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"good old-fashioned storytelling and adventure"

I just finished the first Harry Potter book, and I can see 3 reasons right off why it's so popular:

1. sympathetic character: Harry's school experiences have universal appeal; so does his unhappy childhood, feelings of being left out, persecution by Dudley, etc. Regarding school, instead of classes teaching spells and transformations, substitute history and english, and you'll see what I mean.

2. mythic structure: classic hero's journey. First we see Harry in his normal environment with the "muggles", then he is accepted to Hogwarts School and he enters the magical world. Various mentors, gatekeepers, allies, etc., test his mettle until his final confrontation with Voldemort.

3. good old-fashioned storytelling: one adventure/mishap after another befalls Harry in wonderful fast paced sequence.

Nancy J. Cohen aka Nancy Cane

Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted June 14, 2003

Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That's because he's being raised by his miserable aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he's really a wizard, just as his parents were. But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards, and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright. From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny.