I was going to make a video about this, but I'm still a little bit nervous to talk to 1,200 people about a topic that has already proven to be so controversial; Harry Potter.
I know, right? It's a children's series. And while I, like 90% of the people I know, think the series is well-written and wonderful, I don't have the same emotional connection with the books that most of my friends have. Meaning: I like other books better.
It could be just because I read them when I was older, but it's probably just a matter of personal taste. Don't ostracize me yet, I'm about to give you WAY more reason for insult.
Once upon a time I was reading the Chamber of Secrets and I found a grammatical error. It was during speech, so it doesn't count. I posted it on facebook as a 100% humorous stab at my OWN grammar nazi tendencies. I WAS NOT IN THE LEAST SERIOUS.
That being said it wasn't half an hour before the comment thread following it had become a heated, 6-on-1 war against the thought of anyone DARING to criticize the BEST BOOKS EVARRRR!!!11!11!1!!!!!1
The last comment before I deleted the post was my friend warning me not to speak critically about the books again, lest the same sort of terror ensue.
The comment infuriated me not because it was patronizing, but because it was just illogical. You should think critically about everything lest the entire world turn into some psycho religious compound. That's what happens when people don't think critically.
And pointing out flaws or plot holes in the book series doesn't mar the shiny gold plaque that Harry Potter has earned as one of the best children's literature series of all time.
Now you guys know that I'm as die-hard as it gets when it comes to Doctor Who, and yet I still rant frequently about last season's finale and the giant paradox that ensued. I've teased people for not liking the show, but only in jest. Everyone still knows how much I love Jon Garcia and Brendan Linwood (even though seriously, guys, I don't understand you.)
Conclusion:
I love the Harry Potter series. (Well, the first four that I've read)
I reserve the right to acknowledge flaws in a book series without being treated like Judas.
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Perfect example and analysis of when you criticise something people will follow religiously. This isn't a knock against anyone but people who swear by something whether it be a religion, book series, TV programme, film, someone is going to get offended somewhere; case and point, Twilight Fans or in this case Harry Potter.
ReplyDeleteI'll share a secret, I have only read the first three books, I actually stopped reading when it became mainstream, but I am still intertwined with the fans for things like the films, media, houses (Hufflepuff here), it shows HP is a phenomenon but people need to remember that it mustn't be taken as seriously as people take a religion, which people need to loosen up on there too. In short, nothing is perfect in this world, just enjoy the beauty of what we love and accept the flaws in order to add depth to it.
PS - Congrats again on the 1,284 subs, you truly do deserve them and the others that will come in time.
This is a really fantastic post Hannah, and I want to thank you for making it. I have felt this way for such a long time, but I tend not to talk about it because I don't like dealing with the kind of crap you've described.
ReplyDeletePersonally I believe a fandom is stronger and so much more respectable when the fans are able to question and critique the thing they love so much. When people love something so blindly that they lose the ability to question and start attacking others, that is when I lose respect for a fandom. Harry Potter walks that thin thin line and will always sway towards the side of losing me for this very reason.
Again, thank you so much for this post, I really enjoyed it and it's nice to know there are "big youtubers*" who are able to think critically about HP.
*That wasn't meant to poke fun at you, just to say that you are HUGE compared to me, and because of that have a greater ability to reach and communicate with people.
haha, Welcome to the world of fandom. It's the scariest place on earth, especially when you're on the internet :P
ReplyDeleteI love the harry potter series, but yes there are books that are just as good/better. And hey, I also enjoyed the Twilight series so my opinion on books is weird anyways ;)
I guess what I'm trying to say is: fandom is weird, don't let it stop you from saying what you think :)
Please don't go all grammar nazi on me, I'm Dutch so English is not my first language :P (or do, I'd like to get better at it :) )