, just like Harry!
Friendship and loyalty are themes running throughout all of the books. We see it with Harry, Ron and Hermione but also go back to James Potter and his friendship with Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Although the latter betrayed him they were all very good friends whilst at school. This is something that is so important not only to how we feel about the stories, but relating it all to real life. You just cannot do somethings without friends and support from your friends. You need to have support and loyalty in your life and we read about it on almost every page of the Potter books. They are realistic as well though as we have moments when Harry/Ron/Hermione are not really speaking to each other and go through phases, especially when they hit the teenage years. Such difficult times for anyone growing up without the added risk of the dark lord and everything else they must deal with while at Hogwarts.
I feel so happy to be involved in the world of Harry Potter and cannot help but wish I had read them when they originally came out and was part of the madness of queuing at midnight for the release of the next book wondering what was going to happen next. Although I did like being able to start the next book immediately after finishing the previous book. Not having to wait a year or two in between them coming out. The Potter world is so magical and once you have entered it, there is really no turning back. It really does hook you and makes your imagination run wild.
J.K. Rowling really did manage to create an incredible universe which captures the readers and makes their imagination run wild and free. This is why children should be encouraged to read the books before actually watching the films. Harry Potter really has done wonders for literature and children’s books, yet the adults love and appreciate them just as much. They really are for all ages and have such an incredible fan-base.
I want to read them all again . . . but I don’t know how soon is too soon . . .
