*** RANT Warning*****

[plinsenmayer]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C3399
From: plinsenmayer
Subject: *** RANT Warning*****
Date: 7/5/00 7:13 pm  (ET)

Hi:

I just have to fume & rant about this some more. I was watching NBC
evening news, and they had a report on the HP phenomenon.

First off, there was never any mention that adults read these books for
themselves. It's all about the children readers. Which is fine, if you
consider that the point of the news spot is to show that the HP books
have inspired a renewed interest in reading by children and touched off
more creativity in children. Fine.

Side note: they also had some children's lit professor from MN who
said the books were "formulaic, simplistic and sexist." He said they
were preventing children from reading "classic" children's lit. He
doesn't think the HP books are particularly well-written or good
literature. Hmmm. I read something in one of the recent articles from
an online link that this book will spur more criticism than in the past
(i.e. that the media is tired of just praising HP and JKR and they'll
now shift to more critical views).

******** BEGINNING OF RANT **********

Then, they segue into the publishing phenomenon (usual statistics about
the books far outstripping other books in terms of sales, biggest first
print run ever, etc.). Then, they note that (you guessed it!) the
NY Times has decided to create this separate children's bestseller
list. They interviewed the NYT Book Review editor, and he confirmed
it: the whole reason is to free up space on the adult list for "adult"
books. I just wanted to scream at him through my TV set (I think I did --
could check with the dogs)!!!

Maybe when the media covers all the bookstore events this coming weekend,
they will uncover the truth: there is a large contingent of HP fans who
are adults (many of whom are not necessarily parents).

This issue makes me so crazy . . . .

Penny