Does anyone else besides me hate Harry Potter? Showing 3,051-3,100 of 3,118

[Jim]

Yes!!

[Zipple]

I actually picked up Harry Potter (first book) just because I wanted to know why there was such a hype about it. And, honestly, I never understood it.
I was 18 - 19 when I tried to read it, so not quite the target audience. Still there were many people older than myself who were fans of the book. I can't tell much about the plot or originality of the ideas since I didn't got past page 2. My problem with it: the language. It is soooo incredibly simple written. Simple subclauses, if any, blunt adjectives, little variety. While the language is appropriate for a pre-teen or teen audience I wonder why so many adults liked it. So even if there was any Tolkien-scale capital scenario and well thought out characters to this book thanks to the style of the language there is no way (for me, that is) to enjoy it.

[Molly]

Zipple wrote: "I actually picked up Harry Potter (first book) just because I wanted to know why there was such a hype about it. And, honestly, I never understood it.
I was 18 - 19 when I tried to read it, so not..."

well maybe if you read past page two you'd have a different opinion

[Molly]

Mari wrote: "I can not stand that crappy piece of crap. That whore of a writer got lucky because she can think like a preteen. There are so many better stories set in more interesting worlds. i am just glad she..."

really if you think that there's no point in even saying it. why'd you even come to this discussion, simply to hate on the author? this discussion is about people who hate it, but really no reason to be saying these things about an author.

[Jish]

You may not see it but its a safe space for some people. Its a home that some people never had. Its a world we can escape to.

[Zipple]

Molly wrote: well maybe if you read past page two you'd have a different opinion

Maybe I would, maybe I would not. My experience tells me the latter is more probable. I see no point (anymore) in forsing myself to read a book I do not enjoy from the beginning. I once did that with "Angels and Demons" from Dan Brown. When I finished the book I hated it even more for wasting the time of my life. Did the same with "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" as I really enjoyed the ideas and punchlines, but hated Douglas Adams writing style. Never got past page 100. I actually started the book 3 times, never forced myself to finish it.
I actually tried Harry Potter in 3 different languages, 2 native languages of mine and english as I was thinking maybe it is bad translation. Figured out it wasn't.

[Suleiman]

he is probably just mad because he failed the quiz

[Booklo]

Don't worry, Kayla, you are not alone but I wouldn't say hate because its a strong word.

[Molly]

Zipple wrote: "Molly wrote: well maybe if you read past page two you'd have a different opinion

Maybe I would, maybe I would not. My experience tells me the latter is more probable. I see no point (anymore) in ..." well Harry Potter is very different from those other books, much better in my opinion, and by the way I did say maybe you'd have a different opinion. I admit the first 2 pages are a bit boring, but it's simply providing background information, so I still view them as important. trust me, a lot of the action happens later in the books.

[Iona]

Maybe it's too overated?
I think the books are fine but the character Harry Potter is annoying.

[Zipple]

Molly wrote: "I admit the first 2 pages are a bit boring, but it's simply providing background information, so I still view them as important. trust me, a lot of the action happens later in the books"

My problem was not about the lack of action. There are plenty of books I like where there is no action whatsoever. It the style of writing. And if that is not changing on the later pages (though I was told it gets better in the later books) there is no way I can enjoy reading it. It just not resonates with me and is not what I consider well written. But there are many people who don't mind that and value the story more. Different tastes ;)

[Trevor]

as a character i despise Harry potter but the books are some of the best ever written!

[Nola]

Guys, can you please stop hating on Harry Potter? You are being rude.

[[deleted user]]

I can only speak for myself, but Harry Potter was the best thing that ever happened to bookstores. The characters are such fantastic role models with such great morals to teach. I learned a lot about myself and my perception of people and the world.

If you're hating on the books, you've likely never actually taken the time to read the series from beginning to end - if you had, you'd probably agree with me. The story is captivating and emotionally impacting in a way I hadn't experienced before I read it. So please, before you go hating, give it a try.

If you have read the books (ALL OF THEM) and still aren't a fan, we aren't interested in hearing about your unending hatred and disgust for them. A lot of people in the world like Harry Potter, so please, keep it to yourself.

Of course, anti-Potters are people, so we don't need to go rip them up one side and down the other just because they aren't fans.

