That Byatt link has spoilers in the third paragraph, d'ohh! I'll read the rest after I finish the book. But I think it's silly to ask why adults enjoy Harry Potter, as if there's something wrong with that. Why do adults enjoy Disney/Pixar movies? Why do adults listen to *Nsync? Why do adults play Loopin' Louie (http://boardgamegeek.com/viewitem.php3?gameid=327)? Quality is quality, regardless of who the target audience is. (Okay, maybe *Nsync was a bad example. But I kinda like some of Justin's solo stuff...)
I think "don't overbake them" should be printed in bold letters on just about every brownie recipe, actually. But I like fudgy, not cakey brownies. I understand there are people who disagree. I also have one cookbook that calls for a rather odd treatment of baking the brownies at a super-high temperature for a short time, and then putting the pan in a bath of ice water to cool quickly. makes for extra-fudgy brownies. And it works, but it's kind of a lot of effort. Usually I make the "one bowl brownies" from the inside of the Baker's unsweetened chocolate box, and toss in half a bag of chocolate chips. The inclusion of cocoa rather than melted chocolate does simplify preparation a bit, though.
Byatt sums up exactly why I have no interest in reading the Harry Potter books. They may be fun, they may be well-written (though i hear that she's got an affinity for adverbs and, damn, ridiculous names like Hogwarts, Dumbledore, Muggles, etc. make me cringe).
Sales? Who gives a damn about sales? Judging artistic merit due to sales (either positive or negative) is ridiculous. Byatt seems to have some really interesting qualms regarding the Harry Potter books.
Too bad the only reactions I've come across (mainly on MetaFilter) have been knee-jerk "WELL I LIKE THEM AND I'M NOT GOING TO STOP READING THEM PLUS YOUR BOOKS DON'T SELL AS MUCH, NYAH" reactions.
also, the other article was awesome - i loved the idea that her father got Hepburn to help him talk some sense into his daughter! what a classic story.
I have enjoyed books by both Byatt and Rowling. Would I put them in the same category? Gracious, no. Which I've enjoyed more? Hard to say. Much as I like the harry Potter books, I can't quite fathom why they're the phenomenon they are. And Byatt's Possession is arguably one of my five favorite novels, I don't know why more people haven't read it. So *shrug.* She does have some interesting points, though.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2003-07-07 03:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-07 04:06 pm (UTC)--Doug
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Date: 2003-07-07 11:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-07 11:51 pm (UTC)exactly.
Date: 2003-07-07 08:09 pm (UTC)Sales? Who gives a damn about sales? Judging artistic merit due to sales (either positive or negative) is ridiculous. Byatt seems to have some really interesting qualms regarding the Harry Potter books.
Too bad the only reactions I've come across (mainly on MetaFilter) have been knee-jerk "WELL I LIKE THEM AND I'M NOT GOING TO STOP READING THEM PLUS YOUR BOOKS DON'T SELL AS MUCH, NYAH" reactions.
--sean
Re: exactly.
Date: 2003-07-07 10:16 pm (UTC)also, the other article was awesome - i loved the idea that her father got Hepburn to help him talk some sense into his daughter! what a classic story.
i'm gonna try that recipe someday, too.
Re: exactly.
Date: 2003-07-07 11:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-07 11:33 pm (UTC)Mmm, brownies.
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Date: 2003-07-08 01:12 pm (UTC)