Much Ado

Kim du Toit
May 7, 2008
6:00 AM CDT

...about not very much. Apparently, it’s a matter of concern that J.K. Rowlings’ Harry Potter books aren’t in the top rankings of books preferred by American kids, despite the success of the movies and Rowlings’ wealth and what have you.

I’ve read all the Potter books, and while I enjoyed them, I didn’t enjoy them that much—as much, say, as I did Rudyard Kipling’s stories, which I’ve read literally dozens of times.

Tip to the Brits: Rowlings’ English is not that easy a read for American kids—lots of slang and such—and the settings are likewise unfamiliar to American kids on the whole.

Add to that the fact that the stories are somewhat wordy and pedestrian (the movies are far better than the books, telling the stories just as well, in less time), and you’ve got the reason why.

And to be frank, I find it comforting that American kids seem to prefer reading the classics over fairy tales.

Finally, absolutely none of what I say should detract from Rowlings’ achievement as a writer and businesswoman. I applaud her grit and determination in getting the things published, and her smarts in not losing control over the Potter franchise to the extent, say, that James Bond movies bear only a nominal resemblance to Ian Fleming’s original character and stories.

She went from being an unemployed single mom on welfare to being one of the world’s wealthiest women, and she did it without marrying into it, stealing it or inheriting it: she earned her fortune, every single penny of it.

Bravissima.