Harry Potter: Meek?
James Cook University PhD student Natasha Giardina says most modern children's literature promotes the idea that kids should listen to their elders, and be "meek, mild and obedient":
On the surface the text seems to say, 'Look kids! This is your culture. We're on your side, especially against adult authorityContinued...
Orson Scott Card on Prisoner of Azkaban
Hugo and Nebula award winning author Orson Scott Card had this to say in his comments on Prisoner of Azkaban:
This is a wonderful movie, richly imagined and beautifully performed. The Harry Potter franchise has grown up into being good art, not just decent adaptation.
And for those troubled by the omissions,Continued...
Finally, Sue's Review
Last and probably least, comes this review. I've only today watched the film , and these are my immediate thoughts. It was a very fine film, not the greatest ever, but the best of the Potter films to date. Be warned, spoilers o'plenty.
Bottom line, a fine film by a fine film maker Alfonso Cuaron.
My review probably won'tContinued...
Of course, it's not perfect...
MovieMistakes has a list of continuity errors in PoA - vote, and if you see one, you can add your own. Thanks to the many readers who sent this in!
The Fat Lady and JKR - Role Models for British Teens
ITV reports the results of a recent poll of girls aged 16 to 18. Comedienne Dawn French, who'll be playing the Fat Lady in PoA, is the celebrity young British women most admire, and J.K. Rowling is listed second.
Le Guin - No Fan of JKR
In an online Q&A, author Ursula Le Guin was asked for her opinion on JK Rowling's writing style. Quote: "I have no great opinion of it. When so many adult critics were carrying on about the "incredible originality" of the first Harry Potter book, I read it to find out what the fuss was about, and remainedContinued...
'Kids' Stuff' or Good Entertainment?
Newsweek is the latest in a long line of articles to speculate as to why adults are increasingly drawn to children's literature. One opinion comes from Brand consultant Rebecca Hamblin, who attributes adult interest with childhood to a mixture of 'nostalgia' and 'unwillingness to accept responsibilityContinued...
Harry Potter and Human-racism
Betterhumans.com has an opinion piece on Harry Potter, Hermione and, "human-racism".
Harry Potter
The Washington Post has an article on Harry Potter commentary:
As author J.K. Rowling has built her fantasy world to the extent of thousands of pages, and disseminated it in hundreds of millions of books, she has become the preeminent storyteller to children of our time. Her ideas and values, such as they are, have unprecedentedContinued...
Adults and Children's Books
The Telegraph has an opinion piece on the "phenomenon" of adults reading books aimed at young readers:
Until recently adults were assumed and even expected by publishers and bookshops to stick to their side of the fence. But in the past five years, as the full impact of the Rowling revolution has made itselfContinued...
Fanfiction Profiles Making the Rounds
The award-winning Silver Chips school newspaper in Maryland profiled Harry Potter fanfic writers from among the student body, saying:
Die-hard sports fans paint their stomachs blue. Groupies scream their lungs out and flash the camera at rock concerts. On the other hand, fan fiction enthusiasts, another brandContinued...
Movie Biz Editorial
Chris from Filmjerk.com offers his thoughts on how the movie industry markets movies, with specific discussion of the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings films.
Response to Harold Bloom
This Bangor, Maine editorial considers Harold Bloom's criticism of Stephen King. There's not a mention of Harry in the article, but it's an interesting follow up to yesterday's post.
Thanks to Belinda for the link!
Harold Bloom
Yale professor, literary critic and author Harold Bloom on his issues with Harry Potter, and on why Stephen King was a poor choice for National Book Foundation's annual award for distinguished contribution:
The publishing industry has stooped terribly low to bestow on King a lifetime award that has previously gone to the novelistsContinued...
A Commentary on Potter and Religion
A commentary by Daniel Drezner discusses a new Potter/religion argument currently being waged by an Islamic fundamentalist group...that Harry is part of a missionary plot to spread Christianity.
Thanks, Roni!