what is your reaction to adults who watch/read harry potter?

[datasuspect]

Poll question: what is your reaction to adults who watch/read harry potter?

universal disclaimer: i understand the affection/attachment many people have toward mass produced entertainment products, and i mean no offense to any individual person, as this post is mostly in bad taste (typical for me).

but i still can't figure out the whole harry potter thing. i leave the room if that shit is on the teevee, i feel like it would contaminate me to watch or even hear it.

[crispini]

1. I really enjoy the Harry Potter books.

Slap away, if you must.

[philosophie_en_rose]

37. I enjoy them too.

I don't understand why anyone would care that adults read Harry Potter, if they don't.

[hippiechick]

100. Me three !

:toast:

[Left Is Write]

2. I don't have a reaction.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. So slap me upside the head with a Harry Potter book

because I love 'em all. The movies, too.

[KitchenWitch]

4. I guess I should get in line for a beating

I love Harry Potter.

[billyskank]

5. Hooray!

:spank:

:D

[KitchenWitch]

7. Just lying in the weeds for that, huh?

:rofl:

:hi:

[billyskank]

10. I had my paddle handy.

:D

:hi:

[LostinVA]

21. Me too -- great books

[KitchenWitch]

23. I guess only douchebags like us enjoy Harry Potter!

:rofl:

[LostinVA]

24. If that's true, than I am a proud douchebag!

[KitchenWitch]

25. Me too!

:hi:

[ashling]

6. Harry Potter reader here

:)

[youthere]

8. Slap away!

I love the series. It's well written, entertaining and imaginative.

[Billy Ruffian]

12. +1 on that

:thumbsup:

[RetroLounge]

9. and you haven't even read them, right?

:eyes:

RL

[datasuspect]

13. no

but my 10 year old nephew did.

so did my crazy aunt who is all into aromatherapy and crystals.

sorry, this overhyped corporate schlock is easily enough dismissed out of hand without any further investigation.

plus i have all those dean koontz books to read (they don't even have pictures!)

[Debi]

15. Yes, people into aromathreapy and crystals must be crazy

:crazy:

[mr blur]

52. er...Yep. 'Fraid so. (nt)

[KitchenWitch]

90. Nice tolerance you are showing there.

[MassLiberal]

41. My daughter discovered the first book before almost anyone else

Her best friend had a copy of the English version of the first book that his mom bought on Amazon.com UK, and the kids were INSANE about this book. No one else in the US had really heard of HP at that point, and no one was telling these kids to read it. And no one was forcing their parents to read it--it just caught on because it was GREAT. The books may look to you like "overhyped corporate schlock," but I saw the hype start at the grassroots--with kids and their parents--before the whole HP thing "caught on" with the media. It was all word of mouth and kids telling kids, "Ya gotta read this book!" The media had nothing to do with it, at first anyway.

[hedgehog]

72. Same thing here - my daughter picked up a copy at a school

book fair. I was put off by the cover and thought it would be a dumb book - this after shelling out about $50 for other books that day. I figured if she wanted it, what was the harm? I love fantasy, but I guess I was thinking that Harry Potter would be too derivative of Bruce Colville's books!

[zappa_parappa]

66. I was sceptical but gave Harry Potter a chance...

I couldn't fathom dismissing something without giving it a first hand experience. I knew from the beginning that American Idol was a piece of shit, but I still watched it so I knew what it was about, Its pretty closed minded to dismiss something without prior knowledge.

[grace0418]

67. I find it's always best to dismiss things out of hand without any further

investigation, that's always the mark of an open-minded person. Heaven forbid you find you actually enjoy something. Good grief.

[LostinVA]

20. Gosh....hmmm..... NO

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. EXPECTO PATRONUM!

Bloody Dementors...!

[VenusRising]

51. I prefer the old

Petrificus Totalus!

