Defence against the dark arts
Sir: Deborah Ross's review of Hany Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was unworthy of The Spectator (Arts, 21 July). I had better set out my stall: I'm afraid I am among those 'middleaged wierdos' she is likely to spot reading the books on the Tube. I also acknowledge that she may well be right about the film Certainly my own opinion of the two I have seen is that they do not do justice to the books, largely because the humour seemed to have got lost in the transition from book to film. But I am no film critic and nor, it seems, is Ms Ross.
My objection to this review is that she used it to launch a personal attack on J.K. Rowling, although she did at least have the grace to admit to her envy of the author's wealth. Having done that, perhaps it would have been wiser to concentrate on the film, at least long enough to learn that Harry Potter's cousin is called Dudley and not Douglas, and spared us gratuitously spiteful comments about a 'miserable' J.K. Rowling 'snacking on ground-diamond toasties and bathing in champagne'. Furthermore, if she wants to watch films during which teenagers 'shag' each other, on the shaky basis that that is what 'real' teenagers do, there is no shortage of such films, but she shouldn't begrudge the relative rarity of those in which they don't.
J.K. Rowling has been responsible for enticing millions of children all over the world to read well-written books encompassing an original storyline imaginatively and humorously told and, unusually, successfully conveying the message that there is a clear line between good and evil. Magic is merely the medium. She has earned her £600 million — and the right to look miserable if she wants to.
Finally, I feel sorry for Ms Ross's young son, already cynical enough to think that magic 'doesn't really count'. Presumably children's classics such as Winnie the Pooh, Wind in the Willows, The Jungle Book or Peter Pan were all lost on him. A live teddy bear? Talking animals? Flying children? Fairies? Don't be silly.
Peta Seel Nassiet, France
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