Blockbuster Novels – What Really Made Them Mega Hits

What Really Made FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, HARRY POTTER, and THE DA VINCI CODE Mega Blockbusters
I’ve read many books, articles, and reports by writers, agents, publishers, and lay readers as to what made a book a big hit. Along with my reading, I’ve attended workshops and symposiums and listened to other writers explain their rationale for success.
Some Say a Book Needs a Healthy Dose of Sex
GREY certainly proved that to be true. But HARRY couldn’t suggest even the slightest carnality. And DA VINCI’s one scene with the elderly folks my age was more laughably spooky than sensual.
Al Zuckerman Had the Answer
Mr. Zuckerman, who founded and ran the uber literary agency Writer’s House for more than 35 years, in my opinion, had it right. In his book, WRITING THE BLOCKBUSTER NOVEL, he said it was “family” more than any other factor. But how did “family” play into what have become the largest-selling book franchises of all time?
“Family” Means More Than the Word Implies
Yes, a little word tap dancing is being done, as I took “family” to mean something globally, even though Mr. Zuckerman often cites THE GODFATHER in his book as the model for his thesis. And it’s hard to argue that the Corleone troupe’s close bonds didn’t sell the story, but I view “family” from a broader sense, and this is why I believe this perspective applies equally to each of the other narratives I cited that have captured the minds and hearts of such a large segment of the reading public.
First, There’s GREY
A year ago, across a bar, I listened to three separate sets of women discussing the E. L. James book. As the titillating issues wore themselves out, the conversation settled on what would happen to Ana. One woman said she hated the story but would buy the next book in the series to see what happened to her. Another lady said the writing was abysmal but she couldn’t put down the book because of Ana and the way she played into the story. The remainder of the lengthy dialogue followed Ana, as these women in one way or another identified with her character, hence my definition of “family.”
POTTER Contained the Same Sort of Empathy
While it might have seemed so peripheral to the story that it could have been omitted, Harry’s abuse by his hateful relatives was brilliant in that it planted a seed in the reader’s (or viewers) mind that could never be removed. Kids identify with unwarranted cruelty, whether it be from a relative or a bully at school. We’ve all had to deal with some aspect of this–and we didn’t like it. Hence, we wanted to see Harry succeed. And we were part of his “family.”
DA VINCI Takes Family to Another Level
What has greater gravitas than the combination of family and religion? Relating DA VINCI to family in the context of this paper might seem like a stretch to many, and on its mere face value my own copyeditor didn’t accept my contention. But family, from a global perspective, was the premise behind the story, as Robert Langdon quest “proved” that Sophie was a descendent of Jesus. I believe, deep within many people’s psyches, a vicarious relationship with Sophie existed. In the story, she was a direct descendent of Jesus–and therefore of Christ. Each person reading this article can decide if this is or is not a “fair” family issue.
Argue the Point, Not the Reality
I could be a million miles from correct about any of this, but I find a relationship to these family-related implications to be indisputable. People care about Ana, Harry, and Sophie. Their trials and tribulations rival the readers’ concerns about like circumstances in their personal family settings, whether directly related or peripheral. It’s my opinion that GREY, HARRY, and DA VINCI’s relationship to some aspect of family are what a mass of humanity identifies with and what motivates people to maintain not just an interest but a rabid enthusiasm for the subject matter. And this is why I chose this form of syllogism, however questionable it might be.