Posted on November 15, 2018 at 12:30 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Unpopular opinion time!

One lifelong Harry Potter fan who grew up with the books, literally, has taken to the Guardian to ask J.K. Rowling to please just stop.

The release of the movie Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald was the last straw for Pauline Bock.

She argues that the seven-book series and its eight movie adaptations should have been sufficient.

“We didn’t and don’t need a community website, a theatre play, the printed script of said play, a new movie, the printed script of said movie, and even more movies,” Bock writes of the follow-ups that have fallen short, in her eyes, of the originals’ charm.

What about you, fellow Harry Potter fans? Are you thrilled that your beloved series lives on, or do the extensions bore you?

Categories: Today in Books

Comments
Old "Star Trek" style, fandom war.... again....
Fernando | 11/18/18 at 12:35 PM
Hi. I've enjoyed most of the extensions to the Harry Potter universe. I thought the mini-books (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Quidditch Through the Ages) that came out between the fourth and fifth novels were amazing. I loved the Tales of Beedle the Bard mini-book. I've loved every little story penned by Rowling that's been released on Pottermore, such as the backstories of Minerva McGonagall and the information on Ilvermorny and other wizarding schools. I liked the first Fantastic Beasts film and, potentially, the concept of more Rowling-written stories set before the Harry Potter books. I have not enjoyed the story of Cursed Child; I believe the stagings have been good, but considered as an extension of the lore, I think it was poorly conceived (which in my mind I ascribe to Rowling having collaborators). I don't enjoy the non-Rowling-authored material (mostly clickbait-y top ten lists) that appear on the second incarnation of Pottermore.com. I have seen the second Fantastic Beasts film; I found it to be quite flawed in its telling. (It was hard-to-follow even for a serious Potterhead; new characters got hardly any characterization, while most old characters didn't show development or growth.) But all those faults aside, I enjoyed revisiting the 1920s wizarding world and all the tiny details Rowling revealed about her universe. To sum up, I feel differently from Ms. Bock. I believe Rowling proved herself with the Potter novels to be a brilliant writer and world-builder, so on the strength of those I have welcomed further stories ("extensions") to the wizarding world when they are directly authored by her. The quality level has varied, with some unfortunate misfires, but there have been excellent ones too. Why wouldn't I want more of those if Rowling wishes to create more? I will give each work of hers that comes out a chance and judge them by their own merits.
Mark N | 11/16/18 at 5:03 AM
I can see her point. However, there are some who have no issue with it continuing on. My feeling about it is, for those who don't like it continuing on, then just don't participate/watch/read any more. Those who enjoy it continuing on, can keep being involved with it. Personally, I am fine with just the original books and movies, and probably won't follow the new things.
Julie Cribb | 11/15/18 at 6:18 PM
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