Today marks the start of my month-long Harry Potter celebrations! 20 years ago an unknown author published a book called Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and took the world by storm. I was only 9 or 10 years old when the first book was published in Australia, I remember reading it with such fascination. The one copy we had was passed around the family, a tradition which continued for the remaining six books. Now of course I have copies and special editions coming out my ears, but my original set sit faithfully on their shelf, preserving them, lest anything should happen to them.
Since its release, Harry Potter fever has taken over the world. From 8 movies, numerous re-releases and cover changes for the books, a theme park, a website, even a brilliant experience where you get to walk among the movie props and sets.
In an interview from 1999 ,Rowling is asked if she ever expected this kind of reaction from her books to which she replied ‘No. Of course not. I would have been crazy to expect this. No one – no one could have expected this.” I know she’s had this question a lot over the years, and one that is wonderfully ironic given the line in Philosopher’s Stone where McGonagall says that “There will be books written about Harry, every child in our world will know his name.” A fact that has most certainly come to fruition If 1999 Rowling could see her today. For the last 20 years Harry Potter has moved beyond being a mere children’s book (though was it ever only a children’s book?). Not only is it loved by readers of all ages, it’s the series of a generation; it’s a lifestyle, as close as a religion as it can be. It’s a series that is filled with lessons about friendship, courage, life, and of course, magic.
One of the things I’m looking forward to exploring this month, well, revisiting really, is all the things that make this series beloved by millions. Billions? I’m sure it’s billions by now. I love reading fan theories (even when they are a tad ridiculous and too far fetched), I love seeing people point out seemingly unimportant but fun and curious bits of story that have been forgotten. I especially love seeing all the fan created content that are just magical in their own right, I’m thinking Harry and the Potters, any Hank Green Potter song, A Very Potter Musical, and of course, The Mysterious Ticking Noise.
All of this and more I am eager to get exploring, so much so I have to retrain myself from publishing it all in random bursts of Harry Potter excitement and actually write a cohesive post about. But never fear! There will no doubt be ramblings at some point along the way. It is me after all.
So sit back, relax, put your feet up with a Butter Beer and prepare yourself for the magical journey that is 20 years of Harry Potter.
Lost in a Good Book 