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
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)