[HPforGrownups] Re: Harry Potter: a great representation of our time?

[Sue Porter]

No: HPFGUIDX 77291



>From: "Wanda Sherratt" <wsherratt3338 at rogers.com>
>>I have to disagree. There is no way JKR can remotely come close to
>the power of writers like Tolkien and Austen, nor is she anywhere
>near as literate as Lewis.  "Warm flat beer" is not too bad as a
>description; I enjoy a lot of things about the HP books (the first 4
>especially), the tricky plotting, the red herrings, the clever
>windup tying all the loose ends together, the energy, the humour.
>But literary style would come somewhere near the bottom of the
>list.  She's like Agatha Christie - a great read, but not a literary
>master craftsman.
>
>   I think that the
> > series will be popular 50 years from now.
>
>I think it depends on how well she finishes the series.  Another
>volume like OotP would finish off a lot of the enthusiasm for HP.
>But a good conclusion would probably establish it as a mid-
>level "classic".


For heavans sake, whoever said she wanted to write 'the great literary 
classic'? its a childrens book! I for one dont care how badly or well its 
written. I personally judge books on how they make me feel. I'm 42 years old 
and have been reading for most of my life. I think I have read every 
'classic' and popular novel around (well not really - but thousands of book 
from all genres). I'm not an academic, neither are the children/teenagers 
these books are written for, and I find many of the 'classics' boring. YES 
BORING! For example, I cannot stand the lengthy wordy books of Tolkein, they 
make me want to give up reading them before I get to the point of the book. 
I didnt, I persevered, made it through but was dissatisfied. The whole three 
books of LOTR could have been put into one book after all. (and I love big 
long books) Neither of my kids (boys) can read them either. If it wasnt for 
the movies bringing them back into the limelight, they would not even have 
attempted them BUT both of them (16 and 13) are mad, crazy HP fans because 
they are written for them by someone who wants them to enjoy reading. In 50 
years, many academics might not regard them as classics for the way they are 
written, but they will be classics for what they did to childrens literacy 
skills. There have been so many, many reports that children who would not 
ever read a book, started reading HP books and now love reading. She has 
reintroduced a whole generation to the written word and for that alone, the 
books will always be classic. Just like the Beatles, IMHO, they changed the 
way the world viewed popular music, and their music will always be regarded 
as classic. Their songs are great, not the best in the world, but great all 
the same, but it is their impact on our society that makes them greater. 
Further, in movies, somewhere recently I read that Jaws was voted the  
Classic Movie of all time - not the best movie ever, but rated for the 
impact it had on us at the time, and its still a great movie to watch.

This is not a 'howler' just expressing my opinion.
Sue (ducking the lengthy tomes being flung in  her direction :) )

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