I've been nearing the end of my latest HP marathon. Finishing Deathly Hallows soon... just in time. đ
(Note: spoilers ahead for those who haven't read the books)
My journey with Harry Potter began back in 2000 when an Internet friend of mine told me that she loved the new book titled "Goblet Of Fire", and how cool the story was. At that time, I wasn't aware that it was part of a series, and just purchased it for cheap from a small roadside stall (I still have it - it has the original mistake of having James's impression come out before Lily's during the Priori Incantatem sequence đ ). Fortunately this was the last of the books to have a small precap of Harry's story in the opening chapters, but somehow I wasn't too impressed by it and put it aside soon after completing it. I guess it was just bad luck because even today, it's my least favourite entry of the series (though obviously I appreciate it more now, as a full-fledged HP nerd).
My interest was sparked again during the publication of Half-Blood Prince, when one of my friends let loose the infamous spoiler at a tennis practice session, and others were furious about it. I borrowed the remaining titles from my friends and not only did I read all the entries upto date, but I abso-freakin'-lutely LOVED Order Of The Phoenix to death. I read HBP after that and despite having been spoiled, really enjoyed most of the book, and especially the dark memories of Tom Riddle's past. Despite having joined the HP parade a bit late, I enjoyed every moment of speculating what would happen in the final book. Quite a few of my theories turned out to be right. đ I was at the bookstall at 5:30 AM on the day of Deathly Hallows' premiere release back in 2007, and read the entire book by 9:15 PM that same day, with only one break in between (I couldn't help myself - Dobby's death was absolutely devastating đ ). I even had my meals with my nose buried in the book! đ
I certainly would put J.K Rowling up there in the fantasy writers' pantheon with Tolkien, C.S Lewis etc. It's remarkable how much detail has been given to almost every character, and how close to real life their depiction has been. Part of the fun speculation about future books came from studying minute, subtle hints about these characters in the preceding entry and trying to judge how they would act, come the next part of the story. Rowling did an exceptional job in weaving this tapestry of characters from Philosopher's Stone to Deathly Hallows, and develop them as seamlessly as you'd watch a sped-up film of a tree growing. However, what sets this series apart is how it's so easy, almost seductively beckoning to identify our own selves with these characters. While a certain amount of this is often seen in fiction, I really and honestly think Rowling takes this to new heights.
No character in the series is 100% good or evil - everybody has shades of grey. Harry himself has as much of a grey shade as anyone else. He feels jealousy and frustration like any other, in OOTP he displays the short temper associated with teenage and takes it out on Ron and Hermione (and even admits to venting his frustration, unprovoked, on Dudley in the first chapter). In DH he manages to successfully Cruciate Amycus, indicating it wasn't exactly "justified anger". What sets him apart is his love, bravery and determination to do what is right rather than what is easy - this is a recurring point in the series that is particularly stressed by Dumbledore, and I can't tell you how much of an impact it has on me. You can notice the growth of his character evenly - he's largely the same from books one to four, but there's a massive difference in the Harry of GoF and the one in OOTP (accelerated by the nightmare of a fight in the graveyard, undoubtedly), and an equally big difference in the Harry of HBP - notice how his perception of who are "cool" changes in the Hogwarts Express scenes of the two books, in the aftermath of the battle at the Ministry.
Even though Voldemort is a clearly heartless and cruel villain, he also has a traumatic and haunting past which show us why he becomes the monster he is (I love how Dumbledore sharply asks "Are you feeling sympathy for Lord Voldemort?" when Harry expresses shock of Merope not using magic for his sake). A beautiful parallel is drawn in the Forest Again chapter in Deathly Hallows (quite possibly one of the most beautiful and emotional pieces I've ever read) - when Harry considers running back to "home", he remembers Hogwarts is his home - "He, Snape, Riddle, the abandoned boys, had all found home here". Here are three boys who all lead traumatic and horrid lives in their childhood, and yet look how different they are, in their adulthood - all because of their choices. I love this rich symbology which is spread throughout the books and way beyond the scope of my post here. Severus Snape's character, for me, is a true triumph in modern literature and I don't think I can ever express my admiration for that fully. I could literally write a thesis for PhD. based on that one topic alone ("was Snape good or evil").
All this let me identify myself with the characters I had never imagined I could. Ranging from jokes at school (chemistry = potions, maths = arithmancy, any unpleasant teacher = Snape/Umbridge đ ) to lessons on life from Dumbledore, it is a treasure. I'll admit not everything is perfect - GoF could've been much better, I'm not a fan of the romance stuff in HBP and the epilogue in DH felt far from perfect to me (just my observations). However, to every negative there are like 100 positives. When I am in a tough situation, I think of what Harry, Ron and Hermione went through. I think of Albus Dumbledore and look upto him as a mentor, and remember how he achieved a respectable position like that despite his flaws. I learnt about the power of love, faith and forgiveness. Most importantly, I learnt what is important in the art of storytelling and make a magic castle seem as believable as the table in front of me. I shivered in the frightful scenes, laughed my sides sore at the humour, cheered during the climactic battles and felt every emotion the characters did. I'm a guy and still couldn't control my tears when Dobby died. I truly feel these books cut across the barriers of age, gender, culture and tastes, and appeal to everyone who appreciates even a minute part of what is covered. I certainly feel the Potter magic will live on till as long as these values live on.
And yes, it was touching to see the cast and crew break down at the DH Part II premiere. They devoted 11 years of their life to these films and every one of them seriously deserves a salute. Despite their flaws in scripts, the films are still largely well-made and entertaining, and at the very least they certainly bring Harry's Wondrous World (cue Hedwig's theme) alive. Now I can't wait to see it - it's gonna be one heck of a roller coaster ride! đ
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