Rowling's control

[Pippin]

No: HPFGUIDX 180362

susanmcgee48176:
> I am of the opinion that Ms. Rowling's statements in interviews
> are "canon" in the same way the books are canon. <big SNIP>
> However, others have decided that only that which can be
> found in the published books is canon. I absolutely respect
> your decision to do so. We can agree to disagree.

Pippin Fowler:
Don't we have a List Elves' definition of 'canon' somewhere, for 
purposes of discussion and message format? I've been proceeding with 
the idea that 'canon' equals the text of the 7 books only, yet I 
continue to see digressions from that. I don't have an opinion about 
what the definition should be, but I think it would aid group 
communication to have one definition.

susanmcgee48176:
> I find it terribly upsetting to hear her [JKR] attacked and her
> character and intentions defamed. I don't think she is a
> perfect individual (who is?) but I admire her for her writings,
> her viewpoints, her family life, and her philanthropic work.
> It's amazing and great that she is giving so much money to
> charity, and working to promote so much charitable giving.

Pippin Fowler:
I am in this minority with you. It is a great literary 
accomplishment from start to finish, and I believe JKR maintained a 
high degree of personal and professional integrity in a very hype-
happy environment.

susanmcgee48176:
> Second, I love all the books. I love the Deathly Hallows.

Pippin Fowler:
As an adult reader, I love most of the books.
The main problem I have with the whole body of work is that the 
later books became so grim and gruesome that I cannot recommend the 
books for young children. I'm frequently shocked by the violence and 
language in all media these days. Perhaps most readers are 
accustomed to more grit and gore than I ever will be.

susanmcgee48176:
> But I must be in the smallest minority of all -- I even love
> the epilogue! I love happy endings..and I am so happy for Harry
> that he has the family he has always dreamed of and that they
> are doing well...

Pippin Fowler:
Oh, heck, I wanted it to be even happier. I wanted more than just a 
nod from Draco--something more like Dudley's farewell to Harry, just 
a little bit of genuine gratitude for Harry pulling Draco out of the 
flames.

susanmcgee48176:
> Third, (and I am obviously NOT in the majority HERE), I think
> it's great that Professor Dumbledore is gay.

Pippin Fowler:
I wish it had been in canon explicitly, but I believe JKR had rich 
layers of background on all of her major characters from the start, 
and that being gay was part of Dumbledore from the start. --"but you 
cannot deny he's got style" said Phineas Nigellus. It could have 
been in canon explicitly, in scenes of Dumbledore's youth, and the 
omission saddens me.

Pippin Fowler