Obsession over Harry Potter

This past Friday, book stores across the country were filled to the gills in anticipation of the latest Harry Potter book. Not only were kids eagerly lined up to purchase the book but a fair number of adults were waiting to get their copy as well. I can't think of any book release in recent history that garnered as much attention as that. Perhaps only the previous Harry Potter book. I think it's commendable that J.K. Rowling has managed to take a character and elevate it to the point of iconic within a few short years. I can remember hearing a bit of buzzing about the books when the first one was released several years ago. In that time it's gone from a book appreciated by children to something even adults are waiting to read. I will admit that I have put my name in the queue to borrow a copy from the library. When I started, I was approximately the 1,100th person in line for the book. Oh well, at least I'm certain that I'll manage to read it before the next movie comes out.

Still, despite the hype and the excitement surrounding the book, there is a bit of anti-climax building in the whole thing. Part of the reason for it is the fact that many are beginning to realize that other than a few new tidbits here and there, the characters themselves are reliving the same plots each and every time. As my brother likes to say, the most original Harry Potter book would have been for him to withdraw from Hogwarts and spend a semester abroad doing something else. Perhaps then all the evil minions of Voldemort would have taken pity on Hogwarts and left the other students alone for a change. Still, what's a year at Hogwarts now without Harry Potter and all the adventure he seems to drag along with him?

Indeed, there is still a great deal of interest in the character and the books. The latest movie (the 5th of an expected 7) opened to good reviews and great box office numbers but now those numbers have already begun to dwindle. Perhaps it was because no one went to the movies this weekend because they were all reading the book. It's quite likely since it seems quite unfathomable for a movie as highly anticipated as a Harry Potter film would suddenly drop out of the box office draw that way. Still, perhaps the marketing wizards are realizing that they should have released the two a bit farther apart although I'm certain that after the die hard fans complete the books this week, they will return to the theatres in record numbers to watch the latest film again and again.

What I find fascinating is the fact that the mania for this book series and these characters seems to grow each time and part of it is simply because of what I consider to be 'group think'. What I mean by that is that there is a general hubbub that builds around the release of the new movie or book and kids suddenly want to be involved and take part. I can't tell you the number of adults I saw walking around on Sunday afternoon at various stores with a copy of the book in their hands. No matter what the critics have to say about the quality (or lack thereof) of the books, no one can argue that no other character has as much draw as Harry Potter. For example, I ran into one lady who was purchasing two copies of the book from Target. When asked why she had two copies she admitted that she has twin daughters (their ages were not revealed) and that the books were for them. However, she also added that she had already ordered an additional copy that was due in at her office on Monday and so she wanted to be able to read the book along with her kids. Three books sold to one family. If that's not a way to make money then I don't know what is.

There is something about owning a piece of history that increases the appeal of items like this. Years from now (or perhaps not even that long) you may look back at your copy of the book and wonder why it is that you have so many copies sitting around the house. You may wonder why it is that you were so hard pressed to get the book even though it wasn't such a great story. You may even wonder what the appeal of the character was when you realize just how narrow and limited the development of the character is. Still, at this moment, with a wellspring of enthusiasm for the book rising among the populace like a geyser, you may get caught up in the moment and toss all thought like that aside. In the end, it is that desire to be part of the moment that takes you over and you end up buying the book and seeing the movie simply because you want to remember where you were when it came out.