Harry Potter Question

[Dia Minha]

I started this as a new thread, so has not to confuse all you Harry Potter fans discussion of book number 7.

Disclamer: The following is not meant to be offensive.

Can someone please explain to me the fascination with Harry Potter?

Now let me explain myself: My mother-in-law started reading the series soon after the 3rd book came out. She got to the beginning of the 4th book and found she was very sensitive to the way the books progressively got darker throughout the series. I share a lot of the same media sensitivities as she does. A long with that and the fact that I have a very addictive personality I have not begun reading the series. I am afraid that I wouldn't be able to put them down even if they started affected me negatively. Am I making any sense here?

Ok so discussion time. Do I have reason to remained concerned? What have each of you enjoyed about the books? What if anything has given you cause for concern? In other words has anything made you uncomfortable while you were reading? You know like when your watching a movie and something unappropriate comes on, whether depending on your sensitivities, is sexual, violant, foul language, or something that goes against your spiritual views. Have you as an individual considered the fact that the movies started out as PG and have progressed to PG13 and what if number 6 movie is rated R, will you still see if just because you have seen the others? Can something like this be discussed on this board without causing to much contention? For that is not my intention.

Dia

P.S. If I have offended anyone, will you please let my know so that I can apologize.

[5ft Diva]

I think you need to be concerned if you feel you need to be concerned. My standards are that I don't watch rated R movies and there is no exception for Harry Potter, although, I think there's a bit paranoia in that idea.

I just enjoy sharing this with my kids and that's probably what got me into it in the first place. It's really a good story line. My older kids are pretty good at listening to themselves and will stop reading something that scares them so I trust their judgment.

Not to change the subject but I can't quite understand the hype behind the Work and the Glory series myself so I think it's just a matter of preference. I'm interested to hear what everyone else has to say about this Harry Potter discussion.

[char]

I agree with 5D. If you're feeling concerned, then there's good reason for it.

I enjoy this series so much because I enjoy a well-written book. The author has the ability to pull me into the world she's created on paper. When I read these books, I'm not just reading the words, but experiencing them. I know that sounds weird. But to me, the written word can be very powerful. As for being offended by the subject matter, i.e., magic.. I am not. I understand that there are those who are and that's fine, because in the end, they are the ones who have to deal with their conscience. As for myself, I see it for what it is... fiction.

I will agree that the books have gotten progressively darker...but with each one, I find myself wondering what will happen next. I have to admit, I am bummed that there won't be any more books.

Sure hope I worded my thoughts properly.

[Dia Minha]

First of all I just want to say thanks for your validation on my feelings. I'm glad you both understood.

It is not magic that has me concerned. I think is more the type of magic. I love the Chronicles of Narnia series and those are based on magic. I read a true story many, many years ago about a young man getting involved in black magic. After reading it the local leaders of the church reccommended the members not to read it. Let's just say I know why. I became very fascinated with the subject matter. I'm just glad that I went ahead and finished it, because the ending scared all the infatuation right out of me.

I know the difference in Harry Potter is that it is fiction. There is nothing "real" in it. The type of magic created in the story could not be reproduced in real life. However, when my mother-in-law called the fourth book dark, the thing that came to mind was black, as in black magic. That was like a red flag to me.

I guess just seeing how much everyone is enjoying them and the comradory that the series brings about, causes me to rethink my choice. So the more informed I am of the subject matter, the better decision I can make. So go ahead and give me what you got.

I understand about being pulled into a good book and not just reading the words, but experiencing them. I have felt that many times. I often wish that I could write like that.

Dia

[Imahoot]

Very well discussed so far.

My opinion is that it is fiction and it was meant to be that way. The series crosses generations and the storyline is just amazing. That is what draws me in and not anything other than that. However, I believe 5D brought it up that it is better for you to listen to your own intuition rather than other people. If you feel it is something that you are uncomfortable with then you probably should stick with that feeling. It makes sense.

I really enjoy reading the books with my son and they are very well written. You just get so engrossed in the characters and what happens to them that it is hard to put down. I have experienced this a few times but very few authors have the creative flair that Rowling has. It also amazes me that it can be read by child or adult alike and enjoyed by all.

[Dia Minha]

Oh, and the rated R thing. I really didn't think that the 6th movie would be rated R. I do believe that they will remain PG13 because of their target adience. I just said rated R, because more people could relate to that than me saying that I very rarely watch a PG13 movie. So my PG13's are like most peoples R's. Not that I don't watch any PG13 movies. I just feel the need to do a lot of research and have a lot of information before I make that choice. Does that make sense? It is all because of my media sensitivities. Like Diva's to the violence on the news. (See thread on violence.)

Dia

[Imahoot]

I can understand about the rating and the need to check things out first. I think it is PG13 because if it was PG little kids would be going and get scared. They are not really scary but could be frightening to a young child. Do I make any sense? The storyline is also pretty deep and frankly the little guys would have a hard time understanding everything going on. I am not sure beyond that but that is what it felt like to me.

[bookworm]

This is my opinion: I love HP because they are so incredibly well written, as to create a world I feel like I can enter and visualize and enjoy. I really understand the characters and I enjoy seeing good triumph over evil. Even when it's a struggle, Harry and company always do what is good and right. The darkness is true to the nature of evil. It isn't Harry that gets dark, its the evil he is fighting. Although, his inner turmoil and anguish and anger is a little on the negative side, in my opinion, it's true to what a lot of teenagers experience in getting to know themselves. I love the characters and the books, and I can't imagine getting anything satanic or evil out of them- or kids getting interested in what our world has to offer as far as witchcraft because they read these books. Most good stories are about good vs. evil, anyway.

