Hi Everyone,
Of course I've read Harry Potter. I've just never reviewed it. There are a few reasons for this and I thought it would be interesting to talk about it today.
I also want to mention that this post is by no means saying that I hate Harry Potter. I completely appreciate it and it is an amazing book, in fact I love it. There are just a lot of problems that I find with it that trouble me. I used to absolutely adore Harry Potter, and to some extent I still do, I've just realised as I've got older that it isn't the book I once thought it was and there are things to do with the author and the Potter universe that I don't think are right and I don't want to support. This post only details why I've never reviewed Harry Potter, it doesn't go into my enjoyment of the books!
This is a very controversial topic and I don't mean to upset anyone. If your views differ to mine, I would be very interested to hear your thoughts in the comments.
1. I would rather spread the word about less well-known books
Everyone knows about Harry Potter. Everyone knows what it's about. Everyone's heard of J.K.Rowling. Very few have heard about Lucy Powrie, Elizabeth Acevedo and all the other wonderful contemporary authors out there. I would rather encourage people to read these than to read books they will probably read anyway. You may think this is contradictory seeing as I review classics which are arguably also very famous and many people read them, but I don't categorise classics and Harry Potter together because of course Harry Potter is still contemporary, although I have no doubt it will become a classic. I think people sometimes need inspiration to read classics simply because of the way we view them: as big, scary, complex books. That is why I review classics (and also because I love reading them a lot).There are also many less well-known classics and I love reviewing these too.
2. I don't support J.K. Rowling because of her opinions
Some of the things she has said really disgusted me and I would rather not support her. There is an AMAZING article I found about this, click here to read it. I highly recommend, it's well worth a read. I don't want to go on about this, but there is a passage from the article that really gets to me because it reflects exactly what I feel about this whole debate.
"I’m afraid that, for me, Harry Potter is and will always be tainted by the comments that JK Rowling has made since 2020 concerning trans people. I am disappointed with a public figure with 14 million followers, many of them young people, using a platform where 280 characters (plus a few more tweets) is the limit to contribute to a debate that so quickly and forcefully turns toxic. While there are valid discussions to be had and concerns to be raised, I can’t help think that this wasn’t the way to wade in."
I also really see myself reflected in the following: " I find it difficult now to separate my response to these views from the work that Rowling created. I find watching the films tinged with a little bit of disappointment. I find myself questioning the lack of diversity on screen, whether that’s through gender, sexuality, race. While I’m sure it won’t bother JK Rowling that I don’t contribute financially to the Potter empire anymore, it’s a shame that something so central to my childhood now brings with it feelings of discomfort and sadness, where before it brought such joy and relief."
I hope this explains one of the main reasons I haven't reviewed Harry Potter.
3. It's been ages since I read them
Whereas my sister has reread Harry Potter many times both physically and via audiobook, I have never reread Harry Potter since I read it for the first time nearly four years ago now! I have watched the films of course but it's not really the same and I don't feel as if I would be in a confident position to review it. I mainly review books just after I've read them and although Harry Potter has stayed with me, I don't think I could write a review that goes into any depth.
4. I think it is too commercialised
I just feel like there is too much merchandise and that sometimes overshadows the actual book. I do have some Harry Potter things but I now don't buy anything. I think that there is so much extra Harry Potter related things that take away from the books, especially as a lot of it is derived from the films. I'm not saying that merchandise is bad, but I find it a bit excessive.
It's become a way for already rich people to make a lot of money and that's not what I think is right. They may have donated money to charity but that's only a fraction of the money that they earn and the rest goes straight into their pockets.
5. Although I used to love it and I appreciate how well-written it is, it is nowhere near my favourite book
I have read so many books since that have characters that I relate to more, settings that enchant me more and plotlines that keep me hooked for longer. I'm not saying that Harry Potter doesn't have an element of these things but it's just not a complete favourite for me.
It is very cleverly written, very masterful, well thought-out...I used to absolutely love it. But since then I've read many more books and Harry Potter just doesn't compare anymore. It wouldn't be on my list of favourite books and I think people should read it, but I don't recommend it because I try to recommend books that I really love.
6. There is a real lack of diversity
As I've grown up, I've noticed the problems with the saga. Silly things like how is there a whole school and not one gay or lesbian person. There was talk of Dumbledore being gay but it isn't once mentioned in the books or films and was just something Rowling said after the books were published. So is it just because she wanted to tick the box and people were questioning it? I think so. Black people are also much underrepresented. The only black people are side characters and don't have a major role. They are all either villains or sidekicks. Click here to read a great article about black people in Harry Potter.
7. I would feel bad about promoting something I don't agree with
I don't want to encourage these views on my blog and so I don't want to promote this series. I hope you all understand this, bearing in mind the points I have made above. I would feel horrible if people read the series only to find that it's author doesn't accept who they are. There's not much more to add about this point, I think it speaks for itself.
Harry Potter is a really phenomenal book and that's why I'm torn so much. A part of me wants to bypass the authors views and all the problems I find with it, but another part of me thinks it's just unacceptable. If you love Harry Potter, that's amazing and I'm truly glad. I love it too, despite it's problems! Please don't stop loving it because of this post. I wouldn't say I've stopped loving it at all because of the author, it's just made me think about it in a different way. It's a wonderful universe that I love dearly, but it's not one I want to support. I may watch some of the films and occasionally revisit a book, but I think I will just question the lack of diversity, what Rowling's intentions were and everything else I've mentioned in this post as I'm watching or reading, ruining the experience.
I will always have a soft spot for Harry Potter, but I don't want to promote something that has these views. As I said, it will always be a part of my life and I think I will always enjoy the films and books, I just don't want to review it on my blog.
I would be so interested to hear your thoughts on this in the comments!
Happy Reading!
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