Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Page 2 - Writers Forum

Dooga Aetrus Blackrazor · 07-17-2005, 12:23 AM

It's a bit childish to bash Rowling for her success. I haven't finished the book (I read slowly and look up words a lot), but I am on Chapter 7. I'm really enjoying this one - it's great. Harry Potter is not Shakespeare; however, since when is the standard for being a good writer academic? If you don't enjoy reading Harry Potter, just reading it for fun, you probably have a poor imagination or have fallen into the "let's bash the book for no reason crowd" - I did that, in Middle School. If you actually think Harry Potter is that bad, I'd be interested in seeing someone construct a solid argument explaining there opinion.

Seriously, Rowling is an accomplished entertainer who uses books to brighten the days of children and adults. Speaking of children, she gets them to read - that is amazing - who cares what they are reading. She is a good role model to young women and men, and she donates to charity. Why so many people feel the need to criticize her is beyond me. She wrote a book, it sells - it's not like she should be forced to price her books a certain way or lose money because they don't meet the academic standards of professional writers.

Another good HP book! I do agree on Dan Brown though - I don't enjoy his books that much, from an academic or personal standpoint. I don't hate them, but I find his writing dry and his word choice poor. His plots are uncomplex, and I find them uninspiring. However, I wish I could write like him - at least I'd make some cash.

LoneWolf · 07-17-2005, 12:32 AM

I've never read an HP book, and I don't ever intend to. However, I don't have anything against it or the author. I actually respect her for all the stuff she's written and created, you know? But the trend does tend to get a bit creepy and sometimes over board. I liked the movie though (I was forced to watch it!) *shrugs*

Hodge · 07-17-2005, 01:33 AM

Trekkies and LOTR fans who dress up as their favorite characters so kick HP fans' asses.

Harry Potter reads too much like Roald Dahl. It was good when I was young, but it's not my thing now. And she is overrated. God, give some of that success to writers who are trying to change the world for the better.

ThatWierdGuy · 07-17-2005, 01:46 AM

(not directed at anybody)

Rowling is still a highly successful published novelist. Maybe a little overrated, but she must be doing something right. Even if you think she sucks, it wouldn't hurt to analyze the reason why she is a success, because it is much more then just dumb luck.

Mike C · 07-17-2005, 01:53 AM

I'm not knocking Rowling, the books or her success.

She's made a bundle of money. I'm happy for her.

What galls me is that on virtually every writers' forum I visit, grown adults go into an excited frenzy over books that, frankly, are written for 12 year olds. Pages and pages are posted on her mastery of plot, character, blah blah.

Guys - unles you are 12, GROW UP?

When was the last time anyone got this enthusiastic over the release of a new Ballard or Amis novel?

Londongrey · 07-17-2005, 03:38 AM

Are isn't it sweet?

All the little green eyed monsters come out to play. How dare someone be successful whilst they are still alive, how dare someone make money as a writer.

Sorry, I'm 26 years old, I have a degree in Sociology and Politics and I still enjoy the books, I'm not quite sure that after that comment that it is me that needs to grow up.

Bitter and sour are the words from others mouths.

lisajane · 07-17-2005, 03:46 AM

Reminder to all those who are bashing her - you realise that you probably don't have a novel published yourself, nor will you most likely never reach the success in writing that she's had. Have you read the books, are you not interested in reading something that's fun, or are you jealous?

I think the books are great. No, they're not the best literature in the universe, but they're fun. They're for people who have an imagination and aren't for those who get all technical and conceited in that they'll only read 'execellent' books and who refuse to have a little bit of fun in reading children's stuff.

Mike, why don't you try having a little fun?

Hodge · 07-17-2005, 03:56 AM

I think that's what irritates us. Sure, her books aren't bad, but they're nothing really special. She's so successful because she's created a fad and turned it into a very profitable business venture, not because she's an excellent writer.

Ten years from now and Harry Potter will be forgotten. It's a sad thing when even books succumb to commercialization.

Londongrey · 07-17-2005, 04:01 AM

I seem to remember the same thing being said about Roald Dahls books and the C.S Lewis with the Chronicles of Narnia, and people still read them.

What is wrong with commercialisation of your work or any book? They can be a form of entertainment aswell as 'serious'.

Good grief when did the education system breed such a group of pretentious literary babblers?

gohn67 · 07-17-2005, 04:01 AM

I remember reading the first Harry Potter. A few years ago. I haven't read the rest, because it's hard to get them at the Library. I remember seeing the book lying around the house; I think my brother was reading it or something. And I picked it up and just read through the whole thing in a day or two. It's definitly a page turner and any author that can do that deserves some respect at least. Granted it isn't a deep book, with anything revolutionary message, but I agree with what LisaJane said, that it is a fun a book to read.

Before I read the book, I thought it was stupid and and a kiddie book, why should I read it. But I hadn't even read it. I was assuming.

Kane · 07-17-2005, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisajane

Reminder to all those who are bashing her - you realise that you probably don't have a novel published yourself, nor will you most likely never reach the success in writing that she's had. Have you read the books, are you not interested in reading something that's fun, or are you jealous?

Tell that to all the talented musicians who will never be as successful as Britany Spears or Limp Bizquick

Hodge · 07-17-2005, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Londongrey

I seem to remember the same thing being said about Roald Dahls books and the C.S Lewis with the Chronicles of Narnia, and people still read them.

What is wrong with commercialisation of your work or any book? They can be a form of entertainment aswell as 'serious'.

Good grief when did the education system breed such a group of pretentious literary babblers?

I haven't heard of conventions where people dressed up as the Lion, Prince Caspian, or Willy Wonka. Nor have I seen James and the Giant Peach brand corn flakes.

Commercialisation didn't used to matter, because companies still promoted art. Nowadays, they've come to realize that art doesn't sell—so instead they give the masses exactly what they want. All for money. It wouldn't bother me if there wasn't the merchandising bullcrap. Does the most superficial country in the world need more cheap plastic trinkets and symbols of its excesses to clog the landfills? No. Not even if it has Harry Potter on it.

I don't know if you've noticed, but starting in the late 80's, commercialism took America by storm. Music, news, movies, even food. Literature resisted, and it fought the good fight. But it's all but lost. Sigh...

Eve · 07-17-2005, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

I'm not knocking Rowling, the books or her success.

She's made a bundle of money. I'm happy for her.

What galls me is that on virtually every writers' forum I visit, grown adults go into an excited frenzy over books that, frankly, are written for 12 year olds. Pages and pages are posted on her mastery of plot, character, blah blah.

Guys - unles you are 12, GROW UP?

When was the last time anyone got this enthusiastic over the release of a new Ballard or Amis novel?

You know, adults believe in magic too, maybe more so than children. JKR has done a brilliant job of weaving a story of magic that is believable to many.

Some believe in vampires, or believe themselves to be vampire etc...

Londongrey · 07-17-2005, 05:22 AM

Hodge,

Your trying to make a political point about a series of childrens books, I'm not talking about the US because quite frankly I don't care, I'm talking about in Britain.

I get a bit fed up with the Proletariat knocking everything, if they are so worried about commercialism and the such why do they have energy eating computers and trawl the internet??

Hand out leaflets on rice paper.

But to get politicl about a series of books with little green eyes is down right silly. If it captures childrens imaginations even or a short while then it is a good thing.

ThatWierdGuy · 07-17-2005, 05:26 AM

The good thing about Rowling and her "Harry Potter" series is that its motivating kids to read books.

The bad thing is that Potter seems to be the only novel kids read. If this were helping the "fiction novel" business as a whole, this would be great. But it seems to only be helping Rowling and her publishers.