I have just come back from a debating competition in which the first motion was: "This house views Harry Potter as a Clear and Present Danger.". I was first opp and:

I haven't read any of the books,

I haven't seen the film,

I knew absolutely nothing about them (at all),

The funny thing about this debate was that only two people out of eight had actually read any of the books. Even the judge has never read them. Possibly a bit of a bad motion I think.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Legolas:
Well, I've read the first book, and though it was amusing, I never felt the urge to read the other parts. Half of the family is crazy about the books, other half including me is not.

In my opinion (this is rant mode BTW), the Hogwart world is practically an insult to other fantasy (yes, I know, strong term). If we look at it from that certain point of view, Rowling simply ripped open twelve cans of fantasy creature mix and tossed it in a kettle. Add a bit of editing powder, and there you go: fantasy

It does not work like that. A lot of writers try to be original, to think up something new. In Harry Potter, it's one cliche after another.
(off rant)

I know the story itself is okay, that it's not all lacking in originality, that there's a bit of hidden sarcasm directed at our society and so on. But as soon as the first 'can' was opened I thought Rowling was taking it a bit too far. The second can did it for me.

As to the merchandising, which I think is extremely irritating, that's not JK's fault. Warner Bros. can only be expected to turn hype into cash the minute they get the rights. The movie was only seen by the 'other half' of the family, and it seems they enjoyed it. I won't go off ranting about that too. I think Joanne must have done at least something right to earn all te money she did and drive all those children crazy. But the charm spell didn't work on me.

Strange though, as my father and my sister are into fantasy almost as much as I am.<hr></blockquote>

You summed it up pretty damn well IMO Legolas.

I bought the first Harry Potter book about 2 years ago, for my kid, and at the time there was no hype about it. Believe me or not, I had trouble finding the second book in stores.

Anyway, my kid loves the HP series, and I read it and loved it too. Of course it's not Fantasy in a Robert Jordan scale ! [img]smile.gif[/img] But :

- For once I had found books for my kid aged 8 that were more than 50 pages long ! My kid was and is a book-eater, and he was starting to feel really frustrated with books that end as soon as they start ! [img]smile.gif[/img]

- It was the very first book that both my kid and I could read and enjoy - it's a nice story to read on the beach during summer vacation. [img]smile.gif[/img]

- It is a great series to have a child enter into the Fantasy world. One of the very rare books aimed at kids that does not treat them af is they were stupid.

We went to watch the movie this morning, and we had a great time. The movie is good, the characters from the book are very well transposed into the movie. And its' not frequent to find a movie that both the kids and their parents both enjoy. Unfortunately, as we are in France, the movie was dubbed and the kids voices were awful. :( So now we are impatiently waiting for the DVD. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I'm completely indifferent about Harry Potter. I'm not going to see the movie, nor reading any of the books, but I'm fair enough not to yell "it sucks" in return either. But I must admit the hype around it is ridiculous, there's even more Harry Potter merchandise around than was the case with Pokemon and Teletubbies for instance... :(

I saw the movie but not read any of the books. My wife had read one and two before the movie came out. Let me tell you, my wife was so thrilled about the books that I went out and bought her the entire 4 book collection in hardback. She read three and four in less time than I have ever read a single novel! So, I asked for a book report. After hearing what three and four are about, let me tell you....I am going to be the first one in line at the movies when they come out! She has got me so interested in them taht I vow to reead all four books before the fifth one comes out so that we can read 5, 6, and 7 together as a couple. I know that they are not Forgotten Realms typ books, but the story really keeps you interested throughout the entire series.
Ziroc...you HAVE to get book 4!!!!!!!!!!
My wife ws crying because of a sad part in it, yet she says that it is the best one yet!
Why am I here...?
I should be reading it right now!!!!

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Legolas:
Well, I've read the first book, and though it was amusing, I never felt the urge to read the other parts. Half of the family is crazy about the books, other half including me is not.

In my opinion (this is rant mode BTW), the Hogwart world is practically an insult to other fantasy (yes, I know, strong term). If we look at it from that certain point of view, Rowling simply ripped open twelve cans of fantasy creature mix and tossed it in a kettle. Add a bit of editing powder, and there you go: fantasy

It does not work like that. A lot of writers try to be original, to think up something new. In Harry Potter, it's one cliche after another.
(off rant)<hr></blockquote>

You guys are taking this WAY too far.. it's JUST a book, enjoy it or not, this thread was for people that LIKED Harry Potter, not to turn into a Hary Potter flame war. geez guys.. It's a book. A story. nothing more.. It IS a great book series, hell, WHY is it selling so well? :D It's not just for kids either, book 2 got pretty dark at the end.. I was kinda surprised...

I haven't read the books but bought my girlfriend them for her *21st*!! I know more adults that have read these books than children, and none of them feel that the series was written for children alone. J.K. Rowling has an amazing imagination, and having seen the film I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. This is not and was never meant to be serious fantasy, it's comical and entertaining and very cleverly done and whilst it may not be the best film in the world ever, it's great entertainment and I recommend those that haven't seen it see it.

Can't help but agree. Somewhat same-y as the Potter series is, I've liked the way the background story slowly evolves, allowing you to see more and more of the world and the events of the past, and generally piece together the events that have set the story in motion. I found them good fun; bought all 4 books at 9pm one Wednesday, and by 8am Thursday I'd read them all. Easy to digest, surprising enough to be entertaining, cheerful enough to enjoy with a light heart.
As for Ziroc's comment about the books getting darker - an understatement there. The plot starts out innocent enough, but gets more and more gruesome as things go on. There's an evil ritual involving blood-sacrifice in 'Goblet of Fire', for crissakes.

Tancred

Hello, It's Me Again

<font color="silver">I am telling you!
Book four rocks like hell!!!</font>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Larry_OHF:
<font color="silver">I am telling you!
Book four rocks like hell!!!</font><hr></blockquote>

Do I spot some bias? :D