Why Do You Read the HP Books?

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 142733

Ibchawz wrote:
<SNIP>
> 
> The first issue I would like to address is JKR's writing ability and 
> style. I have seen comments regarding the contrived nature of some 
of 
> the plot elements used.  I have also seen comments that JKR 
> sacrifices character development to move the plot along.  At the 
> other end of the spectrum, I have read that some feel that the plot 
> follows the standard fantasy / hero's quest storyline too closely 
and 
> that she should be more original.  My question is:  If you feel 
these 
> books are so poorly written from a character, plot, and storyline 
> development perspective, why do you read them?
> 



Well it isn't much of an investment, now is it?  A JKR book reads very 
fast and can be easily assimilated.  Dostoevsky she's not, nor 
Shakespeare, nor even Camus, even on her best days.  So devoting a 
Saturday afternoon to the task isn't much of a sacrifice.  Nor are a 
few list posts in the cracks and corners of a busy and tiring day much 
of a sacrifice.

It is true that OOTP was, IMO, an utter disaster, and HBP found me 
losing 90% if my respect for JKR's writing skills as she essentially 
dealt with the issues raised by OOTP by firmly turning her back on 
them, closing her eyes, sticking her fingers in her ears, and 
screaming "LA! LA! LA!  I CAN'T HEAR YOU OOTP ISSUES!  YOU NEVER 
HAPPENED!" at the top of her lungs.  

However, there is the promise of her earlier books -- a promise that 
she may yet live up to, although I really doubt it.  Given her dismal 
performance in the last two books, I expect her to resolve most of her 
plot by waving her hands, introducing a couple of extaordinarily 
cheesy and poorly written plot-contrivances, and saying "Okay, all 
done!" while three-quarters of the issues she has raised and the plot 
holes she has opened remain like gaping self-inflicted wounds.

But, as I said, the investment of both time and money is extremely 
minimal, and the promise remains -- however unlikely it is that it 
will ever be realized.

Lupinlore