I hardly think HP books are an escape from things that are wrong in the world. HP is a problematic world--there are things in that world people don't want to encounter, but they must anyway: a dark ruler, bullies, school. That is not what I call escapism. If I wanted to escape, I'd choose books that had no problems (and then I probably wouldn't care about them.)

What I like about HP is that the characters we care about don't hide from their problems, they confront them. That's what so many people in real life want so badly to do--confront their own problems. It's really nice to read about characters who do that and who maybe give us a bit of strength to face our own reality.

HP has a lot to do with reality. I just think people still aren't forward-thinking enough to realize that. I think those books have more to do with reality than any trashy, "adult" romance novel or whatever ever will.

Novella completed. Sorry.