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Why is that? Why do we yearn for MORE Potter? Why can't we stop talking about it? What's the difference between say, Harry Potter and Twilight? (Yeah I went there) The Twilight phenomenon is waning. I'm sure the last movies will do very well, but if you ask older teens now they will by and large roll their eyes. WHY? I'd sure like the secret to lasting success, wouldn't you? Here are a few observations about what forces may be at work:
- The rich worldbuilding. If I say "Hogwarts" or "Muggle" do you know what I'm talking about? Most likely YES. Do you know that the "wand chooses the wizard?" and wonder what type of wand would choose you? If you are young enough - did you wait for an owl before your eleventh birthday? Stretching it? I don't think so. We love to pretend. JKR built such an intricate and fantastic world within our own that we can't help but feel it exists. We devour every detail both large and small. We soak up everything from Harry's favorite dessert (Treacle Tart) to the contents of Tom Riddle's trophy box when Dumbledore found him at the orphanage (a silver thimble, a tarnished mouth organ, and a yo-yo).
- The supporting cast. It isn't JUST Harry that we love, is it? It's Hermione's insufferable intelligence, Ron's desire to be the best at something, Neville's ineptitude, and Doby's loyalty. Even Snape's sneer. Peel back another layer and we have people like Professor Trelawny and her ridiculous portents of death, Victor Krum and his duck-footed walk, and even Crabb and Goyle with their brute strength and utter stupidity. Actors say, the size of the part doesn't matter, it's how well you play it. Even characters barely mentioned are crystal clear in our minds. We GET them. We feel like we know them all.
- A truly great story and hero will live in our hearts forever. How do you NOT love Harry? The little orphaned boy who only wanted to live a normal childhood but was thrust into danger at every turn? The boy who lived. The boy who TRIUMPHED over everything despite being a normal kid. (well okay, normal besides the wizard thing) Daniel Radcliffe said at the premiere of the final film: "I don't think the end of the story happens tonight because each and every person who will see this film will carry this story with them through the rest of their lives."
I think the key here is that JKR not only succeeded in plot, character, and world building. It's that she EXCEEDED all aspects. She went above and beyond, not just in one area imperative to writing well, but in all the major areas. Adverbial dialogue tags? Pfft. Who cares when we have Harry and Hogwarts, and He Who Must Not Be Named?
