Monday, August 06, 2007
harry potter: a personal review
reading the final harry potter book was quite an experience for me. i was so engrossed in the story that i didnt want it to end. but then its completion meant a certain closure for me. it was like having some of my loose ends tied up, having accomplished something personal, having a part of my life complete.. incredible how a simple children's book could have such a profound effect.
but then it isn't just any children's book. it is the best-selling novel of all time. it made rowling a household name, made her the 1st billionaire book-writer. it was a sensation and a franchise by itself. it led to incredible claims that the book was teaching children sinister stuff, led to churches speaking out against it..
but come on. if there had been any reason for banning harry potter, there would be similar reasons for banning any other fairy tale or fantasy novel. churches and pastors who speak against the book are incredibly blinkered. thank God that He isn't as blinkered as them.
the success of the book has brought about with it the inevitable baggage of controversy. but still it doesnt detract from the fact that the book has been one of the most engaging reads of its time. a simple story of good vs evil, and yet creativity flowed out from each book rowling penned. mystery laid to be discovered with each passing page, adventure to be sought, the plot and sub-plots of the story perfectly intertwined. the pace of the story made it impossible for one to willingly put down the book until he has finished it, and the addictiveness of the book is much due to the many plot twists as well as rowling's great descriptive skills, allowing one to be completely immersed in the story. rowling's writing prowess has made the story more than just another battle between the good and the bad, but also a story of love, a story of loss, a story of friendship & loyalty, a story of heroism and strength. it is indeed, as the blurb says, a story which deserves to be read, re-read and read again.
for those who have not started on the phenomenon, make sure u find urself ample time before embarking on it. for once u pop, u cant stop.. =)
reading the final harry potter book was quite an experience for me. i was so engrossed in the story that i didnt want it to end. but then its completion meant a certain closure for me. it was like having some of my loose ends tied up, having accomplished something personal, having a part of my life complete.. incredible how a simple children's book could have such a profound effect.
but then it isn't just any children's book. it is the best-selling novel of all time. it made rowling a household name, made her the 1st billionaire book-writer. it was a sensation and a franchise by itself. it led to incredible claims that the book was teaching children sinister stuff, led to churches speaking out against it..
but come on. if there had been any reason for banning harry potter, there would be similar reasons for banning any other fairy tale or fantasy novel. churches and pastors who speak against the book are incredibly blinkered. thank God that He isn't as blinkered as them.
the success of the book has brought about with it the inevitable baggage of controversy. but still it doesnt detract from the fact that the book has been one of the most engaging reads of its time. a simple story of good vs evil, and yet creativity flowed out from each book rowling penned. mystery laid to be discovered with each passing page, adventure to be sought, the plot and sub-plots of the story perfectly intertwined. the pace of the story made it impossible for one to willingly put down the book until he has finished it, and the addictiveness of the book is much due to the many plot twists as well as rowling's great descriptive skills, allowing one to be completely immersed in the story. rowling's writing prowess has made the story more than just another battle between the good and the bad, but also a story of love, a story of loss, a story of friendship & loyalty, a story of heroism and strength. it is indeed, as the blurb says, a story which deserves to be read, re-read and read again.
for those who have not started on the phenomenon, make sure u find urself ample time before embarking on it. for once u pop, u cant stop.. =)