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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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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
The Gryffindor Guy
Points: 2727
z Jamie Potter z says:
I can't read the article. I can imagine that not everyone is going to like the HP series even if I LOVE it but to critisize in such a way is being ignorant.
Posted Mar 19, 2005 at 9:08 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 666
Saquerus Lezzier says:
I think that Bryatt is very close minded. Should not judge Harry Potter like that.
Posted Dec 4, 2005 at 8:13 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1370
hellothere says:
Who insulted Harry Potter? What? Give me her address and phone number!
Posted Jan 18, 2006 at 7:57 PM EST
Rickmaniac to the Core
Points: 2564
snaily says:
How, oh how can someone be that stupid? As Salon rightly said - "Byatt and the goblet of bile,". :D :D :D
Posted Mar 28, 2008 at 1:23 PM EST
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