HP Rules
I am a fantasy fan. I read LoTR, I read R.A.Salvatore, I play Dungeons and Dragons and I am a huge fan of Harry Potter. In hindsight, I find it surprising that I haven't written about HP* at all in my blog. Two things however spurred me on. Parth calling me a HP Guru (blush blush) and RT comparing the LoTR vs HP debate to the original vs remix music debate.
Now at the onset, let me clarify that whatever Parth says, I am not a HP Guru. I may be at most a big enthusiast. But even I can't stomach people who call HP lame and weak and a derivative of the Lord of the Rings. For one, LoTR itself draws heavily from Norse mythology and is not exactly 'original'. Secondly the concepts of good vs evil, of a young & inexperienced but brave & determined hero being trained by a wise old master and of the hero overcoming the loss of that master to defeat the evil are as old as literature itself. To call HP names and proclaim the superiority of LoTR over HP is childish. Enjoy both of them I say. I find both of them, a good read.
Also I am excited about HP because in a very vague and miniscule manner, I am playing a part in his development. What I mean by the above sentence is that public opinion is playing a part in the development of HP. When JKR* published PS*, she was just writing a kid's novel and had no idea what would ensue. The second and third books came in quick succession by which time the series was a wild success. It was no longer a series of kiddie novels. More adults read HP than children. Then JKR took 3 years to bring out GoF* and in this novel she tried to flesh out her characters. She delved into their personal lives and into their psyche. This made the book long but still interesting to read. She continued down this path in OotP* and this time I think she overdid it. The book was too long and I admit, sometimes boring. But now JKR is amending her approach. She has said that HBP* will be much shorter that OotP. She is obviously doing this in response to public reaction to OotP. While some people may find fault with this I think there is some justification to JKR's actions. After all a author writes books so that people may read them. And in this case, these books are meant for entertainment, not education. Hence it only makes sense to factor in the likes and dislikes of the people when writing them. Plus, this is a unique opportunity afforded to JKR. Who is to say that Tolkien or any other popular fantasy writer would not have adjusted his writing to public opinion?
Given that HBP is much shorter than it's predecessors, I am really awaiting it's release. The latest news is that it is going to be released in June and the exact date will be announced in January. So cross ur fingers and hope that JKR weaves her magic once more. And to all those HP haters, I can offer but my sympathies. They are really missing out on a good thing.
* - HP-Harry Potter
JKR-J.K.Rowling
PS-Philosopher's Stone
GoF-Goblet of Fire
OotP-Order of the Pheonix
HBP-Half-Blood Prince
Now at the onset, let me clarify that whatever Parth says, I am not a HP Guru. I may be at most a big enthusiast. But even I can't stomach people who call HP lame and weak and a derivative of the Lord of the Rings. For one, LoTR itself draws heavily from Norse mythology and is not exactly 'original'. Secondly the concepts of good vs evil, of a young & inexperienced but brave & determined hero being trained by a wise old master and of the hero overcoming the loss of that master to defeat the evil are as old as literature itself. To call HP names and proclaim the superiority of LoTR over HP is childish. Enjoy both of them I say. I find both of them, a good read.
Also I am excited about HP because in a very vague and miniscule manner, I am playing a part in his development. What I mean by the above sentence is that public opinion is playing a part in the development of HP. When JKR* published PS*, she was just writing a kid's novel and had no idea what would ensue. The second and third books came in quick succession by which time the series was a wild success. It was no longer a series of kiddie novels. More adults read HP than children. Then JKR took 3 years to bring out GoF* and in this novel she tried to flesh out her characters. She delved into their personal lives and into their psyche. This made the book long but still interesting to read. She continued down this path in OotP* and this time I think she overdid it. The book was too long and I admit, sometimes boring. But now JKR is amending her approach. She has said that HBP* will be much shorter that OotP. She is obviously doing this in response to public reaction to OotP. While some people may find fault with this I think there is some justification to JKR's actions. After all a author writes books so that people may read them. And in this case, these books are meant for entertainment, not education. Hence it only makes sense to factor in the likes and dislikes of the people when writing them. Plus, this is a unique opportunity afforded to JKR. Who is to say that Tolkien or any other popular fantasy writer would not have adjusted his writing to public opinion?
Given that HBP is much shorter than it's predecessors, I am really awaiting it's release. The latest news is that it is going to be released in June and the exact date will be announced in January. So cross ur fingers and hope that JKR weaves her magic once more. And to all those HP haters, I can offer but my sympathies. They are really missing out on a good thing.
* - HP-Harry Potter
JKR-J.K.Rowling
PS-Philosopher's Stone
GoF-Goblet of Fire
OotP-Order of the Pheonix
HBP-Half-Blood Prince
posted by Avinash | 9:25 PM
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