Harry Potter: The Story That Changed the World

*Introduction*
The Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling, has become a cultural phenomenon since the first book was published in 1997 ¹. The books have been translated into over 85 languages and have sold more than 600 million copies worldwide, making them the best-selling book series in history ². The success of the books led to a film franchise, which has grossed over $7.7 billion at the box office ³. The series has also spawned a successful stage play, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," which premiered in London in 2016 ³. The Harry Potter franchise has become a global phenomenon, inspiring fan art, fan fiction, and even a theme park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ².

*The Books*
The Harry Potter series consists of seven fantasy novels, which follow the life of a young wizard named Harry Potter and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger ³ ². The main story arc concerns Harry's conflict with the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents and seeks to become immortal and overthrow the wizard governing body ². The series explores themes of prejudice, corruption, madness, and death, and has been praised for its well-developed characters, engaging plot, and vivid world-building ³ ².

*The Impact*
The Harry Potter series has had a significant impact on popular culture, inspiring countless fan art, fan fiction, and even a theme park ³ ². The series has also been credited with encouraging children to read and has been praised for its portrayal of complex social issues such as prejudice and corruption ³ ¹. The series has also spawned a successful film franchise, which has grossed over $7.7 billion at the box office ³. The success of the series has also led to the creation of a stage play, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," which premiered in London in 2016 ³.

*Controversy*
Despite its success, the Harry Potter series has faced controversy, particularly regarding its portrayal of complex social issues such as prejudice and corruption ¹. Some have criticized the series for its depiction of the wizarding world as being predominantly white and for its portrayal of characters with mental health issues ¹. The series has also faced criticism for its portrayal of the Hogwarts curriculum, which some have argued is too focused on magic and not enough on other subjects ¹.

*Conclusion*
The Harry Potter series has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring countless fans around the world ³ ¹ ². The series has been praised for its well-developed characters, engaging plot, and vivid world-building, and has been credited with encouraging children to read ³ ¹. Despite facing controversy, the series remains a beloved and iconic part of popular culture, and its impact will likely be felt for generations to come.

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