Adults reading Harry Potter-I just don't get it.
What's the target audience of the Harry Potter books- 13-year-olds... 14?
If that's the case why do so many adults read them with such misty-eyed fervour?
It's something that's perplexed me for a while now and I've had some good-natured arguments with grown-up Potter fans since the books were published. They all tried to convince me the books were great so I borrowed the first one in the series from a mate and decided to give it a go... and I couldn't get past the first chapter.
It didn't engage me, the writing was obviously not aimed at an adult audience and, not to put too fine a point on it, I was bored.
Now don't get me wrong-if I'd have been 14 when the first Potter book came out I'd have lapped it up, I know I would. But I'm not 14 and for some reason I don't want to be a wizard these days.
In the words of the great song:
'It says nothing to me about my life.'
If that's the case why do so many adults read them with such misty-eyed fervour?
It's something that's perplexed me for a while now and I've had some good-natured arguments with grown-up Potter fans since the books were published. They all tried to convince me the books were great so I borrowed the first one in the series from a mate and decided to give it a go... and I couldn't get past the first chapter.
It didn't engage me, the writing was obviously not aimed at an adult audience and, not to put too fine a point on it, I was bored.
Now don't get me wrong-if I'd have been 14 when the first Potter book came out I'd have lapped it up, I know I would. But I'm not 14 and for some reason I don't want to be a wizard these days.
In the words of the great song:
'It says nothing to me about my life.'
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Mark, I feel exactly the same though I did read most of the first book - I happened to be travelling somehwere when that first book came out and was so intrigued by all the grown -ups on the plane with their heads stuck in it that I had to find out what the fuss was about. As you say, absolutely great for the right age group but it's strange how adults have gone crazy over it!Now I hear that JK has an adult book coming out this summer - will you be tempted? (just a little bit curious?)
It's called The Casual Vacancy and will have adult themes according to the BBC...aka loads of bonking!No, I won't be buying it!
I haven't read any of the HP series so I'm not qualified to comment on the quality of the writing. I just figured that, since my 12 year old grandson was reading them, they probably weren't up to snuff for adults.
Mark wrote: "It's called The Casual Vacancy and will have adult themes according to the BBC...aka loads of bonking!No, I won't be buying it!"
Haha! So, can I take it that you won't be applying to be JK's fan?
I can see an kind of clandestine group forming. We could have a pledge:'Hello, my name's -----, I'm an adult and I haven't read Harry Potter.'
I am yet to meet an adult who doesn't love HP and I don't understand it.
Like you I understand why a kid likes HP, but I have never understood the fervour with which adults love these books.