dark arts defensive
A slightly puzzling moment, where we discover that only snobs criticise Harry Potter for not being very good - unless you happen to be writing a column about snobs who criticise Harry Potter.
Yes, it's the traditional hall of mirrors that can only be Melanie Phillips, thus the scolding of Will Self for having the opinion that adults "should not be concerning themselves with language that is so banal and basic" is followed shortly after by this:
Of course this is not Great Literature; George Eliot or Tolstoy she isn't, and her characters don't have the depth that one finds in even averagely good adult fiction (although in the sheer exuberance of her inventiveness, Charles Dickens often comes to mind).
Self's commentary was, of course, the wrong kind of slightly patronising dismissiveness.
Please make way for another 1000 collected pundits who want to explain their discomfort in enjoying children's literature by writing columns about how they don't feel uncomfortable at all.
2 comments:
What really got me was her reference to his past heroin addiction. Er, relevance please? Still, if you want a good laugh, check out the Mad Mel Fan Club at my site. Bonkers.
The hyperbolic defenses from adults intent upon excusing their enjoyment of children's literature have been really irritating me. Look, if you enjoy the books, just read them, please stop going on about why it's OK, even beneficial, for grown ups to read them. I have nothing against HP books, by the way, but the media hype has been winding me up.
Post a Comment