Not to be hater...but if you hate HP, come in! - Page 5

[Jade2561]

I despise Harry Potter with all of my being. I get so annoyed with my friends, family members and husband talking about how cool it is. I don't get the appeal. People try to explain it to me - but no, still don't get it.

DH ALWAYS forces me to go see the HP movies when they come out and I always sit there bored thinking about other things I'd rather be doing - like clipping my toe nails, polishing my silverware.

I'm glad I'm not the only HP hater out there!

[MaWhit]

Originally Posted by Janelovesmax

Harry Potter movie bored me to tears, so much that I had no interest in reading the books or seeing sequels.

You're judging a book when you've only seen the movie?

[2bluefish]

Originally Posted by abimommy

[/COLOR]

In the original Hans Christian Anderson tale the Little Mermaid gets turned into sea foam

Yep, talk about creepy - she doesn't get to stay human or stay with the prince happily ever after - she pays a big price for her moment of humanity. When I think about those creepy stories, it really makes me question the benefit of fairytales to young children. The Little Mermaid is a very adult story, and it disturbed me as a child. Maybe in Rudolf Steiner's day (the Waldorf guy) death had to be dealt with at a younger age, but for me I found these stories added to a profound fear of death that I didn't shake until I had my first child in my mid-20s and was able to make some peace with the "circle of life."

Back to Harry hating!

[Janelovesmax]

Originally Posted by MaWhit

You're judging a book when you've only seen the movie?

wow, I'm not judging the book! How can I possibly judge the book, if I clearly stated that I DID NOT READ IT.

I said that I had no interest in reading the books, since I didn't enjoy the movie (the whole story, the premise). I'm sure the book is better then the movie, but the premise and story stays the same, right?

[journeymom]

Originally Posted by Alkenny

I love alot of YA and children's literature too....E.B. White, C.S. Lewis, Lucy Maude Montgomery, Madeline L'Engle. Laura Ingalls Wilder. I just don't think Harry Potter should be in the same category as all of them.

Like I said before, I think Rowling just struck it lucky that there hadn't been much choice in children's literature in awhile.

Agreed, I don't think Harry Potter should be in the same category with Little House on the Prairie. I think Harry Potter is superior writing. Don't get me wrong. I was a rabid LH fan when I was a girl. I wanted to live in a little house on the prairie in the 1800's. I wanted to hang out with Laura Ingalls. I was bummed when the tv show came out and it wasn't exactly like the books. I was so excited when I first read Big Woods to my daughter, I was sharing something personal and very important with her. Little House is respectably written. But JKR is a better writer than Laura Ingalls and Rose Wilder. Rose wrote most of the books.

Originally Posted by 2bluefish

Narnia is a religious (Christian) allegory - does HP have that kind of depth?

Yes, and more so. Again, don't get me wrong, I adored Chronicles of Narnia. It's in my list of most cherished books from my childhood. And I loved the Christian allegory, it was instrumental in my choice to be baptised and join the Episcopal Church. But that it is a Christian allegory does not make it superior to Harry Potter, which is full of allegories of a different sort. It's incredibly rich and layered, and universal.

I agree, JKR is not the most poetic writer. But neither are a lot of the other writers mentioned here. She's borrowed terms and ideas from all over. But she's made them undeniably her own. And for the life of me, I cannot get into Le Guin's stories. It's just a matter of personal preference, but I enjoy Rowling's sense of humor and I find Le Guin's style boring.

That said, there really is no sense in debating the literary merits of different authors when much of it comes down to taste, preference and opinion. But I can certainly understand and respect being fed up with the hype associated with the Harry Potter books and movies. Heaven knows, my husband is tired of it.

And I agree, all of these HP threads should get their own category, so that we Potty Heads can play to our hearts content without completely high jacking the Books, Music and Other Media forum.

But please, please, PLEASE, don't judge the books without having read them, only having seen a movie.

[Mamax3]

Originally Posted by journeymom

And I agree, all of these HP threads should get their own category, so that we Potty Heads can play to our hearts content without completely high jacking the Books, Music and Other Media forum.

please pm a mod. I did and it didn't change anything, maybe if others did they would help.

