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AUGUST 18, 2003 at 10:52 AM
Posted by JESSICA LARES
Source: Daily Trojan via MuggleNet
Harry Potter gets yet another review by Craig Stern, who has had enough
of the boy wizard to handle.
But a line has to be drawn. Call yourself postmodern. Call yourself an enthusiast. Call yourself whatever you like, but when you run around spouting Harry Potter terminology and comparing everything you see to Harry Potter, there is only one word that really describes you: "lame."
You know things are getting out of hand when people call Harry Potter "imaginative" and "inventive," and when they start using it as a standard to compare all other things against (even things with no conceivable relation to the books).
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Professor
Points: 1124
mattie says:
I'm getting pretty tired of hearing all those people, saying that the HP books are lame..... I like them and that's it.
Wonder if he have even read the books, or if he is just trowing out stupid words. Can't he see that he is talking about a pice of cultur here ?
Well, wish he would just keep his opinion for him self...
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 11:11 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1990
HarrysGran says:
Well, I’m again and again astonished how many narrow-minded people without imagination or fantasy are running around on this planet, talking about things they don’t understand
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 11:18 AM EST
Minister of Disinformation
(Moderator)
Points: 9690
Geri says:
After reading the article it amazes that Mr. Stern who is a senior majoring in creative writing can comment on something that more than likely he has never read and seems to have a serious problem with adults who enjoy Harry Potter. I suppose that once he gets his degree & starts to write professionally he will have to come up with a few original ideas that he can honestly say weren't taken from other writers. But I suppose we will have to wait and see, won't we (that is if he ever publishes anything for the masses). :)
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 11:26 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1037
Fred and/or George says:
How brave Mr. Stern is to shake his contemporaries to their senses... oh wait a tick... a senior majoring in creative writing.
That 'splains everything. He's just faced the harsh reality that he will have to start writing instruction books for electric razors to support himself as he attempts to write the next Great American Novel. Either that or work at Starbucks. Obviously bitter senior jitters. I suggest a girlfriend.
I've known many an English major to freak out during the senior year. It's about the time you either start hating your own writing and looking for a teaching job, or you're so in love with it that no one can stand to be near you. Of course by October your advisor suggests applying for graduate school, so you return to the safety of knowing another two years of higher education are on their way.
Don't be angry, this is typical of someone who fears he'll never publish so much as a coloring book.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 11:38 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 468
Charlie'sMum says:
I'm willing to be that he didn't read the books. He's just the kind of pretentious college student who equates popular with banal. What he fails to understand is that the HP hype didn't start until long after the books were amazing, wildly, popular. He also needs to take a class in creative writing or literature or something so he can grasp the concept that original isn't the point - yest she took things from other sources, but she created a unique and deeply detailed world using things that are familiar to everyone. That's the whole point. And - Harry Potter came out WAY before Being John Malkovich, so who's copying whom?
We should email the paper to set him straight. dtrojan@usc.edu.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 11:41 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2773
Alessandra says:
"...when you run around spouting Harry Potter terminology and comparing everything you see to Harry Potter..."
I wouldn't call it lame, myself, but it does get tiresome when someone has to relate everything to Harry Potter. My eight year old does that sometimes, and sometimes you've just gotta say "Everything in life is not Harry Potter!"
Of course, that was pretty much the only useful comment in the whole piece.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 11:50 AM EST
Witch
Points: 917
Slytherin_Punk says:
I bet he never even read the books. He is just jealous that it is sauch a huge success. He is a foool.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 11:54 AM EST
Points: 179
kjady says:
I think that people will have there own opinion even if it is wrong. But I have to agree with banker.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 12:37 PM EST
Metamorphmagus
Points: 37946
tonks black says:
Hm..wanna know what i think? I think the writer of this is "lame" because he has nothing better to do than sit around and critisize people who i think are richer than him. And seriously, did dora the explorer write the insult for him?
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 12:46 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 463
Madam Hooch says:
I have to agree with him when he says that people are comparing everything to HP, which is getting pretty tiring. But I do not agree with him saying HP is lame at all. I like HP, and that's it, I like to imagine that can all be true, magic people and stuff.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 12:48 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1856
Rupert Baby says:
Why can't these stupid narrow-minded people just leave us harry potter fans alone its not like we're insulting them, ahhh it just makes me soo mad, and at least they could make sense when they are putting us down geez. (wow i feel better)
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 3:28 PM EST
Student
Points: 237
Ellia Black says:
I love how everyone get so fierd up over this subject !
