I first encountered the Harry Potter Series in downtown Chicago around Christmas time in 1999. My whole family lives in Chicago, Illinois so my family would go down to the South Side for the weekend so that we could drive down town to shop and eat by the Christmas tree which was then Marshal Fields. The theme for that year was Harry Potter since the release of the first book became a instant bestseller so they made it their store and window themes for the Christmas season. From then on I was enamored with Harry Potter and I wanted to get my hands on the first book. My Aunt El for a Christmas present gave me the book, but I didn't read it till another two years after I received it.
I later went on to read all seven books , but they didn't really touch me emotionally like the movies did. The movies had a real impact on my childhood. I would either spend my birthday or sometime close to my birthday going to see them either with family or friends. It was a big event that everybody no matter if you read the books or heard of the series could go to and enjoy an entertaining story and movie. I've enjoyed all the movies (except D.H Part 1) and I hope to pass it on to my future children so that they can experience it !
Marty,
ReplyDeleteI love how you first came to know Harry Potter the year the first book actually came out! That's really cool considering we were only 5 or 6 years old at the time. Personally, I didn't know they existed until I was old enough to start reading the books on my own. I didn't really like D.H. part 1 either, it was too slow paced but the book was as well... And nice picture!
I think that both the movies and the books have amazing emotional appeal, but the one that you read/watch first will always be the best to the individual; seeing how I read the books first, I enjoy them more (don't get me wrong, I love the movies, I just haven't seen them all yet).
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome that you have such a great emotional attachment to this series. I agree also about the movies being way better than the books. I started reading book one, but could not get into it. THe movies are definitely a cool expression of that awesome fantasy land.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like we can relate. I was also a huge fan of the movies compared to the book. The movies seem to give the story line a little bit more flavor because when you say a characters name you can actually put a face to it. It helps set the stage even more. Its great that you had such a good experience with this series, nothing better than childhood memories.
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