Harry Potter Novels

I've recently finished reading all of the Harry Potter novels in order from the beginning. I'm a latecomer to the series, but was attracted from a literary standpoint after the seventh book came out in July 2007. I was intrigued by the inter-connectedness of the plots and the way writer J. K. Rowling was able to chart the progression of the characters with increasingly sophisticated language. It's a magical world, in more ways than one, and it revolves around Harry, Ron, and Hermione, three best friends at school (a very unusual school), and their adventures year by year.

The first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, worked as a stand-alone while also introducing the possibility of a sequel. Rowling famously had trouble selling the book to publishers and her story of living in relative poverty until its initial success is an inspiration to aspiring writers everywhere. Sorcerer's Stone is more of a children's book than the others and this lends it a unique charm of it's own. The writing is not quite on par with the later books, but this is understandable and happens to fit the younger age of its intended audience.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second book and follows the characters' next year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The story is already starting to exhibit an arc that will eventually require seven books to fulfill. Some of the darker aspects of the overall plot are introduced, and there is a stunning sequence involving a diary and an alternate reality that sets the tone for what is to come. The majesty of the whole is perceptible by the end; it's an auspicious follow-up.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban is the third installment and the last to have an ending within itself. The first three can be seen as a block, almost a trilogy. After this is also where the length of the novels start to increase exponentially. Up until now each book was slightly longer than the previous one; this becomes more and more necessary as the series reaches a new level of complexity. Also, the main characters are crossing into their teen-age years, another marker that adds depth.

Starting with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, each book is a continuation of the saga with intricate plot twists that resonate throughout. However, the quality control begins to be suspect for the first time here. The sheer length of the whole and level of interest in each succeeding plot twist, combined with deadlines and expectations, inevitably meant that sometimes editing had to be minimized. There are poorly constructed scenes that don't work as well as they might, probably because there just wasn't time to attend to them properly. It is quite a project and a daunting task; and of course, minor flaws should be forgiven and overlooked. Consequently, though Goblet of Fire is a bit unwieldy, it is pivotal in the grand scheme of things.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth book and darkest so far. It is also the longest; quite an achievement since it is better written than the previous one. Rowling is beginning to show maturation as an author; she also seems to be writing more for older readers now, something that the growth of her characters thankfully encourages. The events portrayed in the Order of the Phoenix effectively set up the final two novels of the series.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the penultimate book and is conversely happier than the previous one (it had to be), yet ultimately even darker as it sets the stage for the denouement. It's not quite as long as its predecessor and the story is tighter, perhaps coinciding with Rowling's natural improvement as a writer. There is also a romantic element that is explored here to excellent effect; the fruition of seeds planted earlier.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the final novel in the series and is a crowning achievement in every way. The book provides entertainment on a grand scale, while achieving closure that will satisfy most fans. Any quibbling is just that in my opinion, for this is writing that is comparable with the great classics of literature (at least for children or young adults). Only time will be the ultimate judge, but if readers have any say, the Harry Potter novels will rank as a pinnacle of it's genre, and a phenomenon that transcends such labels. It's an extraordinary accomplishment and one that is sure to stand for many years to come.