The Agony and the Ecstacy

[dumbledore11214]

> Magpie:
> I guess for me I think it would be perfectly valid to also think it 
> was Pullman's problem. I mean, not to the point where he's at fault 
> for not writing any specific story that you wanted, but for 
> instance, I know somebody who got to the end and thought the books 
> were crazy in a similar way as some people feel about the ending of 
> DH. Shehe read what Pullman wrote and said, "I didn't like this and 
> here's why." She had no alternate version she thought he should 
have 
> written, she just reacted to the story she was given. 
> 
> Likewise, JKR says she didn't like in Narnia how Susan doesn't go 
to 
> Narnia because she likes nylons and lipsticks. Is that her problem? 
> I don't think so. I mean, CSLewis wrote what he wanted, and JKR 
> disagreed with the idea he put forth about Susan. CS Lewis wasn't 
> wrong to write the books the way he wanted, but I don't think JKR 
> was wrong to say she reacted negatively to Susan's ending and why. 
> (And of course Pullman has his own criticisms of what he doesn't 
> like in Narnia.) For me this is all a normal part of reacting to 
> books and talking about them. (Obviously I don't agree with the 
> poster who thinks there's no point in analyzing fiction--I think 
> there's a very good point!)
> 
> Maybe I'm just misunderstanding how you're using the phrases "my 
> problem" though--we both agree an author is going to write what he 
> or she wants to write and don't think we're entitled to every book 
> ending the way we like it in any detailed way.
> 
> -m
>


Alla:

I did not say it is invalid to think that it is Pullman's problem. I 
said for me it is not a good reason to criticise the book, does not 
mean that for everybody else it should not be.

I guess for me plot going to the different direction that I wanted OR 
writer sending the message that can clash with what I would like if 
RW metaphors are possible, is just not the kind of criticism I would 
be able to understand. As to any writer, not just JKR.

Does not mean that this is the invalid criticism, you know?

Like what you said about JKR critique of Narnia. Yeah, I think it is 
her imposing her expectations as a reader upon the text and not the 
kind of criticism I would be able to understand.

And I am not a fan of Narnia  as a whole, like at all. 


Does it make sense? I am all for engaging my emotions when I read the 
book, but when I am asked if it is a good book or not, if I was not 
happy with the plot development or messages that writer sends, I will 
mention that of course, but that is never my criteria to decide 
whether this book is good or not.

Like every time I read *War and Peace* I am angry at Tolstoy that 
prince Andrew dies and that doofus Pier gets the girl.

It never enters my mind to say that because of that the book is bad. 
I mean, with War and Peace it is a little different for me, because I 
found plenty of satisfaction on emotional level too, just not on that 
point.

Alla.