Harry Potter

[malwethien]

I read Harry Potter because the story is interesting and it's fun to read. Though I have to agree that some of the ideas are not original or cliche, it is still a great ride. Asking why adults read Harry Potter is kinda like asking why some adults still like reading comic books (which I personally do)...

[Mortis Anarchy]

Why question literature? Why question who reads what? It's like asking, "Why do you read books at all?" I mean... geez. If someone wants to read, what's the problem?

Harry Potter books are extremely modern what with the language being every day common language. Everyone can understand that. Just because a lot of us read classics does not mean the world enjoys having to look up words every couple of sentences to "get it." As years go by language is less formal and much less like that of classic novels.

Escapism? Okay, maybe I'm getting a bit mad, but it doesn't matter why someone wants to read a fantasy book. So... all those adult people that love Star Wars... are they escaping, too? I mean, a lot of people like fantastical worlds (hello, The Matrix - big hit) and out of the ordinary.

Aiiiish. *takes a breath*

YES! haha...

everyone says they are overrated...I really don't like that word. Why people stop liking something because it is overrated escapes me. If you don't like them, then okay, I respect that...If you do like them, great, I respect that too!!

This guy in my Drawing and Design class said that he didn't like the following because they were overrated:

1) Van Gogh
2) mechanical pencils(this one cracks me up)
3) iPods
4) Red Hot Chili Peppers and some other bands.

How silly is that?!

[JBI]

Doesn't the word overrated contradict itself? How can something be overrated if the rating states its worth. Thereby, nothing can truely be overrated as whole, since the rating given by the general public expresses their views, thereby accurately displaying a "rating".

On the note, I personally don't like Potter. I just loathe that little dweeb. Such a silly loser-esque character who is designed to portray the flaws in every male child, as if to call out and say to them "I'm a loser too, but I am saving the world, so can you." And "Hey look, though they may be losers as well, I have friends, and at least they are friends."

I guess this isn't my cup of tea, I think I will stick to Jane Austen. Jane Austen at least has a pretty use of vocabulary (I just imagine the story in my mind being read in an English accent, and I can't help but disappear in the beautiful pages).

[Brigitte]

Doesn't the word overrated contradict itself? How can something be overrated if the rating states its worth. Thereby, nothing can truely be overrated as whole, since the rating given by the general public expresses their views, thereby accurately displaying a "rating".

On the note, I personally don't like Potter. I just loathe that little dweeb. Such a silly loser-esque character who is designed to portray the flaws in every male child, as if to call out and say to them "I'm a loser too, but I am saving the world, so can you." And "Hey look, though they may be losers as well, I have friends, and at least they are friends."

I guess this isn't my cup of tea, I think I will stick to Jane Austen. Jane Austen at least has a pretty use of vocabulary (I just imagine the story in my mind being read in an English accent, and I can't help but disappear in the beautiful pages).

Ahahaha... he's not a loser. He's just a normal kid that found out he's famous. Geez. What makes you think he's a loser? Iono, maybe you define loser in a different way than you do...

And I didn't quite understand you definition of "overrrated"

[Mortis Anarchy]

The first few pages of this thread upset me. *groansmumbleswantstoscreamurghhhh* Anyway, I can't wait for 7/21!! (: I'm going to a midnight party and everything. I always start reading the moment I get my hands on the book. ^_^

I'm not as into the movies as the books. I've never watched a HP movie more than once.

The movies are good if you just look at them as a movie, not as the book. Once you've seperated them, they are much more enjoyable...maybe I'm just saying that because of Mr. Rickman??!

Anywho, I WILL BE IN MEXICO when the book comes out...grr...its cool, I'll have things to take my mind off of it.

[Lag866]

I havent read all the posts so I am sorry if I am repeating. I think when judging the HP books you should take into consideration a few things.First of all There is reading to improve intellect, vocabulary, be introduced to something you may not have been introduced to if you hadnt read about it, and entertainment. HP books are entertainment and therefore do not need to have deep intellectual ideas and words, they only need to be enjoyable. Secondly, when comparing the vocabulary of HP to older novels you need to take into consideration the language of that time, words today that are considered harder and unknown would not have necessarly been so back in say Austen, Woolf, Bronte, etc. time. And finally, there are many adult books written which sell many copies that are written dreadfully, but provide entertainment for many, yet I dont see anyone complaining about those, then again they arent as popular so maybe that's why.

[JBI]

He is a loser because he couldn't make it in the real world. In the real world he is a loser, but once he goes into his escape; his Hogwarts, he is something else. I only read the first one, and saw the movies for others (I have younger siblings) but here is what I managed to dig out.

The Slytherin kids represent the "cool kids" the bullies. They are your tipical I want to be like you kids who the losers both hate and idolize. Harry is a loser because he is disliked by them, though Rowling cheats by giving him more "super powers" to beat them. In the real world he is completely useless, he gets wooped by his cousin, and lives under the stairs. In the fake world he has power, and therefore is no longer a loser, but he still is a geek. I mean honestly, who would, if they had an invisibility cloak, go spying on their teachers.

