Allowable reader response was Re: Disappointed in Potter?

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 127743


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "potioncat" <willsonkmom at m...>
wrote:
> 


> 
> We do it because we like the books and we like to discuss the books 
> and we're open to other ideas. But this is not a site for people who 
> do not like the books. If you just want to trash Harry Potter, this 
> isn't the place. The very friend who talked me into reading Harry 
> Potter has lost interest. The books became too dark for her. She 
> didn't like PoA and she never read OoP. But she doesn't complain, she 
> simply moved on.

Certainly I understand what you are saying.  However, I don't recall
reading anything from anyone who doesn't like the Harry Potter books,
or at least some aspect of them.  As to "trashing the books," if you
mean by that severely criticizing them, I'm afraid that you're in for
a lot of discomfort.  The fact is that many people who like many
things about HP still think that JKR has made several bad mistakes. 
These people have EVERY right to express themselves in this forum.  If
it makes you upset, I'm sorry, but it isn't going to stop.  Keeping
your mouth shut and moving on is perfectly legitimate if that is your
decision and consistent with your beliefs.  Talking about what you
object to and what has disappointed you is also perfectly legitimate.

Not complaining is not in and of itself a virtue.  It is a way of
responding that is favored by certain people with certain
personalities.  Discussing one's dislikes and disappointments is
another response favored by other people with different personalities.  
And it is a perfectly legitimate and acceptable response.


> 
> So I understand something along the line of "I'll be very upset if 
> Susan Bones dies." But I don't understand "If Susan Bones dies, this 
> series will really suck and I'll never read another book again. Even 
> if I did like it up to now. because I didn't get my money's worth."
> 
> I'll even agree with "If Susan Bones dies I'll be upset because there 
> was no foreshadowing..."

Well, simply because you do not understand it does not make it an
illegitimate position.  I dare say we have all run across positions or
postings we don't understand.  They are still perfectly legitimate.


> 
> Heck, if anyone could just say anything at this site, we'd have 
> someone warning us of the danger of reading a book about witchcraft. 
> And telling us where we were headed if we continued. Who wants to get 
> into that?


I would have no objection to that kind of post at all, providing it
actually tied into the HP books.  If someone said, for instance, that
the character of Voldemort represents the dangers of fooling with
witchcraft because of such and such reasons, that would be a perfectly
legitimate posting.  I wouldn't agree with it.  I would even find it
very odd indeed.  But I would never say it isn't legitimate, any more
than I would ever say that a post specifically linking Harry's
character to models of Christian behavior is not legitimate.

There is absolutely no requirement on this site or any other that I
know of to say nice things about the books, or to be positive about
their message, or to be admiring of JKR.  I think practically everyone
on the list has done all three at some time or another, but there is
no requirement to do any such things.  

I'm sorry that you find some kinds of posts distressing.  But you are
overstepping yourself very badly to say that they are not legitimate
posts, or that these are not opinions that should be expressed on this
forum, or that these subjects are not appropriate for HPfGU.  If you
think that you have a case, then take it up with the list elves. 
Trying to castigate an entire segment of posters online will do no
good whatsoever.


Lupinlore