|
OCTOBER 19, 2003 at 9:13 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: The Scotsman via Wizard News
The shortlist of BBC’s Big Read
includes only one of J.K. Rowlings book from the Harry Potter series Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire per the rules. But it seems that bookies in Great Britain don’t think it will do well over all.
It seems that betting against Potter is in full swing with the odds on favorite being Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Ladbrokes spokesman Warren Lush said:
It seems that voting for any of the books on the list is for UK citizens only.
Reader Comments (37)
click to read...
Your Thoughts
click to write...
Copyright © 2002-2010 HPANA. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. 
HPANA is an unofficial fan site, in no way affiliated with J.K. Rowling,
Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing or Warner Bros. Entertainment. All
trademarks and copyrighted material are the property of their respective owners.
About HPANA | Movie 6 | Send a news tip | Contact us | Privacy policy
Professor
Points: 1022
Peitouche says:
How many people have actually read Pride and Prejudice? ...perhaps I should someday. Some of those others are wonderful and powerful books though. I still think Potter can challenge! It'll be interesting to see what the results are. (Orwell's 1984 is one of my favourites. A good read for those who are in later teen years.)
Posted Oct 19, 2003 at 9:47 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1227
Prongs150 says:
I have to agree with Peitouche. Many of those books are great. I know that HP will come out on top though.
Posted Oct 19, 2003 at 10:07 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1303
wahnaroo22 says:
Harry Potter may not be a clasic, but trust me, someday it will be. Many people don't like it, because of the propaganda and the ammount of fame it has. I am sure it will get put into the right place, just like my marching band did this weekend! Sorry, I am just really happy that we did so well at competition. ;)
Posted Oct 19, 2003 at 10:21 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 434
Tippytoes says:
HP books are my number one favs but so is the book Pride and Prejudice even thought its a classic. Its not boring, its romantic for girls, kinda like Little Women but way better! HP will become a classic just years later, hello Pottermania!
Posted Oct 19, 2003 at 11:05 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1856
Rupert Baby says:
Hmmm well that sure is interesting, if it counts for anything im putting my bets on Harry even if it aint for the best, Go Harry !!!
Posted Oct 19, 2003 at 11:35 PM EST
Lycanthropist for W.S.S.
Points: 3603
Alchemist 530 says:
Oooh, I don't know about that... That is a list of REALLY GOOD books, GoF has some stiff competition. Haha, 2 of my other favorites are on there- Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and 1984- both REALLY GOOD books. Others, I tried to read and never got into- like Pride and Prejudice. Hmm... its going to be close, but sadly, I don't think Harry will win this one- give it another 2 years, then try it... then it'll be a classic!
Posted Oct 19, 2003 at 11:54 PM EST
Witch
Points: 585
Joyce says:
Don't count JKR out yet. GOF is a wonderful book full of excitement. I have read it MANY times and enjoy it each time as I did the first. Yes, there are many good books out there but they don't have the fan base that Harry Potter does. How many web sites of Pride and Prejudice do you see?
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 12:03 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1068
Penumbra says:
Pride and Prejudice is an excellent book and so are HP books each one in its own style!
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 12:42 AM EST
Editor of the Squibbler
(Moderator)
Points: 2031
eudaemonia says:
Pride and Prejudice is brilliant. It's my favorite Jane Austen story.
As much as I agree with those who say the chances for Harry Potter should be much bigger, in addition to having that "literary classic" label for the book, when the BBC's Pride and Prejudice mini-series/TV movie came out in the UK it reportedly blew everyone there away... well the adults, that is. The adaptation was excellently made, it made a heartthrob out of Colin Firth and inspired Bridget Jones's Helen Fielding.
Not to ruin the fun for you Potter-fanatics here, but don't rule out the Pride and Prejudice-fanatics as well...
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 2:05 AM EST
Witch
Points: 611
Mdm Rosmerta says:
There are too many books to choose from at the bbc website. I love JK Rowling, but I love so many other books as well. Still I hope that at least one of the potter books is in the top 100.
