On this day in 1997, the first instalment of the Harry Potter series (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) was published, penned by J.K. Rowling who is now seen as a national treasure and pioneer in contemporary children’s English literature.
The first book was later followed by six other novels, finishing with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The seven novels were adapted into eight films (with the last being split into two parts) which ended back in 2011.
The series tell the story of a young boy named Harry Potter, who discovers he is a wizard. We then follow his journey in the magical world, which becomes darker and darker the further the series evolves.
The film franchise became immensely popular worldwide and starred the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Julie Walters and Michael Gambon. As well as the film franchise, there have also been spin-offs from the books such as a theme park in Florida and the Harry Potter Studios in Watford.
J.K. Rowling then took a hiatus after completing the last Harry Potter book, but returned with an adult, social commentary book entitled The Casual Vacancy. She then began to write under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, which was initially to be kept secret until it was skilfully revealed, where she has created the detective character Cormoran Strike and has so far written two crime novels in the series: The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Silkworm.
It has also been recently revealed that the textbook, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, written by Rowling, is getting adapted into a film which will be the first in a new trilogy. Rowling will also be creating the script.
Experience nostalgia and watch the trailer for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone below, based on the novel of the same name that was published 17 years ago today.
