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JANUARY 13, 2004 at 4:12 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: HPANA
On the final day of 2003, Slate published a small recap of events
started by literary critic A.S. Byatt's scathing July review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
In what Salon called a "goblet of bile," Byatt opined that JK Rowling's enormously popular series was written for "people whose imaginative lives are confined to TV cartoons." Her comments touched off a lively and very heated counteroffensive in the HP community.
Stephen King even jumped in to the fray, blasting critics for being out of touch with readers, in his acceptance speech for a National Book Award. (For the record, King's review of Phoenix - published only days before Byatt's - was quite favorable.)
(British columnist Michelle Pauli of The Guardian also recaps the momentous month in her review of 2003's top stories.)
Byatt's comments generated so much chatter that HPANA created an entire archive to permanently record her blunder. Relive the madness anytime by going to the A.S. Byatt topic in our News Browser.
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Points: 11
Raistlin says:
You know, some of these Potter critics bring up some valid points...
Harry Potter is a breeding ground for violence. Why, just last month, I was mugged by a group of fourteen-year-olds who waved wands in my face and insulted me by calling me a mudblood. The Hooligans! And that's not to mention all of the young, impressionable minds that have been holding seances ever since they've read Potter. I mean, really, don't children today have anything better to do than to read!? No, wait, we can't go outside and play, what with all of the drive-by shootings and drug dealers offering our kids amazing mind-bending powders...
I am one of the oddballs who's enjoyed reading from a young age, much to the chagrin of my parents. I can't count the number of times my Mom yelled "Put down those books and play video games like every other kid!". I sustained much mental anguish from these attacks, and years of psychotherapy later, I am no longer suicidal. Thank God for all of those 'intellectuals' who helped me through the years! No, wait, we can't thank God for itellectuals, as they believe in the Theory of Evolution and not in the Creation of Man...
Television and newspapers are a much more safer place for a child's mind. Nowhere else but these two media outlets will you find such dispicable acts as drinking blood, severing a limb here and there, death threats from an evil overlord, or any hint of murder whatsoever. Magic is evil. We should all embrace a relegion, you know, the kind where we dance around a cauldron naked and chant for the rize of Lucifer himself... no wait, we can't do that. Apparently, Harry Potter encourages us to do this, and Harry Potter is evil...
Harry Potter encourages people to dabble with strange and dangerous means of solving problems. I mean, using toads and beetles to make potions? Ewww!! never have I heard of children daring each other to eat worms or anything disgusting. We should all stand up and ban any form of experimentation... no, wait, we can't do that one either. Apparently, if it weren't for experimentation with dangerous things, we wouldn't have a cure for polio, or radiation treaments for cancer, or even safe tap water to drink.
Now, allow me to stop being sarcastic. I'm 24 years old and love Potter. I have a 2 year old son, and his love for Harry Potter is teaching him to read and speak. He has picked up on Harry's continued use of 'Please' and 'Thank You' at this early age. I have recommended these books to other relatives in the age group of 9-16, and not one of them has picked up an occult book since. Not one of them has attempted suicide or committed violent crimes. My mom is a teacher. She has recommended these books to high school students for book reports, and now these kids are reading outside of school for the first time in their lives. Some of them have even broadened their horizens and picked up copies of The Oddesy (sp?).
Some of these people say that Harry Potter could and have caused such situations as I satirized above. I say, Where's the evidence? Find me just one kid who's in therapy because of what he's read in Potter. Find me one kid who's attempted suicide because of Potter. Introduce me to someone who's now a worshipper of the ocult because of Potter. Show me evidence of just one crime committed that bears any resemblance whatsoever to anything written in a Potter novel. I'm waiting...
On a side note, can anyone give me a clear definition of an 'intellectual'? It's been said to me that an intellectual is one who likes to learn and reads for fun in the hopes of learning. Wouldn't this definition include all Potter fans? Or is an 'intellectual' someone who decides what's best for people and ban what's wrong, like these critics are trying to do with Potter? Does this mean that Hussein or even Hitler were intellectuals?
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 12:39 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 321
Isis says:
What is she on about He she i dont care. She should'nt be saying that i mean something about retreating from a dangerous world speople shouldn't read the idiot. books were created as an escape from the pressures of reality. If that is the case the people shouldn't be reading classics like wuthering heights and stuff. Really she needsstget kicked down.
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 7:06 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1660
siriusgyal says:
Okay she wasted Good paper to tlk all of her tripe aout HP. I thinks she needs a good kick up the bum and needs telling a thing or to about life. The reason people read the books because it's a escape from everything to read about a boy who has over come so much in his short life is a really interesting book.
I think she should try and read all 5 books and hush up.
I would really like to know how the books are dangerous the only way it is dangerous is if book 5 falls on your big toe... The fool.
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 7:09 AM EST
Gryffindor Chaser
Points: 3637
Angelina Johnson says:
The only thing i have to say is that she's just jealous. Period!
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 9:06 AM EST
Student
Points: 295
Astarte says:
Pffft, who dosn't like Harry Potter? Whoever says they don't is lying to themselves!
