Harold Bloom on HP

[Andrea H Bonfanti]

No: HPFGUIDX 11227

This week, Veja, the most prestigious Brazilian weekly magazine, interviews literary critic Harold Bloom. Here is what he says about HP (the translation is mine, so bear with me):

"Veja: Are books like the Harry Potter series a good start, a way to sparkle children's interest in reading?

Bloom: Do you really believe children will read better books after reading Harry Potter? I don't think so. And one of the worst writers in America, Stephen King (he's terrible, I can't even read a couple of paragraphs by him) has confirmed my worst fears in a review he wrote for The New York Times. According to him, the 12-year-olds who are now reading Potter will be ready to read his books at the age of 16. Do I need to say more? The USA are a country in which television, movies, video games, computers and Stephen King have ruined reading.

Veja: Why should one not read J. K. Rowling's books?

Bloom: I have only read one of her titles. The language is horrible. Nobody, for instance, "walks" in that book. The characters "stretch their legs", which is an obvious cliche. The whole book is full of these well-worn, second-hand phrases. I've written a negative review of Harry Potter for the Wall Street Journal. It was instant controversy. Over 400 letters were sent, calling me the worst names imaginable. Defense for such kind of bad books comes from everywhere - parents, children, media - and it is very unsettling and not at all healthy."

His opinion really surprised me. Does any of you also think that the language is so poor in the HP books? Have critics been that harsh in general? Brazilian critics have been very positive towards the books, even with the half-assed translations we have here.

Andrea



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]