There are many Harry Potter fans who are willing to queue up to buy the latest Harry Potter books just before its official launch.
Its author, J.K. Rowling, had earned so much from royalties that her assets are worth over $1 billion and they are still increasing!What makes Harry Potter books so popular? Is it because of magic, sorcery, thrilling actions, excellent storyline or plots, suspense, excellent acting skills etc...
What do you think are the x-factors that will contribute to the popularity or success of an excellent author/writer or a movie?
[question posted by wealth168]
responses and comments:
I think, generally a book or film will need at least some of the sings you've listed (excelent storyline is perhaps the most important among them, I think) and in addition something new - something nobody expected, something out of the ordinary and far off the paths most storytellers go. In the case of Harry Potter, I think this new thing was the mixture: fantasy, thrill and humour - and in addition, there was always a very comfortable athmosphere at Hogwarts, at least in the first four books - so comfortable that one could feel at home in the books. The second new idea J. K. Rowling introduced is to begin with a children's book and assume that readers grow up with Harry and therefore make the storyline of each sequel a little less nice and friendly and a little more grown-up. But the most crucial thing Harry Potter has to say for itself, I think, is it's complexity: every little detail is important and all the books are intertwined. Some riddle's are important in the first book already and get solved only in the last one: Snape's loyalty is one of these. I think that's what made Harry Potter so appealing for adults. [Endorphina]
Yes, I think you are right. Harry Potter books and films do have a mixture of fantasies, thrills, sorcery, excellent storyline and something extraordinary. The storyline is progressive and gets more and more complex. [wealth168]
For the first 3 books, I enjoyed both reading and watching the movies. But when the books are getting thicker and thicker, I lost my interest in reading the books themselves and I prefer to watch the movies when they come out. I guess it's basically I prefer more precise stuff rather than mentioning some sort of feelings again and again on the 14 pages. Those annoy me. I think the creativity in the book is really a success! [wondericequeen]
I never like to watch a movie of a Book I have read, and the reason is that there are usually to many major differences from the Story line to the actual big screen....and while I understand why its done, I still don't like it... I prefer reading the book, because of the mental image I get while reading, and seeing the movie often destroys that mental picture. but I understand those that would rather see the movie than read teh book... I'm the type of person that will often read a book until I've completed it, and soemtimes that means falling asleep reading in the wee hours of the morning, or just not getting any sleep at all. Mooch [oneandonemakesix]
Yes my whole family are harry potter fans mainly my husband he just loves them books and movies they have out...I find harry potter movies very interesting... the x-factor i am not interested in nore is my family in that matter! [wisconsin26]
Thanks for letting us know that your whole family are Harry Potter fans. [wealth168]
I have only seen three of the movies and I can say I've enjoyed them. I don't buy the books because they are really expensive. I think "Harry Potter" is so interesting because it brought a new type of adventure to the readers/movie watchers. [stvasile]
Oh yes, do so, I also think they're great. Though quite different from Harry Potter, rather a satire, but really, really good and extremely funny. [Endorphina]
Hi there. I really enjoyed the very first "Harry Potter" movie that came out a few years ago, I saw the second one with my kids and now days here on mylot, seems like the reading section is bombarded with it... [Nardz13]
Hi my friend, An extremely popular and successful book will be read, recommended, watched in cinemas, talked about and discussed everywhere ! [wealth168]
yeah i had watched all the harry potter films. though im really a fan of harry potter, i heard that the book is better than the ovie version. so i think i would love to see why its nice to read the book of harry potter. [indieover35]
Wow, you are such a good Harry Potter movie fan ! If you want to find out the details which the movie cut out, then it is better for you to read the book. [wealth168]
