[ezchaos]

This topic stemmed from reading the interesting thread 'What is Literary Fantasy???' that is currently active on this board.
Over the last few years, several friends and family members have read the Harry Potter books. After they read them they rant and rave how they loved the books and can't wait till the next book comes out.
I suggest that since they liked HP's books so much, maybe they should try some other fantasy books. They always give me a weird look and tell me how they don't have time to read or how they're 'not really into those books'.
This really burns me up. I'm of the belief that as long as a person reads (doesn't matter what genre), it can only be for the better. Even though many people see reading as a 'wasteful' activity, we all know different. Most of these people I've talked to that read HP's books only seem to do so because it's 'trendy', not because they like to read.
I'm interested to see if you guys have had similar experiences with the Harry Potter bandwagoners out there.

[Ladijen]

What I noticed, with friends and family members, is not that non-readers read Harry Potter, but that non-fantasy-readers read the books and loved them. For people who normally read only popular best sellers, these books are just that--popular best sellers. So my friends and family who loved Harry Potter await the next book, and meanwhile read the latest Grisham or Koontz. 'Fantasy' as a genre is for weirdos, after all! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[CrazyReader]

That sucks that some people won't read anything but Harry Potter. There's zillions and zillions of books out there, surely they could find something else they like???

[This message has been edited by CrazyReader (edited May 14, 2002).]

[Jessicar]

'Fantasy' as a genre is for weirdos, after all!

But why is that? I think the crucial thing about Harry Pott is that it was written for children. For some reason, it seems to be ok for adults to read fantasy directed at children, but not to read fantasy directed at adults.

This has been bothering me a lot recently. As somebody said somewhere else http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif fantasy is (or can be) the modern vehicle of myth. So why is it regarded as weird, or uncool, to read fantasy books?

Yibble! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/frown.gif

[Ladijen]

I don't know why, but I have a few ideas.
(That "weirdos" crack was meant sarcastically, by the way. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif ) I think many people think that fantasy is juvenile and frivolous, with nothing more to offer than dragons, dragon slayers, magicians, and maidens in need of rescue. And some of it is--not that there's anything wrong with that! (to quote Seinfeld) Perhaps people think that fantasy could not possibly deal with any basic human truths, could not explore issues/questions that are pertinent to contempory society, could not pose any new philosophical ideas. I think this is sort of a different arm of the "literary fantasy" thread. A children's fantasy book is okay because it is just a children's book-- and besides, it's a bestseller! But to read a serious tale set in a fairy-tale world? I think not!

People who might think that way are just missing out, in my opinion.

[dendol]

omg ezchaos, you have just described my brother and sister! they have read and love harry potter but refuse to pick up another fantasy novel despite my pleas. so out of spite, i told my sister im never going to touch her harry potter books until she picks up 'A Game of Thrones'.. hehehe..

[ChrisW]

i told my sister im never going to touch her harry potter books until she picks up 'A Game of Thrones'.. hehehe..

Well if you use that book as an introduction to fantasy she will will never read again.

[This message has been edited by Caldazar (edited May 15, 2002).]

[Cygnus]

I've seen a lot of this in the library I work at. Everyone wants to read the Harry Potter books which is just great, except that the adults stop there. Kids are much more open to trying other fantasy while waiting for the next in the Potter series.

I have to admit that I'm always slightly defensive and embarrassed when someone asks me what kind of books I read (a very common question when you work in a library!). People seem to regard me with pity or disdain when I say that my favorite genre is fantasy. Screw 'em!! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

I agree with Cal that A Game of Thrones may not be a great way to start someone out on fantasy. I usually recommend the original Dragonlance series by Weis & Hickman. They are easy to read, very griping and full of human drama. I may be biased though.. they are what got me into fantasy!

[ezchaos]

The main thing that has bothered me about this is that quite a few people seem to be reading these books only because they are 'cool'. Just like any other trend. Not because they like to read, but because they have to do it to keep up with the Joneses. Oh well, maybe it isn't so bad because at least they read some fantasy, not just another celebrity bio.

[Gary Wassner]

How diffrerent is it really from any other trend or 'thing' of the moment? It is not different in the music world. There are some fabulous aritists out there who are listened to by so few people because they are not classified as 'pop', and the publics' opinion is that they are too esoteric or wierd or something. Potter appeals to the masses. It is easy to read, cute, cuddly, non-threatening, acceptable fantasy. It is also a children's series!!!! I wonder if the author ever expected it to be read by so many adults.
For some strange reason, many readers are afraid of fantasy. I hear comments all the time to the tune of "I never read that stuff", "I can't read things like that", "Can you explain to me what fantasy is?" etc. It truly is a misunderstood genre.
Yet, fans of fantasy are superbly loyal and very enthusiastic. Reading fantasy for the first time is like a conversion, being born again, a revelation! There are so many latent fantasy freaks out there who don't even know it themselves yet! I have found that a number of my friends and acquaintences who have read my books simply because they know me and not because they have ever read fantasy or had any interest in reading fantasy, have been converted. They really never knew what it was all about, and now they are avidly reading ever author I suggest to them!

[This message has been edited by GemQuest (edited May 15, 2002).]