I was a huge Potterhead back in the day (well…I still am, just not as obsessed). I know the books are great and all, I know how addictive her writing style is, that she can create such vivid and engaging characters and places, and the stories keep you hungry for more…but IMO that still does not completely explain the insane hype that generated. I don’t think there has ever been this level of mania and craze for a book – a children’s/YA book for that matter. So I am wondering, what are some of the factor that led to the hype? I’ve heard things like the rise in Internet (and internet fandom), JKR’s rags-to-riches story, etc all contributed. So for those who have been there, what was the mania like at that point, and what factors (aside from the quality of the books themselves) that lead to it?
I was there, standing in line with my tween children at best at midnight waiting for the last few books. When we got it home grandpa read it to the kids over the course of several weeks (they could read themselves but then the fights would have been endless and spoilers, omg). And I would read it after they were in bed, usually finishing in a few days.
I agree, I’ve never seen anything like it as a kid or parent, and I don’t think we ever will again. The internet has caused our culture to fragment and just like no one at the office talks about that amazing sitcom episode the next day there won’t be such a publishing phenomenon again in my opinion.
Why? I think it was legitimately driven by the kids and the awesome story and how that story grew up with the kids. The first couple of books were popular but not that popular. It built up over the years. JKR was not only a reliable writer publishing on schedule, but her world was so intricate, it was like the most delicious candy. The midnight book sales were pure marketing and pure genius. I think the last three got that treatment? But it was authentic, it wasn’t fake or PR feelings. The kids and their parents loved the books.
I can’t think of a single parallel with any other children’s book. Maybe Roald Dahl comes closest as I think hard.
I think your comment best describes what happened. My son was 7 when the first book came out. My husband bought it to read to him but quickly read it himself first ( basically devoured it). I remember being thrilled that we had a book that especially got both boys and girls reading it. It was truly a phenomenon. Early internet for the first books. Now there is so much noise over everything that it’s hard to tell what is being pushed versus what is being driven by word of mouth.