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Thursday, July 28, 2005
Way behind the curve
The following is a brief public service announcement:
I am still the only literate person in the civilized world who has not read a single one of the Harry Potter books.
My wife and the big kids have read all of the previous installments... and the newest one (many thanks to my younger sister for FedExing it around the world) has just passed from Zahava to Ariella.
However, for some reason I never got around to reading any of them.
It's not a religious thing, I promise! In fact, I've always been a bit puzzled when I hear religious leaders (in many religions) voice objection to the Harry Potter stories.
From what I've seen in the films, it seems as though there are many very healthy lessons for children of all ages. Unlike the typical Disney fare, the world created by JK Rowling doesn't rely exclusively on fairy godmothers or prince charmings to arrive at the last moment to make everything OK. Instead, we learn that even people with magical powers must study and work very hard at perfecting their wizardry... and that there are limits on the powers of even the most skilled practitioners.
All of the social (bullies), financial (the poor Weasleys) and organizational (the Ministry of Magic) problems that exist in real life also exist in the fictional world of Harry Potter, et al. And most telling, strength of character seems to count for at least as much as having an encyclopedic knowledge of spells and potions.
So... I really have no reasonable explanation as to why I haven't read any of the books.
Therefore, this Shabbat I will finally begin reading the first in the series; HP & the Sorcerer's Stone.
Posted by David Bogner on July 28, 2005 | Permalink
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Comments
Well, I didn't want to sound cohercive or too forceful (touchy subject for me), just express my dismay and outrage. *clears throat*
The Philosopher vs Sorcerer is the first thing that I find profoundly annoying in the A. edition. People have dreamt of the Philosopher's Stone for years, it wasn't her invention - and it makes me wonder what is going on in the U.S. bcs, what, the publisher foresaw trouble? People wouldn't understand? American children would be at a loss? But not the British ones apparently, which are presumably taught abt it while learning to walk. It is NOT the same thing, especially from a historic perspective!
Then there is my profound distaste for anything that involves changing the original work. She writes abt a word where there are indeed jumpers, and tellies and colours and people realise things even as they snog. It's part of the charm of the book and the characters. I can't imagine, if Harry were American, that the British version would be changed bcs, say, young Brits don't know what "dude" is.
I feel it's the equivalent of "dubbing". Americans don't know "jumper"? Have a glossary ready at the beginning of the book. Insert a fottnote. Harry Potter DOES wear "jumpers" and that's that. Let children - and adults - learn that there are other ways and words even for those who in theory share a language with us, that can only be a good thing on all levels. She is British and that determines to a great extent how she writes. To change the words does impact the whole of it, not just the few alterations. I can draw a comparison w the Brazilian authors, imagine Jorge Amado w vocabulary translations - I can't. Or say, if José Saramago ever makes it to the USA, will the publisher see fit to add fullstops to his sentences to make them clearer? When I see American shows and some bloke in India is talking w an accent that I myself can understand without difficulty BUT there are subtitles, it bothers me a lot. It is offensive to the speaker and patronising of the ones watching. *I* get it, why wouldn't they??
I find it disrespectful to the one who wrote it and all those who want to read it. I am sorry for ranting like this, but it is a pet megapeeve of mine. Humungous one. So sorry, David, I tried to control myself but - argh!
*clears throat*
SHABBAT SHALOM!
Posted by: Lioness | Jul 29, 2005 12:50:31 PM
Lioness, I agree with a lot of your rant above. We Americans are used to being catered to when it comes to language and culture, I believe. I am curious about where you live, though. I have never seen an American show in America where there have been subtitles to translate English spoken with a different accent. Also, a good point was made by another commenter that JKR approved all the changes to the book in the US. I assume that she would have refused changes if she found the request very disrespectful. Although the changes to the book were few, I find it easier to transport myself to Harry's world with all of the English words as they should be! So my vote is The Philosopher's Stone. David, I hope you enjoy, and I think starting with book 1 is a good idea.
Posted by: nrg | Jul 29, 2005 1:30:58 PM
Lioness... So if I understand you correctly you don't have a clear preference? :-) Don't worry... I've started asking around on our community chat list for a copy of the UK edition.
NRG... I don't think I'll be revealing any state secrets if I tell you that our beloved Lioness is located in Portugal. However, she writes (and I'm assuming, speaks)beautifully in the Queen's English.
