Interesting, But Not Entirely Accurate

According to the Telegraph, Professor Stephen Brown of Ulster University did a study of the different types of Harry Potter readers from a marketing perspective. He argues that each of the four types or readers ties in with the characteristics of the four houses of Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw & Slytherin.

Here is the original article:

Harry Potter readers 'can be split into four types'
By Stephen Adams, Arts Correspondent
Last Updated: 12:01am BST 21/10/2008


Harry Potter readers can be split into four distinct types, according to a marketing expert.

Each type conforms closely with one of the four houses found in Harry's school Hogwarts, Professor Stephen Brown of Ulster University said.

His research found 'Hufflepuff' readers take the tales at a slow, steady and systematic pace and enjoy re-reading the books over and over.

'Gryffindor' readers are eager and energetic and will devour the latest Potter book in one sitting, but quickly move on to new things.

'Ravenclaws' are subversive and take the stories with a pinch of salt, while 'Slytherin' readers are not fussed about the books.

They prefer the films but pretend to have read the books when it suits them.

Prof Brown said: "What we noticed was that the different types of readers were incredibly close to the characteristics of the four houses in the books. It was surprising but it made sense.

"Only the Hufflepuffs are totally loyal to Harry, the Gryffindors are already moving on to other things, the Slytherins never really liked him anyway and the Ravenclaws are too busy writing their own fan fiction or posting spoof videos on YouTube."

The less committed types will now begin deserting Harry Potter, jeopardising sales, he said. "It is an interesting time in the development of the Potter brand because a lot of people have moved on. It will only be people who revel in his world who will continue with their admiration of the brand," he forecast.

"It is at an interesting juncture because the main story has finished and the tension has gone.

One of the things that was driving people to read the books was to find out what happened next."

He doubted JK Rowling's books had the staying power of an author like Roald Dahl, and predicted: "It could come back into fashion but I think it could be like many fads and just fade away and people will look back and say 'Why did we ever read this stuff?'"

Prof Brown interviewed readers aged seven and over. He will present his findings to the Association of Consumer Research later this month.

I think this is pretty interesting, but not necessarily all that accurate. I, for example, am something of a "GryffinPuff". I am "eager and energetic and will devour the latest Potter book in one sitting," but I also "enjoy re-reading the books over and over." So the classification system doesn't really work for me.