Harry Potter - Nostalgic Classic or Just Outdated?
Let's talk about Harry Potter. You already know whether or not you like it - one more review 20 years later isn’t going to change your opinion or convince you to read it if you haven’t. But the series has had an undeniable impact on pop culture over the past 20 years, and for many of us it defined our childhoods. We grew up with these characters so it can be hard to separate the books from the nostalgia. I haven't revisited it in a couple of years, and I remember it as a solidly 5 star series that will forever be in my 'comfort reads' hall of fame.
JK Rowling was one of the first authors to be able to interact directly with her fanbase through social media. That and her constant Pottermore updates have ensured that the art and the artist remain closely entwined. Rowling was once known for her snappy comebacks and feminist one-liners over Twitter, but in recent years she has become increasingly outspoken in her anti-trans beliefs. This has added fuel to the ongoing debate on if art can be separated from the artist. I firmly believe that as soon as an artist releases their work into the world, they are also giving up control over how it is perceived. But no matter how happily I may retcon Rowling’s characters to be more inclusive, buying her work is still supporting her and aiding her in her efforts further stigmatize trans folks.
So how do we balance our love for a story that came at a pivotal time in our lives with the knowledge that it was created by a bigot who is actively working to make the lives of an already marginalized group harder? Can we really separate the art from the artist? Is Harry Potter still a 5 star series or has it begun to show its age?
My goal as I reread the series is to focus on the underlying messages Rowling put in; subtext I would have missed as a kid or on a casual reread. This will be a long process - I'm not going to blast through for fun. I'll talk a little about basic book things like character arcs and worldbuilding, but the focus is going to be on representation and linking external politics/world events back to the series. I'm also listening to the podcast Harry Potter and the Sacred Text as I finish each chapter. The hosts focus on the characters within the text more than authorial choices, but they have excellent analysis and are just a lot of fun to listen to. If you're a fan of podcasts its definitely worth checking out.
