
Article written by Mohandas Alva
M.A. Degree in English Literature from Manipal University, India.
This book tells the story of the events that occur during Harry Potter’s fifth year at Hogwarts and comprises several interesting events that reveal a lot in general about the book series as well as establish key plot points for the future installments.
After Voldemort’s return, as witnessed by Harry, he has to make sense of his surroundings when the Ministry of Magic dismisses his claim as falsehood, and most of his schoolmates themselves do not believe him. Furthermore, he and his friends have to deal with new developments in the school procedure as the Ministry of Magic has decided to interfere with the matters at Hogwarts.
Key Facts about Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Title: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Published: 21 June 2003
- Literary Period: Contemporary
- Genre: Fantasy
- Point-of-View: Third Person, omniscient
- Setting: 1990s Great Britain
- Climax: When Harry Potter faces Lord Voldemort at the Ministry of Magic
- Antagonist: Lord Voldemort, Professor Umbridge, Death Eaters.
J. K. Rowling and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The story of ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ is the longest-ever Harry Potter book. It is around 2,57,000 words long and is longer than the second-longest book, ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows‘ by at least 50,000 words. J. K. Rowling took a long year hiatus after writing ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire‘ before she started writing this book.
By the time she wrote ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,’ she had already written the first four books in a small span of five years. Furthermore, she also requested that there be no deadlines for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, probably because of some plot-related mishap that occurred due to deadlines in the completion of the previous book.
Books Related to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ is the Harry Potter book with the most material, speaking strictly from a word count basis. Therefore, it is also closely related to a lot of other popular books. Firstly, ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ is most popular for its themes of authority, structure and forced obedience and eventual rebellion against such draconian measures.
Therefore, novels like 1984 by George Orwell and ‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley have similar elements and are related to ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.’ Another closely similar work of literature that resonates a similar finesse of the cheerfulness that comes with being rebellious is the graphic novel ‘V for Vendetta.’ The character V from this novel, like the Weasley twins, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and other members of Dumbledore’s Army, fights back valiantly and quite mischievously when the integrity of what he believes in is threatened.
Other books that are similar to ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ include the other books from the Harry Potter series, especially the last two books when it comes to tone and plot points. Furthermore, ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ is also quite similar to books like J. R. R. Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit’, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Silmarillion’, and C. S. Lewis’s Narnia Book Series.

Lasting Impact of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ has gauged a lot of positive reviews for itself over the years. In the year 2004, ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ was considered the American Library Association’s Best Book for Young Adults. It was also considered as one of the American Library Association’s Notable Books. Both USA Today and New York Times lauded the book and J. K. Rowling for its success. The book also went on to receive the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio 2004 Gold Medal.
Despite ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ being the longest book in the series, its movie adaptation was the second shortest Harry Potter movie, with a runtime of about 2 hours and 18 minutes. It garnered great praise and critical success and was produced as usual by Warner Brothers Studios. David Yates was brought in to direct this film. It started the usual actors, including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, reprising their roles as Harry, Ron, and Hermione, respectively. Some interesting additions were made, including Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange and Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge.