anti-Potter essay by a book critic

[A&A]

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_6369785

"Of course, it's not really a question anymore, is it? In the current state of Potter mania, it's an invitation to recite the loyalty oath. And you'd better answer correctly. Start carrying on like Moaning Myrtle about the repetitive plots, the static characters, the pedestrian prose, the wit-free tone, the derivative themes, and you'll wish you had your invisibility cloak handy. Besides, from anyone who hasn't sold the 325 million copies that Rowling has, such complaints taste like Bertie Bott's beans, sour-grapes flavor."

[JessicaS]

I really enjoyed Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, I can't wait to get her new book.

But you know, I am not sure that is all book reader's fault. I looked all over a book store for that book, I spent about half an hour trying to find it I finally asked for help and even then they had to look for it a bit.

They had ONE copy. I was surprised.

[A&A]

[lisac77]

I really, really have a problem with being labeled stupid because I like Harry Potter. Really.

I read constantly. I read MOSTLY fiction, and I read for pleasure. I must admit, I am not that deep into fantasy. I really, super hated the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy... repetitive drivel anyone? I could write a similar critical essay about that series myself. Then there is the notorious Wheel of Time series which is really just a waste of many thousands of trees. Not all fantasy is good. A large part of fantasy sucks. Harry Potter is some of the better fantasy writing available.

I've read His Dark Materials, and I think it is a good trilogy, but even Pullman get a little too deep into his own world at times, and The Amber Spyglass is really slow compared to the other two books. For me, it's just not as captivating as the colorful world of wizards that Rowling writes about.

Honestly, the whole article smacks of I-hate-this-because-lots-of-people-like-it snobbery. When The Da Vinci Code came out the same phenomenon happened. It was a popular book, and since lots of people read it, the literary snobs assumed that it must be crap. I enjoyed The Da Vinci Code, even though I won't generally read Dan Brown unless I am being tortured, but he put out a good one on this particular book.

I think the appeal with Harry Potter is the brilliant idea that's behind it. This magical world that's just beyond our reach, the good-and-evil conflict, etc. Sometimes the writing is not so great. It was originally intended to be a series for children, so the writing in the first few books is somewhat dumbed down for the middle-grade level that was intended as its target audience. However the meat of the story is still there, and clearly it still appeals to a wide audience despite the lower level writing.

So sue me if I enjoy it. I certainly don't expect everyone to love this series like I do, and I am not forcing anyone to read something that he or she doesn't like. However, don't paint me with the stupid brush because I do enjoy it.

Hmph.

[BelgianSheepDog]

From the article:

I'd like to think that this is a romantic return to youth, but it looks like a bad case of cultural infantilism. And when we're not horning in on our kids' favorite books, most of us aren't reading anything at all. More than half the adults in this country won't pick up a novel this year, according to the National Endowment for the Arts. Not one. And the rate of decline has almost tripled in the past decade.

Yes yes yes!!!

Perhaps submerging the world in an orgy of marketing hysteria doesn't encourage the kind of contemplation, independence and solitude that real engagement with books demands - and rewards.

Precisely.

So we're experiencing the literary equivalent of a loss of biodiversity. All those people carrying around an 800-page novel looks like a great thing for American literacy, but it's as ominous as a Forbidden Forest with only one species of tree.

This is such a perfect metaphor. Yes. This is why I get so upset when people tell me this consumerist-media frenzy is somehow saving literacy and the love of books.

[carriebft]

WHile I love Harry Potter and I do know a few kids who have started reading more because of Harry Potter (and I feel HP has done a lot for fantasy writing in general), I have to agree that Potter mania has actually stalled a lot more children that I know than encouraged them.

I teach at a karate school, and I have conversed with many parents on the topic of Harry Potter (being a big fan and all the kids think that's kinda cool ) many of them have told me that their children will read nothing BUT Potter. When I have recommended books to them such as the Bartimaeus trilogy, His Dark Materials or Wizard of Earthsea or Lord of the Rings, parents report back that their children do not complete the books because they are not "as good as Harry Potter."

I wonder how many others have found this to be true as well.

[Stayseeliz]

I read lots of fiction. I'd rather read than watch tv any day of the week. I do love Harry Potter. And I wasn't driven by the "media frenzy" to read it. I didn't even start until 3 years ago.

Why can't people just like something or not like something without bashing everone who doesn't agree with them?

