Wrong article for this website - this is not Slyck.

I've got my book right here, came today with the mail just in time.
I'll read it later today and stick my tongue out at all the illiterate morons here bashing it who probably wouldn't know a book if it bit them in the ass.

I am neither an illiterate nor a moron. I am a well-read and educated individual, quite capable of producing a considered review of a novel, even one as overblown as a Harry Potter novel.

However, Betanews is not a literary review website, which is why I didn’t post a literary review here; otherwise I would have happily posted a thousand words on the subject if required. As I’ve not read the final novel (and at the time of the posting NOBODY could had read it all), I did not say that the new novel was terrible. My remarks were drawn from the first novel, which I have read, and may reasonably use as a measure of Rowling’s literary efforts. It may be that Rowling has, in the intervening years, improved her writing skills, and that the final novel is better written than the first, though I wonder if she could have improved so much as to now be beyond reproach.

There are better novels around, and in the canon of great literature it would be folly to put Rowling’s efforts anywhere near the top. Financial worth and literary worth are not the same thing. It is probably no bad thing that the Harry Potter series is at an end, and that other worthy authors may get a look in – and benefit from some of the pathetically fawning news coverage and apparent absence of literary criticism which would have done Rowling’s sales no harm. Where the hell IS the literary criticism of Rowling’s work? Or is Rowling the perfect author?

Attacking me for mention of “derivative, poorly written junk”, are we? Well, “poorly written junk” is merely my opinion, but on “derivative” let’s see (see Wikipedia for all the literary connections, but here are some common ones):

A poor boy/girl enters a world of adventure and magic – the list is too long to go there, though Narnia, Wonderland, Never Never Land, Oz, and Mister Ben spring to mind.

Acquiring and controlling magical powers and messing up along the way – Sorcerer’s Apprentice anyone (and Star Wars)?

Harry Potter “too old to begin the training” Hmm, I hate to mention Star Wars again.

Magic spells and levitation – any number of Disney movies (and Star Wars again)… “bipety bopety boo” indeed!

Hogwart's - elitist English boarding school comedy – Saint Trinians and any number of 1950s Ealing comedies.

Kids go on mystery/adventure in adult world– pick any Blyton novel, Girl Guide annual or popcorn movie.

Fairytale land of magical goodies, baddies and general weirdness– Narnia, Middle Earth, Wonderland, da de da.

Zigzag-shaped scar acquired in mortal combat – Zorro perhaps?

Flying things that don’t normally fly – um, Back To The Future, E.T, Bed Knobs and Broomsticks, Mary Poppins, The Phoenix And The Carpet, Ali Baba, Don Quixote.

Friendly giants and spirits– pah, it’s been done to death.

Magic mirror? Aaaggh, not that old cliché again!

Notice that I am referring not to plagiarism (perish the thought!) but to cliché. I draw your attention to the comments of Yale professor and literary scholar Harold Bloom, reportedly saying: “Rowling's mind is so governed by clichés and dead metaphors that she has no other style of writing." It is the torrent of clichés that annoys me about Rowling's work, not the work's collective originality.

In any case, the Betanews article was about leaks of the novel and of the leakers being sued. My point was, albeit pithily put, that in my view the first novel was not great, and that the law suits might be part of the hype promoting the final novel. Within the context of the article, perhaps my view of Rowling’s work was irrelevant, but even if it were relevant, it is interesting to note that the reply postings have mainly attacked me, and not the matter of the law suits.

i think it's sickening the reaction people have to ANYTHING popular.

First it's a book! Second these were stories the author told her kids at night. She never planned to make a series of books, only from being pushed by her own family (if i recall correctly) did she consider it. The fact that the world was hooked on these books should tell you something.

Even if you don't like them or thats your damn preference! It doesn't mean they're crap. Honestly people should just stop b****ing about the books because the masses love them so much and read them for what they are, works of fiction. If you like it, great, if not. Then move on to something you would, or do like.

