Comments on: Experiment and Other News, week 4

By: John (Grasping for the Wind)

John (Grasping for the Wind) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:45:51 +0000

Too true, too true.

By: Illotus

Illotus — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 08:51:54 +0000

I just base my opinion on the fact that there’s a generation of people who’ve grown up reading Potters, so I don’t see how they wouldn’t become classics. On the other hand I very much doubt that they are going to be part of the western canon, at least not in a very long time. Similarly as LotR is not considered a classic by a big part of the literati.

Your point on educational system is very good, but do note that it is slow to react so it is going to take a while before Potter is taught there.

Anyway, the first 6 Potter books have sold more than 320 million copies according to Wikipedia, so it is quite likely that the whole series will sell over billion copies over time. That’s just sick popularity.

By: John (Grasping for the Wind)

John (Grasping for the Wind) — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:07:31 +0000

Thanks for the nod, while my opinion may not be popular, I think its right. Part of my reasoning is that Publishers are always looking for the next big thing. Potter will be eclipsed, and unless this generation encourages their children to read them, then Potter will be eclipsed by others.

Additionally the educational system must get on board. I haven’t hear of anyone teaching (not requiring as summer reading, which I know is common) Harry Potter. Once Potter is taught in the elementary schools as children’s classic I will be more inclined to think it has staying power. Once something is part of a curriculum it retains popularity. I don’t think Potter classifies as books that will be taught in schools, whereas many others are.

Potter books are those types of books you encourage kids to read outside of school, but not teach in the classroom.

But hey, I’ve been wrong before.