As many of you know, I'm just your average reader with an insane and slightly maniacal obsession with the wonderful world of Harry Potter. Yes, I grew up with Harry. I attended midnight book launches in full costume (Luna, party of one), I cried at the midnight premieres like a colicky little baby and I watched as the books delved into the hearts of even the most adamantly un-readers. So, when I heard J.K. Rowling's unbelievable announcement of an online, interactive venue in which the Harry Potter series will come alive at our fingertips, I was stunned, awed and completely amazed. Here's what she had to say:
J.K. Rowling says that this new online adventure, Pottermore, is the series itself come to life with the opportunity for a few major additions to the story - ourselves. We, the readers will be able to have wands selected for us at Diagon Alley. We'll play Quidditch and be sorted into Houses. We'll be able to experience the world of magic we've all read about in the books. My first thought was probably something like this: "UHAIUHKJBASKJFHIJH111111!!!", but once I managed to regain my composure, my excitement was more intelligible.
Pottermore gives fans the unique ability to continue on our journey with Harry Potter and the world of magic so many have grown to know and love so well. Opening in October with a few select people testing it in July, Pottermore might just be the next huge wave in the evolution of literature. I, for one, am so excited to try it, and I'll be crossing my fingers that I get to visit Pottermore early.
With the literary world constantly changing with the introduction of audio books, then e-books and now interactive reading experiences, it seems like there's always something new. For book lovers like ourselves, this is heaven on Earth, but what happens if you weren't a book lover to begin with?
Question: Do you think Pottermore will create a new wave of interactive literature, and do you think this will enhance or detract from the desire to read the books?
P.S. I'm still squeeing with delight over Pottermore!
Ok, confession time? I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I'm kind of wary about Pottermore. I think it's because I don't really get it. The interactive parts seem...I don't know, not special enough? More just like a bunch of those "What character are you?" type of quizzes. I'm not really sure I understand how the whole "interactive reading experience" works exactly.
ReplyDeleteI'm also not sure if I want it to affect my imagination. The movies are great and that's exactly how I picture everything in the books, but what if Pottermore introduces something in a way that is visually different from how I imagine it? I like the flexibility and imaginative scope of reading. It seems like interactive literature might take away some of that and interrupt the experience of being fully immersed in reading a great book. But then again I don't really understand it so maybe that wouldn't be the case at all. I guess right now I'm cautiously hopeful?
Jeez, can I ramble anymore? Sorry about the super long comment!
I kind of agree with the above comment. I'm suspending judgement until Pottermore is actually available. Don't get me wrong--it sounds like it has quite a bit to offer--but we're not exactly sure what just yet.
ReplyDeleteI do like what Pottermore is aiming to do, though--get the reader more involved. I feel that this will definitely help with reluctant readers. Then again, if reluctant readers are spoiled with all the interaction of Pottermore, they may not want to read anything else that doesn't offer something similar.
*shrug* We'll have to wait and see! :)
I agree with "Small Review". Also, I was super excited about Pottermore and that excitement kind of deflated when the huge "secret" behind it was revealed. I don't know what I was expecting it to be, but my expectations were way beyond what it actually turned out to be.
ReplyDeleteI grew up reading Harry Potter and have some great memories of it. I do hope that Pottermore attracts some new readers of this great series.
I'm also have mixed feelings about this. My worry is that with the movies, the theme park, the games, etc., eventually, people may forget that Harry Potter was originally a series of *books*. Unfortunately, I teach too many kids who say they are HP fans, but they mean the movies, not the books :-(
ReplyDeleteFunny! There I thought I was the only one being.. "Ok and now what?" when I first saw the announcement. I'm happy if I'm proven wrong, but I also see it more like some smaller games you can participate. Basically like an online role playing game?
ReplyDeleteIt might be simply that I don't get it yet and I'm excited to see where this goes. Right now, I wait and see.
When they first revealed Pottermore they said, it is equally exciting as the books ... so maybe they know something I don't!!
But also an important question, do you have to pay to play? very likely..
Danny you are definitely not the only one thinking "ok, and now what?" I got the same impression. Interactive books, fun arcades and computer games are fine but they should never ever overshadow normal, hard-core, paper-and-ink books they are based on. I might be a bit cynical about the whole project and even a tad nasty saying that I see it as just another way of milking that one big fat cow called Harry Potter by its creator, JK Rowling, who, somehow, can't/doesn't want to create anything new having such a nice source of a more than comfortable income. Of course it is her right to do so. Of course she will earn a lot. She might even donate some of her earnings to noble causes/charities. Still it doesn't mean I have to like this new enterprise immediately.