[Debi]

14. I voted 'slap them'

And hope that involves a good spankin??!! :evilgrin:

:spank:

I've read all of the HP books and seen all the movies....I won't be able to sit down for a week :bounce:

[KamaAina]

16. (Sigh) I keep forgetting that even many DUers are Muggles

oh, right, by definition, Muggles don't know what "Muggle" means. The Google is your friend...

[KitchenWitch]

17. Muggles indeed!

:hi:

[Madspirit]

76. Yes!!

The OP is Muggles...mwahahahaha....
So true.
Madspirit

[NewWaveChick1981]

18. HEY! I'm one of those adults...

:P The books are wonderful. Yes, they're "young adult titles", but they're well-written and very interesting. The first two movies were good, but the other ones so far have just been OK.

[Debi]

22. Ahem, WE are young adults!

;)

[NewWaveChick1981]

26. Good point...

:hi: :D Thank you for reminding me! :D

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

39. Speak for yourself. I'm an old adult.

[Debi]

63. Okay, but NWC & I are relatively close in age and I AM NOT OLD

:grr:

(you can be old though, thanks! :hi:)

[LostinVA]

19. Whatever -- they're great books

And, as much adult books as kid's books.

Ahhh.... the elitism on DU shown by some posters is so... elitist..

[Left Is Write]

27. Do you think I should admit...

that I still re-read Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Trixie Belden, Ginny Gordon, the Great Brain and other children's series? Or that I've read Frm The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler at least twice in the last five years?

[KitchenWitch]

28. You are okay as long as you have not read the Anne of Green Gables series recently!

:7

[LostinVA]

30. Errr.... guess what?

I still reread some Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume books every year...

[Starbucks Anarchist]

36. SuperFudge kicked ass!

:D

[LostinVA]

59. Indeed!

[Debi]

32. *sigh* Trixie Belden

My grandmother bought me Trixie Belden books every year (on my brother's birthday no less, so I wouldn't feel left out - he got the Hardy Boys books). I have copies of my mother's Bopsie Twins books from WAY back.

Thanks for the memories, Grandma died in 1995 but I still have the books she sent me. :hi:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

101. PIGGLE WIGGLE! OMFG! I read that obsessively in, like 2nd grade!

Great series of books! So imaginative!

[datasuspect]

56. elitism?

that's hilarious.

what about the constant infantilization of the american adult?

40 is the new 16?

your feigned dramatic self-righteousness is always good for a chuckle.

if there was ever a DUer's ignore list i wanted to be on, it's yours.

[AlCzervik]

29. I'm glad people still actually read books.

there is not enough of that in this country imo.

[greatauntoftriplets]

31. Yippeee!!!!!

I don't get slapped!!! I am one of those people who never got into them. Of course, I never read the Hobbit books either.

Of course, I would love to be as insanely rich as the author of said books.

Note to self: Buy another Lotto ticket Saturday.

[Withywindle]

33. None of the above!

I ask 'em what *their* Snape theory is, and can they back it up?

[crispini]

44. OMG Snape is SO a good guy in the end. I hope.

'Cause Alan Rickman.... droooooooooool.

[LostinVA]

60. I think he'll be a good guy, too *SPOILER*

I think he did what he did on Dumbledore's orders.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

102. I agree.

:)

[WolverineDG]

107. When I read the first book for the first time

I immediately pictured Alan Rickman as Snape. :9

And I think he'll turn out to be a good guy too, in the end, albeit a dead one.

dg

[LadyoftheRabbits]

83. Innocent

He's innocent, and he had reasons. :D

[Bucky]

34. Why is the option "murder them for having different taste in literature from me" not an option?

You poll simply stops too far down along the intolerance scale for my response.

[datasuspect]

54. did you read the "universal disclaimer" portion?

this post is mostly in jest.

i guess advertising works too well.

[TimeChaser]

35. Go ahead and slap

But be warned, I bite back :D

[XemaSab]

38. I loves me some Harry Potter

:D

[Danger Mouse]

40. Uhh....I happen to enjoy Harry Potter quite a bit. So there.

[GoneOffShore]

42. I've signed upi to get the next one.

Can't wait.

