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JULY 10, 2003 at 4:51 PM
The Booker prize-winning author A. S. Byatt was accused yesterday
of dumping "a goblet of bile" on JK Rowling by insisting that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was lacking the skill of the great children's writers. Expectedly, backlash has begun:
Byatt's argument is just what you'd expect from someone shouldering the mantle of high culture. To show that she's not a total killjoy, Byatt allows that Rowling's books are entertaining and reveal "a sure instinct for childish psychology." To answer the bigger question of what explains the series' huge success with adults as well as children (uh, because J.K. Rowling is a master of narrative?), Byatt decides that the books represent "comfort" for their readers, embodying Freud's notion of "family romance" (finding the surrogate family where we are appreciated for ourselves) and the chance to regress to a safe world where good and evil are readily identifiable and we feel that we are given control over the unpredictable.
From the BBC:
Byatt has reportedly been called a snob after her editorial column appeared in the New York Times on Monday.
Of the latest Harry Potter book, she wrote: "It is written for people whose imaginative lives are confined to TV cartoons, and the exaggerated (more exciting, not threatening) mirror-worlds of soaps, reality TV and celebrity gossip."
Incidentally, if you look closely at the right side of The Telegraph's article, they link to HPANA!
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Witch
Points: 661
Flitterbloom says:
LACKING THE SKILL OF GREAT CHILDRENS WRITERS? WHO IS THIS WOMAN? I am appalled to hear that someone could say that about another person. How much publicity do u want lady? JKR is without a doubt the best children's author known to the world today!!
"It is written for people whose imaginative lives are confined to TV cartoons, and the exaggerated (more exciting, not threatening) mirror-worlds of soaps, reality TV and celebrity gossip." - I don't mean to be rude but I could slap this woman.
Make sure you read the link at the top of the page!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 4:58 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 993
Muggle Wizard says:
I don't know that it really matters any more. Ms. Byatt is taking quite a bit of flack for this.
The HP series are still great books; their value is not diminished by a few off-key book reviews (which some people suspected would be coming over a month or two ago).
On a side note, congratulations to HPANA for the link. We're coming up in the world! (Note also the recent advance to #3 on Mugglenet topsites!)
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 5:09 PM EST
Student
Points: 268
Tadhgain says:
Yeah everyone's going to listen to what this woman has to say...Mmmhmm...that's why everyone knows who she is....anyone think she looks like Umbridge!?!? I can see her saying hem hem....(as in, listen to me while I bask in the warm glow of HP)
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 5:17 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1065
Lerah99 says:
Flitterbloom,
I agree with you. This article is insulting both to JK Rowling and her fans. I'm not suprised the columnist has been called a snob. If you can't see art and crafting within the pages of Harry Potter, you obviously aren't paying attention.
This is litterature, not just children's litterature. The themes are true in any era, the characters have emotional depth, and the writing is superb.
To A.S. Byatt I blow a great big raspberry (in honor of Peeves). :o)
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 5:19 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 377
jamesthom says:
So now we know who Umbridge was based on
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 5:22 PM EST
Witch
Points: 661
Flitterbloom says:
Does anyone agree with me that as she's an author, she may be doing this for more publicity?
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 5:56 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 306
Hedwig1974 says:
I agree with Lerah99 on the fact that HP books are not just children's books. I think that this speaks to the unbridled talent of JKR...her words transcend the boundaries of age, class, race, etc. They are just plain wonderful books...I think that the vehemence with which people either rail for or against HP is evidence of the power of JKR's words. $.02 cha-ching!
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 5:58 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1012
Imperio says:
Yeah, it's just too bad that people like this exist today. But as Hagrid said, you'll always get a black sheep in the bunch.
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 6:01 PM EST
Hufflepuff Princess
Points: 24832
Waddi Wasi says:
I think everyone here is quite right, but I'd like to add my two knuts. This woman's holier-than-thou attitude is going to make a lot of people hate her. She is just jealous because J.K.'s books are obviously more successful than hers. She's a bit of a bugger, if I do say so myself.