Posted by: David | Jul 29, 2005 2:03:46 PM
see???? I wasn't trying to start a one upmanship battle... I was just merely wondering why it is that the Canadian edition of the book is the same as the UK one, but it was altered for Americans. Because I'm quite sure it's not because we put a U in colour and flavour. LOL
Posted by: celestial blue | Jul 29, 2005 2:49:05 PM
David, :DDDD! That and the previous made me laugh. Aloud.
NRG, David's said it. Though my spoken English - not sure what THAT accent is, actually. A mix of a lot of things, I suppose, Portie and israeli accents included. Yes, I know she accepted them. I'm still allowed to think it is disrespectful and that it was unbelievably daft of her, right? ;) Shabbat shalom.
Posted by: Lioness | Jul 29, 2005 4:10:08 PM
Whoa. Hold on. i am an avid reader of Tolkein. After that, I am not sure I am interesed in investing in another fantasy world. For instanceunlike other male Tolkein readers of my generation, I simply was not ready to embrace my inner geek enough to play Dungeons and Dragons.
HP has gotten a lot of middle school age kids to pick up a book for fun, according to my wife the sixth grade teacher.
Posted by: Jordan Hirsch | Jul 29, 2005 4:33:10 PM
hi david.my reasons and mine alone for not reading this sort of thing is that we have so much good stuff to get through and also read again.my life consists of cheering on the state and reading but i would not read harry potter.
Posted by: richard | Jul 29, 2005 6:46:31 PM
Are Jelly Belly's Kosher? If they are, then you must get hold of some their Harry Potter's Bernie Bott's Flavor Jelly Beans. Yes..they have them in the those delightful flavors we all love..Vomit, Worm, Dirt, Soap, to just name a few (and are they ever so nasty..YUCK!)
Posted by: Jaime | Jul 29, 2005 8:41:30 PM
Can I just clarify something here? Everyone listening??:
Harry Potter is FOR CHILDREN.
Star Wars, on the other hand, is not...
-Maria,- who has not, and will not read Harry Potter (although I went to see the last film with my little niece, because SHE is a child!).
Posted by: Maria | Jul 31, 2005 12:17:08 AM
Celestial... Probably for the same reason that you have the UK's monarch on your money. :-)
Lioness... mission accomplished. :-)
Jordan... You may have dodged the D&D bullet... but haven't you named each and every one of your cats Frodo? :-)
Richard... To each his own. Just so we're clear... I'm not bowing to pressure here. I'm just giving in to my curiosity.
Jaime... I'm really not sure. I'll have to ask around (although even if they were, they aren't technically part of the Atkins diet).
Maria... So is 'Sam and the firefly', but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy myself while reading it to my kids! Some times you feel like caviar... and other times a cookie will do.
Posted by: David | Jul 31, 2005 1:12:30 AM
I also have never once cracked open a single installment of Harry Potter and there's a bit of a funny story that goes with this deficiency in my character:
Before my first year of college, I had to fill out a housing form giving some information about myself so that the school could match me up with a roommate that at least wouldn't kill me and at most, would become my best friend. After many multiple-choice-like questions, there was an open section for any other comments or requests. My future roommate later told me that in that section she wrote that above all, the only thing she wanted was a roommate who loved Harry Potter. The poor girl got stuck with me, completely Harry Potter illiterate.
I am happy to report, however, that despite our Harry Potter differences, we went on to become great friends.
Posted by: Alex | Jul 31, 2005 12:55:53 PM
yes mr b, i have been trying to get moneyball--although probably not hard enough. my cousisn from st louis gave me a $25 gift certificate to amazon.com 2 chanukas ago, and i have been wanting to buy it with that, but i havent been able to figure it out...credit card, something other other, not sure exactly. i have been wanting to read it, but i do thank you immensely.
Posted by: Tonny | Aug 1, 2005 2:03:47 AM
Alex... You are one of the rare people who has a good college roommate story, so count yourslef lucky! :-)
Tonny... If you're having so much trouble navigating a puchase on Amazon.com, perhaps you should be looking for an easier book... someting with pictures. :-)
Posted by: David | Aug 1, 2005 9:42:11 AM
can you recommend any baseball books with pictures...?
Posted by: Tonny | Aug 2, 2005 6:33:58 AM
Casey at the Bat. :-)
Posted by: David | Aug 2, 2005 2:52:54 PM
ah yes, thanks.
Posted by: Tonny | Aug 3, 2005 12:18:14 AM
