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All seven of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books have become world bestsellers. They spawned a highly profitable film industry, and their young heroes became recognizable brands. But why can’t many adults, along with children, tear themselves away from this fairy tale? We asked our experts to analyze the situation.
Irina Kaspe, cultural historian.
“These books excite, catch and calm at the same time”
J.K. Rowling created a new genre of popular literature by synthesizing the classic parenting novel with fantasy. Her books excite, catch with a famously twisted plot and at the same time soothe, describing the cyclical stability of the school world. Such a loop is somewhat reminiscent of a computer game: reading is addictive, giving us the opportunity to move from one level to another. And we are imperceptibly immersed in this world with our heads.
Tatyana Rebeko, Jungian analyst.
“We (unconsciously) desire to feel omnipotent again”
Babies feel omnipotent. Later, we begin to evaluate ourselves (and others) more realistically, realizing that we are not unconditionally beautiful, smart, and not all of our desires come true. But, even as adults, we (unconsciously) want to feel again the ability to rule the world, to fulfill our desires. The Potter books make it possible to relive that. But they also contain a vaccine against such narcissistic omnipotence: there will always be a more powerful wizard who can outwit us … “
Maria Osorina, child psychologist.
“Hogwarts gives a chance to touch our inner life”
The story of a happy school life – with friendship and unconditional fidelity – makes adult readers nostalgic for the departed (or unfulfilled). In addition, at Hogwarts they teach the laws of governing the world – I think many of us would dream of getting into such a school: it’s nice to realize that your rational will has tremendous power. In addition, the principles of Rowling’s magical world are close to us, as they largely repeat the laws of the mental world, the world of our dreams and fantasies: here objects live their own lives, you can make contact with them and influence them with the help of your consciousness. And we rarely discuss this part of our inner life with others, remaining in the grip of a materialistic picture of the world … “