Are you a realist? Are you one of those who call fantasy fiction something that’s far-fetched and out of the realms of expected realism?
I consider myself a fantasy fiction fanatic, and I don’t believe that deep thought-out themes and a wayward storyline are mutually exclusive. The first and the best example of that are the Harry Potter series.
After finishing the last book in the series years ago, I decided to give their audio books a shot and found myself listening to the stories from book one to book seven and here is what I think;
J. K. Rowling is magic personified!
I am finding stringing sentences for a book review to be a task and it certainly puts you into perspective when you compare that to a seven-part series with a complex storyline and evolving characters. There is so much finesse and sublimity in J.K. Rowling’s words and story, it’s simply mesmerising and quite mind boggling.
Harry Potter always knew there was something weird and different about him and his convictions draw certainty when he receives an offer from a school of magic called Hogwarts.
What I found particularly spectacular about the story was its themes, which are very close to those we face and battle every day. ‘Importance and attention’ given to those who are easily stepped over and ignored because of stereotypes and mass cultural beliefs.
To realise and understand the importance of every single person’s feeling and emotion, most expertly demonstrated by the relationship between house elves or half giants and wizards.
We also see themes of bureaucracy, propaganda, dictatorship, mass terrorism and most importantly, love, which has the ability to conquer all evil and whose lack of may lead to ignorance, self-importance and arrogance. This was most potently depicted by the wizarding world’s reality of pure-blood.
Above all and most importantly, to know that love and tolerance leads to the best of extenuating circumstances no matter how dire the consequences may seem.
I would definitely say the audio books make for the best re-reading experience for old Harry Potter geeks. To those who have yet to explore the unchartered terrain of J. K. Rowling’s imagination, you need to get started now!