[RevolutionaryActs]

43. Define adult.

:P


I was 12 when I read the first book and I'll be 21 when the last book comes out. :P

[Zookeeper]

45. My kids have been growing up with the series....

So, I've read some of the books and seen most of the movies, just to be able to share it with them.

[LostInAnomie]

46. Slap 'em with my ring hand!

Two times

[petronius]

75. Is that two forehands, two backhands, or one of each?

If one of each, in which order? It makes a difference, you know...

[LostInAnomie]

92. Definitely forehand, then back.

For efficiency's sake.

[swag]

47. I like them because they're easy to get into bed.

[QMPMom]

48. I tried to read one. I got so bored I quit.

[qnr]

49. I have no reaction. If they enjoy it, why shouldn't they. None of my damned

business. Same thing with the bible. Now, if they start hurting people because of reading the books or going to the movies, starting wars, banning gays and females, expecting tithes, then I might wonder.

[datasuspect]

57. i hear what you are saying

but have you noticed the trend among many adults toward acting like children?

i guess this falls somewhat within that category.

i suppose if i had asked a serious question regarding the infantilization of adulthood it would have sunk like a stone, so i opted for the gimmicky bad taste joke route.

but i didn't consider that the attachment to mass produced entertainment byproduct was so strong. it seems that advertising (which is what i consider books of the "harry potter" ilk) is TOO effective. it's almost like people integrate them as crucial aspects of their identity.

[qnr]

74. I understand your point. I'm just not sure that liking Harry Potter is anything more

than enjoying light entertainment, speaking only for the ones I personally know. They watch it with their kids, but wouldn't make an effore to see it on their own.

[reyd reid reed]

50. Okay....here's the thing.

I've read them all. And I've watched all the movies. Hell, we've got 'em on DVD and we've got all the books in hardcover...BUT....

I've got five kids and when the phenomenon started, the two younger boys and maybe even my daughter weren't old enough to read them on their own. So we got them. #2 son read them and then read them again and then went back and started them a third time until I took them away -- ostensibly to see what the fuss was all about. I finally did, in a fit of desperation, read the first two. Then the younger kids wanted to know what their brother thought was so cool about them, so I read them aloud.

Every. Single. One. Of. Them. Every. Fucking. "Incredulously"

And the movies put me to sleep.

:shrug:

[tigereye]

104. my husband read em all out loud to our son

they are a lot of fun with great plot twists and a good message.

And I like the movies as well. And no, I don't run around to HP conventions and I do have an English Lit degree.

Bless Rowling for getting kids to start reading huge books again!

[China_cat]

53. Anything that will get kids to read is exceptional to start with

and if adults want a connection point with the kids, this is a good place to start. And you can't start if you don't know what you're talking about...which means reading the books.

[Deja Q]

55. Convince them sex is better.

:spray:

[BuelahWitch]

58. I could care less what they read, as long as they're reading

I read the Oz books when I was in my 30s and enjoyed them immensely.
Anything that gets people to read is a good thing in my book...

[charlie and algernon]

62. i agree, we should be applauding the fact that people are actually reading

reading is an activity that's not exactly the most popular thing to do in this country. we should applaud anything that makes it popular again.

[WolverineDG]

61. Slap me stupid

I happen to like them.

dg

[La Lioness Priyanka]

64. i love harry potter. adults who dont read potter are missing out.

[Madspirit]

77. agreeing

Here I am agreeing with you again. Dang. It's becoming a habit.
Madspirit

[La Lioness Priyanka]

78. even though i am a trouble maker i can be quite agreeable

:hi:

[Orrex]

65. It's great that Rowling has inspired millions of adults to read

But the vast majority of adults I know who love these books have read little else since college (or earlier). I just wish that I could have a moderately literary conversation that didn't begin with the other person saying "honestly, they're not children's books."

