Rowling works magic formula

By Darren Waters BBC News Online

After three years of waiting, JK Rowling has finally let her legions of fans back into the magical world of Harry Potter.

It is a world that has become familiar territory for millions - filled with characters who are now friends, and storylines which haunt our imagination.

Rowling's magical formula, so hard to replicate, is that she can keep the reader - whether young or old - enthralled.

Harry begins to tackle his emotions in the book

The pages seem to turn themselves as though some unseen force drives us through the book.

Thankfully, she has altered not one of those secret ingredients that make her books such a global phenomenon.

Children the world over will be sinking into the Order of the Phoenix like a comfy chair, and adults too will be clutching their copies on commuter trains across the globe.

The fifth book opens, as all her previous efforts do, with Harry trapped in Privet Drive for the summer with the obnoxious Dursleys.

Harry faces expulsion

But Rowling gets quickly into her stride and the narrative begins to crackle as Harry confronts two dementors sent into the world of Muggles to attack the young wizard.

His magical actions rock the strict codes of the wizard world and Harry faces possible expulsion from Hogwart's and the destruction of his wand.

Harry, who discovered in the last book, The Goblet of Fire, that his nemesis Voldemort has returned from the dead, is thrust into the protective circle of the Order of Phoenix, a hastily assembled force of benevolent witches and wizards.

The order vows to defeat Voldemort, but once again Harry must face his own personal trials with little information about his own role in the affair.

Rowling keeps the narrative moving at a terrific pace, and readers who have not read the previous books may find the array of characters and storylines confusing.

Her books have often been weighed down by intricate plotting and early on the book seems to sag under the pressure of so much back story.

But once the action switches to the comforting setting of Hogwart's, the book finds its own rhythm again.

Growing up

Rowling has added an emotional range to the characters, who seemed better filled out and connected to the dramatic events of the book.

There is a great tension between the three friends, Harry, Ron and Hermione, as they all adjust to growing up and responsibility.

In previous books, Rowling has almost shied away from describing the move into young adulthood, but here she does at last begin to tackle it, albeit with more conservatism than is really required.

Harry's greatest battle is with his emotions - as he fights with his temper throughout the book, and has to deal with his feelings for Cho Chang.

Harry frequently finds himself "consumed with anger and frustration, grinding his teeth and clenching his fists".

The book is appreciably darker than the first four novels as Voldemort begins to spread his evil influence, countered at each stage by the Order of the Phoenix.

Impact of death

Much has been made of a death in the book, and the chapter deals with it well. Rowling has been extremely sparing in her use of death in her books, perhaps mindful of a very young audience, and as such it does have a big impact on the reader, and of course on Harry.

Rowling also shows a political side - with a slightly allegorical tale of government interference in education.

Harry finds himself an object of suspicion and doubt at Hogwart's, as evil powers spread ugly rumours, and his education and Quidditch skills also take a pounding as a new Dark Arts teacher, Dolores Umbridge, stands in his way at every turn.

Good vs. evil

The book is centred on that struggle - between the small band of believers who want to face evil, and the legions of doubters who are either too scared or blinded by ignorance to face the danger of Voldemort.

For such a long book - 766 pages - Rowling succeeds admirably in keeping one's attention almost effortlessly.

She is also the master at setting up events for the next book, and as soon as the final battle of the fifth book is over and Dumbledore explains to everyone what really happened, thoughts turn to the battles ahead in Potter six and seven.

Despite the millions of words of hype, the expectations of millions and the millions in the bank, Rowling has succeeded in crafting a book that will disappoint no true Potter fan.

She may lack the poetic skills of Philip Pullman, and the imagination of JRR Tolkien, but Rowling stands on her own terms as the writer of one of the finest series of children's fiction in a generation.

She has brought the magic of reading to a global audience, and that is the wizardry for which she should be celebrated.

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Have your say on the new Harry Potter book

A selection of your comments about the book are below:

The Order of the Phoenix is an enjoyable read but Philip Pullman is more imaginative and a much better writer and it would be nice to see him as successful as Rowling.
John Goodman, UK

Having waited till midnight, then read all night - I feel it was time well spent. Another J K Rowling blockbuster sure to please her bank manager.
Alex, UK

I got mine delivered. I've only read a chapter but so far it is excellent.
Lauren, Scotland

Bought it at midnight, and am getting through it. Wow, well worth the wait, but a bit more than a child's book. Some of Rowling's younger audience might struggle with it.
Elliot, UK, Warwick

It's just fantastic! Rowling's a brilliant writer. Kids everywhere including me who have all ready finished the book are ready to receive the sixth and seventh! Overall JK Rowling you ROCK!
Adam Kammin, England

After three years, she really hasn't disappointed anyone. It's so...original, the whole potter thing, you just have to love it!
Izzie , England

I'm a few chapters through and it's worthwhile. The twists and turns have already arrived! I have read ahead and I know who dies and nobody has speculated it!
David Slater, Scotland

Truly remarkable. Got up very early, went down to Hong Kong Island, bought the book, spent all day in a coffee shop nearby and have nearly finished. It's amazing the effect the book has in a country as far away as Hong Kong.
Ben Byrne, Hong Kong

I don't know why everyone is making such a big fuss. Of course, I love the Harry Potter books and can't wait to get the fifth one, but why do people have to camp out just to get it in the early hours of the day? It isn't that great, is it?
Jenny , England

I do agree that Rowling has a wonder flair for storytelling, I believe the main reason that the potter series has become so popular is that it even appeals to the casual to non existent readers, you don't have to be interested in reading to enjoy this book
Shankho, England

Potter, Potter everywhere!
It's driving me to drink.
Potter, Potter everywhere!
And naught to make kids think.
Tim Morris, UK

When the postman delivered it this morning my 15 year old daughter tore it out of my hands and vanished into her bedroom to read it. I also have a son and his mother desperate to read it. Maybe I will send another email in two-three weeks!
David Bellamy, UK

It's not as good as the others.
Christy, Australia

I picked the book up today - not even one child in the house to "justify" myself, as the first four books were a cracking read. I am rationing my pleasure at the moment - the urge to turn the pages is greater then ever, the mood is darker, and I am inclined to feel The Lord of the Rings has a serious competition here.
Brian, Hong Kong