Bottom line, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and we have no right to belittle anyone based on their book preferences. There will always be people who like Harry Potter and people who don't. We all have different tastes.

[Bre]

I've been scrolling through some of this discussion, and my God. It went from insulting people's entire beings to having civilized, intellectual conversation and back to insulting again. I was waiting for the reasoning part to come up. WHY do you hate Harry Potter so much that you would write several paragraphs about your disdain? I came here to understand your hate. But what I got disappointed me. Everyone seemed to be dodging this and talking about their personal lives or their literary background. Some of you strayed from the main topic.
I understand if you all just despise the hype, J.K. Rowling herself, or the book's premise, but can you please go into detail somewhat? All I'm getting is, Harry Potter sucks because it's way too big. It's not a classic like people say it is. It's just a bunch of dark, depressing drivel that I hate with a passion.
Elaborate?

[Bre]

I know it's a shocker, but some of us unwind through our "wish-fulfilling fantasies" just as some people take a bath or listen to classical music or have a drink. We decompress by reading a book. Not all of us spend our lives inside another reality, but sometimes it's okay to escape to another world when we aren't feeling so great. When we just want to relax or calm down or face the next day. Some of us enjoy taking a break from reality because it's stressing us out, or maybe just because we're bored of it. I don't see the problem with it.

[Sammy]

My father will here about this!!!

[Meko]

A lot of the comments here appear to be coming from those of a... younger breed.

I guess that you can say that I "hate" Harry Potter. And I am saying this as someone that originally loved the series.

I found out about the series in the 3rd grade. The first book was just released and my favorite teacher, Ms. Lucy, would have the kids gather around and she would read about the magical world of Harry Potter. As is typical of American grade schools, story time is a "normal" routine. It is a great way for children to be introduced to new types of literature.

I should mention that no, Harry Potter did not introduce me to literature. I was already a voracious reader by the time the first book popped up on the scene. I was 9-years old and reading way above my grade level by then. I spent the majority of my leisure time either reading, drawing or writing. As a result, I think this may be the main reason why I transitioned from a "lover" to a "hater".

So, what happened?

I grew up. But let me explain...:

The series is extremely black and white. I know that many try to argue otherwise, but that is not the case. I do not see characters such as Sirius, Voldemort, Snape, etc. as gray--because they are not. There was always the subtle hint that Voldemort was born with a shadow hanging over his head. Snape, from beginning to end acted out of selfishness. His love for Lily, was pure selfishness. Him saving Harry is irrelevant because he did it for Lily, his eternal lover imprisoned by his obsessive nature. Sirius was... Sirius. James was a bully, I suppose. But what kid isn't? All because the characters participate in the stereotypical behavior of teenagers, does not mean that they have depth.

To get a clearer idea of what I mean, take a look at A Song of Ice and Fire. I am aware that HP is more of a YA novel and the latter is not, but the DEPTH. No one in the ASOIAF universe is good or bad. They are all extremely gray--the edges bleed so deeply that the lines are blurred. The characters can do something extremely heroic, but in the next chapter do something extremely repulsive and vile. You'll see this with characters such as Tyrion, Arya (i.e. who murdered people way before the show decided to show her committing such atrocities), etc. The Game of Thrones television show has somehow flattened Sansa, but in the novel... Things aren't always how they appear. She seems a little daft. Definitely was naive--filled with fairy tales. Sadly, Sansa had to eventually wake up. This is the world, not a fairy tale, beloved. And what did she do (speaking purely from the books). She adapted. And learned the most valuable lesson that anyone can learn--that you must do and act in ways that benefit you. No one else. No one will come and save you. You will be at your lowest one day or many days, and more often than not, there will be no one there to comfort you.

Harry, on the other hand... His life seems unrealistic. I am not speaking of the magic. But everything is so beautifully planted. Small things will go wrong, but this isn't a story about humans having autonomy, it's a fight of a young boy growing up in a magical world and defeating his fears.

What a bunch of bologna.

I, as a reader, wanted to see the psychological damage of Harry's life. Flashbacks and feelings of unease were thrown here and there, but they were not real. They were not real natural reactions to childhood trauma.

And then, while some people died at the end against the fight of good and evil, good prevailed.

