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!
“Alas, he’s too well educated for the likes of Harry Potter. We can only aspire to his reading level. If only he said something sooner, we would all have been saved from this horrible fate, woe is us! Posted by ScottMan on September 25, 2007 @ 04:06 PM”
LOL “We must not sink beneath our despair, but struggle on…”
What a complete Muggle. I agree with the consensus here, he must have been passed over for a part in HBP.
i cannot belive that someone has critisiced such amzaing books..these are not just childrens book the first 2 maybe slightly but from then on they are much darker and complex..
only a fool would criticise the most worldwide known books!
So, I know a million people have said already…sorry.
As one of those idiot educationalists “teachers,” I think I speak for all of us when I say we are more then delighted when our students are reading anything. Yes, I am proud of my students who read Harry Potter, it is difficult material and many many pages. Clearly, Mr. Stott, has never tried to teach anyone to read.
Aah, he’s just mad about not being cast in the Harry Potter movies! =)
Posted by Alison aka NobleBirth Descending on September 25, 2007, 08:52 PM
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OK, I think it’s worth noting that Northern Lights/The Golden Compass is a fantastic book, (and the movie should be great too) but as a trilogy His Dark Materials is a MESS, particularly the last book ‘The Amber Spyglass’ where Philip Pullman seemingly decided that all he would do is hammer his points across in often random and bordering on nonsensical ways instead of concentrating on crafting a great story. The only good part is Lyra and Will being seperated at the end.
Harry Potter is a much better series that is definitely more suitable for kids to read. NOT because it is written with a ‘Christian’ flavour, that has nothing to do with it, but because it’s just…better! At least you can make sense of it, and the characters are written well. Anyone who thinks the books are bad hasn’t read them, they just take the hype into consideration.
Posted by performingmonkey on September 25, 2007, 09:02 PM
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“We wish him continued success with his grumpiness!”
Oh my God, what an idiot. The His Dark Mateirals series is such badly written rubbish. I only managed to force myself to read the first book and it was so lame, it reads like a transcript for an RPG game.
Pullman’s work starts out interestingly enough but turns into an anti-religious screed. His hatred of religion practically jumps from the page. His deliberate confusion of good and evil made the books very difficult for me to get through. Pullman’s books are not great literature, they do not speak to the human spirit, and I very much doubt they will stand the test of time.
Speaking as a teacher I am delighted when children read ANY age appropriate book. When it is something as imaginative, engrossing and emotional as Harry Potter then even better. I am not a fan of the Philip Pullman books, I found the trilogy rather boring and only read it as many of my class had, but if one of my students was reading them I would encourage them. What a totally ignorant comment from Mr Stott.
Any one who says that people who praise Harry Potter in education, are idiots themselves. This guys is a total idiot and is stupid for saying that the other people are idiots.
The white king took off his crown and threw it at Harry's feet. They had won. The chessmen parted and bowed, leaving the door ahead clear. With one last desperate look back at Ron, Harry and Hermione charged through the door and up the next passageway.
“Alas, he’s too well educated for the likes of Harry Potter. We can only aspire to his reading level. If only he said something sooner, we would all have been saved from this horrible fate, woe is us! Posted by ScottMan on September 25, 2007 @ 04:06 PM”
LOL “We must not sink beneath our despair, but struggle on…”
What a complete Muggle. I agree with the consensus here, he must have been passed over for a part in HBP.