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July 14, 2005
Speaking of Harry
As an author who makes money off of new book sales but hardly ever buys anything but used, and mostly checks books out of the library...
I guess I don't deserve to have an opinion.
(Except for my children. I probably buy far more books - new ones - for my children than I do myself.)
(Speaking of Harry Potter again, here's a review I wrote of John Granger's book on the series)
(One more time: a post from last year on a Steve Waldman Beliefnet piece with a provocative angle)
Posted by Amy Welborn | Permalink
Comments
"sigh" What round of H.P. debate are we in now? — 7 or 8, I've lost count ....
My two children have read the first three H.P. books when I pulled the plug. They have seen the first movie ... given our Bishop's encouragement and his blessings for family fun w/HP. They enjoyed the books very much, as did their dad. The children spent hours drawing their own pictures and creating their own "similar" stories ... as children will do with anything they enjoy ... they "re-create it".
During the period of books 1 to 3, I did my own reading on the wiccan/goddess movement, gnostic mvmt into christian churches, theosophy, spiritualism/channeling mvmt, and related topics. I collected articles from my daily newspaper reading on Wiccan activities on college campuses and High School schools.
I read articles "defending" and "condemning" the books. I purchased and read several "allied" children's books published around Harry & friends, as well as the "Wiccan" books for pre-teens & teens that piggy backed the Harry craze. I read them.
As a parent, I stopped and asked, where did I want the "limited" entertaining dollars to go towards and what type of children's literature did I want to support with it, and what would be better for my children with their limited reading time. I wonder if Catholic parents were supporting Catholic fiction writers who never seem to get any bookshelf space in the mainstream bookstores.
I am blessed to have children who enjoy reading a variety of literary styles. It probably was easier for me to say, no more Harry to the children (and Dad) w/explanation as to why.
But, because I did and w/explanation, my children are developing an ability to raise discerning questions prompting discussions about questionable aspects of some books they are required (school) to read and those for enjoyment.
What concerns me more and more about children's fantasy literature today is that many are soaked in gnostic and occult world views. "Magical" powers is always being sought. "Magic rituals" are presented ... and some are out of occult books.
In Harry Potter, names of real occultist had been used but slightly altered. Example and per the book edited for grade - high school children, "Magical Worlds of Harry Potter" by, David Colbert, page 185, Who Really Wrote the Book on Divination?:
"The Divination Textbook used by students at Hogwarts—Unfogging the Future—was written by a woman named Cassadra Vablatsky. The flamboyant name is perfect for a divination expert. It comes from two prominent people whose lives relate to prophecy and magic."
"In Greek myth, Cassandra was a seer—someone who could see the future ...... Vablatsky's last name is no doubt taken from Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831-1981), a founder of the Theosophical Society, .... 'investigating unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in humanity"—in other words, magic."
If I was a young reader, this would sound pretty interesting ...
Children are inquisitive and when something interest them, many investigate. I asked myself, do I want them to investigate Madame Blavatsky's world or a Christian world, and about honorable men & women in history at this age or occult leading figures?
Christian dollars helped to support this series, a series that has helped to launch a children's "occult" reading market. Just examine the shelves at any mainline bkstore.
My daughter a few weeks back visited a friend and reported that this young lady was very interested in "dragons" and a book titled, The Dragon Chronicles. Does anyone know anything about it? It claims to be a "true" story, to which this 12 yr. girl believes absolutely. The Publisher's Notes mention the "ominously" ... "raising of Demonica" missing page notes from the true jrnl. Google the word "demonica" and see what you get ..... ahh, "S&M sites", porn sites etc. etc. Nice hey, for any young reader wanting to know more about Demonica, as I did.
The H.P. series, innocent or not, has helped to create a literature mine field. A mine field that a lot parents do not have time [or don't make time] to study what their children are comsuming.
What many of the articles that obsess about the "good" & "bad" of H.P. series seem to fail to bring up is that H.P. is not being read in a vacuum. Our children are being pounded daily —games, tv, movies, friends and even in their churches (sadly) — with gnostic & occult concepts. Given some adults in christian churches incl. Catholic seem to have a hard time discerning "truth" from "fiction", we adults expect & assume our children can discern without any guidance — go figure.
What are the messages our children are getting in all the occult- filled literature, tv shows, movies, magazines, music, games? Having spent over 20-some years in adverting .... all the exposure adds up to some — mostly "buyers".
Is this the answer: "investigating unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in humanity —in other words, magic." ?
Just wondering.
Oh, bear w/me w/one last thought that just came to mind. The young girl also mentioned that her brother did a hypnotic session on her in which it brought her into a black tunnel and it scared her ... until she heard her brother calling her name.
Popular books such as: The Girls Guide to Spells, Samantha's Oraqle-a Fortune Teller for Teenage Witches, Teen Witch-Wicca A new Generation, & The Everything Kids' Witches & Wizard Book, all provide "rituals", "spells" and some "altar making" ideas. Is this good reading material for young children, let alone teens? Certainly children find it fun ....
Posted by: pml at Jul 14, 2005 11:43:34 AM
The comment above was to be for the discussion below ... regarding the question "new or used", my husband and I who have also been in the publishing industry, like "new" books and hard covered.
But with that said, my husband is a book collector .... so 1st editions are generally used.
In recent years I have been purchasing more and more hardcover used books because the books I seek are now out of print. I will also buy used if I need for a brief period and know I don't want to keep them after I am done. I then donate these to schools or libraries. Fiction, I generally buy in paperback or those Stephen King type books ....
Posted by: pml at Jul 14, 2005 3:36:08 PM
From a letter by J.R.R. Tolkien re library borrowing of LOTR:
"I received a letter the other day from a well-known, and certainly not impoverished, man, who informed me as a high compliment that he had become so enthralled that he got the book out several times, and paid heavy fines for keeping it out too long. Words failed me in reply...There is a laborious practical side even to high Romance - not that hobbits ever forget that."
Posted by: Bernardo at Jul 15, 2005 4:54:35 PM
