Why Do You Read the HP Books?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 142751

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "ibchawz" <ibchawz at y...> wrote:
>
> I joined this list shortly after HPB was released.  During this 
> time, I have made a couple of observations. ...
> 
> 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. ... that JKR sacrifices 
> character development to move the plot along. ... 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?
> 
>  ...
> 
> ibchawz

bboyminn:

Why do I read them? Because they are fun, because they are
interesting, and because they are stimulating.

As to /how/ I read them. When I read the books, even if it's the tenth
time, I just dive in and let the story carry me a long. I don't
analyse as I read, I just enjoy. The analysis comes later.

Here is a very odd and very personal test of how good I think a Harry
Potter book is. If my mind wanders while I am reading, then it is a
good book. I know that seems odd, but it is specifically what my mind
is wandering to that is important. If my mind wanders to other
interesting Potter storylines and various chapters of my own fan
fictions, then that's an indication that the book is very stimulating
and inspiring to me. If my mind wanders to random insignificant
thoughts, it's a sign that the book can't hold my interest.

So, while I read, I just read and enjoy. But after the fact, there is
room and time for analysing the finer points. No one and nothing in
life is perfect. JKR makes mistakes; she's human. As I have pointed
out before, we here and in the Fan Fiction world have unlimited plot
potential, we can imagine the plot going in any and many directions;
near unlimited choices. But JKR is on a path, as she gets closer to
the end of the series, her plot options become more limited, and I
think now she has very few story options and plotlines to follow.
Things have to be done in order to reach the end that must be reached.

Further, JKR is somewhat of a minimalist writer. Rather than inflame
her stories with long drawn out description of scenes, she simply say
enough to light the spark of imagination in us, and thereby, let our
own minds fill in the details. If you look at the intitial description
of Ron, for example, it is very minimal, just enough for us to fill in
the blanks. The first time I remember JKR describing Draco as a blond
was in GoF, yet prior to that, we all had very clear mental images of
what Draco looked like. This minimalist approach leads a lot of
critics to say that JKR is a primitive and unsophisicated writer. Yet,
the proof is in the reading, I know very clearly what everything in
the books look like, not because JKR described it in detail, but
because she caused my mind to create it. 

So, on the subject of on-line analysis, I can make objective
observations of the books, characters, plots, and author. I can find
fault and I can find things to admire, but even when I find fault,
that doesn't distract from my reading of and enjoyment of the books
when they come out.

Chris Rankin, the actor who plays Percy in the movies, said his
favorite books were 'Chamber of Secrets' and 'Half-Blood Prince'.
Oddly, those are my least favorite. I prefer PoA and GoF. I can
certainly find things to criticize about Chris's choices, but that
doesn't mean I am right, it only means that I have different
priorities, preferences, and view points.

We can argue whether the Dursley are truly abusive or not, and whether
Dumbledore is responsible for that abuse. And while discussion of the
secondary points may be heated, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the
books as a whole.

In a sense, arguing over these fine points is a way that we each
refine our own view of the Potter world, and refining and debating
that view is a sparate issue from reading and enjoying the books.

Just a few (slightly random and rambling) thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn