WHEN Harry Potter first made its way into bookstores in 1997 with ‘Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone' (The Sorcerer's Stone’ in the US), I waited until the hype had died down and the long line of people clamouring for the book to dissipate before I bought a copy and devoured it over the course of a few late nights.
I remember thinking with that first book – what an absolutely consuming tale! It was pure delightful escapism, an easy engaging read. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as a fictional boarding school, was heaps better than Enid Blyton's Malory Towers and perhaps just about as witty and fast paced as the happenings at PG Wodehouse's all boys St Austin’s. But here I am showing my age (47).
The series engaged the imagination of both young and old, took our flights of fancy soaring over the rooftops in a magical car (and wayward broomsticks) and made us all wish we could go to Hogwarts – Voldemort and the dreaded Death Eaters notwithstanding.
24 years on, JK Rowling’s series about a boy wizard and his loyal friends overcoming all manner of challenges, growing up before our eyes not just through the pages we have turned, but under our noses through the actors who have portrayed these characters in the films, is something we revisit again and again. Putting aside the latest controversy of JK Rowling’s transphobic opinions on social media which drew the ire of many Harry Potter fans of all orientations and gender identities, the Harry Potter universe continues to swirl despite its creator’s personal stance on the issue.
Today is International Harry Potter Day, and if you don't know why May 2nd was chosen to commemorate everything Harry Potter, it is because – according to the timeline of the series – the date Voldemort was finally defeated, marking the anniversary of the battle and a day to recognise the significance of JK Rowling’s work.
I was already a working adult when the first book came out. I enjoyed the series but perhaps due to my age and constitution, did not find myself a part of the school-scarf-wearing, Butterbeer-swilling hordes of Potterheads who would take any chance to cosplay characters from the popular franchise. I did however, take the Sorting Hat quiz a number of times, which always inevitably landed me in House Slytherin.
To discover how the Potterverse has affected different generations of readers, I spoke to some dedicated fans to see how well the Boy Who Lived has aged along with the rest of us.
Sean G., 40s
“Not since CS Lewis's Narnia Chronicles has a children's fantasy series captured the imaginations of both children and adults alike.
"With the Narnia Chronicles they have only ever managed 3 films as readership tends to trail off after the initial enchantment of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, yet because the Harry Potter franchise was being written/filmed at a similar time, it helped with the completion of the series, and therefore I think, will help it to endure as a beloved fantasy series for many, many years to come.
"I'm surprised Hollywood is not planning a reboot of the series already, to be honest! I am looking forward to revisiting the books now that several years have passed, and already have 'The Philosopher's Stone' on my kindle ready to go in the near future.”
Laith S. and Emma B., 30s
Laith: “The books are well written, easy to follow, and not complicated like a lot of fantasy books. And I feel the books are far better than the films, far more detailed and builds up the characters and story gradually so you know what's going on. I personally have reread the series 4 times over the last 20 years!
"Also, with getting older and with life experience, I understand the characters more and why certain things happened. I think the Harry Potter story has aged well, as it’s a fantasy story that isn’t particular to any time period. It’s so well written that it will continue to capture the imagination of future generations.
"The only difference about today and the timeline in the Harry Potter story is the lack of technology – but then that wouldn’t be present in the stories anyway.
"JK Rowling's personal opinions don’t affect my enjoyment of the books, she is entitled to voice them and they are completely separate from the books. I think anyone who has ever made anything that we can enjoy probably has an opinion I disagree with!”
Emma: “I am late getting into the Harry Potter books – I only started reading them just recently. I found the books completely consuming and I couldn’t wait to read every night... they were the perfect distraction to life's stresses and worries. Each book was a pleasure to read. It didn’t feel like reading a kids book at any point, there are enough adult themes and the writing style isn’t immature.
"I found the books far superior to the films – the level of detail, the filling out of the characters personalities, background stories and so much more happening that is missed in the films. I found I could escape into the books better as you have to process everything you read and use your own imagination.
"I don’t know any kids reading them yet, as ours are 7 and unders, but I really hope to be hearing about my kids' friends reading them when they get to 10ish. It’s an amazing magical world to experience. Fantasy stories make real life less dull... imagination makes our minds richer.
