tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post896833230905056180..comments2024-03-27T12:08:02.812+00:00Comments on THE SMALL THINGS: In which I am too ill to avoid controversyTania Kindersleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355967725006605825noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-19809898687873970312011-12-05T01:10:34.611+00:002011-12-05T01:10:34.611+00:00I read one book and saw one film. I could do no m...I read one book and saw one film. I could do no more. Flat prose indeed. I am glad there are others who feel likewise.Loulounoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-50709788385936184202011-12-02T09:31:11.948+00:002011-12-02T09:31:11.948+00:00You make me laugh. That was a very cross rant. I h...You make me laugh. That was a very cross rant. I had totally forgotten about Flambards, so thank you for pinging that particular synapse.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14002322976940013176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-8220268321981880642011-12-01T22:06:08.386+00:002011-12-01T22:06:08.386+00:00Flambards … Ballet Shoes … yes!!
What I do is I ...Flambards … Ballet Shoes … yes!! <br /><br />What I do is I take good books by good children's authors and I put them in front of my children. I belittle the writing style of the Harry Potter books. (They are incredibly difficult to read aloud.) I praise, praise, praise Philip Pullman. I work at it. My children are still young enough to listen. Soon they will ignore me. It is worth trying … <br /><br />There are those who believe that reading something, anything, is the way to develop a love of reading. But they are wrong. Hours spent reading the Harry <br />Potter books are hours spent not reading proper books … but maybe we are voices in the wilderness? <br /><br />By the way, did you know that many schools believe that good writing can be taught formulaically: they are told to use 'wow' [long] words, 'adverbial openers' and so on. They are even taught to speak in RP. This is a scheme which schools BUY. In these cash straitened times, they pay money for … I am not sure what. It's called Big Writing. It even has a Wikipedia entry. When I discovered what my children were being subjected too my blood ran cold before it started to boil … I now delight in giving each child a completely ridiculous, but really quite long, word for each week's 'Big Writing' exercise. They get stars and rewards. To laugh or to cry? But I do digress quite badly.<br /><br />Anyway, you're right about Harry Potter :)Helennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-86484392374892988912011-12-01T20:48:26.531+00:002011-12-01T20:48:26.531+00:00Oh goodness what a fun post. Even when I complete...Oh goodness what a fun post. Even when I completely disagree! I have to admit that I adore Harry Potter. I eagerly bought every book the week it came out and devoured it immediately. The movies are fun, mostly because of the wonderful actors (Alan Rickman is marvelous, and Helena Bonham-Carter is perfect..I could go on). That said, I do agree with you that it's not for everyone. I have several friends and family members who don't get it, and that's just fine. Whoever made you feel that you can't dislike it is just wrong!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04604043603331696042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-24939240937606525162011-12-01T18:52:22.879+00:002011-12-01T18:52:22.879+00:00Ooh, re. the Voldemort thing. I have a nightmare ...Ooh, re. the Voldemort thing. I have a nightmare that I'm on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' and the key question is something related to muggles or iggles or puggles or whatever the heck they're called and I have used up all my lifelines and I Have No Idea, not ever having read or watched the wretched things. Cue watching heaps of money flush down the gurgler.Carolinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-85044333832259225042011-12-01T18:47:58.987+00:002011-12-01T18:47:58.987+00:00Yes! Punches air with excitement! I cannot BEAR ...Yes! Punches air with excitement! I cannot BEAR Harry Potter and it's wonderful to read such a magnificent and cross rant on the subject. I agree with everything you say, particularly regarding the considerable merits of Flambards and the Mitfords.<br /><br />However unlike you who is basing her opinions on experience, I do feel ashamed that I'm basing my hatred on something that I have never read but it's become a point of principle now. I feel the same as my sister who, when asked if she liked Harry Potter, said, 'No, because I actually READ'.<br /><br />God, I love your blog Tania, so often you say exactly what is on my mind (and so much more eloquently than I could EVER say it).<br /><br />love and kisses from NZ, CarolineCarolinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-51093989424902562812011-12-01T18:35:52.014+00:002011-12-01T18:35:52.014+00:00Well, the Potter books were probably not intended ...Well, the Potter books were probably not intended to be works of literary renown. Just a story that people (mostly children) might like to read. And they were indeed successful at that. It's all the other marketing of the related paraphernailia that is a bit much.TeaPotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-23383243448248825932011-12-01T15:34:00.465+00:002011-12-01T15:34:00.465+00:00@Johanna, maybe you are right, but I would still m...@Johanna, maybe you are right, but I would still maintain that absorbing oneself empathetically in a story of other humans' predicaments in a setting on this earth and in a recognisable period of our history isn't the same as travelling outside the realms of the possible for entertainment. It's a bit like the difference between films which are heavily reliant on CGI and more traditional ones which rely on the power of the acting, which is what I understood was partly Tania's gripe when trying to order some DVDs for herself.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13702475308562601190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-15390772954462201472011-12-01T09:49:28.434+00:002011-12-01T09:49:28.434+00:00I don't hate Harry Potter, I just am not ver...I don't <i> hate </i> Harry Potter, I just am not very interested. I read the first one, just to see what the fuss was all about and thought it was a dull school story, and certainly nothing adults should bother with. Harry himself seems to be a bit wet and lacking in much personality - I suppose deliberately, so children can project themselves on to him.<br /><br />I think it's high time Ursula Le Guin's Wizard of Earthsea series was rediscovered. I absolutely loved these as a child and they are far better written than bloody Harry 'I am a bit of a wet really' Potter.Cicihttp://twitter.com/#!/clemmiebluenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-37680216855803395862011-12-01T08:48:39.594+00:002011-12-01T08:48:39.594+00:00I simply refuse to believe that there are people w...I simply refuse to believe that there are people who don't love the novel's of Nancy Mitford.Darrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00201104990010974872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-42722337640943799802011-12-01T08:46:54.466+00:002011-12-01T08:46:54.466+00:00Great post. I'm a Harry hater too.
