Nick's editorial "Who is Harry Potter?" is among my favorite editorials on Veritaserum -- very well-worded and thoughtful. I only recently discovered the editorials section on this site, mainly (sadly) because nobody had posted in this forum for such a long time! Anyway, I think it would be fun if we could get this discussion moving again, since we have plenty of opportunity to review one another's fanfics on this site and I would like to be able to talk about other people's non-fictional ideas as well.

In response to the essay, in a way, I have to admit it’s true that Harry Potter has turned into as much a pop culture icon as a fictional book hero, particularly since readers’ Mary GrandPré-esque mental images of the characters subverted to Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson within the past few years (I suppose the "subversion" is a matter of opinion...). I'm not accusing anybody of doing anything bad here -- don't get the wrong idea -- because when I'm reading the books, I can assure you that my mental pictures are of Dan, not of the "real" black-haired, green-eyed Harry Potter. Although the movies have certainly drawn a new crowd (for better or for worse), there clearly exists a fan population today beyond the Tom Felton hangers-on (again, no nasty insinuations meant here... it's just a fact that the fan-base of a movie always comprises of many people who are extremely interested in the actors) -- a population, might I add, that will never allow the love for the books, the crux of it all, to go extinct. I am proud to count myself among these fans, often pegged the "overly obsessed" (I'm sure this label has been attached to many Veritaserum forum members ). I don’t think of the fact that I have read each of the five books twenty plus times since the release of Goblet of Fire as over-obsession at all, myself. I prefer to call it "literature appreciation," and Nick’s editorial (as well as this expanding forum community) assures me that I am not alone in my feelings. I consider this essay among the most impressive on this site; the author truly expresses the fears of the "canon"-obsessed camp of Harry Potter readers.

Has anyone else read this editorial? If so, please give me your thoughts.

Anthony Goldstein after reading your post i decided to read Who is Harry Potter and i really enjoyed it! It put what i and so many others i know have been thinking and it was beautifully written. I recommend it to everyone, it really opens your eyes up to looking beyond th movies and into deeper meanings

I absolutely agree.

I really can relate to Luna.
*she don't relly care about the way other people think (as in teasing)
*she is open to her friends (so am I)
*She is not so very good at school
*she (wel her father) own a magazine (I have a digital magazine but it is in ducht so you prbably can understand it. therefore i won't give you the URL. besides i am about to close it.)
*and one time she tries to get your attention and the other time she just is on the background.

I am just the same.

And i hope she gets something special with Harry.

(what you should do with this information: i really don't know but i i felt like sharing. if i am in this kind of mood (i'll inform you) you should just ignore me)

who is harry potter is simply wonder ful but there is a new book available about the life of hermoine too! and it is cheap as well!!!!!!!!!!!

interesting, i will look into that!

MOD EDIT- Please reread through the forum rules- one liners are not permitted. Please elaborate in your comments in future, or else avoid commenting

Hey I havent had the chance to read it yet. Any idea where i could find it? I looked for it but to no avail. Your help would be appreciated.

I think it was really great!



I haven't read it yet.Does anyone know where i could get it.
It would be greatly appreciated.Thanks!

great work!

Hiya Kassie and Fizzingwhizbee! Welcome to VTM!

If you could, please elaborate more in your posts. One-liners are not allowed as they tend to hinder discussion.
If you haven't already done so, please swing by the rules (link in my signature) when you get a chance.
If you have any questions, feel free to PM me or any other Head Auror or Wizengamot.

Happy Posting!
~Cori

I agree with all of this about how the films
have drawn in new crowds.
It has made people want to read the books too, like
me for instance. After I saw the first movie I
decided to give Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
a chance, since it sounded like a great book to
me, and it was.
So, I'm really glad the movies were/are made.

I think that what Nick has siad in this editorial is true for all of us, we all read things differently and thats why it's great to have forums like these where we can discuss our theories and compare our ideas.

As with all good movies, the mighty dollar or pound has an influence in that when something has commercial success there will always be someone to cash in on it. Milking it for all it's worth thats why I think everyone should form their own opinions about the characters by reading the books. If youv'e only ever seen the films you will still be asking yourself 'Who is Harry Potter'?