But good rarely prevails. It is always squandered. A more fitting end, would be Harry dying, becoming immensely disfigured and extremely traumatized after spending 7-years of his life living in constant fear and agony. I cannot accept that ending. I do not accept these characters are real human beings. In a way, I would have been much happier if Voldemort won in the end. We have our own Voldemorts in our real world, don't we? Putin, Trump, Hitler, Mussolini, etc. They exist and often do win.

So, I was a lover at age 9. And grew to despise the series after each and every book. By the 5th book, I gave up, placed it on the coffee table (half-read) and moved on to Greek & Roman mythology, books about how King Henry VIII betrayed his wives (some unfortunately losing their heads), books of characters with deep regrets, many unable to function as they did before. Like Frodo, who was haunted by his adventures, decided to set sail to be freed from his torment. Entering my 20's (and nearing my 30's), I have a strong preference for unreliable characters plagued by insanity.

Harry Potter was for me, once upon a time. But everyone grows, and I found the characters infuriating and unrelatable overtime.

[Abigail]

I hate hearing about harry potter.I had a friend that would only talk about it,day in and day out.

[Emma]

Well, I personally don't like Harry Potter very much as a character. But I do love the Harry Potter series in a whole. This series is my favorite series that has ever been written and it has impacted me a lot as a person.
It honestly makes me mad when people bash Harry Potter just based on the first two books. Sure, those books are written for younger audiences so they are easier to read than typical young adult books but as the series goes on the writing becomes a lot more in depth and more mature. The characters really grow up throughout the series which makes the content in the stories grow up also, so please do not bash the series just based on the first two books.

[Dan]

I've only just started reading it. Harry's the one with the glasses, right?

I used to hate Harry Potter for some unknown reason, I think it was simply the hype it had, and I didn't understand why it was so popular. I was a teenage boy when the movies came out. It felt silly. But now I'm reaching my 30s and I've met a girl that insists I read the books, and I do what I do to please her, and I'm just about done with the first one and i've found i've enjoyed it. I will continue the series.

It's good to practice an open mind. Ask yourself why you hate something, and look into it. You might find that you actually like it.

[Doreen]

WTF HOW CAN SOMEONE HATE THE PROTAGONIST AKA HARRY FUCKING POTTER? HE IS SIMPLY AN AMAZING CHARACTER. HE GOT SOME ISSUES BUT HE IS PRETTY AWESOME !

WOW..i just read the other comments and I have now seemed to realize that this discussion post is disliking the Harry Potter series (i mean who would dislike it pfft) >> [I could totally delete the stuff I wrote in caps but its pretty funny so I'll just keep it.. LOL @ me defending ma boy Harry like shieeeeeet ahha)

I mean just bc it's "too hyped up" or so "mainstream" doesn't mean it sucks ya know? Give it a chance before you actually start hating it. (it's like judging a book by its cover..for books literally and people too haha) I started reading Harry Potter because my friend in the n'hood had read it and said it was amazing and I thought I should give it a shot since I already like the movies. And BAM, after reading the books...man I was hooked. I even waited in line for the last HP book to come out haha

Anyways, HP will always and forever be remembered. Rowling is an awesome author and does a great job in filling the readers mind with enjoyable characters, cool mysteries surrounding He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, the backstory of many characters, the descriptions of school life in Hogwarts that WE ALL can relate to hahah. And ofc, the main attraction is the MAGIC. She describes Hogwarts and the magic involved in the characters daily lives - whether it be for good intentions or bad. And she literally draws the reader in with her words that you too want to experience a day in the Wizarding world...for example attend the World Cup! man, thinking about the HP series just makes me tingle with joy! I need to re-read them again. (The last time I re-read them was like early this year in January!)

OVERALL...everyone...must...one. day. read. Harry. Freakin, Potter. (And watch A Very Potter Musical {AVPM} by Starkid productions on YOUTUBE...all HP fans must watch this honest to God, y'all will die of laughter and happiness! It is basically a parody..in a good way...of the HP series! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmwM_... ) (p.p.s. the songs in this are just tooo goood!)

P.p.p.s. I also wanted to note that I will be reading the HP series to ma children in the future bc I mean, ya can't live w/o HP. EVERYONE should know about the magnificent awesomeness that comes with it mUAHHAHHAHA. ok I'll stop k bye

[Crabby Constance]

Um...why is it so awesome? Also, just saying...the first two books of a series have to be great to get a reader interested. Any series. Period. How do we know that we won't hate the third book? Why waste our time reading something that we already, from the start, haven't liked? Seriously, people. Get some reasoning.
I so agree with Meko!
Also, if his relatives or whatever didn't like Harry Potter that much, why keep him? Give him to foster care. That is a very real option! How come he hasn't called CPS yet anyways? They lock him in rooms and bar his windows? Really? That is one of the reasons I really dislike this series. It was so unrealistic. And the author answered none of my questions.
Just a note: I can live without Harry Potter. In fact, I would be a lot happier if I had never read it in the first place.
And yeah, I do dislike the hype. But for a reason. I got excluded in conversations a lot in my old co-op. All they would talk about was HP, and how many times they've read the series and blah blah blah. That's actually one of the reasons I tried it in the first place. Turned out to be a waste of my time. So I dislike the hype. But I also dislike the books.

[Angie]

That is subjective, each person has the right to think whatever he/she wants.

This is different from the facts and an "objective" review. The good points are that the HP books are easy to follow, the stories can hook someone and without knowing, you have read many pages, (something similar in my case of The Beach by A Garland). While reading, you can get into the story, from imagining the passage with no difficulty (with little support of the portrait and/or the images which appear in the beginning of the chapter, depending the edition) to the point where you could feel the characters, the story, REAL(a possible reason of why someone could start to care, love and even hate some characters), and the books can and have been read by people of any age, any place, any country and any time.

Now here are the negative points: the series have been hyped, and in many ways. It was said that they helped to encourage people, kids specially, to read, I doubt it because there are still people and children who is still not interested in reading books or Literature subject is a headache for them, even though they could be fans of the HP franchise (and maybe some of them only have enough by watching the movies with the attractive cast). Talking about franchises, that is also another point against, the enormous and monstruous marketing. Besides the movies, posters, toys, accesories, tours, being part of amusement parks, etc, etc, etc, it seems that the world of Harry Potter won't be left alone and in peace due to the business and money made, although the author promised that the seventh book finished the whole saga, other books wrote either by her or by people written about other subjects related to the wizarding world which can later have a movie adaptation or the sequel of the original saga which sadly can have the same fate. In other words, it is looked to satisfy the fans and people with more, and to make bigger the goose of the golden eggs and get more.

Also it was said that the series is an original masterpiece, by some. However, in literature there have been already stories which tell about a magic world which can be secret to non magic people, what can be considered original, are the names, the reasons to put them, how the magic world is working, the school life is and going from school issues to other and bigger problems outside the school.

[Lupe]

LOL, people are funny. Who cares who likes what book? There is nothing you can say that will make me rethink my love of a story. I love the HP books and the movies. I enjoyed the FBAWTFT movie. I read the books to my children when they were small, took them to all the movies. We've read them to my grandchildren. The theme song makes me smile. We've named pets after characters. Call me an idiot, I seriously don't care.

[Kavin]

Well another thing about Harry Potter is that you have to give it a chance. I'll admit even as a die-hard Potter fan that the first few books weren't that appealing. The Chamber of Secrets especially seemed like a waste of my time back then.

But now, reading the series more than 38 times, books like the Order of Pheonix and The Half-blood Prince have become some of my favorite books.

[Crabby Constance]

I did give it a chance.

[Andersen]

Ginny wrote: "I just finished entering my review and will repost it below. I think it says it all for me. It was hard for me to insist on keeping an open mind when everyone at church (and even my husband) wanted..."

actually i tried the first book and about twenty pages in a didnt like it either it was depressing and all but a year later i tried it again and read 1/3 of it and LOVED it i recommend you try to read at least half of the book before you judge it.