@Goldenold...Great post. I'm a Harry hater too.<br /><br />@Goldenoldenlady I don't think reading fantasy books has anything to do with escapism. Then you might as well say that reading any book is a means of escaping reality, because books always take you to another place, whether they're by CS Lewis or Dostojevski or JK Rowling.Johannanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-382073691033429572011-12-01T06:12:37.203+00:002011-12-01T06:12:37.203+00:00Haven't read Harry Potter, thought I should tr...Haven't read Harry Potter, thought I should try but really didn't get into it, seemed dull and derivative. <br /><br />I am delighted so many people like the books/films etc and that children have been encouraged to read,and for that alone, big round of applause to JKR. <br /><br />I am not of the herd on this one. <br /><br />Love a good tirade, diatribe - call it what you will- I really enjoyed reading this.Suenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-7736374247227039052011-12-01T01:12:12.745+00:002011-12-01T01:12:12.745+00:00I hope you're feeling better soon, and that yo...I hope you're feeling better soon, and that you've had some really superb reading material to enjoy in the meantime!Razinahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-87825946304707063132011-11-30T23:52:43.902+00:002011-11-30T23:52:43.902+00:00Okay...deep breath (me). Sorry Tania... I love Po...Okay...deep breath (me). Sorry Tania... I love Potter! not the books. I tried reading them (very obviously written for children)...oh..but oh... Michael Gambon with his beautiful hands...Maggie Smith with her gloriously wrinkly neck and Alan Rickman..with, well...with everything!<br />This is about magic...watch, don't think, don't judge...just watch.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00728645243327906117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-45963741125644092292011-11-30T23:04:49.555+00:002011-11-30T23:04:49.555+00:00what i love about your blog is that when one feels...what i love about your blog is that when one feels in a minority (eg harry potter!) you express it so well that everyone feels free to chime in and agree - are we a militant group in suburbia?? keep up the good work and get well soon...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-79523089459497975412011-11-30T22:57:27.675+00:002011-11-30T22:57:27.675+00:00bravo tania - a lone voice!bravo tania - a lone voice!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-44292934794254517692011-11-30T22:22:25.706+00:002011-11-30T22:22:25.706+00:00Sorry, didn't sign that last one. It was me, ...Sorry, didn't sign that last one. It was me, Bird.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-75699688292609088432011-11-30T22:20:30.453+00:002011-11-30T22:20:30.453+00:00Ask the Pigeon what she thinks of Harry Potter, an...Ask the Pigeon what she thinks of Harry Potter, and trust her judgment.<br /><br />Not having read Potter, I have escaped having an opinion. Apparently that makes my life easier. However, we all probably can agree that any writer who makes children read books has done a good thing. Now, may they all start their libraries and keep reading . . .<br /><br />H'm. My day needs some Nancy Mitford; thanks for the heads-up. And must agree with you on Stubbs. Munnings ain't bad either. :-)))Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-68042136981314338752011-11-30T22:16:58.444+00:002011-11-30T22:16:58.444+00:00If everybody loved the same stuff it would be VERY...If everybody loved the same stuff it would be VERY boring. I happen to enjoy the HP stuff, possibly for the simple reason that I love a world that I can learn the language of and be an escapist part of; but I've never pretended it was great literature. <br /><br />I've just sat down after waving goodbye to a group of friends who are working with me to create an evening of music hall as an entertainment in ten days' time: a village fundraiser. My friends are from local dramatic societies, superbly talented, and they will produce a wonderful evening's entertainment. But the style of the songs is such that one person will ADORE things like 'Down at the old bull & bush' and the next will simply hate it - or, as another member of the cast put it (she'd never heard the song before) "What an unpleasant little song." Who cares? It's all (to use a Tania-appropriate phrase) horses for courses, after all. <br /><br />You say tomayto, and I say tomahto.<br /><br />Either way, we still love you.Cassiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07531093715654362821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-65908647813315891932011-11-30T22:15:08.028+00:002011-11-30T22:15:08.028+00:00So many people admitting their dislike in a reliev...So many people admitting their dislike in a relieved fashion, I love it... I'm going to be the odd one out here and say, I love Harry Potter! However the first book isn't great, I will admit. Each to their own and all that...