Thread: JK Rowling: Love or loathe?

You got to give the woman this; she drives people to extremes. You either adore her unreservedly or spit on her name . Personally, I swing between the two , but one thing I have never thought about the Harry Potter series is 'meh'.

I actually just started the first Potter book, and i wish i had started it ten years ago. it's pretty entertaining. I always thought it was "just a kids book". people are right when they say that it's for people of all ages. I'm enjoying it. As for Rowling herself, she's created an empire and i think anybody who's pursuing the field of writing should have the utmost admiration and respect for her. she's created real magic out of an idea, and i think that's something that everyone as a writer really strives for.

I love J.K. Rowling. So what if it's not the finest literature of our time? If you don't enjoy it, you should still respect it. She has so many fans because her books are so entertaining to many people and they bring a magical environment to life. That's a huge accomplishment, in my opinion, so she shouldn't be hated at all.

She can kiss my fat ass.

Eh, she is quite the inspiration for anyone. Not just writers.

She literally went from a welfare single Mother to a billionaire. Of course, that didn't come without hard-work and a passion for writing. But that is probably the coolest thing ever.

The books get people to read. Not just children, but any demographic. It descends across age boundaries. I for one find them the most entertaining books I've ever read. They are a lot deeper than people give them credit with. They deal with real life issues just with a magic twist to it.

I was impressed with the themes in this last book. But she has only constructed a very successful series. She's pretty much a genre of her own.

At least until she writes another book.

Originally Posted by Shawn

I was impressed with the themes in this last book. But she has only constructed a very successful series. She's pretty much a genre of her own.

At least until she writes another book.

You're actually Ms. Rowling, aren't you. I can't prove it now, but I shall someday.

While I would love to be a woman that's richer than the Queen... no. I've never had any real desire to be filthy rich, anyway.

I'm saying, the Potter books are a genre to themselves, since they sell so much... but Rowling will write another children's book, and it will probably be the epitome of cliche.

she singlehandedly revived the book industry. thanx to her we are cruising here as a writer not getting too depressed about our prospects.

Originally Posted by mandax

I love J.K. Rowling. So what if it's not the finest literature of our time? If you don't enjoy it, you should still respect it. She has so many fans because her books are so entertaining to many people and they bring a magical environment to life. That's a huge accomplishment, in my opinion, so she shouldn't be hated at all.

^bump

Originally Posted by free style

she singlehandedly revived the book industry.

Uh... no. She single-handedly revived Bloomsbury. The rest of the industry got by just fine without her.


I've not read the books, so won't comment on them, but I respect her achievement.

Yeah, i guess the bottom line of this thread would be: While J.K. Rowling may not be the most talented or hard working writer, her worldly achievments should be something any aspiring writer should look up to and strive for.

Originally Posted by BlackWolf

You either adore her unreservedly or spit on her name.

There's another option, one which applies to many people, I suspect. I don't care about her one way or the other. My kids haven't read her books and nor have I.

Cheers,
Rob

Originally Posted by BlackWolf

You got to give the woman this; she drives people to extremes. You either adore her unreservedly or spit on her name.

Actually, no. I don't adore her and I don't resent her. Hell, I've never even met her so I don't know what I think of her. If anything, I admire her achievements but I am saddened that adults contributed to her fortune, except those adults legitimately buying for their kids.

I read the first three Harry Potter books (purely because everyone told me too) and I have to say that they were extremely entertaining. I do respect Rowling as an amazing story teller, but when you actually analyze her writing...it's nothing special, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. I do think she's a formidable writer but, at the same time, I don't understand the amount of fame that she's accumulated as there are many other authors that are just as deserving.