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Nationwide NewsWhy Harry Potter books are so good?
The reason the books work so well is simple. It's something that few children's writers have picked up on. Don't patronise the reader. Each of Harry's adventures are different and individual and contain enough twists and turns for an Irish backroad. The complex plots are intricately planned and layered and often have you guessing twice.
Reviews of the Harry Potter novels
Alan Early gives a short summary of the Harry Potter books:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Letter to the Editor
I would just like to tell you what happened to me since you published my article entitled 'What is Quidditch?' I was just sitting in class when, all of a sudden, my name was called over the intercom......
Why Harry Potter books are so good?
This summer three main news stories took over our lives. The first was the horrific Concorde crash in France. The second told of Nasty Nick's disgraced eviction from the Big Brother house. And the third big story of the Summer was the release of the fourth Harry Potter book. The excitement and anticipation which surrounded The Goblet of Fire was astounding. Day in, day out for a fortnight, we saw pictures of ten year-olds dressed in black robes with lightning-shaped scars painted on their foreheads. What was so great about these books?!? Why has Pottermania taken over the kids of today? I decided to find out.The novels tell the story of Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived. As a baby, Harry and his parents are attacked by the evil sorcerer, Voldemort. His parents are killed but when Voldemort turns on the sleeping baby, Harry survives and the sorcerer's powers are lost. Harry is left under the care of his mean aunt and uncle until his eleventh birthday. When Harry learns that he is in fact a wizard, he must go to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Here, Harry learns the tricks of the trade, makes his first ever friends and has the odd dangerous battle with his nemesis, Voldemort.
J.K. Rowling was sitting on a train when she came up with the idea of Harry. She planned it out meticulously over seven books. In fact, after she wrote The Philosopher's Stone, she wrote the ending to book seven. At the time she was so poor she couldn't afford to have the original typed copy photocopied and so she had to type it up again to send to the publishers! After several attempts, Bloomsbury accepted the novel and the rest is history.
The reason the books work so well is simple. It's something that few children's writers have picked up on. Don't patronise the reader. Each of Harry's adventures are different and individual and contain enough twists and turns for an Irish backroad. The complex plots are intricately planned and layered and often have you guessing twice. The characters are pitched perfectly and extremely likable, (or, for villains, dislikable!). The wit is daft but hilarious; ("...Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you.") And Rowling's sheer inventiveness is often mindboggling.
I keep putting the label of 'children's book' on Harry Potter. But it is much much more than that. It is a fantasy. You wish and fantasise about going to Hogwarts from book one. It is a comedy. You often find yourself laughing at the daftest things. But you can't help it. It is a thriller; a whodunnit where you find that it is not always the butler... And most importantly, it is a novel which will, in years to come, be called a classic.
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Here are my reviews of each Harry Potter novel
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
We begin the story of Harry when he is a one-year-old. His parents have just been killed and he is put under the care of his mean aunt and uncle, the Dursleys. Ten years later, Harry finds out that not only is he a wizard but the most famous boy in the magic world. He is brought to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he learns how to play Quidditch, (a magic sport involving four balls and fourteen players on broomsticks), makes his first ever friends and takes part in a deadly duel.This novel is like a prologue in a book. It sets the story, while at the same time has you wanting more. Warner Bros. have started shooting the adaption of this book, with Chris Columbus (Mrs. Doubtfire) tagged to direct. Though far from the best, The Philosopher's Stone is a great read, choc-a-bloc with ingenious creativity and originality.
Strange things are afoot at Hogwart's this year; Harry meets the hilariously vain Gilderoy Lockhart, goes to a Deathday Party and comes across a mysterious diary with no writing in it. Oh yes, and students are turning to stone. And Harry is the main suspect...
In this book, we dig deeper into the dark history of Hogwarts and find that things are not always as they seem. A genuinely surprising twist along with highly exciting moments, this novel is extremely enjoyable. This gives you a taste of what is to come in the saga.
The 'ruthless' serial killer, Serius Black has just escaped from the virtually unpenetrable fortress of Azkaban. Known to be a strong follower of the evil Lord Voldemort, Black murdered thirteen people over ten years ago. And to Harry's shock, Black is his godfather, and is heading in his direction...Once again, Rowling comes up trumps with her pure inventiveness. Here, Harry encounters the dastardly Dementors, guards of Azkaban, who drain all the happiness out of their victems. He finds the Marauder's Map, a plan of Hogwart's, including all the secret passages, which also shows the position of everyone in the school. He confides in new teacher, Lupin, who, strangely, is always on sick leave. And the creation of Hogsmeade is utterly brilliant.
Harry is invited to the Quidditch World Cup Final, (Ireland vs. Bulgaria - Ireland win!), where strange happenings occur. Then he has to compete in the Triwizard Championship, a sometimes deadly wizarding olympics between three schools. And even more terrifying, he has to ask a girl to a ball at Christmas!This is the biggest, (almost 700 pages) and, quite simply, the best to date. With huge thrills and some tears, Harry has his most dangerous year to date. He must stay clear of tabloid reporter Rita Skeeter, who always twists his words to something about his parents. Also, for the first time, we see the real Lord Voldemort. He is back, stronger than ever and after Harry. The end leaves you thirsty for more as Dumbledore, like a general sending out troops, begins his war on Voldemort. And yes, you can believe the hype, someone does die in the end.
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,Thank you, Student Xpress for being such a wonderful paper and opportunity!
Alan Early (5th Year), Marian College, Mohill, Co. Leitrim
Htoo Twins
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