Column: Fiction

It's been a while, I know. I've been a little busy with stuff, so I haven't had much time to actually just sit down and write coherent essays. It's not like I've run out of things to talk about, but it's a time thing. I've been pretty inconsistent with my quiet time and devotion as well, however, hopefully I will be on track again.

For those who don't know me, I'm an avid reader. I've always loved to read, ever since I first learned the skill. I vividly remember reading through the ENTIRE book of Dick and Jane, and was glad that Spot was OK in the end. I distinctly remember loving the beginning, but the end was meh. I read a diverse set of books, from suspense (usually spy/military/political) to murder mysteries; pulp to classics. My favorite is fantasy. If you're ever interested, ask me, and I'll be glad to hook you up with quality fantasy books. And no, that doesn't include Harry Potter.

I don't hate the Potter series because it's anti-Christian or whatever. I don't believe it will cause people to take up witchcraft. I doubt even if someone manages to make a gay wand, it'll do anything "special" other than getting their butt kicked in the playground. And saying that it glorifies witches and wizards is just crazy-talk. Children are not that gullible. What about all the traditional folk tales that our society has grown up with? Jack and the Beanstalk, Thumbelina, even Cinderella! That has a sorceress in it. Where's the talk of banning THAT movie by the Christian "family" groups?

No, the real reason I don't like the books is because -- and please allow me the pleasure to state the obvious-- Harry Potter is for kids! This is not a broad generalization similar to how people state that video games are for kids (which incidentally, I hate to hear!). Seriously, if I were 7-12, I would be all over HP Harry (I'm sorry, I just tried to abbreviate Harry Potter, but there can be only ONE HP. Lovecraft rules! *Ahem* sorry about that.). I can see how it can be an engaging story and all, but I'm not 7-12 (although I'm sure some of my friends would argue that I am mentally). The childish contrivances, the forced ways Rowlings abruptly ends a chapter just to force the reader to continue. It's bad. The writing is bad, the characters are all cardboard cutouts. Harry is the man, err- wizard. He's the most powerful magician, the best broomstick flyer (yay, how would you like that on your resume? I like to ride a wooden stick.). He has no weaknesses, other than the fact he acts like an idiot most of the time. Playwriters call it... BORING.

To see adults reading the book is disheartening to me. It shows that the average person is an idiot. I don't mean you guys of course! I'm just saying the "AVERAGE", but because you read my blog, obviously you aren't average. How's that for a save...? Anyway, to me it says that adults read at a fifth-grade level. They prefer easy-to-read books, with no "layers". Onions have layers too; that's probably why adults don't like onions either. Basically, Ms. Rowlings catered to the lowest common denominator, the path of most readership. She put money as the reason for writing, not the story itself. Did she milk the franchise? You bet she did. And that is why I abhor Harry Potter.

So, how about the argument that what we put into our minds is what enters our hearts? Jesus did warn against it, after all. I can see the point that Christian groups make. But I wonder if Potter is the whipping post, simply because of its fame. I'll talk more about that point, in the next column.