tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206300.post7279937516259611006..comments2007-09-20T15:42:50.744+02:00Arthur Josephsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303355947094882916noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206300.post-22124446111747834542007-09-20T15:42:00.000+02:002007-09-20T15:42:00.000+02:00Hey Ladi, <BR/><BR/>I haven't read any of Rowling's books, so my opinions are rather unfounded and coloured by my assumptions of the series in contrast to other classic works- like Tolkeins work you mention or Frank Herberts Dune saga.<BR/><BR/>Objectively, the popularity of the series has had some very positive impacts.<BR/><BR/>"51% of Harry Potter readers ages 5–17 said that while they did not read books for fun before they started reading Harry Potter, they now did. The study further reported that according to 65% of children and 76% of parents, they or their children's performance in school improved since they started reading the series. Charlie Griffiths, director of the National Literacy Association, said "Anyone who can persuade children to read should be treasured and what [Rowling has] given us in Harry Potter is little short of miraculous."<BR/>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter#Cultural_impact<BR/><BR/>I like the author Fay Weldon critc, while admitting that the series is "not what the poets hoped for," nevertheless goes on to say, "but this is not poetry, it is readable, saleable, everyday, useful prose".<BR/><BR/>peaceArthur Josephsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06303355947094882916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11206300.post-39666220497455549142007-09-20T09:08:00.000+02:002007-09-20T09:08:00.000+02:00Arthur <BR/>Very curious about something that seemingly has nothing to do with Zen and/or Pirsig.<BR/><BR/>Have you read the Harry Potter books? Any one in the series?<BR/><BR/>And if you have... (even if you havent) what are your views on a series that has sold more than C.S Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" and Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" COMBINED?!<BR/><BR/>I would be really interested in your reply. You can post a reply on my blog or I can just come back to this comments page and read your reply.<BR/><BR/>CheersLadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12323030352020493649noreply@blogger.com