On Potter

[swordmage]

Defenders of Secrets, Unite!

This is a little NYTimes blip about the final Harry Potter book. Actually, it's one of those Readers Comments pages. Actually, kind of interesting - for multiple reasons.

Some people are genuinely excited for it, but there's also a fair amount of hatred in it. Hatred mainly because people perceive the series as, well, lousy. We get the old comments of magic is bad and the series isn't good for children because of the darkness in it. There's also the standard (and what I agree with) statement of "Damn you all - the young 'uns are reading. can't you see how good this is!?

My view on it all? Plain and simple - it's a book series. Granted, I was pretty much foaming at the mouth when The Amber Spyglass came out - and rushed to the library first thing I could to get it. i was broke. the library was/is my best friend for things like this Maybe because of that I shouldn't be talking. But then again, personally, I feel Pullman works on a few more levels than Good vs Evil.

Granted, part of me thinks it's gone commercial. Really commercial. You see Harry Potter everything. And on a level, that bothers me. I know a large amount of it is because of the movies, but there's something repulsive to me (and I can't put my finger on exactly what it is) about it all...

This is in no way meant to be a statement that I don't like Harry Potter. Not at all. I find the books well-written and engaging. Quite. They're fun. (Pullman can get a little social commentary at times.)

Discuss?

Comments

[ciara-belle.livejournal.com]

Well, objectively, the books are not the best thing ever written. There are plot holes and Rowling has serious math issues with some things.

But they're fun and they're entertaining as anything. I think kids that get really excited about reading Harry Potter can also direct that excitement into reading other things, and that can only be a good thing.

I loved the Golden Compass, too, but Pullman can be kind of an ass sometimes. Also, he hates CS Lewis, which is just not on.

[skyringer.livejournal.com]

I'm digging the golden compass, I just started it cos I wanted to know what all the fuss is about and I like it so far...

What's his rationale behind hating Lewis?

[ciara-belle.livejournal.com]

He's very harsh on Lewis, actually, which made me like him a bit less when I found out. I adore the Chronicles of Narnia and Pullman has actually written articles about how they're poisonous filth, full of racism, sado-masochism and other attempts at propaganda. I read a lot of the criticism for my high school senior project, but I haven't looked at the articles recently. I'm sure they're google-able, though.

[swordmage.livejournal.com]

I think kids that get really excited about reading Harry Potter can also direct that excitement into reading other things, and that can only be a good thing.
I completely second that statement. More books are good, and I'm always happy to see something on the YA shelves that's not Gossip Girls or something along those lines. Part of me feels quality lately has gone down the drain in that sector.

I'd missed the CS Lewis hatred, but I'm not surprised. There's a whole-lot of religion loathing, particularly as the series goes on.

While I'm thinking of it - have you read the Screwtape Letters? Also, In Gaiman's latest anthology, there's a story called The Problem of Susan, which you might like.

[clarimoto.livejournal.com]

You see Harry Potter everything. And on a level, that bothers me. I know a large amount of it is because of the movies, but there's something repulsive to me (and I can't put my finger on exactly what it is) about it all...

well, my word for it is 'mainstream'. Probably a bad habit from my more intense anime years but there's something about things that go mainstream that bother me. It's kind of like, "oh, you just like it because everyone else claims to like it." Harry Potter is enjoyable but not particularly worthy of the fame it has accumulated...

...especially when my love, Patricia C. Wrede, goes completely unnoticed. But I haven't read the Golden Compass yet so...But off to the library within the week!

[swordmage.livejournal.com]

I love Wrede. Dearly.

What of hers are you reading?

[clarimoto.livejournal.com]

Right now, Daughter of Witches but I just finished reading Sorcery and Cecilia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot which was adorable! It was actually written by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer and started out as them playing a letter game. ^_^