The truth is these books were intended for children but they have such an adult side to them like Disney movies.They seem to be loved by all ages not just children!
I think it is great that he has the freedom to express his own opinion even though i do not under any circumstances agree!I dont belive that there are many people that could com up with the "imaginary things"JKR did so i do think that these books are origianl reguarless of the many other simalr storylines!
He may be narrow minded and he may not of read the books .Maybe he did and didnt like them .as the saying goes "to each his own" .
Yes i am a HP fan and no that dosent make me lame I dont dress up like any charecters and i dont refer to him in daily llife matters but i still love the books and i will continue reading as long as they are there to read!
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 3:54 PM EST
Points: 790
M. Sebastian says:
Mr. Stern is certainly entitled to his opinion. I am very much an adult and, along with many, many other adults am enjoying Harry Potter. We must cope with all the serious things in this world and like to have a little harmless fun once in awhile. And what harm is there in being a Harry Potter fan??
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 3:58 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 423
ApplebyArrows says:
*yaaaaaaaaawwwwn* He can say what he wants, but he'll never make me hate the books, or anyone else for that matter.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 4:01 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1826
snapelupinfan says:
Who cares what he says? Millions of people all around the world have fun with Harry Potter and enjoy the books and the movies. Most of my friends didn't want to read HP first because they thought it was a book for children only- and they were of Stern's opinion. But they weren't as narrow-minded as Stern and decided to read and judge about the books afterwards. And until now everyone was turned into a HP Fan.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 4:29 PM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2881
Chogiiiirl says:
I thought you guys might like to read the response I sent to Mr. Stern concerning his article:
Mr. Stern,
I would like to commend you on making it to your senior year of college with a major in creative writing. I am especially impressed by this feat after reading your article reviewing Harry Potter and degrading the readers of the series. This well-written but poorly researched article shows the public that you know nothing about creative writing. Your article also lets us, as the readers, see that you are a narrow-minded, egotistical college brat, that feels that "almost" having a college degree gives you the authority to decide what is appropriate reading material for specific age levels and sociological groups. As I have recently received my Masters Degree, I know that obtaining certain levels of education can make you feel very proud, accomplished, and superior in some respects over others. However, with my literary background and course emphasis, and also my love of reading, I can truly say that the Harry Potter series can (and has) reach so many age, gender, socioeconomic, and racial groups. The series brings people together with the common threads of love of literature, fantasy, and the fact that JK Rowling makes her fantasy writing so realistic. Her characters are so mulitdimensional, and truly reflect many human qualities.
Yes, Ms. Rowling is not the first fantasy writer, and many of her ideas are shared with other authors and their themes. However, just because you have no appreciation for her particular style and story line, this does not make us that have found the "magic" (you will pardon the pun, won't you) of her superior storytelling capabilities inferior to you or your "educated" ideas.
Thank you,
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 5:12 PM EST
Points: 105
delay says:
Honestly, I think that was he was saying is that he is frustrated that alot of people think that Harry Potter is the only thing out there. That not that the series is lame, but comparing everything to it is.
delay
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 5:24 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2773
Alessandra says:
LuciusGirl: I think comparing this fellow to the KKK is a bit extreme. Just because you don't like what someone has to say doesn't mean they are racist. It's a cheap shot.
Additionally, regarding your comment that "Sure he is alowed to express his opnion, no one ever said he couldn't it is just MY opnion that it is too bad that he is allowed to!" That sounds pretty narrow-minded and intolerant to me. Isn't that what you were complaining about in his article? That he was narrow-minded? When you think it's okay to impinge on other people's freedom of written expression just because they have an opinion different than yours, you get into a mindset that really DOES resemble that of intolerant organizations like the KKK.
