‘Potter’ Popularity

As the writer of a soon-to-be-published science fiction series, I find it interesting that the comments directed at critics of the “Harry Potter” series always reference the popularity of the series, as if mere popularity should be enough to end all discussion of its literary merits.

Since I do not intend to read any of the books, I will not attempt to explore their worth as literature. However, to hold as the series’ virtue the fact that it stimulates children to read is ridiculous.

After all, Britney Spears sells millions of CDs, but does that make her a good singer? Slim Shady remains at the top of the song charts, but does that popularity mean his work has social value? The “Babysitter’s Club” series has sold millions but is that avid readership enough to confer classic status?

One’s ability to obtain a readership owes more to the ability to find and mine a current interest than it does to talent, a fact I will remember if Amazon.com sells only one book of mine or ten billion. The readers who hurl insults at experts who have read the “Potter” books and find them wanting betray their own fear that they and their children may be ingesting the literary equivalent of a Big Mac--a highly popular form of junk food.

ALICIA M. STYLES

Oxnard