Of course, to Rowling's credit, she's never postured herself as a literary icon--she's just an author creating stories that people want to read.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

68. IF they don't have kids, slap them silly.

If they do, I applaud them for doing something to encouraging their child to read. Hopefully.

[Burma Jones]

69. No Reaction, Judging other people's taste just whittles years off your life..

De Gustibus Non Disputandum est.....

[liontamer]

70. I generally prefer children's books

So many "adult"books are just losers whining about their drinking and problems getting laid. Why would I want to read that? I much prefer a good story with fanciful things. i can listen to my friends whine about drinking and getting laid. None of my friends however can do magic.

[Zookeeper]

94. You are so right....

I've just stopped reading contemporary fiction. But, as a parent, I've had the opportunity to read a number of "Young Adult" novels and prefer them to adult fiction. They present problems and serious issues and also maintain a attitude of "let's look at the problem and change it."

[skygazer]

71. Certainly less visceral than yours

I read the first book and part of the second to try to figure out what the fuss was about. I also watched part of one of the movies. It wasn't something I particularly enjoyed - I thought the writing was fairly pedestrian and the plots pretty standard. Didn't engage my interest.

So I don't read them.

I'm not sure what you think you'll be contaminated with but I can't imagine why it matters to you what other people choose for entertainment. If you listen to any mainstream music, watch any network television or read virtually any bestseller of any genre, you're a consumer of mass produced entertainment products. Why are you judging people because they like a particular one? Particularly since you admit you've never read one.

Seems like a dreadful waste of time.

[Madspirit]

73. 52 and LOVE HP

You probably don't like Shakespeare either. That silly metaphor-y literature. It does require an imagination. I am 52 and run a VERY popular Yahoo Group. It gets over 3000 posts a month, (that's a lot for an entertainment site) and we are all adults. Here is a description:

Welcome To

Buffy, Angel and Firefly!

BAF is a discussion Group for Joss Whedon's incredibly cool creations: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Angel", "Firefly" and it's big screen spin-off "Serenity". Share news, reviews and images.

We also cover "Veronica Mars", "Battlestar Galactica", "Blade", "Torchwood", "MI-5", "The 4400", "Star Trek", "Medium", "Jericho", "Charmed", "LOST", "Dead Like Me", "Dexter", "Stargate SG1", Stargate Atlantis", "NUMB3RS", "Bones", "Heroes", "Eureka", "Smallville", "Dr. Who", "Farscape", "Alias", "24", "The Gilmore Girls", "The Closer", "Wonderfalls", "The Inside", "The X-Files", "Harry Potter", "House" and various other shows, books, movies, cartoons, animé, comics, graphic novels and manga.

This Group is Kid Friendly. Please do not post any photos or fanfic with a rating higher than PG13. Please respect Group members. Trolls, racists and homophobes will be beaten with sticks and banned from the Group.

[Madspirit]

79. 78

Oh yeah...and our oldest member is 78 and an avid Harry Potter reader and has a doctorate in English.
Madspirit

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

80. Dude. Adults read/watch/listen to MUCH MUCH MUCH worse things.

American Idol. Big Brother. Fear Factor. RW radio. Need I go on?

Disclaimer: I never read any Harry Potter book, and only watched the first movie, and that because my then 7yo kid asked me to buy it for her.

[crim son]

81. My kids loved the books when they were younger but I've

tried again and again to get through just the first one. No can do... they bore the hell out of me. With few exceptions I don't like fantasy, though and that might explain why I don't like the Harry Potter stories.

[Bridget Burke]

82. Why do you even have a TV?

It shows little but "mass produced entertainment products." Actually, the Harry Potter books aren't "mass produced." They are written by one woman. Yes, they are heavily promoted. But they're pretty good for kids' books. I got distracted from the 2nd one, but may take it up again. I feel quite un-contaminated.