[Crabby Constance]

Yeah..I read the first book all the way through and started on the second. I actually kind of liked the first book and I really liked the color of the pages and the text...but that's beside the point. (sorry, sometimes I say stuff like that...but I really did like the color of those pages...) Anyways, moving on. From the beginning, I didn't like the second. At all. Mostly for the reasons I've said before (and above, for that matter)...but also for the writing. It was so...simple. In first grade, I was already way ahead of my reading level, so while some people may be fine with the simplicity and plain word choice, I wasn't. It didn't really challenge me or improve my vocabulary, which is what a good book is supposed to do. So...that's why, after the second chapter, I decided to take a break from reading it and read Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. Going back to Harry Potter after finishing that book? Not possible. After reading Around the World in 80 Days, a book which challenged and improved my vocabulary, I couldn't really read Harry Potter (simple words, simple sentences, simple characters, repetitive word choice) without being bored. It took me about a month to finish the second book and reading that book was a drag. I'm pretty sure the only reason I finished it was because the library needed it back, and I have a thing about returning unfinished books to the library (I know, I'm weird). Well, I didn't like the plot. I didn't like how simple the writing and word choice was. I hated the character, Harry Potter. By that point, I was pretty much done with the series. I didn't really care to read the third book at that point. I pretty much hated the second book, so why continue reading the series? It didn't make much sense to me, so instead I started The Fellowship of the Ring and didn't check out any more Harry Potter books.

[Crabby Constance]

Meh wrote: "Kimberly and Kayla, you wouldn't hate the series so much if everybody else didn't love it. Admit it. I'm guilty myself. We all like to be different than everybody else."

I seriously doubt that...

[Zina]

I hate Harry Potter. Both the character and the books. And the films. Harry, even though he grew up in a cupboard under the stairs, is a spoilt little arrogant brat who's essentially really privileged once he gets to Hogwarts where everyone and their mother knows him. The headmaster freaking loves him and even wrongs other houses to benefit him. It's nepotism at its finest. I could go on and on for hours but you get the point.

[Crabby Constance]

I like how no one has anything to say after that...

[Robert]

At first I was just bored with the antics and the merchandise, now I wish they were dead.

[Crabby Constance]

Yeah, I'm just tired of it. It's had it's time. Let's move on to something different now.

[Sly]

Mari wrote: "I can not stand that crappy piece of crap. That whore of a writer got lucky because she can think like a preteen. There are so many better stories set in more interesting worlds. i am just glad she..."
OMG, Are you serious? Calling a women whore just because
you don't like her books is very beneath and shows how much Harry Potter is an awesome book to it's obnoxious fans. I dislike the books and also love them for different reasons but I think you are being over the top. Try to make people understand your point instead of being an bigot.

[Crabby Constance]

You know, people have already responded to that post. Like I basically send in my recent post, let's move on.

[Sly]

Crabby Constance wrote: "Um...why is it so awesome? Also, just saying...the first two books of a series have to be great to get a reader interested. Any series. Period. How do we know that we won't hate the third book? Why..." As an Asian Bengali I will back up that many kids are being fostered by their relatives and are mistreated and guess what noone bats an eye and no the kids are not sent to Orphan house, *SPOILER* (Harry needed blood protection from Death eaters and Petunia is his only family so in a way they had to keep him with him when he is not at Hogwarts) so there you go the reasoning. The thing many of the facts for which people get angry on HP is solved in future books, that is why my motto "Never judge a series until you read the full series" I hate The Mortal Instruments even despite reading the full series.

[Sly]

Crabby Constance wrote: "You know, people have already responded to that post. Like I basically send in my recent post, let's move on."
Lol, maybe you are right but I guess as a women myself I hate people calling successful women whore. Can you blame me?

[Crabby Constance]

Well, thank you for some good reasoning for once. But while that may be happening, do you think I want to read about people being mistreated? No, not really. And sure, I get that maybe you should read the whole series before forming your opinion on it, but I really just didn't want to. It wasn't something I was enjoying. It wasn't interesting, it didn't challenge me at all (with vocabulary, etc.), and I pretty much hated the main character. So while you may want to or think other people should waste their time on something they really don't like, I don't. I'll go about as far as the second or third book in a series, and if I don't like it then I won't read the rest. It's not that terrible of a thing to do. And why would they care about protecting him from the death eaters? Rowling makes it very obvious that his family doesn't care one cent about him. And also, if you look at my other post (I think it's number 3199 or something like that), you'll see why I decided to stop reading it. And I would get if that's some worldwide motto (don't judge a series until you've read it all), but I've never heard that one before. The only one I've heard that's similar to that is "don't judge a book by its cover." So no, I still don't see why I should waste my time on a series that I haven't liked from the beginning. If you provide that with some reasoning, yay for you. But you haven't. And the other thing I find funny: The first book of almost every series is the best and it kind of goes downhill from there (not really sure why it goes downhill, but that's not the point). There's a reason why the first is the best. So people will keep reading it. But what I hear from HP is the exact opposite. The first and second are the worst, but it gets better (apparently). And what if it doesn't for me? If I wanted to actually read the series, I would have to put it on hold at the library and wait for about 6 months. Since I haven't liked it that much, I'm not going to wait half a year just for one book. No thank you. The only way I could read it sooner would be buying it for about 10 dollars. For a paperback. So what if I don't like it? 10 dollars wasted and my time. I'd rather stick to other books that haven't begun terribly.

