Re-reading a series of books is always fun, but re-reading the Harry Potter series was exceptional. I read them as they came out, about 18 months between each book. I just recently re-read all seven of them in two weeks. I discovered I did not miss as much as I thought I did! I was afraid that I had forgotten so much from the earlier books that I missed references in book seven, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. (From now on, I’m skipping the “Harry Potter” in the book titles.)
The Sorcerer’s Stone was a wonderful start to the series, an easy and fun read. I think Rowling expected her audience to grow up with Harry, and the books not only got longer and more difficult but the themes became darker. And of course, more beloved, and not so beloved, characters died. If I learned anything from re-reading all seven books it was that Rowling seems to truly believe that there is no good/evil dichotomy. Instead, all of us have both good and evil in us and we are allowed to choose which path to follow. I found it interesting that the character I disliked the most wasn’t evil. And the character that most kids would dislike the most had his good moments as well. I found it most interesting that Draco Malfoy’s mother loved Draco as much as Harry Potter’s mother loved him and, like Lily Potter was willing to sacrifice everything for Draco.
Because I was immersed in Harry Potter for two weeks, I began to dream in that world, something that often happens when I’m engrossed in a series or, sometimes, even a very long book. It also happens when the book I’m reading captivates or disturbs me. This is why I’ve stopped reading most realistic physiological thrillers; I have nightmares. Though Harry’s world has it’s bad points, using magic in my dreams is fun and entertaining.
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Congrats on the re-read. Quite an accomplishment. I really enjoyed the first couple of Harry Potter books, but just haven’t gotten around to finishing the series. Maybe someday I will.
I do think it was very smart of author to finish the series. There are so many examples of ‘unfinished’ series out there…that either just go on and on, or end to quickly when the author dies (Robert Jordan’s a good example of both
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