[HPforGrownups] Digest Number 3344

[Anne Robotti]

No: HPFGUIDX 70866

 Darrell Harris [tigerfan41 at yahoo.com]
 
> This is a cogent reply. It makes much of the case for
most of us.  I would like to add my two cents and that
I am sure is more than my comment shall be worth. 
I am at a loss to understand the bitterness of the
debate. If you think the evolution of the story and
characters is unreal and deeply troubling thus making
the series unfit why continue reading it much less try
to bring rabid fans to your way of thought.  
 
Now me:
 
I can't, of course, answer for TAS but I personally wouldn't dream of trying
to convert anybody to my way of thought. It's just that for me, how I enjoy
a book is by dissecting it. What did I love about this one? What did I hate
about this one? Where do I think the author is going? What are the strengths
and weaknesses of the book as a whole? For me, that's the exact same as
dissecting which room will be the most important or whether Snape was in
love with Lily. Critique, IMHO, is a nod to a book's/series' overall
quality. If the overall quality wasn't there I wouldn't waste my time.
 
Now Darrell again:
 
> I notice
many espousing the theory that OOP proves JKR is not
the talented writer we self deluted ones think she is.
OK, but I still like the books.  
 
Now me:
 
But aren't you taking all this a little personally? Don't you welcome the
opportunity to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a book you love? I
consider myself just as much a rabid JKR fan as the next person, and I
certainly consider her a talented writer. I just think that in this last
book, the pressure is showing. By pointing out a weakness, I'm not trying to
say you're self-deluded, I'm trying to talk about the book. I don't know
what TAS is doing.
 
Darrell again:
 
> If I wanted to read a
story of a deeply disturbed child dealing with
horrible trauma by acting out I'm sure I could find
that. I however am lost in the world of a child who
has the strength of character to rise above things I
could not. If the writing is not as refined as others
oh well. I must not be adept enough to know or care. I
don't try to push you to read it if it isn't appealing
to you. Why do you feel you must try to lessen it for
me?
 
Back to me one last time:
 
It's appealing for me. I'm just wondering why you think the focus of the
literary criticisms is on you - on changing your mind or lessening your
enjoyment. Everybody enjoys a book in their own way.
 
Anne
 


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