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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to not understand why adults find harry potter so good?

162 replies

Mindexplode · 17/08/2015 11:28

I never really got into harry potter but people told me I was missing out so I have watched all 7 films in the name of research

I still can't understand why it made it so big when there are better fantasy films and books aimed at the children and teenager market?

I certainly don't understand the attraction to adults, I found them very dull and formulaic

if you are a fan - what is it I'm not getting? if you compare them to narnia, or his dark materials, or hitchhikers guide or Asimov then there is no comparison. I much prefer Pratchett or Iain m banks or gainman

am I the wrong age - I was about 18 when the first book came out

OP posts:

Mrscog · 17/08/2015 12:39

I think it's because you're judging it on the films. The films are very mediocre and miss huge amounts of detail out.

Hadmeathello · 17/08/2015 12:41

Porkerchops, your last paragraph is so wrong and frankly says more about you than those who choose to read children's books.

FuzzyWizard · 17/08/2015 12:42

Rowling's control... The middle of the series got a bit overlong but generally speaking it all pulled together. ASOIAF seems to be growing beyond all control, GRRM seems to have no control over deadlines and I worry that it won't be possible to pull it all together into a satisfactory ending. It's a shame because I mostly love the books.

Mrscog · 17/08/2015 12:44

Sorry, I also meant to add - you might still not like them if you read the books, but I think you'd probably see why they appeal to all ages.

PootlingBee · 17/08/2015 12:45

I read the first book when I was 11. I remember looking forward to them coming out. I didn't like the films as much but every now and then, usually when I'm ill, I will re read the books.

I don't care if I look like a dick.

maybebabybee · 17/08/2015 12:45

porker get the fuck over yourself, the Harry Potter books got me through crippling depression. I apologise that my attempts to try not to feel suicidal make me look like a dick to small minded idiots like you.

happymummyone · 17/08/2015 12:45

Books are better. The films miss out so much. I grew up with Harry Potter though, was a similar age to the three main characters as each book came out. I think the books will always have a special place in my heart.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 17/08/2015 12:47

Absolutely, Hadme - the only dick is the person who sneers at anyone else's choice of reading matter.

Coffeemarkone · 17/08/2015 12:48

well you know, each to their own.
I suppose if the books got people reading, or 'helped them get over crippling depression' then that is not a bad thing is it?
If you would rather read 'WAr and Peace' or 'Crime and Punishment' then off you pop, you know where the library is...

Sparklingbrook · 17/08/2015 12:51

Thumb I thought Toy Story 3 was reasonably ok can we still be friends? Plus I really don't mind what anyone chooses to read or watch, I actually never notice what anyone is reading on the train.

porkerchops · 17/08/2015 12:51

Thumb Like all those posting on threads ripping the piss out of 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. All dicks for sneering at someone else's reading material?

itsonlysubterfuge · 17/08/2015 12:52

I like them because they are entertaining and enjoyable. Both the books and the movies.

I have favourite books and movies, but if I watch something that isn't as good, it doesn't mean I can't enjoy it.

The characters are lovable, in my opinion. It's very easy to read and I can get immersed in the world. Another bonus is it's pretty family friendly. I also like the mix of emotions it makes me feel, with lots of humorous bits thrown in.

Rhine · 17/08/2015 12:53

I personally think that the Twilight series and the 50 Shades trilogy are badly written dross, however I woulndt dream lf sneering at people who've read and enjoyed them. Anything that gets people into reading is a good thing IMO.

ShipwreckedAndComatose · 17/08/2015 12:55

I don't really get when or why it became acceptable for fully grown adults to sit on the train reading children's books. You look like a dick

I don't know where to begin with this. I wonder if you realise just how completely narrow minded and shallow this comes across as?

I too don't give a fuck how I look to others around me!

SophiePen · 17/08/2015 12:55

I couldn't get anywhere with her books but I love watching the films, if only because they are so easy to watch and don't demand an awful lot of the brain

I'm not a huge reader anyway but the books seem a bit intense and heavy going to me.

Coffeemarkone · 17/08/2015 12:57

" You look like a dick "

yes well you sound like one. Personally I love 'A series of unfortunate events' - and would have no hesitation in reading one on the tube.
Am I a dick as well?

porkerchops · 17/08/2015 12:58

Shipwrecked Tomorrow I'll be taking 'Spot's First Walk' on the 07:08. If anyone sneers or comments I'll them how narrow minded they are.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 17/08/2015 13:05

All right Sparkling - I'll let you off!

SniffsAndSneezes · 17/08/2015 13:06

The films are average. The books are brilliant.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 17/08/2015 13:09

porker - perhaps people were criticising the reading matter itself, rather than telling the readers of the dross that they were dicks, eh?

5Foot5 · 17/08/2015 13:09

so we think it's just my age (not a child myself, didn't have children if my own) that meant I missed the hype at the time and so now don't get it?

Not sure. I was an adult when the books came out and for quite a while I ignored the hype. Eventually I read the first one but this was when my DD was far too young for them so I read for my own benefit. I enjoyed it so much I continued to read the rest as they appeared.

DD was old enough to have them read to her just before the first film came out and she quickly became an avid fan and eventually read the whole lot several times and became a mine of HP trivia. I will still remember when the last book came out we were flying abroad with a flight leaving very early in the morning so DD was the first person in to the W H Smith at Liverpool airport to make sure she got her copy to take away with her. She then read it pretty solidly all through the journey and , although I didn't know it at the time, stayed awake until 3 am to finish it!

We have seen all the films but I agree with the general opinion that the books are better than the films. However, I think the first three books are the best.

I still read children's books quite often! Mostly ones I remember nostalgically from childhood (just finished a copy of Jim Starling and the Colonel that I had to buy second hand from America) However, I have occasionally read books that DD recommended and I do think there is some cracking children's fiction around these days.

ShipwreckedAndComatose · 17/08/2015 13:11

You do that. And if I saw you, I still wouldn't judge you as much as I am judging you right now. Calling people 'dicks' because they choose to read on the train is just plain goady.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 17/08/2015 13:12

Coffee, just on a tangent, can I ask you about ASoUE please? Do you find it gets heavy going around book 9/10? I've tried a few times with them, because I think the first ones are great but I always lose enthusiasm towards the end of the series and just grind to a halt! Then I forget what's happened so start them all over again... Am I best to power through, or do you not read tend to read them back to back?

porkerchops · 17/08/2015 13:13

ShipWrecked Not judging because they are choosing to read in general on the train but because they are opting to read a book aimed at people with a much lower IQ than themselves (i.e. children).

Coffeemarkone · 17/08/2015 13:15

hmmm yes book 9/10 does get a little less readable, and the final book was really rather disappointing.
Just power through and go back to book one .
Some of the things from ASoUE have really stuck with us as a family, for example the 'people are like mixed salads, with good bits and bad bits' analogy.
I love all the literary references they made me feel smart while the children enjoyed the story

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