[applepie]

I actually really enjoy the HP books. One, they grow with the audience. The difficulty and subject matter increases, at least it seems so to me, as the books prgress. Two, it is good verse evil. This theme has been a constant in some of my favorite books like the Lord of the Rings books. I like that everything comes with a price and good doesn't just triumph becase they are good and that is what should happen. As for Potter being a geek, well I don't think he bites the heads off of chickens so we are good on this score Actually I was quite the odd kid in school, not famous, but odd still and it is easy to idetify with this boy who has had been given more trials than someone his age should. Finally, the spying on teacher bit... what kid who could go anywhere without being seen wouldn't have done so. I would have given my left arm in school to drop in on my teachers without them knowing.

Sure the Harry Potter series is an escape for the reader, but all good literature is. I don't know anyone who likes to read books with characters that they don't like and can't relate with. Some of what makes a book quality is its ability to touch the reader in some way, even if it is to only amuse, through the pull of the characters. The characters may not speak to everyone, but they speak to someone. You mentioned enjoying Austen, I'm not a fan of hers and I tend to find the books dull and not enjoyable at all but you obviously enjoy them. I love Ayn Rand and H.G. Wells, however. I'm sure it could be argued that none of these authors were great by someone, but to us they are great. Rowling has secured her place by being able to touch scores of people with her characters and the problems they face.

[rob91]

I think the books have a great deal of nostalgic value for adults who are able to read them and think upon school days as a bit more fun, fantastical and important than they really were.

[Brigitte]

He is a loser because he couldn't make it in the real world. In the real world he is a loser, but once he goes into his escape; his Hogwarts, he is something else. I only read the first one, and saw the movies for others (I have younger siblings) but here is what I managed to dig out.

The Slytherin kids represent the "cool kids" the bullies. They are your tipical I want to be like you kids who the losers both hate and idolize. Harry is a loser because he is disliked by them, though Rowling cheats by giving him more "super powers" to beat them. In the real world he is completely useless, he gets wooped by his cousin, and lives under the stairs. In the fake world he has power, and therefore is no longer a loser, but he still is a geek. I mean honestly, who would, if they had an invisibility cloak, go spying on their teachers.

I won't argue with you, but the books are soooo much better than the movies. >_x And... it's not Harry's fault he's going through family difficulties. Personally, the Slytherins aren't cool.. they're bullies and they are never cool.

But I mean, not everyone will like HP... I just don't understand your justifications. Ah well. xD; And with an invisibility cloak, why not spy on teachers? Curiosity is what triggers it... not loser-ish-ness ahahaha.

[Xtian]

Pardon me for just barging in here but: JK ROWLING has had such a huge effect of kids around the world intersted in reading, that Harry Potter has been translated into almost every language in the world.

JK Rowling wrote these stories to entertain her daughter. She wrote them while sitting in coffee house because she couldn't afford to take the bus back home.

I love Harry Potter, in fact I have used him in teaching literature at the university I teach part time at. I believe that stories are so well written that they will become classics long after we are all dead.


This boy will be famous. There won't be a child in our world who doesn't know his name.
Professor McGonagall:Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone

[Aiculík]

Why do adults read Harry Potter, and is this a form of infantile escapism?

I read it because they are for children, but not infantile.
The story is original, author uses old cliches from old fairy-tales and twists them in new way, making it much more interesting and funny.
It is realistic - characters are believable and the whole magical world has its own logical rules - which is why even adults are willing to accept it.
It is funny - and the humour is in most cases inteligent.
The language is interesting - though the book is written in such a way to be easily understood by small children, it is clear the author thought about every word she used. Plus, I like how the autor created new words such as muggle or horcrux.

Harry Potter is a good book. And that it was originally written for kids - so what? Every good book can enrich you. It does not matter if it is book for children, or what genre it is.

[Xtian]

How true look at how many other authors have had such an impact: CS LEWIS< TOLKIEN > David Eddings> FranK Baum

There is just so much in Harry Potter that reaches adults themes are universal no matter what the genre.

Through literature we can learn so many things no matter what the topics.

I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death.
Servious Snape

[Mortis Anarchy]

Uhm well I'm a young adult and love the books. My mom is in her mid 40's and she loves the books, my brother is two years younger than me and he hates them...there was this guy that lived across the cul-de-sac in his late 50's and was OBSESSED with Harry Potter. Its not escapism if you enjoy something that was created for a younger audience.

[grace86]

I personally believe we never really "grow up." It might be escapism, but who cares? Most people read all kinds of literature, classics or otherwise, to escape their world.

Kids have more creativity and imagination than probably just about every adult. The fact that an adult can return to something so fantastic and out of this world is normal, fun, and I guess a reach for remembering to feed your inner child once in a while.

I love the series. I don't personally understand them being overrated, since the demand is so high and the translations are so many. Fantasy, or children's fantasy, aren't genres that meet the tastes of everyone...I can understand that too.

Cliche ideas and a bit of a rerun on fairytale topics, well guys, remember it is a story for children! It isn't supposed to be hard.