[Miriamele]

I was just wondering if anyone understood what all the hype is about with these books, or if anyone liked them. I worked in the kid's section of a large bookstore for a couple of years, and I was so sick of seeing Harry Potter everywhere I turned that I never read them. Last night I tried to watch the movie but I found if very boring and juvenile and stopped watching after about half an hour.

I can understand how kids might like it, but I wonder why a lot of adults seem to like it too? Maybe the books are better than the movie. Is that it? They certainly don't appeal to me.

[Ladijen]

Miriamele, you might want to give them a try. They are very light, obviously, but just plain fun. I was reminded of Raold Dahl (sp?) when I first read them. :)

[Miriamele]

I suppose I shouldn't judge a book by the movie made of it. It's never the same thing. :)

[SirRob]

Originally posted by Miriamele
I suppose I shouldn't judge a book by the movie made of it. It's never the same thing. :)

That applies especially to the Harry Potter books. The film is utter cr@p, abig disappointment but the books are actually very good as Ladijen said.

[Crysania]

I thought the exact same thing until one of my friends forced me to read them. Well, I had a plane ride and nothign to do... and I adored them! They're sweet. That's the word for them. I also think there's a sense of irony in them that I completely appreciate and think is hillarious.

As for the movie, frankly, I liked it better than LOTR. At least Potter stuck to true to the general feel of the book. My opinion.... sorry... but then I'm the purist of the pure...

[Worstnightmare]

I was just wondering if anyone understood what all the hype is about with these books, or if anyone liked them. I worked in the kid's section of a large bookstore for a couple of years, and I was so sick of seeing Harry Potter everywhere I turned that I never read them. Last night I tried to watch the movie but I found if very boring and juvenile and stopped watching after about half an hour.

I can understand how kids might like it, but I wonder why a lot of adults seem to like it too? Maybe the books are better than the movie. Is that it? They certainly don't appeal to me.

So let me guess you dont like thee film??????

[Murrin]

I've seen the three films, and recently read the first four books. The first book was lifeless and dull, and since I'd seen the film first (the film being virtually scene-for-scene identical to the book) a completely pointless read for me.
The second was a slight improvement, but nothing impressive.
The third was better, but I hold the opinion that the changes made for the film turned an alright plot into a fairly good one (some of the way the book was done just didn't work so well, and the film writer seemed to have polished it off into a better whole).
The fourth book I enjoyed, but there seemed to be a lot of stuff that could've been cut without affecting the plot.

I think that while Rowling's prose is improving with each book, she's also putting more 'filler' content into the plot.
Nothing particularly impressive as a book, but entertaining story which may or may not work better in the film format. I think it's the story that made the books popular anyway, because there's no way anyone'd read The Philosopher's Stone for literary merit.

[Becks]

I sort of read the 4th book first, then the 1st then 2nd then 3, then saw the 1st film. I gotta say that the films werent as good as the books!!!!!

[Pureimmortal]

Hi just read all the posts and seem to get the same vibe from all. I think that the movies didnt give the full emotions and feel as the books come across as. The movies seem to miss out alot of info and seems to jump to conclusions. If i hadn read the books i would have been very confused! :) the relationships in the books are much deeper and give many more answers to questions the movies generate. I finished the 6th book the same day as it was released and cried at the end as im very attached to the characters. I REALLY think everyone should read these books because the movies make the books seem really childish! :) juli xx

[Becks]

I dont love the books, but they are alright...I would say read them...in my opinion they are better than the films!