Chapter Twenty-One: Harry Potter (the whole series)

I deliberated over posting separately for each of the seven books in this series versus posting once about the whole group, but as I really feel they make such a cohesive unit, and as the story line really runs its course from the first installment to the last, I decided to review the series as a whole.  (If you want my thoughts on each installment individually, check out my account on goodreads.com.)

Writing about the series as a whole, I have to say that I love this series whole-heartedly, with no reservations.  I don't know how many times I've read any of the books--why bother keeping count?--but they are superb.  I love the characters and the way Rowling develops them; I'm impressed by the way the larger plot is woven through all of the books so that minor details from earlier books are mentioned again and even become important in later books (this is especially noticeable and pleasing when rereading the series); I notice new things each time I read the books; and there's some quality to her storytelling (I've never been able to figure out what, which is probably part of the books' huge pull over me) that absolutely sucks me in and holds me captive so that, no matter how many times I've read the books, each time I read them I become obsessed with them all over again.  (If I wanted to make a bad joke about Rowling's magical ability to enchant her readers, I'd do it here--but I'll spare you.)

Anyway, I can't even begin to describe how enormous a part of my life these books have been.  I was lucky enough to grow up as the books were being published, so I really feel I've grown up with Harry & co, aging roughly as they aged.  Reading them--and rereading them--and waiting for the next installment, and talking and speculating and wondering about them with friends, and pretending that we were characters in the books--they've played (and, thank goodness, continue to play) a huge role in my life, probably more than any other books.  If you've never read them, I strongly suggest that you do so, because they're solidly excellent.