"The controversy surrounding Rowling’s tweets last year don’t affect my enjoyment of the Harry Potter series at all. I neither agree nor disagree with her, but either way, I feel it doesn’t come into her writing. She has created something amazing just from her mind and the enjoyment from that supersedes her thoughts on outside issues.”
Annie J., 29
“My parents actually forbade my brothers and I from reading Harry Potter – they saw the whole premise of this series as sacrilegious and immoral. All the ‘witchy-woo, magic spells and demons’ didn’t sit right with them – but I loved it! Of course I read it! Surreptitiously, borrowing each volume from my friends and hiding it under the piles of stuffed animals near my bed, which no one ever discovered, thankfully enough.
"Harry Potter was my escape from a very strict (and dull) childhood. My parents were very devout and unfortunately, had no imagination except for some of the fantastical tales in their own religious readings. I was expected to read nothing but that, my school textbooks and the Penguin Classics, which I rather enjoyed nevertheless.
"How did Harry Potter change my life? It expanded my mind and having never left my hometown at that point, made me thirsty for adventure. I have since been to the UK and have visited many of the landmarks that were featured in the films.
"Harry Potter also gave me some insight on the nature of loyalty and friendship and the different nuances and rhythms we navigate in relationships, especially when it evolves and buds into romance. I had gone to an all girls’ school from standard 1 till I finished high school, so it felt like I fell a little in love with love following Ron and Hermione’s journey (and all the other teenage crushes) through each new volume.”
Chui Yue N., 24
“I started reading Harry Potter in standard 2, so I think I was around 8-years-old. I guess I didn’t really understand all of it, but I started reading it because these books were the only ones that seemed interesting in the tiny bookstore we had in Kuantan. There were some parts where I just read the words but didn't really understand it, but it definitely helped me in improving my vocabulary and grasp on English in general. It took a reread a couple of years later for me to really comprehend the plot and appreciate the characters and storyline.
"And with time and maturity, I do have a different perspective on the characters, plot lines and underlying themes. I’ve reread the series a few times now and I found myself detesting Ron more and more. I also used to admire Snape for his total 'devotion' towards Harry’s mother, Lily, and could almost overlook the fact that he abused Harry and many other students throughout his tenure as a teacher at Hogwarts, but later on, I came to realise the man is simply obsessed with Lily, and that didn't excuse his behaviour. There are so many examples of toxic masculinity in the book which I didn’t catch reading it as a child. Going back to it now has given me a different perspective on certain things.
"What I most enjoy about the series is the magic of it all. That there's a whole other world hidden beyond a pillar in a train station, with owls and unicorns and a bald noseless man. I'm 24 years old, and I'm still waiting for my Hogwarts letter.
"With regards to the problematic Rowling tweets and her unapologetic stance on transgender issues, I am one of those young people who is truly disappointed in her. I think that for someone in her position, having jumpstarted a cultural reset in terms of fantasy fiction, she should not discount others, be it their sexuality or gender identity. Honestly, the woman wrote seven whole books on unicorns and wands and goblin banks. How hard is it to accept that trans people exist and hold space for others?
"Some people have boycotted the franchise because of JK Rowling’s stance. My feelings for Harry Potter haven't changed. I still love Hermione Granger. I still think Minerva McGonagall's a great teacher. Ron and Hermione should never have ended up together, but that’s just my opinion. She could do so much better than Ron! I haven’t read 'The Cursed Child', but in my imagination, her marriage to Ron is probably not as fulfilling as it could have been if she had ended up with someone on the same IQ and EQ level as herself.
"Today I’ll be doing what I do every year on Harry Potter Day – binge watching Harry Potter movies in my Slytherin hoodie, and craving Canary Creams, Chocolate Frogs and Butterbeer.”
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Considering how fans keep going back to the books and new readers are just as impressed with the story and writing today, The Boy Who Lived, his faithful friends, and all the magical creatures we encountered in the Harry Potter books will continue to thrive in their world and in ours.
Happy Harry Potter Day! – The Vibes, May 2, 2021
