My premise, part 1 (the polite part): Harry Potter is an excellent children’s fantasy series. It is great that it is introducing young readers to a love of reading. <\/p>\n
My premise, part 2 (the rude part): Discerning adults should be almost as embarrassed about reading Harry Potter for fun, as they would be reading Little Golden Books<\/a> for fun. <\/p>\n This is a somewhat controversial – or maybe just a rude opinion – and it is likely to be misread, so let me clarify some points.<\/p>\n I am not saying adults should never read the Harry Potter books. Sure, read them to your children, read them to understand what your children are reading or read them because your reading age is eleven. Just don’t read them for fun!<\/p>\n I am not saying this without ever experiencing the books. I read the first book of the series. It found it painfully childish – it was playing to all the stereotypical child fantasies (I don’t have to listen to my parents, I have secret powers that haven’t been discovered yet, I am adopted, I am a princess. I am a sport’s hero.) I even made a mistake I have repeated several times in my life: I assumed that, because my experience with a book was so far out of alignment with the popular view, that I must be mistaken or confused – and therefore, I should keep trying. I started, but did not finish the second book; I made it three-quarters of the way through, became busy, and realised I simply didn’t care how it ended.<\/p>\n I am not saying that adults should only read fine literature. I certainly don’t demonstrate that behaviour myself! I understand the need for escapism and for light reading. However, I expect a more sophisticated set of fantasy concepts and a need for a more substantial plot to maintain interest. <\/p>\n I understand some children’s books – and especially movies – work on two levels as they try to keep the parents amused as well as the kids. I appreciate that – but if I have a choice, I would rather see a movie that works on two levels that are both aimed at adults!<\/p>\n My premise, part 3 (the redeeming part): I suspect my perspective is merely more experience with reading fantasy novels. Perhaps, Harry Potter is an excellent introduction to fantasy for adults who wouldn’t normally think\/dare to pick up a fantasy novel. <\/p>\n In this case, J. K. Rowling is doing a lot of good, and it is up to experienced fantasy readers to take it from here. My response shouldn’t be to poo-poo adult Harry Potter readers, but to suggest that if they like J.K. Rowling, they might like some other authors in the same genre.<\/p>\n So, my open question is: Who should I recommend? Which authors or which books provide a good entry for a novice fantasy readers?<\/p>\n Here are some suggestions that I, and a few friends, have brainstormed:<\/p>\n I have omitted some popular favourites (Tolkien, Jordan, Simmons, Herbert) as I suspect they aren’t good entry-level<\/em> fantasy, but I am quite prepared to listen to counter-arguments.<\/p>\n\n