You’ve probably heard of Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling’s wildly popular series of books about a wizarding world that we all follow and love. If you’re reading this, I assume you’ve heard of Harry Potter too. If not, then you might want to consider checking out the series because it’s pretty popular, and it’s been around for almost twenty years now (which is crazy when you think about it). If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, then there’s a lot you might want to know about the making of the movies. Here are ten things you might not know about Harry Potter.
1. It Started As A Simple Fun Project
The Harry Potter series may be huge, but it didn’t start this way. Back in 1997, J.K. Rowling was just a young mother who decided to write some children’s stories. At the time, she was staying home with her son while his father worked nights. One day, she decided to give Harry Potter a tryout and she quickly realized how much she enjoyed it. She decided to continue writing about the young wizard, and within a year she had completed a first draft of the entire series. In the early stages of the project, Rowling wasn’t even sure if she would end up publishing the stories. The idea of children reading her work never entered her mind. She simply wanted to write a few stories for her own son to enjoy. When she finally decided to publish the Harry Potter series, it was already too late to change her mind. The books had become wildly successful and she couldn’t very well pass up the opportunity to make some money (and maybe find some fame too).
2. The Books Are Based On Real-Life Events
It’s no secret that Harry Potter is inspired by real events that took place in Rowling’s life. Pottermore, the online encyclopedia of the Harry Potter series, is packed with details about the characters and the universe the books were created in. One of the biggest inspirations for the series, aside from Rowling’s love for Harry Potter himself, is the magical world of Transylvania. The region in central Europe is rich with legend and history, and it was the basis for one of Rowling’s favorite books, ‘Salazar Slytherin.’ The area is also the setting for one of the Harry Potter movies, and it was the last place Harry’s Uncle Vernon would want him to go after he died. It makes sense then, that much of the book and movie is set in and around the majestic halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This is also the region where many of Rowling’s favorite childhood movies were filmed, like ‘The Prisoner Of Azkaban’ and ‘The Goblet Of Fire.’ Hogwarts is a school for witches and wizards, so it should come as no surprise that the setting is full of magic.]
3. The Books Are Really Fun To Read
If you’ve read the Harry Potter series, then you’ll know that J.K. Rowling is a phenomenal storyteller who makes even the most dull or complicated plot points accessible and interesting to read about. The magical world of Harry Potter is one that we all want to visit, whether we’re diehard fans or have just heard of the series. The books will keep you captivated from start to finish because of Rowling’s engaging prose and unforgettable characters. It is well known that Rowling writes with children in mind, and it shows. The Harry Potter series is full of humor, and there’s even some romance too (which is a nice change of pace from many children’s series). If you’ve never read the books, then consider starting with the first one because it is such a fun tale. You’ll be hooked soon enough.
4. It’s More Than Just Magic
Harry Potter is, above all else, a series about friendship and loyalty. The books focus heavily on the relationships between the titular character and his friends and rivals. It’s a theme that continues with the rest of the series too. Take the Death Eaters for example. The dark wizard Lord Voldemort has a legion of evil supporters known as Death Eaters. Many of them are willing to murder in order to serve him, so they are definitely villainous characters. However, we learn that they have their own personal connections to Voldemort too. They’re not just evil pawns in his game; they’ve either been personally touched by his magic or know someone who has. This makes them all the more interesting and sympathetic characters. Their connections to Voldemort are what make them interesting as well as loyal to him. They see him as a father figure, and it’s clear that he sees them as sons. It’s a theme that continues with much of the main cast of Harry Potter. Even more interesting are the friends and family members of the main characters. We learn a lot about them, as well as their personal connections to the main players in the story, through the wonderful world of Harry Potter. It’s an ideal situation for fans of the series, who can now learn more about some of the characters they love and follow.
5. The Songs Are Important
Harry Potter is more than just an exciting series; it’s also home to some really memorable songs. The books are chock-full of songs, and it’s clear that J.K. Rowling took great care in choosing the melodies and lyrics for each character. The songs serve an essential purpose beyond just being pleasant background music. They’re all based on real life events and offer important clues and info about the story. There’s even one (An Occasional Song) that’s directly tied to the ending of the series! If you’re a fan of the books or the songs, then you’ll enjoy the series all the more once you know what’s going on. Just remember, some of the songs might be a little hard to understand if you haven’t read the books yet. Make sure you’ve listened to them in the proper order if you want to get the most out of them. In addition to the songs, the books are filled with easter eggs too. There are hidden jokes, references, and even lyrics within the pages. It’s all beautifully written and there are plenty of things to discover even if you haven’t read the book in some time. When you find something, you’ll know just how much effort J. K. Rowling put into making each detail just right. It’s always nice to find a hidden gem in an otherwise overlooked book. With each new discovery, it makes you want to go back and reread the wonderful story all over again. It’s safe to say that if you’ve never read the Harry Potter books, then you’re in for a treat because there’s always something new to discover. It’s like finding a diamond in the rough. You never know what you’re going to find, so you have to keep searching.