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JULY 11, 2007 at 4:45 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: Washington Post via Yahoo! News
Arthur Levine, the man who brought the Harry Potter series to Scholastic and the U.S. way back in 1997 recently spoke
about his career, discovering the books for the first time at the Bologna Children's Book Fair and falling in love with them.
Mr. Levine on discovering the first book:
I remember I loved this story of a boy who is treated very badly and really made to feel insignificant and powerless. And then, out of the blue, comes this invitation out. Not only does the invitation promise escape from a life of constant abuse by the "family" that wishes you were invisible, but in your new, magic world, you are already a legend and destined to become "a person of great stature."
I remember loving the humor, thinking she is so funny and thinking that here's a rare range of talents in a writer: somebody who can engage me emotionally and yet who can make me laugh. And whose plot is really driving me forward.
Levine comments on JK:
I feel very, very proud of J.K. Rowling and what she's accomplished. I feel really proud to be associated with a group of such strong books that have brought so many people pleasure.
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Auror
Points: 2108
phoenix_feathers says:
He sounds amazing. That is definitely one of the true marvels of Harry Potter books, that they can, as he said, engage you emotionally and yet make you laugh. J.K. knows how to hold you on the edge of your seat, even if she is only describing a chipped old teacup.
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 5:12 PM EST
Witch
Points: 641
Melian Potter says:
Good for him! Had it not been for him, maybe HP wouldn´t be such a boom!
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 5:18 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1034
HermioneRiley says:
Well Mr. Levine. I guess thanks are in order. Thanks for bringing us Harry Potter and for taking a chance on an unknown author with major potential.
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 5:24 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1608
~Harry's true love~ says:
I would like to thank him, because he belived in it even if other's didn't. Yeah!
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 5:24 PM EST
Witch
Points: 614
Harry_Hermoine_Fanz says:
I should really thanks him! He believed in Harry Potter so much.....I'm so amazed.
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 5:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 861
star chaser says:
I guess a lot of people have Mr Levine to thank, for beliving in HP.
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 5:31 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2852
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
The interview is very interesting. We have a lot to owe to him. Thanks so much for loving that books and brining them to the U.S.
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 5:37 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2590
Roswelladdict says:
Arthur Levine is a smart, smart man. Bringing the Harry Potter series was a brillaint move on his part, and we have rewarded him richly with each successive book. HP and The Deathly Hallows promises to be as successful as the prior six if not more so and we, in the US, have this wonderful man to thank!
Thank you Mr. Levine, you did a good thing.
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 5:47 PM EST
Lady of the Rings
Points: 4117
Padfoot4387 says:
Arthur Levine is one of the main reasons Harry Potter is such a phenomenon today, and we should be completely thankful that he discovered JK Rowling. Otherwise this site wouldn't even be here, for instance! No one else would publish her first book, and it would have just stayed in the U.K., just a British sensation.
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 5:54 PM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 9051
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Great story and nice perspective. All the US fans owe him a lot for all our enjoyment and the fun that we have had. It has also had a postive impression on young readers. Well done!
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 6:19 PM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27909
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
YAY!
He is so cool, and must be rich!! woah baby!
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 6:53 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1070
azkaban_wannabe says:
That is so interesting!! Wow! He "brought" it to the U.S.?? Cool!
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 7:53 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1370
hellothere says:
I am so glad he decided to publish Potter here in the U.S. I couldn't imagine having never read the books. My life would be strange.
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 8:05 PM EST
Antipodean Snow Goddess
Points: 3073
Tikihaha says:
I remember loving the humor, thinking she is so funny and thinking that here's a rare range of talents in a writer: somebody who can engage me emotionally and yet who can make me laugh.
So true! That's what first struck me about these books - the humour in amongst all the magic and hardship. JK Rowling is truly a remarkable find!
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 9:08 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1588
ravenbeaut says:
Arthur Levine is either really intuitive or just happened to take a gamble that rceally, really, REALLY paid off. But I can't hate on him -- Congrats, man.
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 9:20 PM EST
Squib
Points: 170
MisterPalindrome says:
I liked this interview. It's hard to imagine that there was a time when this series seemed like "taking a chance."
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 9:20 PM EST
Student
Points: 229
silva_gabby says:
Than you very much Arthur Levine, for bringing HP to the US.... i went to watch the movie ..... i guess it was good, but i was specting more from it.... i didnt like the ending... had nothin to do with the book... to me... we didnt see anything, n there was so much missing....
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 9:24 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2218
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
Thank you Mr. Levine for giving us Harry Potter! I can't remember what life was like before that! It's been a wonderful 10 years!
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 9:27 PM EST
Student
Points: 247
wicked_xx says:
Without this guy, we might not have Harry Potter in the U.S. which would result in me being a fan of something else...*shudders*
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 9:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1864
Bright Eyes says:
Wow, imagine how differently JKR's career would have turned out it a few publishers hadn't chosen her book and she'd given up... glad that didn't happen!
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 10:03 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2181
HermioneLunaGinny says:
Well. I love you for bringing Harry Potter to me and all the other Americans!
Thank you!
He sounds really cool.
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 10:24 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1161
sno-chik says:
It's nt just a childrens book any more. I aboslutly could not under stand it when I was 8 because
A) I was not Brittish, so I had difficulties with some things
B) It had too many big big words to read
C) I didn't have the attenction span.
But after I had read it, it made my reading mark go from a gread 5 level to a grade 6 level when I was in grade 3.
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 11:40 PM EST
Obsessive Genius
Points: 3175
FeeLinG_bLuE says:
Arthur Levine, you rock! Thank you for bringing the books to the US. It was fate that brought him to the book. =]
Posted Jul 11, 2007 at 11:45 PM EST
Hogwarts Social Worker
Points: 3674
SnoopyLover says:
I think that we owe Mr. Levine a huge debt for his insight and instinct. Without these, we would not have the luck to be a part of Harry's world, and JKR's world would be very different. I love the books, and am grateful.
Posted Jul 12, 2007 at 12:30 AM EST
Prof. Alfred W. Mandoore
Points: 2492
JAYSTARR says:
I wonder, if he is out there scouting for other exciting books.
Posted Jul 12, 2007 at 12:36 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 91
Ms Lovegood.... says:
I could bet an arm and a leg that all the other people she offered it to andturned her down would be kicking themselves right now.
He sounds like a lovely person.
I think everyone should be proud of her and she should be very proud of herself and what she has achieved.
-Meg
Posted Jul 12, 2007 at 1:42 AM EST
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