Potter for stunted imaginations

[hal]

AS Byatt (booker winner) says Harry Potter caters for people with stunted imaginations. Fay Weldon finds the sight of adults reading the books troubling. Are they right?

[Moog]

Yes

[gilf]

I'd say yes too. Its also indicative of the countries general reading standard in that I think the general populous would not attempt to read something by AS Byatt but are happy reading books written at a level for 10 year olds. In my opinion while the books may be good and in the early years developed a core following with kids, its now all about hype, I don't think there is any substance in the argument that it will encourage kids to read more books, its just a fad and if it isnt Potter on the cover then kids will not be interested.

[katejess]

Each to their own. If they have those opinions then fine, but don't expect everyone to share them. Personally, I think that JK Rowling has done far more for the literary world than AS Byatt or Fay Weldon. How many people have heard of or read the Harry Potter books? Millions of people world wide. How many people have heard of or (in particular) read any of Fay Weldon or A.S Byatt.......not nearly as many. I applaud JK Rowling for bringing so many people back to books and away from playstations, x-boxes, television etc. But that is just my opinion and I would not force it on anyone else. But don't listen to what I say, or even what Weldon and Byatt say, read the books and form your own opinion.

[katejess]

Most succinctly put Einstein.....I applaud you too!

[LeMarchand]

I worked in a bookshop for a few years, and kids DID look for something else to read whilst waiting for the new Potter. I do think that A.S. Byatt is a bit peeved that she's not achieving the sales of JKR. That said I suspect that a lot of JK's sucess is due to being very lucky rather than any literary merit.

[Squirrel]

Firstly, I'd like to suggest that it might be a little unfair to call someone "unimaginative" because they like Harry Potter; this is like thinking someone lazy if they take the lift instead of the stairs. Truly great books usually sell themselves, without the need for advertising, but some people forget that it is entirely possible for something to be hyped and of excellent quality. There's also the jealousy factor, but I won't go into that!

[treaclefight]

life is short and our responsibilities are many. time to enjoy ourselves is scarce, now should we spend that precious time doing something we enjoy, or doing something we think we ought to enjoy? if you think harry potter is great, then grow up, if you think he's childish, then lighten up.if it makes you happy to read JK do it, if it makes you happy to agree with AS do it. you'll always be wrong but so's everyone else. your happiness is in your hands.

[Waterwolf]

Sad to say, but I think Byatt is right: the Harry Potter books are very poor examples of the possibilities of imaginative literature. But Weldon is wrong: all the best children's books are worth reading by adults. Go and read something by Diana Wynne Jones, and you'll see what I mean on both counts.

[d+dwidow]

It's a kids book people!!!!! Personally I think we should applaud J K for getting kids to read instead of staring at a playstation for hours. So what if an adult likes it I love reading Harry Potter - it's great escapism - but I also read the classics. People should stop being such snobs. Each to their own I say, if you don't like it don't read it!

[Moog]

d+dwidow hit's the nail on the head... it's a kids book which is why it is so troubling to see so many adults reading it when you consider the alternatives to it. Am not sure why it should make a difference how many people have heard of the different authors katejess but I agree with your point that dragging kids away from the box [whatever's on] is worthy. I read the first book and formed my own opinion... it's a kids book so haven't bothered reading the others

[katejess]

My point Moog, is that why should sour grapes from a couple of lesser known authors suddenly change the opinion of millions of readers? Are we all expected to drop the HP book from our hands and exclaim, "Ooh, they don't like Harry Potter, therefore I wont either?" We don't all adopt opinions based solely on those formed by others. Some of us are quite capable of thinking for ourselves and of making our own choices. Why should that be so threatening?

[firefly]

Something not pointed out already is that Fay Weldon writes fantasy books as well...

[Moog]

Couldn't agree more katejess everyone should be allowed to read exactly what they like though you seem to counter your own arguement about individuality by suggesting that the opinions of the two authors are "sour grapes" because it isn't the same as millions of others!?

[anthomson]

The problem as I see it is that many people will become addicted to a certain author or genre to the exclusion of everything else, be it childrens books, sci-fi, mills & boon or whatever. I am sure there are fine examples of all these books ( well maybe not Mills & Boon ) but people become comfortable with their choosen genre and will read it with blissful ignorance of the quality (or lack of it). I suspect this is what Byatt means by stunted imagination rather than being critical of your 'more rounded' reader who also reads Potter.

[Andromeda]

But surely this is really insulting to those (like me) who have been reading Harry Potter avidly for some time. I think they are entertaining books, for the most part well written, and the breadth of literary allusions that scatter the books is quite astounding. Yes, they are kids books, and yes they therefore a quite straightforward. But if you consider that kids read it, then when they come across something which is alluded to in the books elsewhere in later life, they will be piqued and therefore are more likely to be interested in this new thing. (I'm referring to some greek legends, which are picked over and the like). As for adults reading them, and why don't we do something more interesting instead. It's a release. A frivolous way to spend a couple of hours. If I want to read Fermat's Last Theorem by Simon Singh (an excellent book btw) I will do, reading the Potter books does not mean I can't read something more serious. I know it's not everyones cup of tea, and so I will refrain from telling you all off for not reading it, but really - don't tell me off FOR reading it.