There are so many novel books to choose if you love to read. What makes the reader get involve so much to what they are reading is the plot of the story and the technique of the writer. There are novels that you once started reading you can't stop till you reach the climax until you are paste to your couch reading the novel. The secret of novels is in the story telling technique of the writer. The success of HARRY POTTER maybe is because the writer never stopped dreaming of adventures Harry has. [MisterPlus]
It seems that J.K. Rowling (the author of Harry Potter) never runs out of adventures for the novel and indeed she has great creative writing and story telling skills. [wealth168]
I have seen three of the movies.It is really intresting .And it is famous around the world .I am a Chinese student .Many of my classmates are crazy about Harry Potter.I have not bought a book becuse it is very expencive .But my friend told me if i did not read book ,i would fail to understand the movie .I think it is true. [chenshu88]
Yes, I agree with your friends too. To understand the whole story, you need to read the entire novel or the whole series of Harry Potter books. [wealth168]
I think the story, the plot, the magical charachters all played a success in the story.. But I am one that has not bought a book, movie, toy, paid the ticket price to the movie etc. In fact I avoid it for my own reasons... I've been called a lot of things because of it, but I have my reasons. I think its great that the Harry Potter series got a lot of people involved in reading, and I'm happy that J.K. Rowling enjoyed success from her book.... But I'm one who will stand up for my own opinion and hope that people can agree to disagree and respect me for the fact that I'm just not into Harry Potter for a variety of reasons. mooch [oneandonemakesix]
I do respect your opinion and not everybody here in myLot is a Harry Potter fan. I understand that some people are not into Harry Potter for personal and religious reasons. Anyway, I thank you for your participation in this discussion. [wealth168]
I love reading Harry Potter series books.These books brings me to a magic world. However,I don't like the movie,all of the five Harry Potter movies are not so excellent as the book,and sometimes I even feel it does't worth to watch though I went to watch all of the five. [redlynn]
I think the novels are so addictive or captivating that people just could not resist the urge to watch the movie versions. [wealth168]
I havent read the books, but I have enjoyed the films quite a bit. [pendragon]
Not normally, I'd rather read a book than watch a movie,but the hype around this series doesnt make me want to spend the time, I've been invited to edach of the movies by other fans though, so i have gone and enjoyed them as films.thanks for asking. [pendragon]
its not in my interest...i like to read books and watched movies about magic, thrilling actions but Harry Potter wont came to my interest...i dont know, and sometimes i wondered that too, why many people like Harry Potter... [babybluebellebj]
I wondered why many people like Harry Potter too and that was why I posted this discussion. [wealth168]
I think there just is a shortage of good fantasy for kids. :) My son loves the Potter series, we read them all. We've discovered a new one (since potter's ending) It's the Eidolon Chronicles by Jane Johnson. It's just starting so maybe it'll last thru his adolescence. [crazed_moma]
Do you think the Eidolon Chronicles will be just as popular as Harry Potter ? [wealth168]
I personally do not see all the hype about the Harry Potter stuff. I have not read the books, they are of a genre that does not interest me a whole lot. I did see all of the first movie and some of the second one. What I got out of it - and everyone says I just didn't get it - was that some kid "benefited" off the hard work and talents of others. I think it's just personal preference. Although Stephen King - one of my favorites - is EXTREMELY popular, I know there are people out there that do not see the attraction. [reinydawn]
I agree that it is a matter of personal preference. Either people love Harry Potter or they don't. Oh yes, Stephen King is also extremely popular. Thanks for bringing this up. [wealth168]
My husband and I have both read the whole Harry Potter series and have seen every movie to date. We also own all of the movies that have been released to dvd, along with every book. The series just draws you in. It is so descriptive and imaginative. The storyline and characters are well developed. I was sad to see this series end. The movies have excellant special effects, though I enjoyed Goblet of Fire more than Order of the Phoenix. [moneyandgc]
Your husband and you are really great supporters/fans of Harry Potter. [wealth168]
