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JULY 12, 2003 at 1:50 PM
Posted by EUDAEMONIA
Source: Cleveland PD/Guam Pacific Daily News via iharrypotter.net
Byatt may have more than just literary works on her mind when her criticism isn't solely aimed at Rowling, but to her grown-up fans as well. A report from the Cleveland Plain Dealer
revisits the prize-winning author's criticism perceiving Byatt's attack extends more towards Rowling's grown-up readers (thanks to iharrypotter for link).
Hype generates backlash. The surprise with Harry Potter is that the back lash has been tame and con tained. Youthful fans have been left blessedly alone to love the books. But make no mistake: If you are a grown-up reader of J.K. Rowling's wizard series, you are an object of disdain.
The neighbor who only reads biographies thinks you're daft. The teenager who just discovered Jack Kerouac thinks you're hopeless. And now the acclaimed British novelist A.S. Byatt has pulled an arrow from her quiver and painted a bull's-eye on your back.
No doubt the attack is likely because, as recently reported, adult fans make up the bulk of book sales.
The popular children's series is not just for kids anymore. A British survey found that in 1999, 71 percent of Harry Potter books were bought for 8- to 14-year-olds. By 2001, that share had diminished to 36 percent, according to an Associated Press report.
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Witch
Points: 661
Flitterbloom says:
Yeah, it's true that Harry Potter books aren't just for kids. I mean, first Byatt criticizes J.K. Rowlings writing ability and now she's saying that Parents/Adults shouldn't be reading the books? What does this woman want??
Posted Jul 12, 2003 at 1:57 PM EST
Editor of the Squibbler
(Moderator)
Points: 2031
eudaemonia says:
Byatt's only made that one review, Flitterbloom. The article's expanding on that review -- that it wasn't just an attack on JK, but to her adult readers also.
Posted Jul 12, 2003 at 2:00 PM EST
Witch
Points: 661
Flitterbloom says:
eudaemonia - ok, thanks for clearing that up.. but even with one article, she's still getting on my nerves.
Posted Jul 12, 2003 at 2:03 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 78
lucretia says:
Flitterbloom wrote: "What does this woman want??"
She wants us to buy and read her books, that's what she wants. Personally I have been wondering if Byatt truly believes in what she wrote, or if she is merely attempting to gain some recognition, perhaps boost the sales of her books in the long run. A very cheap and dirty trick in my opinion and something I don't ever see J.K. doing. Best way to get back at Byatt, is never buy or promote her books.
~Steph
Posted Jul 12, 2003 at 2:35 PM EST
Witch
Points: 661
Flitterbloom says:
A agree with you both Camille and lucretia. I think Byatt is solely writing this non-sense for publicity. Everything that has to do with Harry Potter now gets peoples attention, and that's my conclsion as to why she's writing about it. I mean, just look at how much we're talking about it right now. If it wasn't for her article, I wouldn't be writing this right now, and I wouldn't know who you were talking about if you mentioned her name to me. It's a publicity stint. And whether we're bashing her words into the ground or not, you can't deny that she's getting the attention she was seeking.
Posted Jul 12, 2003 at 2:43 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1012
Imperio says:
You're probably right, Camille, but they still have freedom of speech and they are allowed to say what they want. So what we should do is ignore these people and be happy with your own opinion of JKR's work. Share the love with others at sites like these.
Posted Jul 12, 2003 at 2:47 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 479
eclektic says:
imperio:
i agree with u.. ive given up trying to convert pple's myopic view abt the potter series. it makes my blood boil but i believe that there's no way that anyone is able to garner worldwide approval (tho jkr seems to inching closer to that path.. YAY!)
dumbledore says to hagrid:really hagrid, if you are holing out for universal popularity, im afraid that ull be hiding in this cabin for a very long time..
there's always gonna be pple giving someone or the other flak but heck there are millions of pple who love her book.. books sales are just one indication and the lists goes on forever too..
Posted Jul 12, 2003 at 3:29 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 378
wangoballwime says:
I agree with all of you. One supposedly "acclaimed British novelist" isn't going to change my opinion on the books. I think that this Byatt woman failed to comprehend the complex themes present in the HP books: Racism, hierarchichal governmental corruption, becoming an adult, a person vs. society..the list goes on and on. Adult readers choose to recognize these and choose to understand them and assess them for what they really are and in no way are they "an object of disdain."
Really, what is this woman trying to prove?
Posted Jul 12, 2003 at 3:48 PM EST
Metamorphmagus
Points: 37946
tonks black says:
that byatt person needs to be quiet and stop critisizing JKR and her books. i would like to see her write a 870 page book that people love so much they dont sleep until they get it done. i bet she couldnt write a book that kids and adults like..unless she has in which case i feel pretty dumb right about now cause i never heard of it.