<br /><br />Hoping you're feeling better soon.Jess | The Indigo Hourshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12866420786261324835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-36508545602813858222011-11-30T22:12:05.923+00:002011-11-30T22:12:05.923+00:00Brave blog on Harry Potter! I've never read an...Brave blog on Harry Potter! I've never read any of the books or seen the films - they seem rather derivative and without real mystery (have seen a few clips on TV). I don't like fantasy films, except for "La Belle et la Bete" which had real mystery and poetry. <br /><br />Couldn't stand Tolkien either (got through the first one and a half pages of the book, twice) - it all seemed a bit boys-y, lots of fights and humourless males.<br /><br />But yes to Noel Streatfield and Lorna Hill! Humanity and real relationships. Also "This Week" with Michael Portillo. <br /><br />Maybe you could get boxed sets of TV series, if available - perhaps the first series of BBC's "Rev", with Tom Hollander, which is very, very good. Second series now, on BBC2, Thursdays. <br /><br />Do hope you feel better soon! Take it easy. Thanks for your blog on the visit to see the Budget speech - fascinating to read an "in situ" report.Viviennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-65378470526042666912011-11-30T21:55:55.395+00:002011-11-30T21:55:55.395+00:00First of all, I do hope you feel better very soon....First of all, I do hope you feel better very soon. And beautiful pic of the beautiful Pigeon.<br /><br />Now. A great big fat Hallelujah! I can't stand Harry Potter either. Like you, I admire JK Rowling. But I don't 'get' the whole deal. My daughter was just old enough to read the first book when it came out. Everyone said I would love it too. I didn't, skipped a fair bit and didn't read any more. I saw one film only and it had a line that I loved; when Hermione sees herself from the back and says 'is that what my hair looks like?'. Funny thing is, my daughter lost interest very early on too. Maybe we're an underground movement?!Emnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-73737944567002311832011-11-30T21:35:59.285+00:002011-11-30T21:35:59.285+00:00I loved Ballet Shoes for Anna and, had no interest...I loved Ballet Shoes for Anna and, had no interest in ballet, I just loved the sibling relationships and the story. I'm not a fan of the Potter books or films either. It just does not excite or enthral me. I recently read a book by another author you are apparently meant to like these days and HATED it. I found it dull and needlessly graphic, a combination that does not excite me. I love that art IS subjective and that in your illness duelled state you want to defend that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00414010663277948166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-48275205447886273652011-11-30T21:33:35.594+00:002011-11-30T21:33:35.594+00:00I have got stomach upset from nowhere so send symp...I have got stomach upset from nowhere so send sympathies. I can't read Harry Potter or care about him one jot. Rather an exhilarating ride on your tidal wave of crossness.Lucillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14414527658216916537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365244084462704027.post-69401408192264803822011-11-30T21:31:33.296+00:002011-11-30T21:31:33.296+00:00I too have never read a Harry Potter book. I trie...I too have never read a Harry Potter book. I tried no.1 when it was all the thing but lost interest before page fifty. Not having a child that age, or a godchild or nephew or niece who needed it read to them, I was able to make my excuses and leave. <br /><br />I can easily match your JK Rowling displeasure and raise you - I am not now, nor have I ever been, a fan of JRR Tolkein. <br /><br />Aged eleven, and a devotee of CS Lewis, I had a go at The Hobbit but he and I just didn't get along. Much more recently I tried the first LOTR film and loved the little hobbit houses with their round windows and cunning fitted furniture, could have sat and had tea there for the entire duration of the movie. It was so enchanting! What itchy-footed fool would leave there to go adventuring? It had me beat.<br /><br />Apart from the Narnia books I have never been able to read any sort of fantasy literature with maps of other worlds and characters with names like The Eorl of Tharg, or glossaries of Elvish dialects etc. I have often thought this is because I am not a boy. But now I think it's that I am not huge on escapism of any sort. I can't be bothered to play computer games either, can go year on year with no desperate urge to blow the dust off my passport, and never wanted to embroil myself in an affair even when enduring my unhappy first marriage. <br /><br />I don't flee from reality, I try to deal with it. Does that make sense?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13702475308562601190noreply@blogger.com