That's my opinion.

[Dia Minha]

BW, you brought up a point I felled to mention before. I have actually seen several new reports that have talked about kids getting into witch craft through Harry Potter websites. I guess that would be a case more for parents knowing what their children are doing on line, more than what they are reading in the books.

You make a good point about good versus evil. And I guess just knowing that Harry stays good, gives me comfort. I know a little about the story line through some research I have done and it sounded kind of like a Star Wars thing, where the good guy goes bad in the end. I am begining to see a little bit more why this has become such a phenomenen.

Ima, you make sense to me. I can see why the movies would be PG13 for be scary and the plot being more than what a younger child could understand or handle. Thanks for your imput.

Dia

[bookworm]

scary! I would hope that young kids searching for witch stuff online didn't realize what they were getting into... real witch stuff is pretty scary. I should know... I have a relative who was (is? I'm out of touch with her) in a coven.

I don't think that by reading them that my son will be interested in witchcraft, though. He knows it's all pretend.

Well, the bottom line is that it's all just a fictional phenomenon that will pass with time. If you aren't interested, it's of little consequence in the eternal scheme of things. It really doesn't matter, does it? It's just a book and movie. If you don't get into it, so what? Those who do enjoy it and get something uplifting out of it are welcome to it, and those who choose not to give it a chance aren't any worse off.

[Dia Minha]

I guess what it comes down to is that I am interested. I love getting involved in something that a lot of other people are interested in. Especially when there is so many other people that I already share a lot in common with.

I'm just trying to figure out if my first impressions are worth sticking to, or if I am at a point right now that I could give it a go. Besides, then you all could relive the first 6 books with me right? We could read them and you could imagine what it is that I'm discovering and discover it all over again. Have you ever noticed that when you are taking someone to one of your favorite places where they have never been before, how much more fun and exciting it is, like you are seeing it for the first time? Anyway that is another discussion.

Dia

[Dia Minha]

Besides I have been looking for traveling entertainment. I thought it would be fun to read or listen to a book on tape while driving to and from Oregon and then watching the movie on the portable DVD player. I have seen that movie and I know my two oldest have and I think the little ones could handle it ok.

Dia

[bookworm]

I'm game! I love sharing things I love with others.

[5ft Diva]

That sounds like a fun idea for your trip, Dia. I think your kids would really enjoy it. Have you done the same thing w/ the Chronicles of Narnia?

[Dia Minha]

That one is one our list along with Bridge to Terabithia. We saw B to T at the beginning of the summer at the drive in and the kids loved it.

Dia

[5ft Diva]

And you read it too? I'm thinking that would be fun to do w/ my kids sometime (w/ whatever movie), just wondering.

[Dia Minha]

Yeah, we read the book and then watch the movie. The last time we went on a long trip the kids enjoyed the books on tape more than the movies. Since this time we are going to be on the road for 14 hours I thought we could break it up a bit by doing both. Just so they talk me into watching movies the whole way, the rule is one book, one movie.

Dia

[Dia Minha]

Oh, and it's nice to get the book in print too. That way if we haven't finished it, but we are stopped or at the hotel or Aunt Mary's we can still read.

Dia

[smed]

Okey are you ready for my soap box?

I just saw this today, hence I havent' been on Bodyn'Spirit for a couple of days.

I totally agree with bookworm on the whole good v. evil thing. In fact that's the first thing I thought of when you (Dh) first started this new thread. It was really well put BW.

Now Yes! I am a fan of HP to, No I don't get so crazed about it that I dress up like the characters or go on the HP website or have any little figures of HP. But I LOVE the Books! For me it is really easy to distinquise what is real and what is make-believe. There are some books that really get me sucked in. I have found that some of these books have drastically changed my mood. One auther that comes to mind is Anita Stansfield. I believe why I get so into her books and how they have such an affect on me is, she tends to write on subjects of real things in life or things that really could happen in life. (like for example the waltz series)

The Harry Potter books have not changed me or my standards. IF a HP movie ended up "R"- there is no way in I would ever see it. For me this is a book that is really hard to put down. But I love these kinds of
books.. In fact me and my brother were talking about this fact yesterday. We were talking about how when we are not reading the book how are thoughts go to the book. We start thinking about the ideas that Rowling has just introduced and try to figure out how it will help Harry at the end of it all.
You see I love a good mystery. In fact not to brag, but I can usually figure out who did it, how and why. But with Rowling this has given me a new challenge. I end up somewhat close but never right on the donkeys tail. In fact I joked with him that maybe the books have a real spell on it to make us keep wanting more! -Totally just joking about this! But it does call for a good laught.

I think you need to do what your gut feeling says.

As for the audio tapes, My sister-in-law's sister and her husband get the book on CD and totally love them. In fact she has said the the one who reads the HP book is really good with imitating the characters. She has really enjoyed them.

Okey now I'm off my long soap box. I hope it made sence.

[Erudite]

Dia, another "trip" suggestion is the book and the movie "Holes". Richard read Holes last year and absolutely loves both the book and the movie. I haven't read the book, but I would think it would be enjoyable for even the very young. Just a thought.

Another book my kids have been enjoying is Watership Down, by Richard Adams, but the only movie I know of is a cartoon (which it would have to be since the book is about rabbits), but I don't know how much quality went into it. The book is excellent!!! And I've been reading it to my kids over the summer.