JKR=MAC (Was: Slytherins come back WAS: Re: My Most Annoying Character)

[Lee Kaiwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 180148

lizzyben:

> JKR herself says that her interview statements should 
 > be considered canon & part of the "official version" of the series.

She said more than that, actually.

> "...Because I would like my version to be the official version 
 > still, even though I've not written it in a book. Because it's
 > my world."

This statement doesn't limit the "official version" to just interview 
statements. "My version" could encompass anything, including thoughts 
she's never spoken aloud. And that is problematic, to say the least, on 
so many levels. She's attempting a level of control over her works -- 
and even her readers' experiences of her works -- that is both 
unprecedented and impossible. It's sheer hubris.

I've said this before, but the WW of MY experience is not entirely of 
JKR's creation. We all bring our own backgrounds, imaginations and 
personalities to bear on the interpretation of what we read, and no two 
of us can read the same book and come away with the same experience 
(imagine if we did; there'd be no need for discussion. This and every 
other HP discussion forum would instantly vanish in a puff of logic 
(with respect to Douglas Adams)).

I, through my imagination and experience, played a creative role as 
well. And JKR's attempt to read over our shoulders, correct every 
interpretive act we perform that doesn't meet with her approval, and 
dictate the reading experience we must have is patronizing.

Carol is right. Once JKR's works were published, the author died to them.

My hat's off to you lizzyben. I tried to be polite as you, but I 
couldn't do it. JKR's really starting to annoy me. Fortunately, I AM 
free to ignore her interviews, JKR's own wishes on the subject 
notwithstanding.


CJ (who has to go now, because his daughter is asking him to interpret a 
book with her)