Pottery

In fifteen minutes, at least on the east coast of the US, millions(?) will eagerly begin their quest to read what has becomes perhaps the most successful fantasy novel ever. Harry Potter feels very much like an outcast in the world of genre, who went on to become far more successful than the niche genre made famous by one J.R.R. Tolkien.

Harry Potter doesn't even follow the usual genre tropes that Tolkien created in his Lord of the Rings trilogy. There is no (as far as I know) quest, no journeying to and fro. I suppose Voldemort counts as evil. No ancient maps. No foreign tongues.

J. K. Rowling has come from a woman on the dole, to one of the wealthiest writers in the world. Her books have sold millions, and have lead a worldwide fervor of fans eagerly awaiting their copy of the book so they may sit hour after hour reading the book. Indeed, a couple, getting ready for their honeymoon, plan to pick up two books and read it during their marital bliss, which is to say, they intend to read the book, instead of engaging in marital bliss.

I'm not one of those who wonders why this phenomena has occurred. I don't scoff at those who choose to indulge. Indeed, it amuses me that so many love this series which owes very little to Christianity, and more to our fanciful desires to live our lives in special ways, to go beyond the petty views of the "muggles" who are narrow minded, boorish, and unenlightened.

If there's an appeal to Harry Potter, it may be that he starts his life unloved and lacking in a bit of self-esteem, and turns it around to become a wizard. My brother has said the key lies in who is who. Is Snape good or not? Is Hagred good or not? Are the people we meet really who they are? Clearly Rowling doesn't believe in that Blink moment. First impressions can be misleading.

I had taken a few minutes to observe the crowd, in downtown Silver Spring, near Border's and the restaurants that surround it, as the familiar maroon and gold scarves and witches hats and wands and lines of people waiting for their copies, as a band played Britpop, while onlookers listened, and milled about.

I've learned, having now been in a few crowds, the appeal of a common desire, the need for community, to bridge folks together through some event, some shared sentiment, in this case, the last book of Harry Potter, and to be swept up in something that feels bigger than any one person.

It's a few minutes to midnight. A few parents have decided to let their kids dress up, as they wait eagerly for their copy. Harry Potter has become this generation's Star Wars. George Lucas has given up his movie mantle to a new literary queen, and her name is J. K. Rowling.

And his name is Harry Potter.