And I read mysteries & science fiction--written for "adults" but not necessarily intellectually rigorous. Have loved Tolkien since high school & I think the movies were excellent.

On the other hand, I've read & enjoyed some of Thomas Pynchon's work. Looking for something to read on the train this AM, I grabbed "The Dalkey Archive." My weightier reading tends to be non-fiction. I'm finishing "The Ancient Celts" by Barry Cunliffe; it's scholarly & quite free of "Celtic twilight" nonsense.

However, I might watch a few episodes of Buffy tonight.

[Madspirit]

85. Buffy!!

I watch some Buffy every single day...or Angel or Firefly. Joss Whedon is one of the most progressive men out there:

When I go to Europe, I just want to wear
a t-shirt with a picture of Bush and the
words, "I'm sorry".
*Joss Whedon*


Madspirit

[deadparrot]

84. Reading is good.

I read Harry Potter, and enjoy the books. I don't think they're the "BEST BOOKZ EVAR!!!!111" or anything, but they are entertaining. They make people think, they spur discussion, and they deal with adult themes (Rowling has stated that the series was not meant for children, despite its current audience).

I'd think that the average adult would get more out of reading a HP book than sitting and watching 10 hours of "Deal or No Deal." :shrug:

[Madspirit]

86. As It Should Be...

I've read every post on this thread now. Harry Potter wins, hands down, Muggles loose.
Madspirit

[Zavulon]

87. Blinding indifference, actually.

[Dastard Stepchild]

88. I would got more concerned seeing an adult reading the Turner Diaries...

Harry Potter is just a bit of fun - and a pretty good read!

[dropkickpa]

89. I love the HP books

And, thank you very much, I have more than enough experience in being a "grown-up", I don't need any lessons. Harmless entertainment that lets me relax is awesome (and far too rare). I also still read comic books, watch cartoons, and draw with crayons.

[Common Sense Party]

91. Did you read or watch "DaVinci Code"? If so, didja like it? nt

[GoddessOfGuinness]

93. Based on what "The Grownups" have done to the country...

I'd say we could all use a little more Harry in our lives.

[HuffleClaw]

95. silly muggle

though i would like an explanation between 'slap some sense into them' and 'slap them silly'. is it in the technique? hey, maybe its all in the wrist!

[sinkingfeeling]

96. I love the Harry Potter books and movies. Read each one of them

numerous times. My 'child' will turn 37 on Sunday.

[Madspirit]

97. one good thing

I just got several people from my Buffy group who are also, like me, fans of HP, to join DU.
Madspirit

[Ohnjaye]

98. Just joined/love Harry Potter books and movie

Right on cue from Madspirit -- I just joined this site --and boy are you in trouble -- I'll be 46 in April and I love the Harry Potter books and movies!!

[Madspirit]

99. John Bob Square Pants!

Welcome to DU. John is also a Democrat and a radical and pro-impeach, etc. I didn't JUST invite him because he loves Harry Potter...<g>

Susan is already here, has been forever but is too shy to post.

Madspirit

[blondeatlast]

103. Thank them for my employment... nt

[The Flaming Red Head]

105. Depends if they're really stoned

while watching

[sakabatou]

106. Shrug and move along

[YellowRubberDuckie]

108. Wow. What's with all the violence?

I'm 27, my husband is 35. We like Harry Potter. I think it is an amazing story that appeals to everyone no matter their age. It's that classic struggle of good versus evil. Getting away from the everyday rat race of evil shitting on the nice guy, I think is what makes me really love the characters that JK Rowling has so brilliantly brought to life. Think of me what you will. I really don't give a rat's ass. It's a story that makes me believe that sometimes the good guys do win, life can be different, and no matter how bad things get, there are always people there, friends, family, etc, who will always be there to make it better. Don't like it if you want, but please don't shit on the things someone else likes because you don't get the brilliance of it.
Duckie

[huskerlaw]

109. Ever read a Harry Potter book?

Yeah, I thought not.

:eyes: