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JohnOAS
SFN Regular
Australia
800 Posts |
 Posted - 07/28/2007 : 21:21:06 [Permalink]
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I'm more or less with Marf on this.
The books are good, but to me they're good kids books. Sure they're quite readable by adults, but to me, do not stand out in this context. As someone (like many here @ SFN), who has read a lot of SF and fantasy stuff, they just didn't grab me as particularly special.
I bought and read the first 3 or 4, to see what the fuss was about, but haven't got the later ones. I may end up getting the rest when the kids are old enough to read 'em, but it won't be any time soon.
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John's just this guy, you know. |
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Siberia
SFN Addict
Brazil
2322 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2007 : 06:51:57 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by marfknox
OK, I think this might be why HP is so popular: because it fits a formula for being popularized. The characters are generic enough that they are relatable to almost anyone. The set-up and character dynamics are easy to understand and familiar (an orphaned boy with cruel guardians who turns out to have special powers - gee, sort of like "Matilda" and a million other YA books? - the student nemesis, the generational conflicts - Harry and his friends mirror his parents and their friends when they were in school, and on and on) , but mixed and matched well enough to not seem cliche. And it is written well enough to allow readers to enter into the scenes and keep interest in the plot, chapter by chapter. From there, it just happened to be noticed by the right people at the right time, and voila - the biggest fantasy hit since Lord of the Rings.
Edited to add: I'm not saying this is easy to do or that someone could plan for their novel to be hyped this much.
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It was hyped here, but not as much as in the North America or Europe. Fantasy isn't that popular over here.
But see, what I didn't like about Lord of the Rings is that not only it gets incredibly boring after awhile (must be the Portuguese translation), but it's not reality. It's not within reality. In the end, I couldn't really care less about any character in it. It's a beautiful world, yes, but it's not my world. It makes a far better movie...
Another thing I liked in Harry Potter is that it shows a bit of both sides lives. I don't know many books who show how the magical side of reality do dishes or prepare their meals, or any number of small and otherwise irrelevant details (but which won me over). Or how they relate to the real world - the non-magical world. It's not Middle Earth or Narnia or whatever else; that's one of the things I liked about it.
But then, I may be just weird. I don't have first-hand impressions of fantasy writing these days (mainly because it's hard as hell for it to even get down here, not to mention expensive), so maybe that's why.
[ And trust me, as a self-proclaimed writer, it's not easy at all. I wish I had 1/5th of her talent... *sigh* ] |
"Why are you afraid of something you're not even sure exists?"
- The Kovenant, Via Negativa
"People who don't like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn't have such funny beliefs."
-- unknown
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| Edited by - Siberia on 07/29/2007 06:54:05 |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
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On fire for Christ
SFN Regular
Norway
1273 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2007 : 12:02:50 [Permalink]
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| Harry Potter is Anti God and Anti Family |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
 Posted - 08/04/2007 : 12:13:35 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by On fire for Christ
Harry Potter is Anti God and Anti Family
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On the contrary, it is highly pro-family (the Weaslys) and doesn't mention God at all.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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On fire for Christ
SFN Regular
Norway
1273 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2007 : 12:38:17 [Permalink]
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| yeah the only non-dysfunctional family in the books have the devil's red hair. |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2007 : 12:45:04 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by On fire for Christ
yeah the only non-dysfunctional family in the books have the devil's red hair.
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Are you serious?
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2007 : 13:04:32 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by On fire for Christ
yeah the only non-dysfunctional family in the books have the devil's red hair.
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What, are you saying that red-haired people are evil by default? Oh please....
And correct me if I'm wrong, but the Weaslys were concentrated on a lot more than any other family in any of the books. The Granger family also seemed to have their collective act together, although they didn't get much print. Even the Malfoys, as foul as they were, showed a dedicated, family coheasion. Indeed, the Dursleys were were coheasive except where Harry was concerned. No adultry, no divorces, and protect the child (blindly) at all costs. Come to think of it, the only really disfunctioal family was the Gaunts and they were screwed up beyond redemption.
Look, it's an extended novel; a work(s) of fiction. Do you wish that it was all sweetness & light, and no one ever did anything wrong? That would make for a pretty dull story, wouldn't it? Rowling wouldn't have sold enough books to pay for her morning coffee and I wouldn't have bothered to spend part of a tight budget on any of them.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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On fire for Christ
SFN Regular
Norway
1273 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2007 : 13:07:21 [Permalink]
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| What, are you saying that red-haired people are evil by default? |
not a big fan of symbolism eh? |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2007 : 15:57:33 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by On fire for Christ
yeah the only non-dysfunctional family in the books have the devil's red hair.
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Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
 Posted - 08/04/2007 : 16:54:59 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by On fire for Christ
| What, are you saying that red-haired people are evil by default? |
not a big fan of symbolism eh?
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Actually, I am, but that was just silly.
Y'see, that's the sort of nonsense we get from the more rabid of the fundalmentilests, of all stripes really. But now (I'm a little slow today) I think you're pulling our collective leg. If this is true: well done!
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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Starman
SFN Regular
Sweden
1613 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2007 : 22:41:02 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by HalfMooner
Originally posted by On fire for Christ
yeah the only non-dysfunctional family in the books have the devil's red hair. |
Are you serious? |
He is right HalfMooner. Red haired people, have no soul. That is a scientific fact.
More info here. |
| Edited by - Starman on 08/04/2007 22:48:52 |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2007 : 22:46:40 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Starman
Originally posted by HalfMooner
Originally posted by On fire for Christ
yeah the only non-dysfunctional family in the books have the devil's red hair. |
Are you serious? |
He is right HalfMooner. Red haired people, have no soul. That is a scientific fact.
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Well, okay, then. If it's science, I'm cool with it.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
| Edited by - HalfMooner on 08/04/2007 23:11:35 |
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Harry more popular than Jesus?