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 7:38 PM EST
Witch
Points: 609
Aravis says:
So, these books are popular because they give us "the chance to regress to a safe world where good and evil are readily identifiable and we feel that we are given control over the unpredictable." Oh yes, Harry's world is quite safe...not and of course we all felt that we were given control over the unpredictable, such as a certain someone's death...not. I am going to quote Hermione here..."just ignore them". Honestly, I think Flitterbloom is right...some people like to make a Big Stink so they are put in the spotlight. Geesh!
...just ignore them...just ignore them....
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 7:39 PM EST
Hufflepuff Princess
Points: 24832
Waddi Wasi says:
Of the latest Harry Potter book, she wrote: "It is written for people whose imaginative lives are confined to TV cartoons, and the exaggerated (more exciting, not threatening) mirror-worlds of soaps, reality TV and celebrity gossip."
I know, I have double-posting syndrome, I had to point this out:
Most people in the world watch reality tv, cartoons, soap operas, and gossip shows like Inside Edition more than any others shows on television today. Where is she getting this stuff?
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 7:40 PM EST
Witch
Points: 576
Chandra80D says:
Jesus - I don't even watch that much TV...I watch "Married With Children" and "Monk", along with "The Sunday Night Sex Show", "Talk Sex", and so forth...yeah, um - I think my programming is quite alright in a non-brain-numbing sense.
I don't get it...I just don't get it. Well - I do - people are extremely pissed that they haven't written a book series like HP, and extremely jealous of JKR.
::sighs:: Have I broken that "family enviroment" mod's note I saw in one person's post? Sorry if I did...
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 8:42 PM EST
Student
Points: 268
Tadhgain says:
Flitterbloom, exactly what I'm saying, she wants in on the HP action. Now people are going to go, well, what makes her such a good writer, maybe I'll take a look at one of her books....But honestly, did anyone besides the manager at Hawley-Cooke have even the slightest clue who she was!?
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 9:33 PM EST
Healer for all Occasions
Points: 3570
Madam Malkin says:
Yeah, Harry Potter is not imaginative and lacks the skill of great children's writers. If JKR's work is lacking, I wish there was more writing that was 'lacking' because JKR is awesome. I'm sensing jealousy. I'd love to see her write a book better and more original that Harry. Of course, that would be a matter of opinion, wouldn't it? And yeah, this person does have the right to an opinion, but I must say, it's a bit crazy. JKR has been a best selling aithor since book 1 came out in 1997, has who knows how many fans, is the reason for people standind in line at bookstores for hours until midnight when they can buy the latest book in the series. And she is lacking in the skills of great children's writers? Yeah, sure, that makes perfect sense. Does this person have any idea what they are saying? My gosh, you have got to be kidding me. JKR is the best, and has given us one great book series, and she isn't done yet. Just wait and see the kind of things that will happen on the day before the 7th book comes out.
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 10:07 PM EST
Editor of the Squibbler
(Moderator)
Points: 2031
eudaemonia says:
Hmmm... after reading Byatt's original article, it seemed more like an attack on the masses for...
*sticks nose up, sarcasm starts here*
...not appreciating the talents of the rest of the children literary authors who've invested all their time and effort into creating "amazing sentences" full of metaphors, symbolism, and descriptive imagery that go around the barn and back to make a point! (thus making the eyes glaze and wish something interesting would happen or for the book to just end!)
How dare JK write something to appeal to the mediocre masses and thus motivating them to open their minds up to reading more!
*lower nose, end sarcasm*
Um yeah. I can't help but agree with the aformentioned posters that this must be just her attempt at self-publicity because then she would really stick out since so many people love the books.
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 10:29 PM EST
Old Chortlebones
Points: 2601
Newt Scamander says:
From the perspective of someone whose favorite literature genre is children's/intermediate books, I would have to say that J.K. Rowling is bleeding fantastic author and is the only author I have ever even attempted to compare to Norton Juster, the greatest author and mathematician to have ever walked this earth.
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 10:40 PM EST
Squib
Points: 140
MissKentucky says:
I don't see why Byatt would need publicity, I am unaware of any new books by her.
Byatt clearly misunderstands the amount of detail in Rowling's work and does not appreciate the subtle clues that are not apparent in a first reading of her books. Byatt also underestimates the power of imagination in storytelling and how it affects people.
