Harry Potter Fans: Why Do You Read Them?

Sistermadly · #1 07-04-2003, 04:50 PM

I have to read at least one of the HP books for a class I'm taking in the fall. I'm not an HP fan, and after reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, I'm still not a fan. So I thought I'd ask the fans of the series: why do you read the books? What do you like best about them? What should an uninitiated (and skeptical) HP reader be on the lookout for?

Lady Pi Phi · #2 07-04-2003, 05:04 PM

I'm a huge fan of Harry Potter. I started reading mostly because they were written by and English author (and anything English I'm a big fan of - except Marmite

).
I read them for pure entertainment. I enjor reading, but it's hard for me to find a good book that I can't put down. I've read some excellent books, but none that have been able to capture my attention like Harry Potter.
I think those who are fan of Harry can atest(sp?) to the fact the J.K Rowling can really capture emotions. I can be angry, frustrated, sad, and happy, with all of her characters. For me, a well written book is one where I can empathize, sympathize, and/or relate to the characters, and I certainly can.
I'm probably not doing a very good job of explaining my like for Harry Potter, but for me it's kind of hard to describe. I just find the books exciting.
I guess they're not for everyone. Not everyone has the same likes and dislikes.
I'm just glad that you took the time to read 2 of them, so you can honestly say you're not a fan. I always say, don't knock it till ya try it. And you have.
I doubt I answered all your questions. I don't know if there is anything you should really be on the look out for. I'm sure there will be many more answers to come.

Beryana · #3 07-04-2003, 05:13 PM

I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan! I only started reading them about 2 years ago while working at Borders and wondering why so many people were buying these kids books. Needless to say I was hooked. What I like about them are the writing quality as well as character development. The description of the places and what is going on makes me feel like they really do exsist - but that's a good thing for any fantasy literature, right?

I feel like I'm a part of the story and the character development really allows you to get to know the characters.

Those are a few of the reasons why I like the books so much.

Edited to add: Ditto to what Lady Pi Phi said

Sarah

CutiePie2000 · #4 07-04-2003, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sistermadly
So I thought I'd ask the fans of the series: why do you read the books? What do you like best about them? What should an uninitiated (and skeptical) HP reader be on the lookout for?

I really enjoyed Books 2-3. I found Book 4 to be a bit of a labour and Book 5 is okay so far. I found with Book 2 and 3, they were quite suspenseful. Also, I went to a Private School so I can relate to the idea of Hogwarts as a Boarding School, having Inter-House competitions, uniforms and stuff like that.

I do like how there are some mature themes that are addressed in the books, such as racism (Magic Folk, Muggles and "mudbloods"), good vs. evil, jealousy (Harry is wealthy but has no family, Ron has family but is not wealthy), etc.

I guess it's a matter of either you like it or you don't. You read two of them so you definitely made the effort and thus, I commend you for that.
FWIW: Everyone was raving about "Ya Ya" the book and I found it nearly impossible to get through. Same with "Memoirs of a Geisha" which took me 3 false starts before I go through it.

Sistermadly · #5 07-04-2003, 06:01 PM

Great replies so far, keep 'em coming!

I haven't completely given up on the series. Like CutiePie mentioned, I was a bit astonished (but pleased) that an author dared to address issues of racism/classism in a book that's ostensibly for children. I recently read a critical piece that did a "queer" reading of the books, and that's what made me decide to keep reading until I finish the series.

I guess what got to me was that it seems that the first two books were about 65% exposition, 35% actual plot. I did like the second book a bit better than the first, and I'm 14th in line for book 3 at my local library. I should have it sometime before the new year.

OUlioness01 · #6 07-04-2003, 06:21 PM

i agree with what everyone else has said so far and i want to add that for me it's partly the simplicity of the books...good vs evil where good wins out. i have/had a very high reading level, i wasreading college level books when i was 10 and because of that i'm just starting to read the types of books i hsould have read in 5th grade now that i'm in college. it's nice to curl up with a book like harry potter after reading all about political theories and economics all day, let me tell you!

Sistermadly · #7 07-04-2003, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ariesrising
I do read a lot of YA novels though...

