You know you’re big when not having accomplished something is considered news. Not that J.K. Rowling needs any reminder of her fame.
Rowling is the focus of a story in The Guardian about the most popular children’s author of all time – who turns out to be Roald Dahl. But before we’re told who else beat Rowling in the survey, which was conducted in the U.K., we’re informed of Rowling’s poor showing:
JK Rowling, whose first Harry Potter book sparked a publishing sensation when it hit the bookshelves 10 years ago, is only the fourth most popular author.
Second and third place were taken by CS Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia series, and Peter Pan creator JM Barrie.
Interestingly, the survey purports to represent “young adults,” but only readers between the ages of 16 and 34 were polled. The discrepancy can perhaps be explained by the fact that the survey was commissioned by ITV3, a British television channel that is hosting a Roald Dahl weekend later this month. Thanks to the survey, the network can now advertise that Dahl is not only the most popular children’s writer in the U.K., but also that he is more popular than Harry Potter.
I think the fact that JK Rowling’s books have encouraged so many young adults to line up outside book stores at midnight because they are so eager to get their hands on the latest installment speaks for itself.
I am an English teacher, and whilst she is not universally the most popular writer (most girls prefer Jacqueline Wilson in my school), I have never witnessed the same level of excitement over any other literary release as i have ‘Deathly Hallows’.
To listen to 11 and 12 year olds hypothesize and theorize excitedly over the outcome of a novel is extremely encouraging, especially for someone like myself who loves to see such passion for literature.
Whether you love or loathe the Harry Potter books, credit where credit is due, the woman has done something extraordinary by igniting such passion and interest in young readers.
JK Rowling, i salute you.
Additionally to what Nicola had said, with which I wholly agree, I think the interesting thing about J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books is that their impact was international. And non-English speaking youth and adults were brought closer to the English language and the British culture.