Early the next morning, before the London fog had fully dispersed, the bells on newspaper boys’ bicycles were already ringing through the streets and alleyways.
On the front page of The Times, a review article signed by Andrew Norris, Literary Editor, appeared in a prominent position.
The title had only four words:
[Magic Is Changing Everything]
The article began like this:
If you have not yet read Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, then you are missing one of the most important literary works of this century.
I have worked in literary criticism for thirty years and have witnessed countless so-called “phenomenal works.”
Some of them were indeed excellent, but many more were bubbles inflated by the market and public opinion.
This book needs no such packaging, because it is already radiant in itself.
The article analysed the value of the work from several perspectives.
From a literary standpoint, Allen Wayne’s narrative technique can only be described as textbook-level.
Every piece of foreshadowing planted in the first half receives a precise echo in the second.
The troll, the mirror, the three-headed dog… These seemingly separate elements eventually converge into a complete and powerful conclusion.
This level of structural control is extremely rare, even among established authors.
From the standpoint of imagination, the construction of Hogwarts is breathtaking.
Moving staircases, talking portraits, common room entrances with changing passwords… These details are so rich that one cannot help wondering whether the author has truly visited such a place.
And Quidditch, a sport combining broomsticks, flying balls, and strategy, is without question one of the finest original creations in fantasy literature in recent years.
From an emotional standpoint, Harry Potter’s journey of growth carries universal human resonance.
A neglected child, after discovering what makes him unique, finds belonging and courage.
This is not just a story about a magical world anymore.
It is also a portrait of every person who has ever felt lonely.
The article ended like this:
This book is changing Britain’s reading landscape.
Children are beginning to walk into bookshops of their own accord, and adults are recovering the imagination of their youth.
And all of this comes from an author about whom we know almost nothing—Allen Wayne.
Who is he?
How did he create such a brilliant world?
Perhaps we will never know the answer.
But one thing is certain: he has given us what this era needs most—a magnificent and beautiful dream in which we may briefly escape reality.
At the same time, The Guardian also published a long-form review in its literary section.
The title was: The source of this chapter is g.com.
[From Privet Drive to Hogwarts: Nation’s Cultural Revival]
The author was The Guardian’s chief literary critic, Henry Ford, the same elderly editor who had appeared on the BBC programme.
In the article, he wrote:
In forty years in this profession, I have never seen a book create such widespread resonance in such a short period of time as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Last week, outside a bookshop in London, I witnessed the following scene:
A bank clerk in a suit, a secondary school student with a schoolbag, and a white-haired old lady stood side by side in the queue, each holding the same book.
They did not know one another, yet because of this book, they began talking and sharing their thoughts on what they had read.
That is the power of literature.
It breaks through barriers of class, age, and profession, connecting people who would otherwise never meet.
And from a broader perspective, the value of this book to Britain’s cultural exports is immeasurable.
For a long time, the influence of our cultural products in the international market has been declining.
Hollywood films, Japanese animation, German publishing… We are being overtaken.
But the appearance of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has allowed us to see hope of rising again.
As far as I know, publishers in more than twenty countries have already acquired the rights to this book.
What does that mean?
It means that in the near future, children in Tokyo, New York, Paris, and Sydney will all read this magical story from Britain.
Through this book, they will come to know our language, our culture, and our imagination.
This is a victory of cultural export.
In the cultural field, we are leading by miles!
Literary Review Weekly, meanwhile, released a special feature that same day.
The cover was a photograph of Philip Pullman, with a bold line printed beneath it:
Philip Pullman: Harry Potter Is the Beginning of an Era
In the interview, Philip explained his views on the book in detail.
“Many people have asked me how this book compares to His Dark Materials.”
“My answer is: this is not a competition.
We are writing different stories and pursuing different goals.”
“But one thing I can say for certain is that Allen Wayne’s narrative gift is pure and full of imagination.”
“He understands how to introduce suspense at the right moment, and how to release emotion at the right moment.”
“The characters under his pen are not cardboard cut-outs.
They are living, breathing people with flesh and blood.
They make mistakes.
They grow.”
Sometimes he is impulsive, sometimes he is frustrated, and sometimes he makes the wrong decision.”
“But it is precisely these flaws that make him real.
When he finally faces Professor Quirrell, or rather, when he faces Voldemort—his courage does not come from ignorance, but from his refusal to abandon the things he cherishes.”
“That is true heroism, the kind that aligns with the values people hold dear.”
The Daily Telegraph, on the other hand, analysed the phenomenon from an economic perspective.
Its front-page headline read:
[One Book, One Industry: How Harry Potter Is Saving British Publishing]
The article cited data from Bloomsbury Publishing.
As of 5 p.m.
on 1 October, cumulative sales of both parts of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone have already surpassed three million copies.
Sales of related merchandise have exceeded five million pounds.
It is estimated that over the next three months, this book will bring more than twenty million pounds in direct economic benefits to Britain’s publishing, retail, and manufacturing industries.
And this is only the beginning.
As overseas rights are released one after another, this figure is expected to double within a year.
The article also quoted an unnamed government official:
This book is becoming an iconic product of Britain’s cultural industry.
It shows the world our creativity.
We have reason to believe that, like the Beatles and Sherlock Holmes, it will become an important symbol of British cultural export.
…
Meanwhile, in a small flat in North London, Allen Wayne was leisurely writing [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets].
Inside his mind, the system notification had just sounded.
[Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has received large-scale positive media coverage.]
[Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has been fully published.]
[Overall Rating: S+]
[Stage reward issued: Magical Power Enhancement – Tier Two.]
Allen felt that familiar warm current surge through his body once more, fuller and more solid than before.
[As the overall response has exceeded expectations, an additional reward has been issued: Most Compatible Wand (Unique)]
~
[Erase the Parentheses]