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 3:06 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1990
HarrysGran says:
Hey, there are really good books on that list -
1984, The Catcher in the Rye, Gone with the Wind, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Lord of the Rings, To Kill a Mockingbird, War and Peace, Wuthering Heights - WOW!
That's great competition. And they are great classics! But in 10 years, HP-books will be classics too - at least one of the series will be constantly read at school. Go, Harry.
A pity I can't vote - I'm no English.
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 3:40 AM EST
Witch
Points: 657
Wotcher_Tonks says:
There are some great books on that list including Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice both favourite re-reads of mine, and many other classics. True do not underestimate the Potter Mania how ever I do not think we should be to dissapointed if it does not win this time The Potter Books are timeless and I am sure the year will come when one of them does win.
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 4:47 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1826
snapelupinfan says:
The shortlist of BBC's Big Read includes only one of JK Rowlings books from the Harry Potter series because only one book per author is allowed on the Top 21, at least this is the way I understood the article. If they had allowed more than one book per author we would find more HP on the list, I'm sure about that.
But I agree with most of you, there are some really great books on the list. I'd really like to vote, but I'm not English, but I really want to know who is going to win. By the way, is there anything in England you can't put your bets on???
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 5:38 AM EST
Squib
Points: 144
Harriet Potty says:
Shes reached the top 21, so that is excellent in itself. May be it will be apart of the school curriculum, as books like Pride and Prejudice are. An A level in Harry Potter, I can see it now ...
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 6:50 AM EST
Squib
Points: 144
Harriet Potty says:
Hey, I've just voted. I feel all virtuous now. Come on JK you can do it for all the "Potty" fans.
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 6:53 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 454
crazy4hp says:
ohh please those of you Who live in the UK please vote for Harry Potter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 7:29 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 323
fang says:
Let the fans in the rest of the world vote and it would be no contest...fang
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 7:35 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1506
Paint Horse says:
The above comments confirm the literary knowledge of HP fans. Eudaemonia hit on a point that need to be expanded on. The list of contenders, is mostly an adult reading base. HP is not limited to any one demographic. All ages love the series.
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 9:33 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2287
Snufflesmom says:
I have read Pride and Prejudice and loved it. But the more important question should be, Who is doing the reading?
If it were just HP fans, it would be a blow out (obviously).
Some folks aren't into these books and Jane Austin has been around for a few hundred years or so, so she would probably be a good read for those who haven't done any classical reading.
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 10:13 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2773
Professor Grubbly-Plank says:
I have read the list and there are some very good books on the list. But I think more adults will be voting and that will change how the voting goes.
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 10:35 AM EST
Points: 790
M. Sebastian says:
JKR is in great company. I see one thing that confused me, however. Pullman's "Dark Materials" -- which I believe is a series of 3 books and I have not seen them bound as one volume. Perhaps in the UK or they would not be in the contest. Lord of the Rings is certainly 3 books, but sneaked in by being bound in 1 volume.
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 11:39 AM EST
Witch
Points: 684
Malakite says:
I'm glad that a Harry Potter book is even in the running. Just because it's about the best selling book ever (ha, my opinion only, hehe) doesn't mean that everyone in the UK will think it's the best written, most well-loved book ever written!
Weirdos. HP RULES! J/K
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 11:46 AM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2881
Chogiiiirl says:
Well, I hope that Harry Potter does well in this contest. There are some great reads on the list besides GoF. The competition will be stiff, but someday Harry will make his mark as classic literature!
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 4:42 PM EST
Witch
Points: 574
Tonks007 says:
Who listens to the critics anyway they are always wrong about everything never get what is really there they need new people that are normal and like the things out there.
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 5:00 PM EST
Witch
Points: 833
hplover731 says:
I think that Harry Potter will still do well... I mean it seems that tons of people have read the books, children as well as adults.
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 5:32 PM EST
Metamorphmagus
Points: 37946
tonks black says:
It said she was a romance writer, eh?
Well I'm not buying it cause I'm not a romance type of person
Posted Oct 20, 2003 at 7:39 PM EST
Back to top of page