[gealach]

I haven't read the whole thread, but I am popping in here to gather up all of my fellow Potter fans and gently suggest that they mosey on back with me to the Harry Potter love fest going on all over the books forum. I think we should leave these wonderful (if in my opinion deprived ) muggles with one HP-free zone in which to vent.

While I would love to see you all enjoy HP because I find it so much fun, I do realize that all tastes are different. It has to be annoying to have to put up with all the Harry Potter hype around the world when you just aren't into it. And, don't worry, things really will die down here in just 3 days as all of our Deathly Hallows talk will be corralled into one thread by our lovely mods in order to save anyone from being inadvertently spoiled. Most of our threads with Potter-related questions and theories will fade away as the final part of Harry world is revealed to us.

Now, Potter fans, step into the flue with me and let's go back to Diagon Alley. Speak clearly so you'll be sure to get off at the right grate.

[Janelovesmax]

Originally Posted by gealach

I haven't read the whole thread, but I am popping in here to gather up all of my fellow Potter fans and gently suggest that they mosey on back with me to the Harry Potter love fest going on all over the books forum. I think we should leave these wonderful (if in my opinion deprived ) muggles with one HP-free zone in which to vent.

While I would love to see you all enjoy HP because I find it so much fun, I do realize that all tastes are different. It has to be annoying to have to put up with all the Harry Potter hype around the world when you just aren't into it. And, don't worry, things really will die down here in just 3 days as all of our Deathly Hallows talk will be corralled into one thread by our lovely mods in order to save anyone from being inadvertently spoiled. Most of our threads with Potter-related questions and theories will fade away as the final part of Harry world is revealed to us.

Now, Potter fans, step into the flue with me and let's go back to Diagon Alley. Speak clearly so you'll be sure to get off at the right grate.

Good idea, Gealach!
Let us vent!
Though I do think that I deprived myself of $8.50 when I purchased the movie ticket.

[Janelovesmax]

[QUOTE=anoyingreader;8674762]

Originally Posted by kate42

i
the book has a better laid out story line then the movies,because so many sub-plots are cut out, so please try reading the first book,and then you can hate hp in peace.

So you think I will find Harry less annoying or more annoying while reading the book?

[MelanieMC]

Originally Posted by gealach

I haven't read the whole thread, but I am popping in here to gather up all of my fellow Potter fans and gently suggest that they mosey on back with me to the Harry Potter love fest going on all over the books forum. I think we should leave these wonderful (if in my opinion deprived ) muggles with one HP-free zone in which to vent.

While I would love to see you all enjoy HP because I find it so much fun, I do realize that all tastes are different. It has to be annoying to have to put up with all the Harry Potter hype around the world when you just aren't into it. And, don't worry, things really will die down here in just 3 days as all of our Deathly Hallows talk will be corralled into one thread by our lovely mods in order to save anyone from being inadvertently spoiled. Most of our threads with Potter-related questions and theories will fade away as the final part of Harry world is revealed to us.

Now, Potter fans, step into the flue with me and let's go back to Diagon Alley. Speak clearly so you'll be sure to get off at the right grate.

Thank you!

[mata]

I really need to bump this thread to the top of page one.

[JessicaS]

Originally Posted by anoyingreader

possibly,and i think that you will find the story more understandabul,and more interesting.

I agree.

The books are just more *funny* than the movies, by far. They have a certain charm that the movies have been unable to reproduce.

Even during the big fight scene in OotP I laughed.

IMO, the series takes off at PoA. The first two books are still good, but the best/most interesting of the books are PoA and later.

[kate42]

Meanwhile, George Clooney is still wicked hot.

http://upload.moldova.org/movie/acto..._clooney_2.jpg

[Isabello]

You think you all feel bad about hating Harry....I'm a children's librarian!! I've tried and tried to enjoy those books...and parts I do adore, such as Diagon Alley....but the writing is so clunky and long winded that it makes me crazy. I read the first chapter of the last book aloud today at our Harry Potter party and I could barely spit out some of Rowlings awkward sentences. I think she has a tin ear and no gift at all for punctuation. My journalist husband feels the same way. We read the first book aloud to our son and it was agony...especially after just reading "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" to him. Now, that's good writing! I always say if I am aware of the writing, and thinking about the writing, then something is really wrong or really, really right as in gorgeous writing that takes my breath away. I think all the Harry Potter books need a good editor! A fabulous imagination does not a great writer make.
My colleagues all say the best way to enjoy the books is to listen to Jim Dale on audio. He has a genius for smoothing out the rough edges.

