Brookhaven Courier

Issue date: 9/10/07 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Chris Vivero

It started as a few scribbles on a napkin. What spawned from this napkin was a cultural phenomenon that fascinated readers and viewers of all ages and nationalities.

Scottish author J.K. Rowling said the idea just came to her. Then in June of 1997, Rowling and her intriguing protagonist Harry Potter captivated the world with the first in a seven-part series of books.

Since then, the story of the "boy who lived" has continued in six more books and five movies.

Rowling has charmed readers through a seamless narrative and a story line that's magical and engrossing. She perfected the art of appealing to young and old readers alike. The highest selling book was the first, but the latter six were just as entertaining.

The series began with Harry as an 11-year-old boy who had no idea he was a wizard, let alone the most famous wizard.

The series follows him through his time at the wizarding school Hogwarts, his friendship with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, his constant battle with the dark wizard Lord Voldemort who tried to kill Harry, the difficulty of dealing with his parents' premature death and the knowledge that he is the only wizard who can stop Voldemort's reign.

It's no secret why this series has been so successful. Rowling created an entire world where magic is possible and encouraged. Children yearn to live in this world and adults can immerse themselves in a realm of wizards, witches and flying brooms - a place only possible through the art of fiction.

Hurschel Burton, professor of English at Brookhaven College, said he hasn't read the books, but his 12-year-old daughter has and loves them. He said he is amazed at how Rowling has cornered the market by having both children and adults follow her work.

Fans all over the world wait in lines for hours to be the first to see the new movie or purchase the new book. The Hollywood Theater in Irving had a line that started at 10 p.m. for "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." The movie did not start until midnight that night.

Just as many people like the movies. Haven Abedin, professor of English at Brookhaven, has only seen the movies. She said she learned about the fun of Harry Potter by watching the first movie.

She added she didn't start reading the books because she thought seeing the movies would have ruined the surprises in the books. She said she loves how they've made a lot of people, especially kids, enjoy reading.

"I love seeing so many people absorbed in the latest Harry Potter book the first few days after it's come out," Abedin said. "It's something so many people around the world are enjoying together, and that's wonderful."

Amazon.com recorded more than 2 million book sales for the seventh and final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." The series has made Rowling one of the richest people in the world.

"What I respect more than her personal success though is the number of adolescents she has pulled away from the TV screens and video games and into her magical world," Burton said. "Do you remember the excitement of using your own imagination as a child? Rowling understands this desire and has fed it well by casting her own magical spell."

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