I’ll be twenty-two years old in December and I am happy to admit that if the Hagrid showed up and told me that I had been accepted into Hogwarts, I would happily get on that train. The books are incredibly well plotted. The complexity of the overall story (continuing through each novel) has left me in a state of awe. I am an aspiring writer and I must say that Rowling has the gift for putting a little magic inside each of the books.
I must admit that I am a newbee to Harry Potter’s world. I started reading the books about a month and a half ago and have since devoured all four. The series starts out with Harry finding out his wizard origins and being whisked off to first adventure at Hogwarts school of magic. The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban, and the Goblet of Fire all build on the original concept and follow Harry Potter through each successive year at the school. As I have mention the continuing story is actually quite amazing. Very complex characters, good use of humor, fast pace and the ever-present threat of the super villain’s return make the books almost impossible to put down.
I have to address the parental concerns that I feel overshadow the series. Harry Potter has managed to attract a lot of negative attention and I believe that it is unfounded. Some groups say it promotes children to turn to the occult…I must say that this by far is the most far-fetched. The books do revolve around the concept of magic and ritual, but they are fiction and I must ask if it is really such a bad thing. Most children’s stories have some type of superstition, magic, or plain ol’ hatred blended in with the plot and the use of magic in the books is for the most part comical. The books are written in a light tone and even when dark magics are used…the result is often foiled or malfunction entirely.
Other concerns that I have been raised about the books include the scattered use of the words damn, hell, and bi&ch (the canine equivalent not as it is used in relation to women). Are these eight and up readers so shielded from the world that they are not familiar with the use of these words? I cannot believe that. They probably know words that would make an adult blush, so why would you deny them the pleasure of reading just because of the sparse use of colorful language. I’m sorry, but sometimes profanity happens. I’ll use my favorite example: “I hit my hand with a hammer and since my young son was there I said shucks. My son looked up at my and said Dad you oughta’ say damn, cause I bet that hurt like a sono-va-bi&ch!” Profanity is not the greatest crisis facing our kids today, so lighten up and let them enjoy there childhood J
That last part really leads into what I believe the books should really be known for. Harry Potter has single handedly attracted droves of kids to the wonderful world of literature. Very few books can pull children away from the boob tube, but Rowling has managed to do it for four straight books and hopefully she will keep them coming. Childhood is very short and with all the problems that are out there in the world I think books like Harry Potter are an excellent escape for kids of all ages. I still find myself wishing that I could sneak around in an invisibility cloak, but I guess I may never grow up either.
I hope you will give Harry Potter a chance, read them with your kids if you have concerns, and just remember that life is to short to be all growed up all the time!
As always thank you for reading my opinion. If you have any questions or comments please contact me at Diversion4u@excite.com
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