"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the seventh and final volume of J.K. Rowling's best-selling series, sold a record 11 million copies in its first 24 hours on sale in three markets alone, creating a singular "Harry Potter phenomenon". Some British critics didn't conceal their acclamation: Harry Potter is not only a good book, but has become a culture, a brand and a huge market.
First launched ten years ago, the Potter series took the globe by storm, and its five films turned out equally popular. Up to date, the first six volumes of Harry Potter have been translated into 64 languages with 325 million copies sold altogether. The fact that a set of books can be so sweeping deserves thought and studies.
Harry Potter is an easy-reading popular literature. Its content is perhaps not so dramatic, but Rowling used delicate structure, exaggerated writing style and innovating thinking to paint enchanting scrolls. The theme is traditional, with the good beating the evil. But intriguing plots in each different volume create one climax after another which cater to the public taste, especially children's.
Harry Potter creates a culture. With the hot sale of seven successive volumes the magic boy has established himself as a household name, especially in English-speaking countries. Children are fascinated by him, old people love him and parents and teachers talk about him. A British friend of the author said recently: "You simply cannot turn away from it. In today's Britain if you say you don't know who Harry Potter is you will surely be taken as an ‘idiot'.
Harry Potter has become a part of the British culture."Harry Potter has also become a ringing brand. A good book deserves efficient marketing. Taking the last volume as example, publishers revealed the arrival in late July months before but remained lip-sealed about the content until the early morning of the 21st, when the British publisher staged an exceptionally grand launching ceremony at which Rowling was invited to read out some excerpts. There were readers who waited 58 hours for a signature copy. The book found its way into various bookstores and supermarkets simultaneously in 93 countries. No detail in this gigantic and complicated marketing campaign -- how to regulate local prices, how to put out Potter toys and souvenirs -- can afford to be neglected.
Harry Potter has created a huge market. The seven volumes earned Rowling a fortune, but more important is that, the series enlarged markets of book, film, toy and souvenir.
A noteworthy phenomenon is that Potter originated from Britain but blossomed in the United States. American publisher and film company earned their wealth consequently. The recently screened Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix hit a new box office record in two weeks, reaping 140 million dollars in North American market and 350 million dollars internationally. The wealth created by licensed Potter precuts alone can be an astronomical figure.
Rowling probably chose to wrap up her works before everyone gets tired. She has announced the seventh volume as the final. "All was well", that is the condlucing remark of the Potter series, and is also the best comment on the Potter craze that lasted a good decade.
By People's Daily Online
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
First launched ten years ago, the Potter series took the globe by storm, and its five films turned out equally popular. Up to date, the first six volumes of Harry Potter have been translated into 64 languages with 325 million copies sold altogether. The fact that a set of books can be so sweeping deserves thought and studies.
Harry Potter is an easy-reading popular literature. Its content is perhaps not so dramatic, but Rowling used delicate structure, exaggerated writing style and innovating thinking to paint enchanting scrolls. The theme is traditional, with the good beating the evil. But intriguing plots in each different volume create one climax after another which cater to the public taste, especially children's.
Harry Potter creates a culture. With the hot sale of seven successive volumes the magic boy has established himself as a household name, especially in English-speaking countries. Children are fascinated by him, old people love him and parents and teachers talk about him. A British friend of the author said recently: "You simply cannot turn away from it. In today's Britain if you say you don't know who Harry Potter is you will surely be taken as an ‘idiot'.
Harry Potter has become a part of the British culture."Harry Potter has also become a ringing brand. A good book deserves efficient marketing. Taking the last volume as example, publishers revealed the arrival in late July months before but remained lip-sealed about the content until the early morning of the 21st, when the British publisher staged an exceptionally grand launching ceremony at which Rowling was invited to read out some excerpts. There were readers who waited 58 hours for a signature copy. The book found its way into various bookstores and supermarkets simultaneously in 93 countries. No detail in this gigantic and complicated marketing campaign -- how to regulate local prices, how to put out Potter toys and souvenirs -- can afford to be neglected.
Harry Potter has created a huge market. The seven volumes earned Rowling a fortune, but more important is that, the series enlarged markets of book, film, toy and souvenir.
A noteworthy phenomenon is that Potter originated from Britain but blossomed in the United States. American publisher and film company earned their wealth consequently. The recently screened Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix hit a new box office record in two weeks, reaping 140 million dollars in North American market and 350 million dollars internationally. The wealth created by licensed Potter precuts alone can be an astronomical figure.
Rowling probably chose to wrap up her works before everyone gets tired. She has announced the seventh volume as the final. "All was well", that is the condlucing remark of the Potter series, and is also the best comment on the Potter craze that lasted a good decade.
By People's Daily Online
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
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