Author Topic: Who's into Harry Potter? (Read 16418 times)

samoth2 · « **Reply #45 on:** July 27, 2007, 05:27:22 PM »

Quote from: plastercaster

Quote from: Philly Q
I probably never will, because (I'm sorry to say) I'm a literary snob of sorts - I will not be seen reading "those" books which even people who don't normally read have read. So no Harry Potter, no Captain bloody Corelli and no DaVinci Code.

It's not "even people who don't normally read", it's only people who don't normally read. Heavy on the plot twists, light on character building and the result is a book for people who don't like reading, but something the literary elite despise.

I don't agree that only people who don't normally read can enjoy Harry Potter, The DaVinci Code etc. I've read both and enjoyed them just as much as the more "serious" books.

sambo · « **Reply #46 on:** July 27, 2007, 05:30:43 PM »

i think i would tend to agree with philly and plastercaster on this, at least when it comes to Harry Potter anyway.

although i don't like the films either so maybe its just the entire Harry Potter world i'm not fond of, but either way i much prefer a 'serious' book...

maybe im just not a fan of Rowling's writing. not sure.

samoth2 · « **Reply #47 on:** July 27, 2007, 05:38:04 PM »

I don't really think you can compare Harry Potter to serious books since Harry Potter is mainly written for the younger readers, while a serious book fx. Pillars of The Earth isn't the easiest book to read. They are written for two entirely different groups of readers.

sambo · « **Reply #48 on:** July 27, 2007, 05:43:21 PM »

true you're right with the first part.

but there are plenty of books aimed at young people (i.e. the Pullman series as previously mentioned, William Nicholson, Terry Pratchett, Robert Jordan e.t.c.) which i feel are just much more interesting.

overall i guess its like Harry Potter feels just like as you said- a book written with children in mind, whereas others like the few i mentioned, seem to me to be books that are accessbile to children as opposed to 'for' children.

(or at least that what it feels like to me).

not a bad thing at all, just the way it comes across.

WezV · « **Reply #49 on:** July 27, 2007, 05:59:19 PM »

its funny, i dont destinguish between whether a book is 'serious' or not - i just bloody read what takes my fancy. Some days it might be harry potter or terry pratchett, some days it might be Micheal Moore or Mark Thomas. some day it might be Micheal Cunningham or Huruki Murakami Some days it might be Nietzsche or Ronald Dhahl.

Curently most of the books i seem to be reading are either about food (Anthony Bourdain or Jeffrey Stiengarten) or , quite obviously, guitars (too many to list).

i am also enjoying graphic novels like 'v for vendetta' and 'the watchmen'

Same with films, i prefer stuff like Parkl chan-Wook's vengence trilogy but can just as easily enjoy a nice bit of chessy fluff!!!

there is no such thing as a 'serious' book - at least i havnt seen that catagory in any of the book shops i have been to.

I went to a training session with work the other week and had my boss reading us the gruffalo. We had to do some deep analysis of it because obviously we are trying to teach kids to be independant thinking that can give us deeper answers. Anyway, there were some suggestions made about the meaning of the book that i dont think any kid would come up with or notice. My point - even the most childish of books usually work on many levels and can appeal to more than one age group - but probably in different ways

samoth2 · « **Reply #50 on:** July 27, 2007, 06:02:04 PM »

Sambo

I haven't read any books by the authors you mentioned so I can't agree/disagree but you are probably right that many of them are more interesting than the HP series.

Sometimes I just prefer a nice easy read book.

And WezV I know 'serious' wasn't the best thing to call them but I just couldn't think of another word :oops:

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #51 on:** July 27, 2007, 06:08:59 PM »

Quote from: WezV

its funny, i dont destinguish between whether a book is 'serious' or not - i just bloody read what takes my fancy. Some days it might be harry potter or terry pratchett, some days it might be Micheal Moore or Mark Thomas. some day it might be Micheal Cunningham or Huruki Murakami Some days it might be Nietzsche or Ronald Dhahl.

Curently most of the books i seem to be reading are either about food (Anthony Bourdain or Jeffrey Stiengarten) or , quite obviously, guitars (too many to list).

i am also enjoying graphic novels like 'v for vendetta' and 'the watchmen'

Terry Pratchett books are simply phenomenal - Although I wouldn't say most children, or atleast younger children would have as easy a time reading them.

Wez - Naming Alan Moore stories is unfair - Nobody can compete with that :p

There are some superb Children's Books which are infinitely better than Harry Potter - The Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix comes to mind - As does The Tales of the Otori Trilogy written by Lian Hearn.

Also - For those who are into the whole Sci-fi thing - ANYTHING written by Dan Abnett is phenomenal - I'm not really into the whole Warhammer thing, but the lore and world they've made is phenomenal - And Dan Abnett is probably one of the greatest Authors I have _EVER_ read.

For more adult books - I'd say that The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is one of the greatest books I have ever read - And The Three Muskateers also written by Dumas, while not as good as Monte Cristo was a great read too.

War And Peace is also phenomenal ofcourse.

