I'm sure if you're around in the book community then you know the drama that's been surrounding J.K. Rowling recently. Basically, she has said that Dumbledore is canonically gay, and yet refuses to acknowledge that in any of her works or the million fantastic beasts movies that are coming out. Now this is harmful and useless in the grand scheme of diversity, and most definitely paints JKR as a person who is just trying to seem diverse without putting in the effort. But I'm not here to ridicule this topic, there's plenty of #ownvoices people who can steer you towards that, instead, I'm going to talk about how JKR has ruined a childhood series I once loved:
Now a lot of people after this drama and JKR's decision to keep Johnny Depp in the film said that they will be boycotting the new Fantastic Beasts movie set to come out. But the truth is, I was planning on boycotting this film before any of this drama even happened, and that is simply because I do not want to give my money to the HP franchise anymore, as they are exploiting what was once a good thing.
I miss the good old days. When there were seven books, eight movies, the conclusion wrapped up into a tiny little bow and we all moved on. That was fine for me. But this constant "eighth book," "prequel dealing with Newt Schamander," "Grindelwald finally revealed," does not interest me in the slightest!! MY series, the original, seven-book series, to me are the only books pertaining to Harry Potter's world and I could so do without this other shit.
I'm calling it like it is, these new forms of media are not here because JKR wants to expand the story and give new insights; she, and others, have realized how much money they can make when they slap "Harry Potter world" onto something and are just trying to milk this franchise to no end. And the truth is, these new additions have ruined the series for me, because so much focus now is being put on them and not on the original story I truly love.
So J.K. Rowling, you need to stop. You need to stop exploiting your series, you need to stop queer-baiting people, and you need to stop ruining what was once a good thing. I know a lot of people buy into the hype surrounding these new features, but for me, count me out.
What do you think about all this business?
Emily @ Paperback Princess
I really don't mind series expanding - if there's an audience, then fine whatever.
ReplyDeleteThe Queer-baiting though? *sighs* I'm so tired of this sh**.
I'm not sure a boycott is the way forward - she's still gonna make a butt-ton of money, after all. But I can also see where people are coming from when they talk about boycotting the franchise. To me, it's not practical. Harry Potter (and now Fantastic Beasts) is such a behemoth that a boycott will have a minimal impact at best. But if people wanna boycott, and make their statement, then I am totally behind them!
I guess a boycott doesn't make an impact in the grand scheme of things, but it's a small gesture that I want to do because I'm quite frankly tired of Rowling and the way this series has gone. But I know a lot of people love Fantastic Beasts and want to watch the films, it's just not for me.
DeleteHey Emily!! I so agree with this! I remember right when the cursed child came out and chapters was flooded with stuffed animals, board games, t shirts and every other type of Harry Potter related merchandise you can imagine.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw that I knew that the new book wasn't to expand the story and the insight, but literally just to make money and it made me sad because it ruins the unassailable original 7 books and the sanctity of the entire series.
It's kind of conflicting because J K Rowling is a huge philanthropist which is great but at the same time all the spin offs are getting to be a bit much. It reminds me of pretty little liars and how they ruined a great show by dragging it out for like 8 years. Some things you have to let rest.
Yes, I definitely agree, Sophia!! I hate it when people call The Cursed Child "book #8" because it really isn't for me! The books ended after #7 and no new releases will ever change that for me.
DeleteTHIS. This is exactly what's been on my mind too, Em! I admit I gave in to the hype and ended up buying and reading AND supporting Cursed Child, but then things started going haywire and I started seeing JKR for who she is and I most certainly did NOT like it. What's happening now isn't even what made me start resenting her- it started with Johnny Depp and now, this latest drama, only serves as a reminder that the JKR we once loved is no more.
ReplyDeleteYes!! I actually read Cursed Child too but I absolutely hated it and vowed to never again give more money to the new additions to this franchise. I just hate how JKR is dealing with all of this.
DeleteI don't mind the spin offs. I rather enjoyed The Fantastic Beast.
ReplyDeletePeople will milk a good thing dry and get their money while they can, as with lots of good thing. They are doing it with Star Wars too.
Dinh@Arlene's Book Club
Yes, but admittedly, I do enjoy the new Star Wars movies. But they definitely know that these things will make a lot of money so it really is the main motif.
DeleteI'm actually okay with the whole universe expanding business. Yes, it does give more in royalties to JKR but there's definitely an appetite (I mean, original Star Wars fans could say the same about the reboot but I think as long as the movies are good, then what's the harm?). However, I do have to agree with you on the queer-baiting. I can understand why she was coy about the fact that Dumbledore was gay back when she first wrote the books because then there was a very real possibility that publishing houses wouldn't want to publish it. But now that attitudes are very different, there's a chance for her to be very open with it and she's choosing not to. I don't want to automatically write off the series because we definitely don't know the whole story because people are entitled to their own private stances and reasons (same with the whole Johnny Depp bit) but it does make me uneasy. I think this may be one of the cases where people either entirely separate the work from the author and dive right in, or people keep them associated and consequently cut ties. I felt the same way with Orson Scott Card after I learned about what his world view was like and I'm still conflicted on whether to buy copies of his books and thereby send him money even though I really enjoyed the books and want to reread them. This is such a necessary discussion to have, though, Emily, and I'm so glad you addressed it.
ReplyDeleteLaura @BlueEyeBooks
I don't have as much a problem with Star Wars because I actually enjoy the new movies, but I can't say I enjoy the new HP movies, which is probably why I'm so bitter about it. But I definitely think that JKR has changed since the beginning of the series and I'm not sure if it's for the good. I think she needs to seriously think before she speaks going forward. Thanks for your input, Laura!
DeleteNice review
ReplyDeleteThanks
I completely agree. I am so bummed by Rowling's actions. After Cursed Child I have been super skeptical. I didn't love (but didn't hate) Fantastic Beasts and after their decision to keep Depp and now their announcement that Dumbledore won't be gay I don't think I'll continue watching the movies in this franchise. I'm just going to stick to the original books.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I mean, the original books will never be topped and with each new adaption it just gets worse and worse.
Delete