Posted Jul 12, 2003 at 3:57 PM EST
Student
Points: 219
Hermione Cosplayer says:
That's not what she wants at all!!!
I have used my magical "seeing" power and I know the truth!!!
She has a closet FILLED with pink fuzzy sweaters and this was part one of her audition for Umbridge!
So far, if we had to go on type casting alone, she is in the lead! :)
Posted Jul 12, 2003 at 5:04 PM EST
Wizard
(Moderator)
Points: 806
Carl says:
I don't understand why people always attack this issue. It comes up so many times that it's getting stupid and repetitive. Granted the novels are good but what right do different people have to attack an author.
No person has ever attacked an author and their readers this much before, no matter how stupid the story, so why, is JK Rowling. Such as massive and successful author (maybe the most successful) attacked so often along with her adult readers. It's wrong, unjustified and selfish. There is no law, degree of respect or standard that stops an adult reading any book, nor watching any film or wearing any clothes. It's not right. If u have the imagination and the taste to read such a magical book then age is no factor to be considered at all.
Posted Jul 12, 2003 at 7:06 PM EST
Student
Points: 268
Tadhgain says:
Oh this lady's just bitter that no one buys her books...she sure is getting a lovely bit of publicity about it though... Hey, any publicity's good publicity I guess...although if she's so smart why does she feel a need to put everyone else down... She just needs to get happy, maybe reading an HP book or two could help her!
Posted Jul 13, 2003 at 10:19 AM EST
Squib
Points: 189
willow80 says:
I couldn't believe what this Byatt women said about adult readers of Harry Potter. I am an adult reader. I am 23. And that fact that she says we basically lack imagination or whatever, makes me made. I believe I have a great imagination and was about with the HP books to really imagen I was there. I found the book well written and spell binding. I couldn't put it down. I just had to read it until I was down with it and it had been that way with ever single book since. My sister got the first book for my nephew, but he was to young at the time to sit down and pay attention to us reading it, i started reading it. I think Byatt is mad because JKR's books are flying off the shelves of book stores around the world and she (Abyatt) can't handle it. Mainly because JKR's books are read but not just children but adults as well. And as a comsumer I plan to continue buying the Harry Potter books and seeing the movies. And the person I think lacks imagination is Byatt.
Posted Jul 13, 2003 at 2:38 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 342
Precious says:
This woman is really getting on my nerves and I don't like her. What a nasty lady... ARGH She reminds me of professor Umbridge lol
Posted Jul 13, 2003 at 2:42 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 603
Padfoot7 says:
This lady is nuts!She critisizes JK's adult readers for escaping from reality. This woman writes romance novels! They are far more fantasy-oriented than JK's literature! This is just a crazy old lady craving attention. She doesn't want to be forgotten or overshadowed by other, more talented people.
Posted Jul 13, 2003 at 2:55 PM EST
Points: 1450
Gopotter2004 says:
Backstabbers. People can read whatever makes them happy. And Harry is as deep as any. Hmph.
Posted Jul 14, 2003 at 11:55 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2034
Professor Snape says:
Well said lucretia. I think she has other motives in bashing J.K. and us, the readers, than just because she doesn't think the HP books are a good, worthwhile read. Adults can read what they want to, not let someone like this critcize us and tell us what we shouldn't read.
Posted Nov 18, 2003 at 10:22 PM EST
Professional Beater
Points: 20891
feltonluver says:
If you are a grown-up reader of J.K. Rowling's wizard series, you are an object of disdain. THAT IS TERRIBLE adults should read it!
Posted Feb 29, 2004 at 8:57 PM EST
Mediwitch
Points: 2608
nickyole1 says:
OKay, now this woman is attacking adults who read Harry Potter? Who does she think she is? People have a right to read what ever they want, no matter what their age.
Posted Jul 18, 2004 at 2:32 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2353
Loretta says:
A S Byatt does not know what she is talking about. This sounds like a publicity stunt to get some ruckus going. She's not even worth my time. I normally do not like critics of any kind because I don't like being told what I like and what I don't like.
Posted Mar 14, 2005 at 12:36 PM EST
The Gryffindor Guy
Points: 2727
z Jamie Potter z says:
Backstabbers. People can read whatever makes them happy!!
Posted Mar 19, 2005 at 8:43 AM EST
Witch
Points: 699
Toph Rox!!! says:
There is an awefull lot of people who like the Potter series for her to be talking so bad about it. Harry Potter is a heck of a lot better than most of the junk that they call adult books anyways. Maybe the case is that this woman is jealous of Rowling. Maybe in order for her to get someone to read a review of hers, she has to insult a really good writer and the millions of readers of the series.
Posted Mar 16, 2006 at 5:41 PM EST