WezV · « **Reply #52 on:** July 27, 2007, 06:23:10 PM »

Quote from: noodleplugerine

For more adult books - ...

been hanging around the adult book stores have you :D

I praise the school library where i work quite often for having books like 'the wasp factory' and 'fear and loathing in las vegas'. Its just as good for kids to read the odd book thats possibly a little 'above them' as it is for adults to read the odd book they might think is a little 'below them'!!! - just a shame not all the parents agree!!

sambo · « **Reply #53 on:** July 27, 2007, 06:23:57 PM »

wez- very true about the 'serious' thing, as samoth said- guess that isn't the correct term by any means (i used it to :oops:). although i dont think either of us were trying to use it as a genre of book as such; just as you say- there are cheesy fluff books, then much more deep books.

im confusing myself :? :oops:

i semi-agree with "My point - even the most childish of books usually work on many levels and can appeal to more than one age group - but probably in different ways".

thats true if the book is well written.... just like any song- rap, metal, folk, punk, - is great if its well-written.

Noodle- Garth Nix is one i forgot- also very good.

"There are some superb Children's Books which are infinitely better than Harry Potter"

that more or less somes up what i was trying to say.

and also- Samoth- +1 on sometimes just wanting an easy read... same with easy-listening... :)

WezV · « **Reply #54 on:** July 27, 2007, 06:33:41 PM »

Quote from: sambo

"There are some superb Children's Books which are infinitely better than Harry Potter"

that more or less somes up what i was trying to say.

and also- Samoth- +1 on sometimes just wanting an easy read... same with easy-listening... :)

Thats exactly what i was getting at. You get talented writers in all kinds of books and sometimes its worth reading something you wouldnt do normally.

Problem is that you need to read Harry Potter before you know if its any good or not

I am a hypocrite because i absolutely refuse to read the da vinci code no matter how many people tell me i should or how good a page turner it is!!. If i want crackpot theories of religious mysteries i will make my own up rather than read something written by that arrogant sod - - - - but i aint ever going to tell anyone else that they really shouldnt be reading it and i am not going to call it rubbish without reading it first

sambo · « **Reply #55 on:** July 27, 2007, 06:39:50 PM »

Quote from: WezV

Thats exactly what i was getting at. You get talented writers in all kinds of books and sometimes its worth reading something you wouldnt do normally.

Problem is that you need to read Harry Potter before you know if its any good or not

I am a hypocrite because i absolutely refuse to read the da vinci code no matter how many people tell me i should or how good a page turner it is!!. If i want crackpot theories of religious mysteries i will make my own up rather than read something written by that arrogant sod - - - - but i aint ever going to tell anyone else that they really shouldnt be reading it and i am not going to call it rubbish without reading it first

lol agreed, definitely.

i actually read the first 4 or so Harry Potters.... liking them... then got about half way through the fifth and started reading a load of other books aimed at the same market, and basically just thought....

"why the hell have i been reading harry potter?" lol.

EDIT: out of interest... i've heard a lot about the Da Vinci Code... but i've never been 100% sure of its intentions... is it meant to the guys actual beliefs to any degree at all? or hold any truth or is it meant to be 100% fictional?

WezV · « **Reply #56 on:** July 27, 2007, 06:49:29 PM »

I think i would have been more satisfied with Harry potter if JK Rowling had gone with the ending she was clearly setting up for poor old harry for such a long time. She has a set of books that has so much to do with death but never actually tackles the subject head on, well except for possibly in the fifth book where harry has to do deal with a death of a friend that he is blamed for. and even then harry is more worried about the fact no-one will believe him or talk to him than he is about said friends death.

He's not really a likeable character - just like luke skywalker in that respect.

sambo · « **Reply #57 on:** July 27, 2007, 06:54:44 PM »

i don't remember the bit about the friends death (might not have even read it at all), but yer i know what you're saying in general... she could have done so much more... more possibilities and opportunities to tackle other stuff like the death issue... which for me, would have made it much more interesting.

and +1 on the ending if you're suggesting what i'm guessing, as i don't really know the actual ending anyway. lol

38thBeatle · « **Reply #58 on:** July 27, 2007, 09:05:27 PM »

The thing with books is that, like music, everyone has different tastes and comparing one author or genre over another is like comparing colours. They are either well or badly written. I was once a book snob even to the extent of refusing to read fiction of any kind. I haven't read any Harry otter books but not for any particular reason.I can't say I am attracted to them but I cannot comment upon them.Mrs 38th likes them and likes the movies and therefore I'd gladly go along to keep her company. I tend to pick up a book in a store almost at random and if the first page grips me then I might buy it.I do, however, spend a lot of time reading about historic events plus I have historical research to keep me busy, plus two bands and a full time job. What a waste of time this post was but nevertheless I enjoyed writing it as I have just given blood and I am chilling (with my bitch).

Philly Q · « **Reply #59 on:** July 27, 2007, 09:14:08 PM »

Quote from: 38thBeatle

What a waste of time this post was but nevertheless I enjoyed writing it as I have just given blood and I am chilling (with my bitch).

Good man! :D

Giving blood is great, you feel justified stuffing your face with all the food you want for a day or two. Six sugars in that tea? Yes please.