Man of the Time

    Until recently, I never considered reading the Harry Potter series.  It wasn't a snobbish attitude that the books were trash, rather there were just so many other things I wanted to read first.

With the hubbub surrounding the 7th book, and some pushy, demanding friends, I finally read the first book: prepare for stunning insights ahead.

The book is good, as a children's book.  Judged against fiction such as the Boxcar children or Nancy Drew it's damn good, against the descriptive prowess of Michael Chabon or the action and intrigue of John LeCarre, not so much.  It is, of course, unfair to judge with such authors in mind.  Transformers was a good action movie, but on an absolute scale would not rate very highly.

If the sputtering plot, uneven action and the formulaic nature of its structure show the author (and I must remind you, this is the only Potter book I have read) at the maximum use of her abilities, I doubt I'll continue reading the next six.  (Will add my review below after dinner)