Quote: Finck @ August 15 2008, 11:51 AM BST

I always thought the books were saying the exact opposite. Namely, that even the existence of magic doesn't change the human condition and that being born privileged doesn't mean anything at all or rather that the believe in being born privileged (or "better") is the cause of conflicts.

I read the books as being critical of technology and society and thought they were transporting some moral statements than can be universally acctepted without being patronising. But that's just stupid me reading children's books, I guess.

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Well said. The wizarding world had its own privileged section of its society. And the Malfoys did so well for themselves.

If anything, one could argue that it's saying that a world of privilege is a hindrance. The 'Muggles' weren't pissing themselves with fright over the prospect of Tom Marvolo Riddle.
 

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Aaron
BSG Forums & DVDs Editor
Half man, half Internet, half TV.
(Loyal follower of The Magical Aura of Laura.)

 

Quote: Griff @ August 15 2008, 11:47 AM BST

To be fair, everyone around here hates Lab Rats too.

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I didnt!

Perhaps I am easily pleased but I can't say I hate it. The sort of stuff that comes and goes and was maybe a bit of a curates egg.
 

Quote: Timbo @ August 15 2008, 11:54 AM BST

For this type of fiction the reader should be able to identify with the protagonist. It seems odd to identify with someone who looks down on you.

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Have you actually read a single one of the books? That statement could not be more of a load of utter bollocks if you tried.
 

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Aaron
BSG Forums & DVDs Editor
Half man, half Internet, half TV.
(Loyal follower of The Magical Aura of Laura.)

 

I haven't even seen Lab Rats, I'm just copying what everyone else said.
 

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"'Reality,' sa molesworth 2, 'is so unspeakably sordid it make me shudder.'"

 

Quote: Finck @ August 15 2008, 11:51 AM BST

I always thought the books were saying the exact opposite. Namely, that even the existence of magic doesn't change the human condition and that being born privileged doesn't mean anything at all or rather that the believe in being born privileged (or "better") is the cause of conflicts.

I read the books as being critical of technology and society and thought they were transporting some moral statements than can be universally acctepted without being patronising. But that's just stupid me reading children's books, I guess.

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In fairness I have only read the first one and been forced to sit through a couple of the films, which always simplify, so it is possible that in the later books the theme may have been subverted. But I just saw children born into privilege going to an exclusive public school, where they referred to lesser mortals as "muggles".
 

Quote: Timbo @ August 15 2008, 12:00 PM BST

In fairness I have only read the first one and been forced to sit through a couple of the films, which always simplify, so it is possible that in the later books the theme may have been subverted. But I just saw children born into privilege going to an exclusive public school, where they referred to lesser mortals as "muggles".

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Is Timbo a class warrior?
 

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Aaron
BSG Forums & DVDs Editor
Half man, half Internet, half TV.
(Loyal follower of The Magical Aura of Laura.)

 

 

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"'Reality,' sa molesworth 2, 'is so unspeakably sordid it make me shudder.'"

 

Quote: Griff @ August 15 2008, 12:00 PM BST

I haven't even seen Lab Rats, I'm just copying what everyone else said.

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I don't dislike it. It has jokes. It is an unfashionable opinion on here, but I think these are important in a sitcom.

Quote: Griff @ August 15 2008, 12:03 PM BST

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Now that is a public school novel worth reading.
 

Who's said sitcoms don't need jokes?

BTW JK Rowling nicked the name "Hogwarts" from the Molesworth books and has never acknowledged it.
 

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"'Reality,' sa molesworth 2, 'is so unspeakably sordid it make me shudder.'"

 

I am sure this isn't off topic, but what do you make of 'The Thief Lord' and Inkheart' by your own Cernelia Funke, Finck.

I rather enjoyed them.
 

Quote: Griff @ August 15 2008, 12:05 PM BST

Who's said sitcoms don't need jokes?

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I am naming no-names, but from discussions in the forums I sometimes get the impression that gags are considered by some at best a necessary evil.
 

Quote: Griff @ August 15 2008, 12:05 PM BST

Who's said sitcoms don't need jokes?

BTW JK Rowling nicked the name "Hogwarts" from the Molesworth books and has never acknowledged it.

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When was Molesworth first published Griff?
 

Quote: Aaron @ August 15 2008, 11:57 AM BST

If anything, one could argue that it's saying that a world of privilege is a hindrance. The 'Muggles' weren't pissing themselves with fright over the prospect of Tom Marvolo Riddle.

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The burden of responsibility is the argument always used to justify privilege.

As for the Malfoys, snobs always have bigger snobs to look down on them.
 

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When was Molesworth first published Griff?

1953. A mere 40-plus years before Harry Potter. But still, it can't be a coincidence, and it'd be nice if she admitted it.

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As for the Malfoys, snobs always have bigger snobs to look down on them.

Top of this chain, of course, is Brian Sewell. There can surely be nobody who looks down on him as a bit below-stairs.
 

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"'Reality,' sa molesworth 2, 'is so unspeakably sordid it make me shudder.'"

 

I have never read them Griff, but I had a character called Hogwart in another long poem what I wrote called KING, if I can find the thing on my comp somewhere I'll paste a bit.

I always assumed she had nicked the name from me, I'd better call back the lawyers.