Issues with the term "realistic"

[Janet Anderson]

No: HPFGUIDX 121296

Kethryn said:
>I honestly want Harry, Hermione, and Ron to live happily ever
>after ~ shadowed by nightmares, sure, but not dead, dismembered, 
>diminished,
>desouled...or any other foul thing you can think of.  Maybe that isn't very
>realistic but, hell, it's a fantasy novel for crying out loud.

And come to think of it, why isn't that "realistic?" What's unrealistic 
about getting married, having a family, finding a job, enjoying friendships? 
Those are things everybody actually *does* in *real life.*  What's 
unrealistic about living a long time and eventually boring your 
grandchildren with stories about when you were their age you had to fight 
Voldemort uphill both ways?  Those aren't mysterious fantasy activities, 
they're what everyone hopes to do, and many, many people are fortunate 
enough to do just that, even after a war (if they survive).

It seems strange that when reading a story about people flying on 
broomsticks, turning into animals, casting spells, becoming invisible, 
playing tag with dragons, and associating with various non-human races, to 
hear people declare that having the hero successfully win against the 
villain and go on to enjoy his life along with those who helped him in his 
fight would be "unrealistic."


Janet Anderson
(And you don't want to get me started about "immature.")