There are moments in life where one feels truly alone. Walking down Revere Beach in February. Arriving at a Dunkin Donuts that mysteriously has no line. Getting one of the solo seats on the old Green Line cars. But I feel the essential loneliness of human existence most when a new Harry Potter book or movie comes out.
You can try your abracadabra shtick on me, Potter, but it won't work.
This month has been hard for me. The Order of the Phoenix, the latest movie from the series, has made a gazillion dollars since its release last week. The last book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be released at 12:01 tomorrow, with millions of release parties tonight. Yet I feel nothing.
It's not that I haven't tried the Harry Potter Kool-Aid. In college, I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in about three days and loved it. I saw the movie and I own the DVD. But after I read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets I was underwhelmed. It seemed like the same formula. I just didn't care enough to pick up the third book or see the second movie. Thus began my cultural isolation.
My friends talk to me like I've suffered some traumatic accident. "I'm so excited for the midnight release party. You're coming, right . . . Oh yeah. I forgot you don't like the Harry Potter books." It's as if I'd just lost a leg and they'd asked me to go dancing before they remembered I can't.
Some friends try to pressure me back into the fold. If I'd just try the third book, I'd get back into it. The books get darker. The kids get older and deal with hormones. Whatever. If you need me, I'll be at the bar like on any other Friday.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Amy And The Order of Not Giving a Crap
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6 comments:
Did you see Harry Potter and the Death of Reading, from Sunday's Washington Post? There was an interesting response titled Critics and the Masses on The American Scene.
I couldn't possibly agree more. I, too, feel like I've been left at the starting gate whenever Potter is discussed.
By the way, I just read your profile. Anybody who can include Lady Chatterley, Native Son and Calvin & Hobbes all together in their "favorite literature" choices is eclectic enough to be OK by me!
No, but I did read Margery Eagan's column in the Herald that referenced the Washington Post piece. And now that I've read the Post thing, I agree. And am depressed that no one is reading anymore. Support your local writers! Read a freakin' book!
Haha. Just found this on Universal Hub. I posted something similar earlier today on my own blog. Funny!
I had never read the books until this year. I knew the last one was coming out, and I wanted to be a part of the whole thing since this was my only chance.
I totally agree with you about the formulaic qualities of the first few. To me, they didn't get really interesting until books 5 and 6 - much darker than the previous, and much more adult. Harry is awfully whiny in 5, but it's for a purpose.
Saw this on Universal Hub. You took the words right out of my mouth.
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