[carriebft]

I remember I picked up Harry Potter in Spanish because I was learning the language at the time. I had tried to read adult books in Spanish but I wasn't ready yet, so I went for Harry Potter since it seemed fun and was one of the few books available at the store in Spanish. That's how I got into them I guess in a round about way that could be media frenzy...since it was one of the only youth books translated to Spanish available at the Borders I was at that day...but whatever.

[Oriole]

I just don't get when people put so much effort into putting someone else down... It's a brilliant idea, and a well written phenomenon that appeals to a very wide age range. Just because you didn’t' enjoy it you have to trash it and put those down who enjoy it? Yes, I see how it makes you a better person and a great critic :

Good marketing can only be credited with sales, well-done writing resulted in reading.

Oh the judgmental tone.. : I read fluently in three languages, I read classics, and fantasy, and books for kids. I read for pleasure, thank you very much, and I don't need for anyone to feel sorry for me. I've been reading Verne, and Duma, and Bronte, and Austen, since I was 10 y.o. so take your concern for my taste in literature some place else... Or better yet produce something that will capture imagination of millions from this many countries from around the world, from such a wide age range... and then feel free to criticize the books other have written.

And don’t' tell me that you read almost four books of the series against your daughter's will to her! (oh the hypocrisy : )

[Twisted Harpy]

Originally Posted by Oriole

Oh the judgmental tone.. : I read fluently in three languages, I read classics, and fantasy, and books for kids. I read for pleasure, thank you very much, and I don't need for anyone to feel sorry for me. I've been reading Verne, and Duma, and Bronte, and Austen, since I was 10 y.o. so take your concern for my taste in literature some place else...

Here, here! I agree, we're big readers in our house. I personally adore the classics, with Jane Austen as my favorite. I didn't even read fantasy until my partner introduced me to LOTR. We all enjoy HP here, and often listen to the audio on trips. My nine year old has read all seven potter books (over and over). He loves them, he has a Hedwig puppet, two scarves, a snitch, etc. He however also reads and loves lots of other things. Because he is a book worm. He also despises the movies because they are a blight on the name of Harry Potter. These kids that don't read anything besides Harry Potter, wouldn't be reading anything right now. Their parents owe a debt to J.K. in that sense. My aformentioned boy, only reads fantasy. I admit, this irks me at times, but for heaven's sake he'll only be ten this November. He has more novels than shelves for them. This love of reading is bound to spill over into non-fiction topics that interest him - when he is ready. And fantasy will have greased those wheels. He also is already writing. And not Potteresque either. His latest work was a Viking saga. His brother on the other hand (8) hates reading. He likes Potter enough if I read it aloud, but not enough to do it himself. If he fell in love with anything at this point I'd be tickled pink, even if it was the only thing he read!

[sevenkids]

Originally Posted by Oriole

I just don't get when people put so much effort into putting someone else down... It's a brilliant idea, and a well written phenomenon that appeals to a very wide age range. Just because you didn’t' enjoy it you have to trash it and put those down who enjoy it? Yes, I see how it makes you a better person and a great critic :

Good marketing can only be credited with sales, well-done writing resulted in reading.

Oh the judgmental tone.. : I read fluently in three languages, I read classics, and fantasy, and books for kids. I read for pleasure, thank you very much, and I don't need for anyone to feel sorry for me. I've been reading Verne, and Duma, and Bronte, and Austen, since I was 10 y.o. so take your concern for my taste in literature some place else... Or better yet produce something that will capture imagination of millions from this many countries from around the world, from such a wide age range... and then feel free to criticize the books other have written.

And don’t' tell me that you read almost four books of the series against your daughter's will to her! (oh the hypocrisy : )

Well said.

I started reading Little Golden Books at 2. By 7 I had read Ben Hur, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenence, Gone with the Wind, Dickens, Austen, Bronte, the Lord of the Rings, and many others. I will read everything and anything from Gabriel Garcia Marquez to Nora Roberts, Best Sellers to little known authors, as long as I like it.
I read because I ENJOY it, not to impress literary snobs. I don't need a book that's going to educate me, stimulate me, improve me, change my life, increase my awareness or do anything except ENtERtAIN me.
I don't need to dismiss a popular book and it's readers to make myself feel superior or more high-brow than the millions who love it, I'm not that insecure. I read what I like and I like what I read. I don't need anyone telling me what I should or should not like.