“I Hate Harry Potter”

            There. I said it. Well, I put it in print! I know, I know. I’ve heard over and over again that something must be wrong with my taste because I don’t like the Harry Potter series. It’s not like I haven’t tried, either.

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            When the first book came out, my students sang the praises of the manuscript. Seeing that most of them didn’t choose to read for pleasure, their enthusiasm lured me into the fantasy realm of J. K. Rowling. My personal rule about reading is simple: If I start a book, I finish the book. I’d set this goal when I was twelve, and never broke my record until Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I gave it my best effort, but found the author’s style too redundant and trite. I know! Blaspheme! My peers loved the first and then second novel so much that they formed a club at our high school where students met after school to discuss the books; yet, I couldn’t make it through the first volume. I’d pick it up, read as much as I could in a sitting, and then set it aside. The more everyone raved about the books, the more I tried to find something to like. It was like eating okra. I know okra is good for me, but it makes me gag.

            When the first movie came out, my husband and son convinced me that I’d love it. I remember coming out of the theatre feeling disappointed. I couldn’t figure it out. I love fantasy pieces. I love donning my own garb to attend Renaissance fairs. I love dipping into pretend.  When the second movie in the series hit the movie theatres, I decided to stay home and watch television instead. I helped my son hunt down or make pieces of his costume for opening night, but I had no desire to find out the next installment of these characters.  Later, when I viewed the DVD release of the second film, I fell asleep!

            Over the years, I stopped telling people that I don’t like Harry Potter because it upset them so much. You’d think I’d attacked their political parties or religious beliefs! However, with the release of the final episode in the series, I’ve decided it’s time to come out of the closet. I know many of you will never view me the same after this revelation. I hope, though, that you won’t sever contact with me, and overlook this short-coming.

            And remember, I am a Trekkie.

Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman