I have to admit that this is my first time reading any of the Harry Potter books. While the stories are interesting they don't drag me in as much as the rest of my class and house mates. It doesn't help that I was a junior in high school when the first book was released and therefore it missed my realm completely. This explains why my fellow classmates get sucked into the story and relate to
the characters a little more than I do.
I can relate with being the outcast at times and being lost in a world where I have no clue, but I do not see myself in Harry or any of the other characters in a manner that would list them as one of my top 10 literary characters. If anything I seem to like the characters who are nothing like me such as Draco.
I also seem to get more out of the ties to the past than the plot. I'm a history major and I find it interesting to think about the power struggles of the classes and how they relate to English and French history. These things intrigue me more than who/where is Voldemort.
I do agree with the others that J.K. was able to misdirect me a lot in the first two books. I thought Snape was the only possible answer in the first book and even when it was all said and done I still thought he might be working with Voldemort in a clandestine (yet to be revealed) manner.
I don't blame you for not being able to relate as much as others. However, I feel that the first two books are very children oriented. As you being to read some of the later books, the plots get darker, and there are a lot more themes that adults are able to relate with. Death being a big one. The plot of course, as you mentioned, will be very complex and turn into a story oriented towards an older audience. And if you can't relate to the characters, I surmise there will be situations you will be able to relate to. No, I doubt you will know what it is like to wrestle a giant evil snake, but you do probably know what it's like to face your fears or protect someone you love.
ReplyDeleteI hope that the books do eventually grow on you, but if they don't well at least you gave 'em a try!
*begin to read
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