Sure, the Harry Potter global phenomena (even pre-movies) needs to be acknowledged. And, to be fair, she's cooked up some pretty stupendous characters, dreamed up some great settings, has a pretty good sense of wholesome humor, and suspense, and can clearly write an engaging adventure. She definitely has a more than healthy dose of creativity and narrative-construction skills.
But still, in my book, she still wanders into some pretty cliched or let's say heavy borrowing of ideas not really worthy of her---why oh why the "chosen-one" prophesy thing? we were so fine without it!--- and her writing is not what I would consider "great prose."
HOWEVER, perhaps I've been overlooking a few other things that deserve mentioning.
I came across this blog post entitled "The Women of The Harry Potter Universe," and by golly, now that you point it out to me, JK has serious done something pretty incredible: She's constructed a world and a narrative that takes women's equality as a given.
As the article explains, the women in the Harry Potter books are not only well-constructed, dynamic characters who avoid stereotypes (not a treatment the gals regularly get) but they are just as awesome, active, and crucial to the stopping the baddies as the gents. Sure Harry is the protagonist, so we spend a bit more time fussing over his feelings and his mentors/nemesises (Dumbledore, Black, Malfoy, Snape) but he is only ever as good as his supporting cast--- male and female. And as Feurbach says:
But hold the applause. There is more.
What is even more incredible is that Rowling has also managed to give us a cast of male characters who see this whole thing as a non-issue. Harry, Ron, Neville, Dumbledore, Fred & George, Hagrid, Lupin, Dean, Seamus, Flitwick, and the rest of the lads are not wimping around worrying about the state of their masculinity and plotting petty ruses to undermine the ladies. Because you know what? It doesn't bother them.
Just because Hermione is brilliant, doesn't mean Harry can't be brilliant. McGonagall being great doesn't make Dumbledore somehow less great. Angelina Johnson and Oliver Wood can both be phenomenal athletes. You'd want Ginny and Mrs. Weasley on your side, just as much as you'd want Ron and Mr. Weasley. Lupin is not crippled with an inferiority complex because his wife is also a super-cool auror. Even Bellatrix is just as horrible as the other death eaters.
Somehow, these men are able coexist with these spectacular women without feeling threatened and inadequate. It goes without saying, that they can admire them, appreciate them, and, you know, respect them as equals. Again, just like thousands men in the real world! For some reason these men don't usually make it into our mainstream narratives, but thanks to Rowling, we've now got a few (quite a few) more!
In short, JK Rowling gives us a story in which men and women being equally extraordinary can work together to achieve victory over evil. And what a great story! Both genders bring tons of talent, courage, and charisma to the table--- regardless of their genders. She doesn't make a huge song and dance about how women and men are equal, she just shows us that they are.
The beauty is in the simplicity. And that, friends, is a pretty great achievement.
As the article explains, the women in the Harry Potter books are not only well-constructed, dynamic characters who avoid stereotypes (not a treatment the gals regularly get) but they are just as awesome, active, and crucial to the stopping the baddies as the gents. Sure Harry is the protagonist, so we spend a bit more time fussing over his feelings and his mentors/nemesises (Dumbledore, Black, Malfoy, Snape) but he is only ever as good as his supporting cast--- male and female. And as Feurbach says:
"These women fill all sorts of roles: mothers (Molly Weasley, Narcissa Malfoy, Lily Potter), professors (McGonagall, Pomona Sprout, Sybill Trelawney), highly trained aurors (Tonks, Alice Longbottom), Dumbledore's Army members (Luna Lovegood, Ginny Weasley, Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, the Patil twins, Lavender Brown), nurses (Madam Pomfrey), Triwizard champion (Fleur Delacour), and Quidditch players (Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Cho Chang)."The women are just as strong, diverse, competent, inspiring, and talented as the men who run about doing awesome things alongside them--- just like in real life.
But hold the applause. There is more.
What is even more incredible is that Rowling has also managed to give us a cast of male characters who see this whole thing as a non-issue. Harry, Ron, Neville, Dumbledore, Fred & George, Hagrid, Lupin, Dean, Seamus, Flitwick, and the rest of the lads are not wimping around worrying about the state of their masculinity and plotting petty ruses to undermine the ladies. Because you know what? It doesn't bother them.
Just because Hermione is brilliant, doesn't mean Harry can't be brilliant. McGonagall being great doesn't make Dumbledore somehow less great. Angelina Johnson and Oliver Wood can both be phenomenal athletes. You'd want Ginny and Mrs. Weasley on your side, just as much as you'd want Ron and Mr. Weasley. Lupin is not crippled with an inferiority complex because his wife is also a super-cool auror. Even Bellatrix is just as horrible as the other death eaters.
Somehow, these men are able coexist with these spectacular women without feeling threatened and inadequate. It goes without saying, that they can admire them, appreciate them, and, you know, respect them as equals. Again, just like thousands men in the real world! For some reason these men don't usually make it into our mainstream narratives, but thanks to Rowling, we've now got a few (quite a few) more!
In short, JK Rowling gives us a story in which men and women being equally extraordinary can work together to achieve victory over evil. And what a great story! Both genders bring tons of talent, courage, and charisma to the table--- regardless of their genders. She doesn't make a huge song and dance about how women and men are equal, she just shows us that they are.
The beauty is in the simplicity. And that, friends, is a pretty great achievement.
Yay! I agree with you. I mean the books aren't superb by "classic" standards, but the characters she has created are wonderful. And as you put it, you want to have even the female characters "on your side." : )
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