[madskye]

Originally Posted by Isabello

You think you all feel bad about hating Harry....I'm a children's librarian!! I've tried and tried to enjoy those books...and parts I do adore, such as Diagon Alley....but the writing is so clunky and long winded that it makes me crazy. I read the first chapter of the last book aloud today at our Harry Potter party and I could barely spit out some of Rowlings awkward sentences. I think she has a tin ear and no gift at all for punctuation. My journalist husband feels the same way. We read the first book aloud to our son and it was agony...especially after just reading "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" to him. Now, that's good writing! I always say if I am aware of the writing, and thinking about the writing, then something is really wrong or really, really right as in gorgeous writing that takes my breath away. I think all the Harry Potter books need a good editor! A fabulous imagination does not a great writer make.
My colleagues all say the best way to enjoy the books is to listen to Jim Dale on audio. He has a genius for smoothing out the rough edges.

Tell it like it is, Sister!!

It is fun to see the rest of the world enjoying it so much though! My little neighbors were so excited yesterday about reading the new book. Cute!


That said, I still don't like the series.

Thanks for the George picture. I wish he would write a book....

[rmzbm]

WOW, there are OTHERS that don't give a crap about HP?? COOL!!!!!!!!

[boysrus]

I will join in.
Isabello, that is hilarious! An HP-hating children's librarian!
I tried to read them, I got through about 1 chapter and found it totally not engaging. My boys have read them, but my oldest (10 year old) loves science fiction and British humour like Douglas Adams better. He is currently an his maybe 20th reading of Angela's Ashes. Just give him Dr Who or Monty Python and he is in Heaven. He has read each of the books a few times, but it isn't a huge deal.
My 8 year old has read them and likes them but prefers manga.
The whole marketing angle is driving me crazy. I think our society is way to lured by marketing.
Now, Ramona Quimby, THERE is a children's hero(ine) with pluck!

[nova22]

I think she has a tin ear and no gift at all for punctuation.

I admit, I came into this thread because I was spying (I'm a HP fan but I completely agree with the above. DH and I read these together...I mean, outloud, so we get to find out what happens at the EXACT same time...and her punctuating is horrific and so hard to read aloud.

That's all I'll say. I'm leaving you to your hating now. :

[bjorker]

I can't say that I *hate* HP, but I'm definitely mixed about it.
On one hand, I love that it's a book series that's creating so much of a hubbub. Not a TV series, or a movie, or some other silly latest craze. I mean, are we ever going to see that again over a book?

I'm a little bit biased about the whole thing, though, as I've been a bookstore employee for nearly 7 years. Though since I've had dd (after a bit of a break), I only work one day a week in the children's department. I avoided even trying to read them for the longest time, because I was already just so sick of hearing about it. I finally read the first 4 books right after the 4th book came out, and I can see the appeal, but it's definitely not something that I'm crazy about.
Anyway, I didn't work this Fri/Sat when the book actually came out, but I stopped in for awhile. It.Was.Insane. I find it strange but fascinating. You mean, bookstores all over the world were the happening place to be at midnight on a Friday? I can't argue too much with that. I felt pretty bad for my fellow coworkers, however. I mean it was just insane. All of the nearby parking lots were jammed, and there was *no* moving around in the store.

However, I'm already sick of hearing about it, and I really don't care what happens. Sorry. I suppose I'll finish reading them all at some point, but it's just not high on my priority list.

[katybear mama]

You think you all feel bad about hating Harry....I'm a children's librarian!! I've tried and tried to enjoy those books...

Another Children's Librarian here who could do without HP. (Although I did read the last chapter of the book yesterday morning before all the patrons who had holds on the books came to claim them just ou tof curiosity.) :