[Crabby Constance]

Bre wrote: "I've been scrolling through some of this discussion, and my God. It went from insulting people's entire beings to having civilized, intellectual conversation and back to insulting again. I was waiting..."

Actually, lots of people have given reasoning on here. You just have to take the time to read through it. What a shocker, right?

[K.E.]

Kayla wrote: "The stupid book has no point at all! Only complete idiots would read Harry Potter!"
Hmm.......

[K.E.]

Yeah you kinda are the only hater here

[Sly]

Crabby Constance wrote: "Well, thank you for some good reasoning for once. But while that may be happening, do you think I want to read about people being mistreated? No, not really. And sure, I get that maybe you should r..."
That was my personal motto not a world wide because you see many series I have read are bad in first book but goes better as you read it, anyway forget that. You are right you should not waste time on a series you don't like, like I did for twilight. But my reasoning is people find reasons to hate the series which on further reading solves the problems. I wanted a full description why they hate on the depths base of the series, to me it gets pretentious in politics and I also hate Harry but love the world building. No major character actually gets character development and Harry is an ungrateful shit.....Half of the way he behaves if done in real life I am sure that he would have been isolated for real. Also Harry's depression is not done that well and I have depression...... Also many many things.

[Sly]

Crabby Constance wrote: "Bre wrote: "I've been scrolling through some of this discussion, and my God. It went from insulting people's entire beings to having , intellectual conversation and back to insulting again..." Also if a series has obnoxious fans then you can back up with proof why you hate the series and they can't complain.

[Sly]

Crabby Constance wrote: "Bre wrote: "I've been scrolling through some of this discussion, and my God. It went from insulting people's entire beings to having civilized, intellectual conversation and back to insulting again..." It is true Harry's so called family hates him and I am not giving the Dursley any benefits for that matter and yet Harry's situation makes sense cause many children are bound to live in worse situation until they are 18, sad but reality so same for Harry's case maybe that's why I think Rowling kept that same.You see there are obnoxious fan for a phenomenon book series or anything if you give simple reasons then they are getting way upset and gives you a medal of Haters. My resoning is 'Is there anyone who read the series and hated for the mature themes depth wise?' Cause I have no problem with it, I don't dislike mature themes in fact I love them sex, gore violence, politics they are okay with me even with Harry Potter but my problem is have anyone seen how much loopholes there are in political depth of Harry potter. I love dark books but still people make it seem Hp is the very best and I want to chant Pokemon opening theme but can't fully remember it......I hope you get it....

[Crabby Constance]

Yeah, I see your point. I mean, I get that his situation is fine, but I felt like the author was just throwing a pity party for him the whole time.

If your looking for that kind of conversation, I'm not sure you're going to get that on here:

[Sly]

Crabby Constance wrote: "Yeah, I see your point. I mean, I get that his situation is fine, but I felt like the author was just throwing a pity party for him the whole time.

If your looking for that kind of conversation, I..." Why? This thread was made for people who hated or dislike Harry Potter books, I don't fully dislike the books but I won't say I fall to fan category or hater.

[Crabby Constance]

Yeah, but not a lot of people take their time to write paragraphs for an in-depth conversation about all the things they didn't like about the series.

[Sly]

Crabby Constance wrote: "Yeah, but not a lot of people take their time to write paragraphs for an in-depth conversation about all the things they didn't like about the series."
There are in Quora and reddit but not in Goodreads

[Crabby Constance]

I'm talking about in Goodreads...