I personally like these books, i held off because of the hurrah over them. But my best friend, and my wife were hooked, and i trust they're judgements so i gave it a go. I'm not even a big book reader but I like works like LotR (which i read LOOOONG before the movies), DaVinci Code, Dune series, I honestly couldn't stand Chronicles of Narnia even though i like the Author CS Lewis, Screwtape Letters anyone?

If you don't like it, fine, but give a damn intellectual answer like, the characters just aren't all that interesting, or that you're not into fantasy works, or that harry's char annoys you because he's too emotional, or something real instead "duh they're crap. the masses like them so i won't". Grow up!!!

I read the first Potter novel. It was derivative, poorly written junk. It's a shame so many kids are growing up thinking it's great. At least after this final book, Rowling's stranglehold on the market will be over, and better writers will get a look in.

The law suits are just part of the hype and will probably disappear quietly after the book launch.

Wow, your pathetic.

*ahem*

you're

*laughs*

I knew someone would catch that. I didn't want to be told what a know-it-all jerk I was again. :p

FKN Die already....

About halfway through the first book I close the book, and out loud say to myself: I don't care about a single character in this book.

Same goes for Lord of the Rings, and anything based on "fantasy."

i hate this thing, so i don' teven wont to know how it's gonna end

Everyone love usenet, yeeaa yea yea.

shhhhhhhhh

Oddly, conservative cable news hosts were touting and defending the Potter "leaker" all day on Wednesday. Go figure.

It's Potter. Who cares. Oh, and by the way, Harry doesn't die. It was a bad magic spell that he awoke from at the end of the last book. Oh, and Harry has kids, too. Dude's been busy.

You were right the first time, we don't care.

Oddly, conservative cable news hosts were touting and defending the Potter "leaker" all day on Wednesday

Which? Seriously. As you might imagine, I've usually got some conservative station or show on and this is the very first I've heard of it.

Same here. That claim makes no sense.

HAHA

I will never understand the hype on this one.

It's a kids book people.. get a grip.

The Hobbit's seen as a 'kid's book'. Comic books are seen as 'kid's books'. Entertainment-wise, stuff made for 'kids' is often higher-grossing than things made for 'adults'. Why? They have more time to waste.

That said, considering the widespread popularity of the series, I've no idea why it'd be surprising for either this to happen, or the publishers to be irritated about it.

"Why? They have more time to waste."

LOL, and us parents are looking for more and more ways to occupy our children so that we have more time to waste too ;-)

..and reading books (even ones you consider to be bereft of value) is a bad thing?

I'd rather they read comic books and bad novels than play the console or watch TV all day...

Of course, it'd be nice if they can get outside and play as well, but... ;)

DUDE!! I'm so sick and tired of this Harry Potter crap!, this is getting like Final Fantasy games, IT'S NEVER FINAL!!!

Nice try. Any evidence that she does in fact plan to write any more books in this series? No? Then...shut...up...

Actually, yes! here's your evidence...

http://www.ifmagazine.com/new.asp?article=4457

AND....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/...reinternet_070709114628

LOOK IT UP ON THE NET IS ALL OVER THE DAMN PLACE!! so there!, YOU keep your mouth shut

You post your evidence when you make your claim, moron. If you don't, then don't expect us to believe you.

It wasn't my point to make YOU nor anyone else believe in me in the first place.

*raises hand*

I don't believe in you. I believe you are a figment of my imagination brought on by lack of caffeine, sleep, as well as the effects of various medications (all legal, of course).

I really need more sleep and caffeine... ;)

HAHAHA, thank you! finally someone recognizes what I am! lol.

im a figment of my imagination

You should have actually said "NO" in response to the question asked by morriscox. The question was "Any evidence that she does in fact plan to write any more books in this series?"

This is the only indication I found in the links you have provided.

"I might do an eighth book for charity - a kind of encyclopedia of the world, so that I could use all the extra material that's not in the books."

Sounds like a companion type book for the series to me. Not a continuation in the series.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/series