When I read the "children's books" comment, I felt it was used synonymous with "simple plot", "easy to recognise stock characters", and so one. So I agreed. Now you mention it, of course there is fantastic children's literature out there. Unfortunately, it's been a while since I read Lewis and the movie didn't particularly persuade me to try again, but I think I can imagine what you mean. Other stories I've read, like the Barthimaeus Trilogy (very recommendable), His Dark Materials (though not all of it) and even Artemis Fowl are either convincing in terms of the ideas they convey and carry, or they just have a very tight and convincing plot. The fact that this kind of literature appeals to adults as well as children, though, makes me count them among adult or at least young adult literature. Like Harry Potter 1 - 6. :P
It seems we both feel very strongly about how the seventh book turned out. Personally, I would like to think of myself as disappointed, not hateful towards the series, but either emotion seems to derive from the same source.
I must apologise - I had not read any of your other essays before asking and will happily do so as soon as I have the time. At the moment, I am quite busy collecting opinions for an LJ writing project, where we try to write the seventh HP book as it should have been in many fans' view (collecting and including as many of them and their expectations/hopes/ideas as possible). To give something to those who were disappointed by Deathly Hallows. And also as a general writing challenge - for ourselves. If you're interested, we're at http://community.livejournal.com/writing_hp7. I obviously don't know if you write fiction at all or just essays, but critical reviewers and theorists are always very welcome.
Love your idea of giving Harry a choice between revenge or forgiveness, by the way. It is, of course, completely Star Wars, but I like how it would have to happen, the profoundness it would add to Snape's role, and it is still more convincing than Deathly Hallows' would-be-sacrifice of the hero.
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It seems we both feel very strongly about how the seventh book turned out. Personally, I would like to think of myself as disappointed, not hateful towards the series, but either emotion seems to derive from the same source.
I must apologise - I had not read any of your other essays before asking and will happily do so as soon as I have the time. At the moment, I am quite busy collecting opinions for an LJ writing project, where we try to write the seventh HP book as it should have been in many fans' view (collecting and including as many of them and their expectations/hopes/ideas as possible). To give something to those who were disappointed by Deathly Hallows. And also as a general writing challenge - for ourselves. If you're interested, we're at http://community.livejournal.com/writing_hp7. I obviously don't know if you write fiction at all or just essays, but critical reviewers and theorists are always very welcome.
Love your idea of giving Harry a choice between revenge or forgiveness, by the way. It is, of course, completely Star Wars, but I like how it would have to happen, the profoundness it would add to Snape's role, and it is still more convincing than Deathly Hallows' would-be-sacrifice of the hero.