Description: The Webmistress of the Leaky Cauldron, Melissa Anelli, walks us through the History of the Harry Potter Phenomenon.
Application: As someone who joined the Harry Potter community later I was excited to read the details of the beginnings of the culture. The spark of new ideas and the boldness of people to be themselves were things that made this book an engaging and inspiring read. When Melissa described her first encounter with a fan I found myself relating to both the new reader who felt like she’d been “caught playing with dolls” and also with the fan who persistently encourages someone else to keep reading until they get to the place where they “get it” and realize why we are so moved by this world and it’s stories. I remembered my own anticipation for Deathly Hallows and tenacious resolve to not be ‘spoiled’ (even when not being able to read the book until a full 12 hours after it’s release).
Melissa has a voice and style as a writer that are sure to give her continued sucess. She gave slight details of the culture that gave her book balance and are the mark of a great story teller. For example towards the beginning, a friend Sarah tells Melissa she envies her for just starting out her journey in the book series; at the end of Harry, A History Melissa spots a young woman on the subway reading the Sourceror’s Stone, also starting the journey…and thinks how she envies her. This past October I saw my first Wizard Rock show featuring Matt Maggiacomo of the Whomping Willow, Adam Dubberly of the Mudbloods and Justin Finch-Fletchley (minus the Sugar Quills). In those few hours I finally got ‘it,’ the thrilling feeling of seeing the series come alive in people and celebrating with, jumping with and being in the prescence of a room full of other HP fans.