After reading book 3 and dwelling on the theory surrounding time travel, it is interesting that any writer would not appreciate Rowling's abilities. It must be hard for Byatt to understand how Rowling could appeal to intellectuals given her commercial success. So she assumes Rowling can't appeal to them rather than giving her a fair shot.
Posted Jul 10, 2003 at 11:12 PM EST
Hufflepuff Princess
Points: 24832
Waddi Wasi says:
She is comparable to Umbridge and should be fed to the centaurs for afternoon tea.
Posted Jul 11, 2003 at 1:32 AM EST
Healer for all Occasions
Points: 3570
Madam Malkin says:
She may be trying to get publicity, but this was not the way to go. Now, she has negative publicity from the entire HP fan community. And that is a heck of a lot of people. So she did do a very good job on getting publicity. It's not good publicity, though. I laugh at her. HAHA! She doens't like the books. And I personally think that you'd have to have an open mind that welcomes imagination to like the books. So she's the one w/o imagination. Her loss. And her little statements sound to me that she's insulting fans as much as the wonderful author JK. Insulting us for having imagination, something she thinks we lack, and thinks she has, but in reality does not. If Harry Potter and JK and all the HP fans don't have imagination, nothing and no one does. Ok, there are definitely other imaginitive things. But to say HP is not one of them is crazy!
Posted Jul 11, 2003 at 1:39 AM EST
Witch
Points: 657
Wotcher_Tonks says:
Reeter Skeeter is alive and well disguised as Ms Byatt commenting for The daily prophet disguised as The New York Times!
Jealousy really is a curse!
Posted Jul 11, 2003 at 4:57 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 468
Charlie'sMum says:
I posted a comment and it seems to be gone, so forgive me if this is a repeat post.
What I had said was I have a real bone to pick with pseudo-intellectuals who seem to think that it is only literature if it is depressing and so full of imagery, simile and metaphors that you can't find the plot with a map. Oprah Winfry falls into this catogory to an extent, because every book she's picked for her 'book' club is SO bleak and devoid of any positive statment about the nature of mankind.
I'm sure time will show Harry Potter as the timeless classic it is (and this is why there isn't any 'technology' in the book, it would date it too quickly) where her book, and others like it will remain dusty and forgotten on the bookshelves.
Although I do have to agree with her about Terry Pratchett. I'm surprised she's a fan since he and JKR have quite a bit in common - using mythology, science alchemy and literature in his books for example. I would recommend him not as an alternative (and doing so demeans Terry Pratchett as well as JKR) but in addition to reading HP.
Posted Jul 11, 2003 at 11:53 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1065
Lerah99 says:
x WaddiWasi x,
I have to agree with you. I think that giving her to the centaurs for afternoon tea is a wonderful idea!
Or, maybe we could feed her to the Giants. I'm sure her snobish behavior wouldn't last for long there. :o)
Posted Jul 11, 2003 at 11:58 AM EST
Healer for all Occasions
Points: 3570
Madam Malkin says:
I really don't want to get too worked up about what this person says. I mean, we all know that she has no idea what she's talking about. But I must admit it is pretty annoying sometimes, when people say stuff they really don't know. She thinks she knows what she's saying, but any good HP fan knows better. HP is great, and the people that read it are great, and JKR is great. End of story. :)
Posted Jul 11, 2003 at 12:08 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2374
TrueBluePotterFan says:
I have two words for Byatt, "BITE ME".
Posted Jul 11, 2003 at 12:50 PM EST
Marauder
Points: 3954
jade says:
I agree with Leslie, this woman it talking a lot of ****! Jealous is a very ugly thing and as any of has seen of this woman its fits her perfectly lol :) I is a good thing that us True HP fans know that JKR books are wonderful and she is the best writer her books apeal to all. I think she really wanted publicity and she got it but she got the wrong kind i am so glad their is going to be alot of backlash against this woman.
Posted Jul 11, 2003 at 1:13 PM EST
Marauder
Points: 3954
jade says:
Congrats HPANA for the link.
Posted Jul 11, 2003 at 1:18 PM EST
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