Comments on: Harry Potter / How to Waste an Afternoon

By: Hattie

Hattie — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:18:33 +0000

I think the problem, with the beginning Harry Potter books, is that they are something a child would enjoy and not something written for adults. Since I read the first few Harry Potter books when they first came out, when I was a child, I loved them. However, when I tried re-reading the first ones, I found out that I no longer liked them (the first three, anyway). I agree with the other people here that the later books are better- in part because as Harry ages the books become oriented to an older audience, and that it seems like the author’s writing skills improved as well. The problem with this is, though, that it might cause trouble for an adult trying to read the series for the first time.
So I would not say that the Harry Potter books are horrible, per say, just that they are child-oriented and not really meant to be read by adults. If you compare the plot holes, dubious moral lessons, and sub-par writing to other children’s books, then Harry Potter isn’t any worse than most. Comparing it to adult fiction, however, there will be obvious disparities.

Also, another thing you must keep in mind when trying to critique the plot of Harry Potter is that it is part of a seven-book series with an ongoing plot- a lot of the points you pointed out as being annoying or something that might not be good to teach to children do get addressed in the later novels (for instance, Harry’s family is shown as not just being evil abusers, Harry gets into serious trouble for his ill-advised actions, etc).

I’m not trying to say that the Harry Potter books are super awesome or anything, I just think that your critique came off a little too strongly because (1) you are critiquing a book meant for children almost as if it was adult fiction, and (2) you critique plot when you haven’t finished the series.

I wouldn’t recommend you to try and finish the series, though. Since you are an adult, you really shouldn’t be trying to read books meant for kids.

By: Vanberge

Vanberge — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:09:33 +0000

Jja,
I read the first three while working in the Layaway dept at Meijer. Therefore it was better than working at the time so I didn’t have to sacrifice free time to get to that level.

I would say at the VERY least you should watch the movies 1-6 and then read the 7th book.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:12:31 +0000

I am amazed that you guys came to that conclusion. Seriously, how do you get three books into a series when the first two are horrible? Doesn’t it go, fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on me? So, fool me thrice, shame on…?

By: Max

Max — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:12:16 +0000

I agree about the others being stronger works of fiction, but sword of truth is way worse than harry potter, plus it has disturbing rape scenes, not something I would recommend reading at all. Harry potter is light fiction ,and this is part of what makes it so successful, but it is still very entertaining and word for word by far the most entertaining modern young adults fantasy.

By: Max

Max — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:03:36 +0000

@Fathermocker
I used it with vista and 7 flawlessly. Consider reinstalling it.

By: Fathermocker

Fathermocker — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:45:26 +0000

Hey! I didn’t know where to post this so I guess I’ll comment here. I love Dark Room, and have used it for a while, with excellent results. I recently upgraded to Vista though, and I can’t use it anymore. Do you plan on updating it?
Thanks for such a great piece of software!

By: chouse

chouse — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:20:19 +0000

I gotta agree with vanberge here. I breezed through all the books this summer and the first couple are childish and irritating, but the last several are definitely the better ones. So, muster up the courage and press on. You may be disappointed still, but at least you tried.

By: vanlandw

vanlandw — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:50:09 +0000

As a promise to vanberge I have read Harry Potter 1. I looked at everything very lightly but my main grip that I’m shocked you didn’t note here that we have discussed in the past is how magic is handled. The series uses the most steriotypical elements of “magic” that I just couldn’t get behind. At some point I do believe I will watch the films but the books I pretty much agree with you on this one jja. I unless I spawn life will be avoiding at all costs. Sword of Truth/Mistborn/Ice and Fire are much stronger fantasy for young adults/adults looking for magic based fiction/fantasy.

By: Vanberge

Vanberge — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:33:45 +0000

Here’s the problem with the Harry Potter series.

Books 1 and 2 do legitimately suck. All of what you say here is accurate. I have pleaded with Vanlandw and Vanbergs countless times to give it a chance and get past this but I can understand for somebody reading the 1st one would not want to continue.

HOWEVER, from the third book on, the story become much darker, much less childish. It’s almost the story grows up as Harry does. The whole aunt/uncle thing ends up going away. etc etc.

I am a huge fan solely because of Books 4-7. It sucks that you have to do that much work to get to that point – but if you can muster it then the story is truly pretty epic. It takes on a “Neo from the Matrix” style situation where one person is the only possible means to any end. “Neither can live while the other survives”. It’s honestly pretty bad ass.