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 12:11 PM EST
The Girl Who Lived
Points: 4219
Tacha says:
This Byatt person probably didn't read the book! I mean, there are not very objective critics around, most of them just say: no good, hate it, ...
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 12:14 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1092
quidditch_queen says:
Mmm...I DON'T THINK SO! Did he reads the books? Obviously, he doesn't know what is talent.
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 12:50 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 372
//cleo\\ says:
I totally disagree with that! It's not easy to imagine something that you have lived so long thinking about it not existing (magic)! Of course there have to people who can't accept the obvious...J.K. is a great writer and I'm sure that if she wanted to write a book that wasn't fantasy she would be able to...^_^
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 1:32 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2119
hpchik898 says:
I believe he did copy Rowling. That was bad way of coping!
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 3:25 PM EST
Professional Beater
Points: 20891
feltonluver says:
I think that the books are not hard to read, but they are excellent stories! I mean any book that I like is rare, Harry Potter series, I love ALL OF THEM!! I know that some books cannot please anyone, so Byatt needs to not say anything because Rowling's books are great!
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 4:18 PM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2875
Chogiiiirl says:
I remember this Byatt person. They were basically motivated by their immaturity and lack of literary success into bashing the best book series to date! I agree with M. Sebastian, why should the kiddies have all of the fun in this world?
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 8:44 PM EST
Student
Points: 224
Diasco says:
To Raistlin...that was great! I totaly agree. And so well put! It's all a big joke and the critics just can't stand that Harry and JK have done so well. Oh well, I'm still a big fan!
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 9:25 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 308
davie7117 says:
well I do believe in everyone having there own opinion,, but I also think that whoever can read these books and not get captivated they are weird...
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 10:05 PM EST
Witch
Points: 611
Mdm Rosmerta says:
Raistlin - I loved what you wrote.
Who cares what Byatt says. Do any of us now think - o I better not read Harry Potter because of one bad review.
I actually like reading reviews of books, to see what is out there etc. However reviews of other jealours authors I tend to not take seriously at all.
Posted Jan 15, 2004 at 5:31 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1140
dan's girl says:
Is that woman crazy...because i've never read anything as good as the HP books....J.K Rowling is the best writer that exsists. Shes creted a whole new world just out of words ...Wow....Yep the woman is crazy...no doubt.
Posted Jan 15, 2004 at 6:48 AM EST
Daily Prophet Journalist
Points: 2597
dance_gear says:
This person apparantly has nothing better to do than well say these things...i mean if she doesnt like HP then she should just...well...to put it nicely...shut up and go away...i mean HP is for every one not just certain people... well loads of people LOVE HARRY POTTER and JK ROWLING so watever...her opinion just sucks...
Posted Jan 16, 2004 at 3:40 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1155
MissMaryPotter says:
Okay... I know I tend to babble about crap but that person why up top needs to chill. I agree and then don't really care all at the same time. Critics are FoS anyways. You know
Posted Jan 22, 2004 at 1:00 AM EST
Death Eater
Points: 6201
Voldemort's Heir says:
Anyone who criticizes these books or has a problem with them is obviously just not with it. These books are great and there is nothing wrong with them. I wish people would get a life.
Posted Feb 6, 2004 at 1:40 AM EST
Professional Beater
Points: 20891
feltonluver says:
Okay well I just don't respect her opinion, but Harry Potter is not for television cartoons. I think that is very mean...
Posted Feb 29, 2004 at 8:46 PM EST
Parselmouth
Points: 29083
Thestral Eyes says:
I dont see what shes got against it! Its a great book! I think jealousy is at work here! It bugs me when childrens books are critisised, why put down great books that encourage reading!?
Posted Mar 26, 2004 at 2:52 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1269
Leira the Hobbit says:
You know, literary critics can be helpful, but really, they are often just full of themselves and need to swallow their pride and be a little more humble.
Posted Apr 19, 2004 at 3:42 PM EST
Sirius Black's Widow
Points: 2476
DanielleG says:
Yeah.......so this person is saying that my imagination is limited to TV cartoons????? Even if it was what is wrong with TV cartoons???? Well, I suppose it takes all kinds, some people just have no taste!
Posted Jun 25, 2004 at 4:05 PM EST
Mediwitch
Points: 2608
nickyole1 says:
This person is really closed minded. She should really buy the book and read it before she criticizes it. These people amke me really mad.
Posted Jul 18, 2004 at 2:45 AM EST
Mage of Celestial Melody
Points: 3324
Telos says:
do these people hate success...or their just jealous they didn't have success themselves. Thank you Stephan King for the good comments
Posted Aug 22, 2004 at 6:17 PM EST
Witch
Points: 750
magna says:
I agree with everyone here! JK's books are really fun and leave almost every reader wanting more. I have not personally met anyone who has read the books and not liked them. So many of my friends young and old have read them and everyone is so very excited for the HBP to come out. So take that and dont go smacking when the readers are enthralled.
Posted Feb 22, 2005 at 6:58 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 43
Phoebe Loki says:
Oh Harry Potter has nothing to do with bashing or praising Christianity. I personally lov the series and that anyone who can't enjoy them for what they are, are simply to stuck up or not in touch with that innocent child inide us all.
Posted Mar 17, 2005 at 12:57 AM EST
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