Released in the year 1997, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first book of the seven-book series written by J.K. Rowling, created a fan following that very few fantasy fiction authors have been able to replicate. Someone who came close to this kind of fan frenzies is George RR Martin who authored, A Song of Ice and Fire series. JK Rowling through her writing inspired a generation to pick up reading all over again. People who are right now in their thirties, a percentage of them have grown up reading all the books in the series and remained loyal to it. At a time when technology was slowly taking over our lives, JK Rowling’s books kept many grounded, rooted and glued to books.

23 years it’s been since the first book released and 13 years since the last book of the series came out, why do many still go back to pick up those books? One simple reason is its relevance. Many stories told through various characters hold even now. The books tackled various issues subtly. Issues that were stitched in perfectly along with J.K.’s fluid writing. Friendship is the overlying arc which was easily understood but JK Rowling also communicated about empathy, love, pain, sacrifice, kindness, standing up for friends, standing up to your friends, racism, mental health, power, hierarchy, and so many more themes through these books, which created a huge forum online & offline wherein discussions go on till date. 

The books introduced something called grey characters, which was not touched upon by many fantasy fiction authors. Most of the fantasy fiction stories earlier had a linear plotline of good vs evil. Harry Potter books introduced the idea of characters who would do wrong but had other good values, and others who were good but had a shady past. It made readers question the morality angle. It made readers acknowledge the fact that at the end of the day humans err and are allowed to move past it to atone for the wrongdoings. 

The books have aged well because it has somehow affected the readers in one way or the other. Readers relate to the arcs of various characters. This series is something that can be picked up by both young children and adults. A pop culture phenomenon that the series has become is now a part of the people right now. At a time when the entire world has come to a standstill, all are at home with their kin, Harry Potter books bring comfort. While your children are at home and if you are a voracious reader, make sure to introduce them to Harry Potter books as these will bestow ideas that will nurture your kid’s wellbeing. They inculcate a lot of values to a growing up teenager and an adult at the same time.