am I the only one who doesn't get Harry Potter?

[Anonymous]

I love the Hp series. There are some adult fiction books that I've put down because they were so poorly written, and I've never had that feeling with Rowling's books. I guess I fell in love with the characters early on when I began to read them (early 20s) and I'm glad my children love them as much as I do.

[Anonymous]

I always thought it was at the start at least, quite derivative of existing stories. I think that was a fairly common response, critically.

[Anonymous]

Never was into HP until I started reading the first book with my children. Now I am a fan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I never could read it either. I took my kid sister to see the movies, some of which were okay and others less so.

I was a literature major with a PhD so I am wondering if that may have something to do with it.

You are correct, the books are not particularly well written. But there is clearly something gripping enough to capture the hearts, minds and wallets of millions.

What book do you find particularly well written? Great Expectations? Huck Finn? Grapes of Wrath?

God no. I had to read those in 7th grade!

Right, right . . . so you don't find those books aren't well written either.

What does meet your standards?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've read the entire series 4 times now, once on my own and three times out loud to my kids. It never gets old.

I actually think the writing is pretty decent and if anything, you have to be in awe of Rowling for creating a whole world. Her imagination is amazing. It's brilliance like that that I find so admirable. I think she deserves every penny she has earned.

So basically, you shouldn't have replied to this thread.

[Anonymous]

I thought it was just me.

I was in college when the books started to grow in popularity. I tried to read the first one, but couldn't get into it. My girlfriend and I went to the movies to see the first one when it came out. I slept through the whole thing. I would find myself dragged to the rest of them by whoever I was dating at the time. I honestly can't tell any of them apart. I'll never forget that line in "Funny People."

"How long has he been in school? They need to call him Harold Potter. What is he getting, his doctorate in Wizardry?"

[Anonymous]

I read the first book when I was 12 (on the younger spectrum for dc moms). Completely loved it and look forward to reading with my children. That being said, I've always had an overactive imagination and love reading -- books play in my head like I'm watching a movie. The movies were a disappointment after imagining what I read!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it might be a function of my age - the first book came out when I was in college and wasn't doing much reading for fun. By the time I started looking into them, my taste in novels had grown, and let's face it - the first is not very well written. I borrowed it from a friend, read the first 10 pages, and handed it back. She said, "Yeah. It's pretty much a kids book, but they get better!"

But meh. Who has the time?

Please tell me it's not just me.

Wow, maybe you didn't read any of the reviews that specifically mentioned the surprisingly good prose for a book aimed at kids. I know I bought it based on a WSJ review (I think I was 28 at the time). I am the first to acknowledge that opinions of "good" writing differ greatly but -- "let's face it you seem to be dismissing the opinions of respected reviewers who are the ones responsible for the wild success of the series.

I'm not a huge HP fan but I've read them and am not usually one to enjoy anything with a fantasy bent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it might be a function of my age - the first book came out when I was in college and wasn't doing much reading for fun. By the time I started looking into them, my taste in novels had grown, and let's face it - the first is not very well written. I borrowed it from a friend, read the first 10 pages, and handed it back. She said, "Yeah. It's pretty much a kids book, but they get better!"

But meh. Who has the time?

Please tell me it's not just me.

Wow, maybe you didn't read any of the reviews that specifically mentioned the surprisingly good prose for a book aimed at kids. I know I bought it based on a WSJ review (I think I was 28 at the time). I am the first to acknowledge that opinions of "good" writing differ greatly but -- "let's face it you seem to be dismissing the opinions of respected reviewers who are the ones responsible for the wild success of the series.

I'm not a huge HP fan but I've read them and am not usually one to enjoy anything with a fantasy bent.

It's actually clunky, awkward prose. Inability to determine which POV you're writing in, anyway? That's basic stuff.

[Anonymous]

Avid reader. LOVE Fantasy and Science Fiction and actually love to reread books from my childhood. In fact, just reread Ann of Green Gables and the Narnia books. I could never get into Harry Potter. Have tried many times. Even when it came to reading with my kids dh had to read HP with them...I never got hooked into the world.

[Anonymous]

I don't think DCUM is a good place to discuss this. The vast majority of people on here are very academically oriented and pretty everyone here goes to college. Most people on here are way too academically serious to appreciate fictional literature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think DCUM is a good place to discuss this. The vast majority of people on here are very academically oriented and pretty everyone here goes to college. Most people on here are way too academically serious to appreciate fictional literature.

I don't agree. The book threads on here are very insightful. Lots of great thoughts on fiction, literature (fictional literature?!), YA fiction, etc. Also many good recommendations on fluff reading because the people here like to wind down with that too. You sound like an HP apologist. There have been many good comments on this thread about why it is good for what it is, what attracts children to it, difficulties adults may have with it, and alternatives for adults who do like fiction, and further, enjoy fantasy fiction.