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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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Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
So what exactly is/was going on?? did this person not like harry potter or just jk??i dont see how he could these books have nothing wrong with them (unless that whole Christian thing) and certainly nothing wrong with jk. eh critics.
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 4:20 PM EST
Points: 7828
Rococoed says:
A.S. Byatt ought to read one (or better yet, all) of the Harry Potter books before she criticizes the series for lacking literary value. Her complaints against the series were done out of mere jealousy twoard J.K. Rowling's success. The first two Harry Potter novels may be not be the best literarture around, but the last three that are currently available certainly show J.K. Rowling's creative genius. Remeber this: Dolores Jane Umbridge is the long-lost sister of A.S. Byatt. Kudos to Stephen King for using actual intelligence and proper sanity when judging the Potter series.
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 4:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 552
Gir Vasquez says:
How can someone be so closed minded? They obviously don't understand talent. Oh well sucks for them, everyone else sees that HP and JK is the sh... is good... ^_^.
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 4:32 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1155
AFawkes05 says:
There are so many people out there that have heard of Jk and HP so there have to be some sicko's out there some where. That is hilarious that the HPANA people had to make a seperate area for her. She must be one of the worse ones.
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 4:35 PM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8909
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Some people just can't let things go. Or worse can't stand to have others be successful. I wonder if she ever tried to write something and it was a total failure?
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 4:43 PM EST
Transfiguration Professor
Points: 2990
Choralee says:
Byatt's comments seem spawned from years of neglect and a severe lack of imagination on her part. Anyone with half a brain could see that JKR has written the Harry Potter series using real emotions, channeling real people, using past and present world history and doing a fine job of it! As we have all said before, Byatt is full of it!
Besides, all of us, from child to mature adult need an escape from this place called real life. It is not that we choose not to deal with our problems by hiding. We choose to express our emotions cathartically through Harry's and his friends' adventures. Very healthy behavior, in my opinion.
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 4:44 PM EST
Half-Blood Prince
(Moderator)
Points: 942
Professor Scoots says:
I can't believe folks would actually say the OOTP was no good at all! I mean, it was not my favorite of the series, but to say that is was no good and/or give it a bad review seems off-base at best! How many copies of this so called "bad book" were sold? I think someone may have other motives and or not be paying attention!!
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 4:48 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1772
MelancholyMarie says:
Is she crazy? I have been working on a novel, so I know how difficult it is to even get one written, let alone get it published and achieve the success that JKR has. The books are amazing. This woman is either jealous or insane.
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 5:09 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
She shouldnt judge a book by its cover. i mean at least read the book first and then you can criticize if if you like it or not. like when my parents tried to get me to eat sushi and i was like nooooo. then i finaly ate it and i loved it...she could "try" the books to and see what she thinks. i hate people like that. how dare they talk bad of harry potter!!
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 5:24 PM EST
Quidditch Captain
Points: 6166
Alex Seeker says:
I said it then and I will say it again: The word sour closely followed by grapes. End of!
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 5:30 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1126
holtasaurus says:
Your right Brittney, She really shouldnt judge Harry Potter by the way looks and the title and all!
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 5:34 PM EST
Healer for all Occasions
Points: 3567
Madam Malkin says:
I remember the whole debate. I remember thinking about how unfounded and completely off base Byatt's opinion was. I know, she is entitled to her opinion, but it is my opinion that she has no idea what she's talking about. Sure there are books out there that are classics and have more literary value than HP. However, that by means is saying HP has no literary merit and is for people lacking imagination and can't get past the surface level ideas in cartoons. HP is full of literary merit and are beyond imaginative. I'd like to see Byatt come up with a series that is more imaginative and more popular than HP. It's possible, but no easy task, considering all the selling records GoF and OotP shattered. If Byatt actually had something backing up her opinion, if her opinion had a foundation, then I might listen. I'd still disagree, but I'd listen. But, as of now, it's not really worth any more of my time to talk about the silliness of this lady.
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 6:01 PM EST
Healer for all Occasions
Points: 3567
Madam Malkin says:
I meant "that by no means is saying that HP has no literary merit."
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 6:08 PM EST
Crookshanks Caretaker
Points: 3836
hermionefan1 says:
Byatt is so closed minded. She should read the books before judging them. At least Stephen King stuck up for her and reviewed JKR's book with an open mind. JKR FOREVER!!!
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 6:22 PM EST
High Inquisitor
Points: 23477
KT Lady says:
I agree hermionefan...I hate when people are purposely closed-minded. ugh people like that TICK ME OFF!!
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 6:53 PM EST
Werewolf
(Moderator)
Points: 5479
MoonyDawn says:
Im glad there was a counteroffensive in the HP community.
We need to set stupid people like that strait! And I'm glad to see that King has JKR's back! That was really cool of him.
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 7:42 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 305
qwatnee says:
uh oh, someone bashed HP? OH NO, it's Voldemort in disguise! No, but seriously, did Byatt want the world to hate him/her? That person's got gutts if they tought that the entire HP community wouldn't come after them. ESPECIALLY the writers who do actually respect other writers' work. Maybe this person needs a little lesson from us fans.... (hehehe)
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 8:42 PM EST
Student
Points: 257
Hellodoggy says:
This lady is crazy. Who cares what she thinks. This lady is the odd one out because millions of people like Hp and who Cares what she thinks.
:(
:o
Well hopefully everyone will get over what she said because its trash.
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 8:52 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
I mean what is soo wrong with Harry Potter. there is nothing. at least read the book before you complain. "it has witchcraft and killing spells" its all a bunch of BS!! just forget this lady.
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 9:00 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1908
Opera Ghost says:
I am puzzled as to why this Byatt person is getting so much attention. Never heard of them before all this hoopla. So, if that makes me out of touch, or stupid, or whatever else, I don't care. I enjoy the things I enjoy, and who died and made this person Supreme Ruler and Judge of All Things, to say there is anything wrong with that? As long as no one is being harmed, and I can only see good things when I think of HP. So there, hope I set her straight! Now we can move on to IMPORTANT things, like book 6 and the POA movie!
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 9:27 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2034
Professor Snape says:
Ahh man i don't even want to think about that idiot again... i personally think that she just likes to here herself talk. and yes she probably didn't even read any of the books either just like most other people that blast j.k. and her books.
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 10:15 PM EST
Points: 790
M. Sebastian says:
Wonder how Byatt will feel after reading about JKR being on the shortlist for the W.H.Smith award in the adult category.
Adults enjoy well written fantasy also. Why should children have all the fun.
Posted Jan 13, 2004 at 10:17 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1068
Penumbra 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 Jan 13, 2004 at 11:00 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1397
Annacy says:
I always wondered if the reviewers actaully read the whole book they were reviewing and not just the back cover. I think she is proof that they don't
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 12:11 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2391
HPN4eveRon says:
This article really confuses me. I really dont know what to say about this one...
Posted Jan 14, 2004 at 12:34 AM EST
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
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