Hariharan Senthilkumar - Week 13: Books and Childhood Memories
Hogwarts Castle
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Harry Potter arguably had the largest early influence in my memory because it completely changed the way I looked at school. Before I read the series, school was fun but not really worthwhile in my head. It was just an obligation, something that I was required to do by the powers that be. However, reading the books shifted my view on school and academics in general. The idea of Hogwarts, the concept of a school that taught magic made the words "school" and "magic" synonymous in my head for a long time. The characters, especially Hermione Granger, made me understand what I wanted to be and who I wanted to emulate.
The whole Percy Jackson saga---including Heroes of Olympus, Trials of Apollo, and all the companion novels---left in me a deep love and appreciation for Greek mythology. A lot of my sense of humor came from Riordan's writing style, and these books sparked my interest in mythology, an interest I carry to this day. When I write my own stories, sketch, paint, or do any artistic endeavor, there is always an element of mythology woven into it. There are so many phrases, images, and feelings that I associate with certain myths that it's hard to truly explain how deeply intertwined these ancient stories are in my memory.
Of course, there are thousands of other book series that have changed me in ways I can't even begin to describe. The Magic Treehouse, Geronimo Stilton, Artemis Fowl, A-Z Mysteries, Matilda, and a plethora of other books have made up my childhood. They all taught me the values of friendship, adventure, pursuing excellence, being humble, and anything else you can possibly imagine. Everybody has something that speaks to them or has shaped them in some way, and for me, the experience of reading all of these books has shaped how I see my childhood and how I remember things.
My connection to a book does not actually have to do with the book itself. When I say that these books changed my life, I don't just mean that the characters or that plot changed me---I mean the entirety of the novel, the soul of the novel, has changed me. When I recall the Harry Potter series, I don't just think about Hermione or Ron, I also think about the rising spires of Hogwarts, the colorful shops of Diagon Alley, the glittering night sky above the Astronomy Tower, the dark brambles of the Forbidden Forest---I think about the actual world and the wonders it represents. I can never actually be a part of Hogwarts, but in a very real sense Hogwarts is a part of me, and that is why I think the stories I read have impacted my memory and perception of the world.
Hi Hari! As a very avid reader myself, your blogs have always been a real treat for me. However, your writing this week especially resonated with me because it discusses something I think all book lovers can relate to: the way stories can become a very integral part of us. Your writing style was incredibly poetic, and your argument that books are not about the characters or the plot but about the entire nature of the novel was so beautifully phrased. I think it’s so true that the books we read as kids shape our perspectives, even in ways that we might not initially realize. I especially loved how you described how Hogwarts has redefined school for you and made it seem more magical and meaningful, and I think it’s such a unique way to look at it. Your mention of Greek mythology in Percy Jackson was also really interesting, because I think the popularity of the series introduced the idea to a lot of people, but I admire how you’ve continued to carry that inspiration into your own creative interests. Overall, your writing perfectly expresses the power of stories, and I can’t wait to read more of your blogs in the future!
ReplyDeleteHi Hari! I enjoy how you often infuse your interests in fantasy and mythology into your blog posts, and I thought the way you incorporate them into those posts is perfect for this month’s quarterly theme of memories. I enjoyed reading the Harry Potter series and the Geronimo Stilton series when I was in elementary school. They provided me a way to escape from what I thought at the time was a rather mundane world that lacked joy to some extent, and the joy I got from reading those books enabled me to share that with the people around me. I agree that the stories we read in the past are things we can apply in the present, and they definitely shape how we perceive the world and our identity today. Thank you, Hari, for this blog post!
ReplyDeleteHi Hari!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has been in your cohort since the beginning of the year and read almost all of your entries I have noticed your love and passion for books. I just wanted to say that I think it is truly amazing how you are so passionate about something that is not only interesting but beneficial. I noticed you said that the books we read from a young age shape our perspectives and opinions in the future and I truly agree with this. You also talk a lot about Greek mythology in your past blogs and that is something that I've never truly understood or taken a huge interest to but your passion is honestly incredibly inspiring and makes me want to pick up a Percy Jackson book. Overall, I truly enjoyed reading your blog this week and I look forward to reading what you have to write next week!