LogFAQs > #979519292

BloodMoon7 posted...

Eh I think even back then I knew wishes don't come true so it would take something else for me to find a character like that relatable. If anything I find it less relatable because Harry Potter is not only a wizard, he's a pretty decent one at that despite not knowing anything about living as a wizard. He also is naturally gifted at the wizarding sport Quidditch despite living in a closet and probably not exercising. And he has special abilities like speaking to snakes and also he's instantly popular because he's the Boy Who Lived, only really having a few detractors. His main rival is Draco Malfoy but even Malfoy didn't instantly hate him. I could go on and on about how much gets added to the character but it basically just made it impossible for me to think of him as relatable. And he isn't nerdy or quiet either, he's pretty outspoken and outgoing right from the start. Hermione is the nerd.

I wasn't talking about you specifically.

But there are plenty of kids who found him so, and his powers were a satisfying wish fulfillment for them. Hey, as you point out, the speccy kid even turns out to be good at sport! (And in narrative shorthand, his glasses and haircut alone place him firmly in the 'nerd' category).

Plain kid with shitty life turns out to be special is hugely appealing to younger readers, even if it doesn't resonate with you.