Woman of the Week #2 - Joanne K. Rowling

[nightwind1]

I admire Rowling a great deal. What's not to like? An inspirational rags to riches story, humility, a willingness to give back expressed through philanthropy, education, and her political stances, creativity that gave us a rich multi-layered fantasy world that has encouraged countless children, teens, and adults to read, exceptional business savvy, and dedication to her fans and to the integrity of her work.

Considering the poll I made I'm now curious to hear how much of this you think applies to George Lucas, Gene Roddenberry and JRR Tolkien.

Hey, George Lucas gave back in the form of Jar Jar. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

Kind of like herpes.

 

[Disruptor]

What do you think of her writing?

Bad penmanship for a bird. Excuse me, bad penspersonship for a bird.

What do you think of her as a person?

She's disgusting. While driving on car trips with her family, she'd lock the car doors, roll up the windows, turn on the heater and then unleash foul-smelling farts that her entire family had to endure.

Beyond that, no opinion of her.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

What do you think of her writing?

Bad penmanship for a bird. Excuse me, bad penspersonship for a bird.

What do you think of her as a person?

She's disgusting. While driving on car trips with her family, she'd lock the car doors, roll up the windows, turn on the heater and then unleash foul-smelling farts that her entire family had to endure.

Beyond that, no opinion of her.

So, if you have no opinion of her except a derogatory crack about her penmanship as a woman (whatever the hell that's supposed to mean, as if sex determines writing ability) and a comment about farting, I'm wondering why you felt the need to comment at all beyond trying to provoke a response? Don't do this again.

 

[Orac Zen]

I admire Rowling a great deal. What's not to like? An inspirational rags to riches story, humility, a willingness to give back expressed through philanthropy, education, and her political stances, creativity that gave us a rich multi-layered fantasy world that has encouraged countless children, teens, and adults to read, exceptional business savvy, and dedication to her fans and to the integrity of her work.

This, pretty much.

The Potter books may not be "great literature" (however one may choose to define that), and Rowling does overdo some plot devices, but the world and characters she created have proved to be extraordinarily appealing. If it was easy to do, anyone would, so she must have something going for her.

She made way too much money and gained way too much fame for something, that while entertaining and well written was nothing in comparison to other literature.

So people shouldn't buy / read books that are "entertaining and well-written", but instead...well, what? Other than ridiculously patronising generalisations and vague drivel about the "essence of humanity", you don't offer much by way of reasoned or constructive criticism of Rowling's works. If anything, you almost come across as being somewhat bitter and resentful of her success, which is amusing but not much more than that.

 

[iguana_tonante]

What do you think of her writing?

Bad penmanship for a bird. Excuse me, bad penspersonship for a bird.

What do you think of her as a person?

She's disgusting. While driving on car trips with her family, she'd lock the car doors, roll up the windows, turn on the heater and then unleash foul-smelling farts that her entire family had to endure.

Beyond that, no opinion of her.

So, if you have no opinion of her except a derogatory crack about her penmanship as a woman (whatever the hell that's supposed to mean, as if sex determines writing ability) and a comment about farting, I'm wondering why you felt the need to comment at all beyond trying to provoke a response? Don't do this again.

I think the hint is in the handle.