more HP backlash

[plinsenmayer at yahoo.com]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C457
From: plinsenmayer
Subject: Re: more HP backlash
Reply To: [Yahoo! #451] more HP backlash
Date: 2/8/00 8:35 pm  (ET)

Hi everyone:

I just joined up and have enjoyed the discussions in the earlier
messages. Mystril -- I read that article by Henser -- the author seems
a very grumpy individual! I never read fantasy fiction as a kid, so
I can't honestly judge the HP books against the books he cites in his
article. Can anyone else comment?

I do think he's wrong on two points. I would heartily disagree that adults
should not be reading these books (an infantilization of our culture
I think he said). And, I disagree with his assertion that the HP books
will not be classics. I think they will stand the test of time quite well.

He also made an interesting point about how once the last book is
released, future children readers won't age with Harry and his gang (i.e.,
they'll read them one after another and the 8-yr old reader who loves Book
1 will be very confused by the 17 yr-old Harry in Book 7). I would point
Mr. Henser to the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. There were 7 of those also,
and many people (myself included) consider them to be the best American
children's lit ever written. I threw the American bit in, as I may now
believe HP to be the best British children's lit ever written. <g>

I'm looking forward to the discussions!

Penny