I do enjoy reading Harry Potter books and watching the films. I think all you've mentioned contributes to its popularity and success plus the fact that it is really different and it caters not only to kids but also to adult audiences. [brew2x]
You are right. Both adults and kids enjoy Harry Potter. [wealth168]
I am not a Harry Potter fan, but my husband is. Frankly I have two reasons, one is that sorcery is forbidden for Christians and Jews and two, being a witch or a warlock is not all that appealing, falling off brooms, not being socially acceptable, having bad taste in clothes, and being lazy ==snap your fingers and the dishes are done. So here is my take on why Harry Potter is acceptable. People are interested in witchcraft, but in the past, they were discouraged from partaking in it or being interested in it, unless one was a priest and had to know the enemy. Do you all remember the shows like the Munsters and Bewitched? Before that, when one saw movies about witchcraft, everyone knew they were evil, but once they became nice next door people, then witchcraft was considered harmless. So after a few years of this, the time was ripe for someone to write a series of books, and J. K. Rowlings did. She just saw what would be popular at that time. Had she written Harry Potter back before shows like the Munsters or Bewitched came on the air, I doubt Harry Potter would be a best seller now. [suspenseful]
Yes, you are right. Sorcery and witchcraft are forbidden in the Bible. I remembered watching "Bewitched" and also "I dream of Jeanie" on TV in the 1960s. Although I enjoyed watching them, I don't believe in witchcraft or sorcery. I watched for entertainment only. If J.K. Rowlings had written the Harry Potter series before Munsters or Bewitched as you had mentioned, I don't think she will be that popular. So, the timing of a product launch is also just as important. [wealth168]
There are a lot of things that make Harry Potter appealing, at least to me. First of all, I think that everyone can relate to at least one character or recognize someone they know in a couple of characters. Which makes it a good draw. The story is enchanting and interesting. It sucks you in and makes you need to know how it all finishes. [wiccania]
Yes, what you wrote here are also contributing factors. [wealth168]
I can't get into Harry Potter, no matter how hard I try. When I was traching years ago, I had to read Harry Potter to my classes. It just wasn't my thing. My daughter & husband love the Harry Potter novels & movies. [jennybianca]
As was mentioned or written earlier in this discussion, it is a matter of personal preference. Thanks for your participation here. [wealth168]
At first I didnt want to know about Harry Potter...but then a few years after the first book i started to read them...i liked them up to the third book...which was my favourite really...but since then i lost all interest..i read them up to the 5th one but only because a friend gave it to me as present and wanted to discuss it with me...but it was not entertaining anymore for me at that point...i dont get how such stories can have all that success...JK Rowling surely was lucky...as for the movies, isaw them up to the third one, which totally let me down for good so i didnt bother to watch the other ones. [valyushah]
Harry Potter seems to drag on forever and JK Rowling never seems to run out of storylines. [wealth168]
I've always enjoyed watching Harry Potter films but I've got no time to enjoy a book about it. But my niece does, she's a sucker for Harry Potter books and I even bought her one. Though it was a bit expensive here. I wasn't able to watch the latest one because I didn't have the chance to see it. I prefer to watch the Harry Potter series because for me, watching the story unveil in the big screen gives me more excitement and satisfaction. [jcj_111776]
That is very true for me too. [wealth168]
Yes, I very much like the first time I see Harry Potter was exciting as it attracted a remarkable story, the magic of magic and lovable characters attracted me, then read the Harry Potter film, I feel like they entered the magic world. [xiuluoelly]
Oh yes, a remarkable story, magic and lovable characters do attract lots of people. [wealth168]
Yes I do enjoy reading Harry Potter books, I can read them all over again. And I was able to watch all Harry Potter movies as well. It's easier for me to understand the movie since I already read the book. Aside from that I also play Harry Potter games in my gameboy advance and Play Station. Isn't too obvious that I'm an Harry Potter fan? [dhedows118]
Yes, you are definitely such a great Harry Potter fan ! :-) [wealth168]
i think is harry potter is so great i love it so much [kenzy_ss]
Glad to know you like Harry Potter. Have a nice day ! [wealth168]