What did you like about Harry Potter?

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 183793

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "hickengruendler" 
<hickengruendler at ...> wrote:
<snip>
> So as a starting point, I would like to hear your reasons. What did 
you 
> like about Harry Potter and (as long as it doesn't become off-
topic) 
> other children literature? What does particularly interest you in 
the 
> series?
<snip>


Well, personally for me the interest in English speaking children   
literature started simply because I needed easier books to read in 
English than I would read in Russian, vocabulary wise. Not that I 
would not read children literature in Russian, mind you, but the 
books that I read in my childhood and reread many times since then 
were teens' books really.

And then Harry came and it all began. Series grab me and wouldn't let 
go. I am sure I wrote about it in the past, but at first it was, if I 
remember correctly just such fascination and desire to know where JKR 
will take us at the end, I used to think that I would have no idea 
how it will end and multiple scenarios one more bizarre than another 
will come to my mind. After book 5 I could see of course that she 
narrowed her options, but I still could not see for sure what awaits 
us at the end and was very curious.

Of course, of course characters in the series fascinate me and get to 
me on the level of emotions, not just on the intellectually detached 
level. And when I am either strongly attached to the characters or 
dislike them passionately that for me means that the book is good, 
very good. You know, Snape and Harry ;)

And actually come to think of it I really liked how some characters 
changed at the end of the series, while retaining their inner core so 
to speak. I happen to find it very realistic.


I guess this is also relates to interaction between the characters, 
and I am sure I said that in the past, but I find Trio's friendship 
to be so touching, heartbreaking, heroic, funny, one of the best 
friendships in literature I had read, children's books or not.

What else did I like about series in general? Oh, the fact that 
sometimes I caught myself wondering if I could get into Diagon Alley 
if I go to London.

I also loved how she made creatures of mythology her own, while left 
them to be recognizable.

SO many things you know, but as you said – this is just for starters.
Hope that helps.

Alla.