In a recent interview, a character actor from Scotland who portrays the popular Inspector Rebus has launched an odd attack of sorts on those in the education field who favor children reading the Harry Potter novels. The Scotsman reports that actor Ken Stott (who also appeared in “The Girl in the Cafe” directed by David Yates) said the following during an interview with Radio Times:
“If we’re going to make a fuss about children reading books, do it with Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials books, not JK Rowling.
“I can’t believe idiot educationalists are praising children for turning up at school and reading Harry Potter.”
In a small bit of irony, the Rebus series are based on works by author Ian Rankin, a longtime friend and neighbor of J.K. Rowling in Edinburgh, Scotland. Mr. Stott continued on in his interview about his future, noting “I’ll remain a grumpy old man.” We wish him continued success with his grumpiness!
They obviously haven’t read them-I help with reading with younger kids at school and they struggle with reading even at 9/10 years old,so anything that gets kids reading is worth it! HP and his dark materials are my favourite series of books and kids should be left to read whatever they want and enjoy,no matter if its “stupid” literature.
If we’re going to make a fuss about what critics say, let it be about the opinions of literary and educational experts, not about the opinions of B grade television actors!
Don’t be so harsh on him. It’s obvious, no matter how much older people like the books, that the first books in the HP series are written for a younger age. They are also, no matter HOW enjoyable, not the paragon of literary quality. I maintain JK is a master storyteller but not quite a master writer.
Pullman, however, has both. This can largely be attributed to his experience, of which JK was lacking.
Put together I WOULD say there is more to praise in someone reading and understanding Pullman over JK. There’s far more subtext and literary allusion in HDM. It’s a heavier read.
Children should be praised for reading period, but they should not be coddled.
Oh, and attacking someone’s job or ‘credentials’ for what is essentially HIS OPINION, is bad form. He’s allowed to think whatever he likes. This may be taken out of context or it may be a snippet of his reasoning. Not liking Harry Potter doesn’t mean you’re an idiot or unqualified. Since when do you have to be a literary critic to NOT like a book? Critics do people’s thinking FOR them, that’s their job. I personally can’t stand books 5-7 because of what I see as a degenerating writing style. Too many loose ends and not enough editing. My credentials? English major and avid reader BEFORE Harry Potter, not to mention I’m a writer myself. Someone else may not like them all and have a SCIENCE background. It doesn’t make someone an idiot to not like what you do.
I’m a bit disappointed Ken Stott has said this. I think he’s a great actor, and I’m a fan of the Rebus books. I hope maybe that he was mis-quoted or something, but, he might not, I know he is a bit of a miserable bugger.
half-brained muggle…lolz…i bet hes never read the HP books himself…
i guess we know who actually d “idiot” here, right?!!
i mean…cummon..i LUV Phillip Pullman, but I jo n HP need 2 be credited 4 getting kids 2 actually READ…dunno wats his problem??
I would like someone to show me WHY Pullman is a better writer than JKR. I’ve seen just as many mistakes and poor decisions in his series as JKR’s.
Reena, I have to disagree with you. I do not think Pullman is as strong as a storyteller as Jo is. Like I said previously, I have not read the last book, but so far I cannot relate to any of the characters. If I can’t sympathize with Lyra or Will, I can’t get into the plot. And let’s be honest, the plot isn’t very well defined either.
To down pro-Potter people and a fellow Scot and a unique author who’s saga has practically enthralled the whole world(JK Rowling) makes him the real idiot and one of the highest order. Stott and his comments make a troll look like a brain surgeon and Uncle Vernon a genius to put it in Potterish.Great Scot? Not!
To down pro-Potter people, a fellow Scot and a unique author(Jo Rowling) who’s saga has practically enthralled the whole world makes him the real idiot and one of the highest order. Stott and his comments make a troll look like a brain surgeon and Uncle Vernon a genius to put it in Potterish.Great Scot? Not!
"Your task is to retrieve your own friend... leave the others..."[br]"[i]She's[/i] my friend too!" Harry yelled, gesturing toward Hermione, an enormous silver bubble emerging soundlessly from his lips. "And I don't want [i]them[/i] to die either!"
They obviously haven’t read them-I help with reading with younger kids at school and they struggle with reading even at 9/10 years old,so anything that gets kids reading is worth it! HP and his dark materials are my favourite series of books and kids should be left to read whatever they want and enjoy,no matter if its “stupid” literature.