Harold Bloom at The National Post has written a sharply critical Story that has nothing good to say about the series, or the fans.
\”I will keep in mind that a host are reading it who simply will not read superior fare, such as Kenneth Grahame\’s The Wind in the Willows or the Alice books of Lewis Carroll. Is it better that they read Rowling than not read at all? Will they advance from Rowling to more difficult pleasures?\”
Harold Bloom at The National Post has written a sharply critical Story that has nothing good to say about the series, or the fans.
\”I will keep in mind that a host are reading it who simply will not read superior fare, such as Kenneth Grahame\’s The Wind in the Willows or the Alice books of Lewis Carroll. Is it better that they read Rowling than not read at all? Will they advance from Rowling to more difficult pleasures?\”
How to read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer\’s Stone? Why, very quickly, to begin with, perhaps also to make an end. Why read it? Presumably, if you cannot be persuaded to read anything better, Rowling will have to do. Is there any redeeming educational use to Rowling? Is there any to Stephen King? Why read, if what you read will not enrich mind or spirit or personality? For all I know, the actual wizards and witches of Britain, or of America, may provide an alternative culture for more people than is commonly realized.
Perhaps Rowling appeals to millions of reader non-readers because they sense her wistful sincerity, and want to join her world, imaginary or not. She feeds a vast hunger for unreality; can that be bad? At least her fans are momentarily emancipated from their screens, and so may not forget wholly the sensation of turning the pages of a book, any book.
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