But of course, you are entitled to your opinion as well.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 5:33 PM EST
Witch
Points: 959
Alcestis1 says:
So much sniping on both sides can't be good...people have a right their own opinions, even if they extend to name calling of other people. But having a right doesn't mean you should go around doing it just because you can. Some rights we can exercise can be hurtful to other people.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 5:34 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 56
Auberon says:
Allright. Im all for open debate and people having their own opinions. However a disturbing trend that these "higher education" nay sayers all have in common is that the basic point they keep falling back on is the "unoriginal" arguement. For all their vaulted learning did they skip out on any sort of philosophy or logical arguement preparation? This is such a ridiculous stance to base an arguement on, I expect far more from the better educated than thou crowd. What in hades has been original in the past 2000 years of literature? Hmm Harry potter has this leterary cliche that was done in such and such book 20 years before it. Hmmm I bet I could find the same parralels in oh lets see the BIBLE? but no thats not exactly original either. How about homer? Aristotle told a few good tales when he wasnt philosophizing. But wait didnt the greeks steal a lot of their literary ideas from babylonions and early egyptians? Where does this arguement end? And more importantly is the resounding SO WHAT? Show me a truly original literary vehicle that I cant point to and earlier work in this frickin decade and say look its been done allready and Ill eat the keyboard Im typing this on. Then we get the second basic arguement these people keep spouting, well such and such did it so much better. Oh really? Can you definitivly tell me why such and such is better? Logical rhetoric requires that such a bold statement be backed up with fact, which Im not hearing too much of from these people. Why is that? Ummmm opinion cant be given as a fact? Oh yeah thats right! I forgot! Guess my 30k education + wasnt all that great afterall. Sheesh.
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 5:48 PM EST
Witch
Points: 712
harryroxmysocks says:
Agh, I'm tired of hearing all these bad reviews! HP is a great series!
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 6:29 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 483
thegodwatcher says:
It certainly sounds like someone wasn't loved at home and thought that being a child was stupid, so they acted like an adult since kindergarden. It's sad really, to see some one so jaded that they put people down for doing something that makes them happy (and doesn't hurt any one else). It is very true that this style of writing has been done before. However, if you are going to try and compare it to writings withing the past 50 years...you are off. I'd look a mite farther back. More like thousands of years back. People have been sharing stories of magic and wonder since we've been able to communicate with each other. Over time, all stories start to sound similar. That is only because we like them like that. You wouldn't want to read a book about a boy who was chosen at birth (because of a special gift) to die by the hand of evil...and it actually happened would you? Or one where good sometimes triumphed over evil, but not always would you? J.K. Rowling has written a literary masterpiece for children, I do agree with that, but it dosn't have to stop there. The author of this article probably wouldn't have fun if he went to Disney World because it was ment for children and he found himself above all that childish "fun". I feel bad for him. You will miss an awful lot of life if you don't keep the eyes of your childhood. There is still wonder to be had in things you have seen a thousand times before. I would also like to challenge the writer to read the books (all of them) if he hasn't already done so, and then write about his thoughts. I believe he might change his mind. Oh, and about the picture in the paper he referenced... A picture may say a thousand words, but when was the last time you had a bad picture taken of you? Thanks again you all. Tom
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 6:56 PM EST
Witch
Points: 742
TigerEyez says:
I call myself a Harry Potter nerd, and I could agree less with this man!!!
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 7:20 PM EST
Witch
Points: 750
siriusgurl says:
Um I don't agree but he is aloud he's opinion the only thing I agree with is I myself am getting annoyed at everyone compairing everything to HP. But I am not lame!!!
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 7:29 PM EST
Points: 927
ChelCho says:
This person's opinion is his, but I don't care for it. Who cares if he thinks I'm lame. He's not the coolest guy in the world anyway. He probably just wants to make himself feel better by insulting hundereds and thousands of people (us HP fans, who are inumerable.)
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 8:15 PM EST
Witch
Points: 675
krazie4harrydanfan16 says:
I have to admit, I shared the same opinion as that Craig Stern character a couple of years ago, but now I have a totally and completely different view of Harry Potter now. I had two best friends. One was a Harry Potter fanatic, the other was like me: we didn't think too highly of Harry Potter and thought it was rather childish. Saying that had made my other friend quite sad. I did apologize to her right after I completely enchanted by Harry Potter and his magical world. Now I'm a fanatic like her. Now that just leaves our other friend... But anywho, that Craig Stern needs to reasses things and truly see the magic behind Harry Potter and truly appreciate it!
Posted Aug 18, 2003 at 8:31 PM EST
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