If you’re one of those Harry Potter fans now suffering from post-Potter depression in the wake of the release of the final book, and your subsequent night-long reading spree, you’ll be relieved to know that it doesn’t have to be over…
Welcome to the world of Harry Potter fan fiction!
Fan Fiction is defined as derivative works of fiction, from short stories to full-length books, created by independent authors, featuring characters and settings from the original story. Before you scoff at “home-made Harry Potter“, consider the following:
- There are over 42,000 fan written stories on www.harrypotterfanfiction.com.
- J.K. Rowling has endorsed fan-created derivative works of the Harry Potter stories, on the provisio that they be non-commercial, and of a non-sexually-explicit nature. (To avoid exploitation of fans, especially younger ones).
- One fanfic author has been contracted to write for Random House Publishing, following the online success of her (originally in spanish) fanfic novel, Harry Potter and the Decline of the High Elves.
I’ve just finished reading Harry Potter and the Psychic Serpent , and in all honesty, I prefer it to J. K. Rowling’s book. The author, B.L. Purdom (”Barb”), explores mature themes such as jealousy, guilt, redemption, and the battle against our “inner darkness”. The characters are well rounded, and become more realistic and believable. I identified with the Ron, Hermione, Snape, Ginny, and Malfoy as they explored their teenage attractions, desires, guilts and insecurities.
Make no mistake, hormones are flying at Hogwarts, but it seems like an realistic portrayal of high school life, even for someone who remembers it from 10 years back.
I’ve only just scratched the surface, and here are some of the great fan-created Harry Potter stories I’ve stumbled across so far:
Harry Potter and the Psychic Serpent (part 1 - picks up at book #5)
Harry Potter and the Time of Good Intentions (part 2 - picks up at book #6)
Harry Potter and the Triangle Prophecy (part 3 -picks up at book #7)
Harry Potter and the Decline of the High Elves
25/07/2007 at 3:46 pm Permalink
Can’t wait to read them!
18/03/2008 at 2:31 pm Permalink
I’ve just started the Psychic Serpent. It’s actually not bad at all - at some points it’s funnier and better lecture than the orginal. (but the book is very uneven - with some very low points as well). Worth reading if you finished the orginal 7 tomes and miss Hogwards a little.