Someone at last speaking out on the appalling Harry Potter books

**Charles Foster Kane** · 18 July 2007, 14:26

Originally posted by King Cnvt

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/books/20..._is_the_p.html

How can any adult read this crap and not think "I know this is written for 9 year olds, but was it written by a 9 year old?"

Just shows you can become a billionaire with no talent at all.

Using one of the comments on the very same page as a retort:

'Rowling's prose often seems repetitive and clumsy, but she has an extraordinary ability to keep the reader turning the page. That's a talent which is often under-rated, and it doesn't always come accompanied by refined style or poetic insight, but it is a talent nonetheless.'

I don't particularly like the HP books, but I say well done to her. I suppose you could have done the same and became a billionaire but didn't need the money?

**Ruprect** · 18 July 2007, 14:42

Originally posted by King Cnvt

Just shows you can become a billionaire with no talent at all.

So why aren't we all billionaires then KC?

**King Cnvt** · 18 July 2007, 15:06

Who say's some of us aren't?

**Kyajae** · 18 July 2007, 15:11

When I was at senior school, we had a prefect who's named just happened to be Harry Potter.

Awful bully he was. We called him "Potter the rotter", total cad, dolt and a proper little sneak. Right litle teachers pet too. He was accidently shot by his father whilst out grouse hunting. Died 2 days later.

Served him right.

**BoredBloke** · 18 July 2007, 15:14

Just ordered it for my son. Harry Potter is one of the few books which appears in Braille on the day when it goes on general sale. Only a tiny percentage of books actually get into braille format which is a pain. The last one, in braille format was 9 volumes - so I've ordered the audio book version.

**Ruprect** · 18 July 2007, 15:27

Originally posted by King Cnvt

Who say's some of us aren't?

I do. Its sad enough posting on here day in day out, you're an even sadder cnvt posting on here if you've got billions and you can't think of anything better to do

**Bagpuss** · 18 July 2007, 15:27

The standard of grammar in Harry Potter is terrible, apparently. Even after heavy edits by the publisher it's pretty bad. I'm no expert, but surely that is important for kids' books.

Is there anything original about those books? Seems to me (from seeing a bit of the first film) that it's a poorly cobbled together pastiche of Sorcerer's apprentice, Lion the witch and the wardrobe and LOTR?

I haven't read the books, nor do I intend to start reading childrens books now.

**PRC1964** · 18 July 2007, 15:38

Ah sod it you bunch of whingers.

She's made a load of kids read books and made a tidy profit while at it.

The books aren't up there with Shakespeare, but if they were no child would read them.

Good for her.

Oh, and it is a bit odd for adults to be reading it while commuting.

**Bagpuss** · 18 July 2007, 15:43

You can appeal to the masses and have little critical worth. See Posh Spice.

Infact these days, talent seems to be inversely related to success.

Someone at last speaking out on the appalling Harry Potter books