Harry is going into the wrong direction!

[thestral]

yeah but JK had repeatedly said that everything will defintly be wrapped up in one book. she has had this planned for like 15 years. she knows what she doing and how she's gonna do it. so just sit back and don't worry it. although it everyone's secret hope that she's won't be able to wrap it all up in one book and will actually spill over onto an 8th one. but alas i don't think that will actually happen, but we can always dream...

[b.scheller]

Has there ever been such a successful book series as Harry Potter?

[Fweegal]

I doubt it.
I'm pretty sure this is the biggest literary event ever.

[Froggs]

One of the reasons that JKR is so amazing, is that she got kids who wouldn't ordinarily read interested in that particular activity. Years ago reading was the only source of solitary entertainment available and writers enjoyed enormous popularity, now with TV, video games and everything else kids don't read much. She will go down in history for the profits she made also. I love her books, she has an enviable talent for creating literary magic, but I don't think agree when some people say she is the "greatest writer that ever lived".

[b.scheller]

It's hard to really, create an amazing fantasy novel. J.R.R Tolkien really set the bar for fantasy, but he set it so high, it's hard to create anything, that will not be seen as a possible creation with many ideas taken out of the Hobbit or the Lord of the Rings.

It's hard to compare Harry Potter, to one of the greatest literary works of the 20th Century. I think J.K Rowling, has alot of talent and alot of great ideas, but somehow critics will always view this as more of a fantasy for children; even though many of the readers are young adults and adults alike.

When, the sixth book was hailed as dark, many people jumped on the bandwagon and called it a possible bad effect on children. Even though I see it, as a novel, I still think of the idea of Harry quitting school as something that should be avoided. Although, I have subconciously looked at it from a young adult's perspective, that did not happen, because I was thinking directly of the children, but it was more of a matter of principle than anything.

No matter what book you read, it should be influencing everyone, to stay in school. To promote school work, and education. It's bad enough, there are vices in this world, that already promote slacking. Such as the television, internet and video-games. I don't think, books should be promoting procrastination.

[Augusta Longbottom]

Petunia seemed a bit put off when she heard that HP was coming of age at 17, I wonder why that was?

Because how dare Harry come of age before her precious little Dudders! LOL

[thestral]

I love her books, she has an enviable talent for creating literary magic, but I don't think agree when some people say she is the "greatest writer that ever lived".

i'd have to agree with you here, froggs, i love JK's books and i think she's a great writer, i love the way she's constructed the narrative to create all these little enigmas and characters twists and stuff. it does keep you reading and entertained. but i don't view harry potter as the highest echlons of literature, or JK to be the greatest writer EVER, simply because when i read books like "wuthering heights" or "the picture of dorian gray" i personally find those much richer in literary terms, they really challenge you and what you believe. harry potter entertains me and that for me is the difference. i'm not being a literary snob and saying that it has no merit. i think it's wonderful how many people have been introduced to reading but to get to the heart of true literature i think you need to go much deeper.

*runs off and shelters from the rocks being thrown by angry JK fans*

[Lelie]

i'd say that it is pretty difficult to say who is or isn't "the greatest writer ever," mostly because that is a very personal thing. while jkr is (currently) my favorite writer, she did not write my favorite book, nor do i think she is the greatest writer that ever lived. however, i don't think that someone has to write a classic like wuthering heights to even be considered for that position. great books and great authors are made by their readers in general. if no one read their books or loved them, then they might be a wonderfully, deep, thought provoking writer, but they can't be the greatest if no one loves their work.

[thestral]

but that's what's so great about literature, there is no definitive "greatest writer". i think the greatest book ever written is wuthering heights, but that's just me. there's so much literature out there though that it's hard to choose and normally i wouldn't be able to choose, but there something about wuthering heights that cuts to the core of my soul. i can't describe it it but when i read it, i just cry from the sheer passion. it's timeless.

[b.scheller]

everyone will always have their favourites. most people, have their favourite Shakespearan play, mine being King Lear, while many others think of Hamlet as their favourite.

Best or Greatest, really comes down to favourite. I think, there are alot of works that can be said to be great, but their part of a group. Their is no single, there's plural.

[Tanuki]

Has there ever been such a successful book series as Harry Potter?

...the bible maybe

[thestral]

well the bible ain't exactly a book series is it?

[Dacre]

It is a series of books Genesis etc etc
although not written by one person, so if including that, could include any series that is written by a lot of writers. I love HP, but I personally find other series better, tho finished all those, while HP is still going. I love HP mainly because it is total escapism, which I think for a book to be a GREAT one in literary terms has different criteria really. Also, people nowadays have more expendable income, so although HP sells millions of copies, bear in mind that in Dickens day, one book was enough for a lot of people, as it was read out loud, so in terms of impact on society, other series have had more.
er... lost my thread now. forgot what my point was....

[child of darkness]

Back to topic

It is very stupid not to go back to school in my opinion, think of the spells DD had to do just to obtain a fake Horcrux. Harry would've had to no clue how to do that and can't learn that either in a short space of time, he needs special tutoring. The locket probably isn't/wasn't the hardest Horcruxes to obtain yet Harry most probably couldn't have even discovered it's location. He needs help from somebody accoplished, as it is not one of those things Hermione can discover from the library and i have a feeling it will be Snape.

[Tanuki]

DD is dead and Voldermort is gaining in power. Any time Harry had to study and practice is over. If he doesn't leave now, Voldermort will be in power before Harry is ready. He needs real world experience and to battle in person to gain any worthwhile knowledge