Have you read any of the Lemony Snicket books? Another great series to try.

Jill1228 · #8 07-05-2003, 03:53 AM

I was wondering what the hubbub was about. For the hell of it, I bought the first book....

and could not put it down!

I am reading the second one now and have bought all of the others...except the 3rd one

Gotta get that one

AngelPhiSig · #9 07-05-2003, 04:03 AM

~again, quick note - they were origionally written for adults...

and they are at a level where kids get them... and they read into it one way... and adults get them and they can see bigger issues being talked about...

fun for the whole family

although anyone who says they prefer the movies needs locked in a cupboard under the stairs...

SilverTurtle · #10 07-05-2003, 03:01 PM

I started reading them when the 1st movie came out. Because I knew I had to read the books first. I was hooked. I got friends hooked.

I was drawn to a lot of the themes & how they're viewed through this somewhat sheltered kid's eyes. Also, I love the wizarding world that JKR has created-fascinating. The characters do seem to be easy to love (or hate, in cases such as Prof. Umbridge

)

I'm a really avid reader. I generally don't like girly books (a la Oprah' Book Club) so it's hard for me to find really good stuff. In fact, after awhile of HP, I found that I had a hard time going on to other books 'cause they weren't as interesting!

Also, for a long time the 3rd book was my least favorite. It wasn't until about the 4th or 5th read through that I really got into it like I did the others. Book 4 has been my favorite since I first read it. Although I've only read book 5 once, so I may change my mind.

lauralaylin · #11 07-05-2003, 04:28 PM

I would wait until you read the third book to really make a decision. Many adult fans (myself included) didn't really get into the series until Prizoner of Azkaban. In my opinion, the first two are ok children's books. The third is where I felt the plot got a lot better. I really liked all the new characters introduced, and that is the book where I really began to care about all the characters, almost as if they are real people!

chideltjen · #12 07-05-2003, 09:21 PM

i would agree about reading the 3rd book. that is probably the best one so far.

i only started reading the series recently. i haven't been able to not read at least 2 chapters a day and finished up the first couple books in a week or so. the first two were okay and kept my attention but the 3rd book was really what drew me in. and i am the type of person that doesn't read for pleasure. it takes a lot for a book to keep my attention. i don't like books that are too complicated and get you all confused in the philosophy of the world when the book can just be about 50 pages shorter and get to the real point. maybe this is why i enjoy reading harry potter. the plot is simple... somewhat predictable (although sometimes i was fooled) and the characters don't appear to be made out of cardboard.

saw the first movie and was a lil disappointed about how much was left out. but i will watch the second and can't wait for the third.

oh... i got hooked cuz my cousin and roommate both read the series and gave me crap for not joining the masses.

i am not regretting it tho. it's well worth my summer.

sugar and spice · #13 07-07-2003, 12:08 AM

I read the first book because my sister made me, and was hooked. I just think it's so cool how she can put together this whole entire flawless universe . . . she does a ton of planning things out and it shows. Of course, that's what fantasy's about, but I think Rowling does it in a way that's better thought out than the average fantasy author. Plus, I can't get into fantasy that's too far "out there," and the Harry Potter books have one foot planted firmly in reality with the other in the wizarding world, which keeps it from going overboard.

AchtungBaby80 · #14 07-07-2003, 12:12 AM

I read them because I like them.

No, seriously, I can't explain it...I'm just hooked. Hermione is my favorite because she reminds me so much of myself when I was about 11 or 12, minus the frizzy hair.

Jadey28 · #15 07-07-2003, 12:59 AM

I started reading them because everyone was making such a fuss about them. I had to see what all of it was about. Low and behold, I was hooked from the first book. Book 4 is my favorite and I can't wait to see the rest of the movies. Somehow, I managed to get my boyfriend hooked on them, even though he refuses to admit it

To answer the question...I like the books because they are simple enough for a child to read and understand, but they are deep enough for an adult to enjoy. I find myself wishing I could go to Hogwarts and go to Potions class. When I have kids, I definately plan on reading the books to them.