ReplyDeleteTo tell you all the truth I would like her just to write another book - a better one, perhaps even aimed at an adult reader. What a challenge!
But also an important question, do you have to pay to play? very likely..
Friends of mine, huge adult HP fans all of them, have visited Potter-themed amusement park in the USA. It was expensive as hell. Every single purchase, be it floo powder or a wand, cost them a lot and then some. Having that in mind I bet you will have to pay to play. Don't count on any exceptions.
Okay, I'm really excited about it without reservation. If anyone can pull off something crazy and make it work, it's JKR. I have absolutely no expectations, so if it doesn't work out? Okay. But if it's amazing - I'll be beyond happy.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've attended the HP park and although things were expensive, it was no more expensive than any other theme park (Disney, the rest of Universal, etc). You acknowledge that when you enter there that you'll be paying a premium for everything. I'm not sure that it'll be a paid experience as JKR is a pretty big fan of having things be equal for people, so I'm curious to see how it goes.
Not really excited about Pottermore and tend to feel the same way TG does. The books were awesome and the movies good, but it seems that Pottermore is a bit over the top. I am however, pretty sure that it will not detract from the fact that the books will always be great books to read and reread.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure. I'm withholding judgement, but I can't wait! I got chills down my spine watching that video. This could be great.... maybe....
ReplyDeleteI think this is one great idea! I haven't heard much but I know that every potter fan is very excited! I'm excited to see how it will go once it open.
ReplyDeleteThe video was amazing, but I'll admit I'm wary of an online community. I love HP, but I feel like it is too easy to take something awesome like Pottermore and have it destroyed by people who wouldn't appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteAw, it seems like most of the commenters here aren't really fans. Oh well. I know I for one am super, super excited (though I realize I'm terribly biased)! I absolutely think it will add to the experience of reading the books and don't understand why people would think it would do the opposite. I don't think Pottermore will draw in casual fans or fans of the movies only. It will only draw in true fans who would truly appreciate being able to have a wand choose them and that feeling when you enter Hogwarts for the first time.
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of people are confused by what "interactive reading experience" even means but from what I understand, it'll be like rereading the books again but with with added on features, like fan art and added information from Jo herself. It kind of reminds me of Pop-Up Music Video from back in the day...
But do I think it will create a new wave of interactive literature? I think it only works for specific cases, those books with wide and expansive fandoms. Harry Potter traverses all ages and genders, which is why it is ideal for this type of experience. I think Lord of the RIngs would work as well.
I really hope I will be one of the lucky few who "finds the owl", heh :)
There has already been a big movement to interactive programs based on books. Just not so "bookish" in nature. I think they moved too much away from the book so I'm curious as to how this one keeps to a book or does it? So the wave is already here, but I couldn't say if it will make big enough ripples to make it a sensation. Only time will tell! Great discussion
ReplyDeleteI definitely have mixed feelings about this. Anything that encourages kids/young adults to read is a good thing, and I do think that there will naturally be some crossover effect in that regard. My fear, tho, is that because this generation of young people is so techno-focused already, that the simple art of sitting quietly and reading will be even more lost than it already is.
ReplyDeleteI think Pottermore will be a lot of fun, but I don't know that it will create more fans. I think it's a forum for the fans who are already out there.
ReplyDeleteI do think interactive reading is already beginning. For example, it was a big thing with the 39 Clues series for kids. And I think it will just grow.
I think Pottermore is geared more for modern readers and for avid fans of the franchise. I probably wouldn't use it to be honest, but I can see how so many people would appreciate this!
ReplyDeleteI'm still not clear on the details of what will be involved so I'm excited to see what happens. I think this will be a great boon for the franchise. A whole new generation of Potter fans will enjoy something unique and the existing fans will have something fun to be involved in. Either way, I think it will be exciting. I think one of the real big elements is that Rowling has control of her ebook rights and is publishing the ebooks herself! I think she loves Harry more than anyone so whatever she does she will do well. And she's a marketing genius!
ReplyDeleteI am very excited for Pottermore. I'm not sure what the effect will be on interacti8ve literature, but I think that the availability of audiobooks and for the first time ebooks of the series will boost the franchise. Even if it doesn't have a huge impact on literature in general, fans of the series will love it I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteI'm very excited about this! I don't quite know what it all is yet...but did I mention I'm very excited!! Anything HP is fine by me :)
ReplyDeleteOk so I am an insane HP fan as well. Dressing up for midnight premieres. Hell I have a Harry Potter tattoo. But as of now, I'm really disappointed about Pottermore. It feels like a way to continue the series without actually adding to it :/
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