Sirius reservations

[ellejir]

No: HPFGUIDX 79816

Kneasy wrote (spoiling for a fight, I think):
> <snip>  I'm really not impressed by Sirius. 
> I couldn't understand the cries of anguish, the desperate grasping
> at straws, the sense of loss that flowed from keyboards across the
> globe.  No, I don't hate him, I found him a distraction;
> un-necessary padding between books 2 and 4 and an intrusion
> thereafter. <snip>

Elle (Me):
You didn't like PoA as a book? (gapes in amazement) I *loved* the 
whole Sirius Black plot and I'm not even that much of a Sirius 
enthusiast.  I thought that PoA was one of the best of the series 
(definitely *not* "unnecessary padding", IMO.)  The plot was really 
clever (ahem, although I don't like to think too hard about that time-
turner thing--but that's another thread) and tons of the back-story 
was introduced.

Kneasy again (*really* being provocative now)
> The overwhelming  majority (close to 100%, but some list names
> defied analysis) of the mourners were female. Presumably adult
> female. They obviously find him sympathetic; but they are not the
> market the book is aimed at. Could it be that they have allowed
> sympathy to out-weigh JKR's plot requirements? <snip>
> 

Elle (Me again):
Hmmmm, let's see.  Why would the female readers find 
Sirius "sympathetic"?  Could it be because he is a devilishly 
handsome, tragically misunderstood adult male with a Peter-Pan 
complex. JKR obviously *intends* for us to view him as a sympathetic 
character.  It is interesting if she is really missing the mark with 
the adult male readers.  My scientific survey (of my two children) 
tells me that children *do* view Sirius in a positive light (he is 
one of the "good guys"); the kids were surprised but not devastated 
by his death.

Elle (who acknowledges Kneasy's assessment of the plot holes 
associated with Sirius but notes that these are not the *only* plot 
holes in the series--<then irons own hands>)