J.K. Rowling

[abbynormal]

She was criticized in the British press recently over a great article she wrote on her website about weight issues. They tried to say that she was a hypocrite because a few of her more unpleasant characters are described as being overweight. Nevertheless, that assertion was debunked by this guy on mugglenet.com.

Anyway, I just want to say that I love her and think she's so cool. I love the fact that I've never seen a single picture of one of her kids and I love the fact that she was once a divorced single mother on welfare and now is practically a billionaire with a new, loving husband and two more kids. She's probably the celebrity I would most like to have dinner with.

[kostgard]

I hadn't read her whole "rant" before, and this bit makes me love her:

Her [Pink's] latest single, 'Stupid Girls', is the antidote-anthem for everything I had been thinking about women and thinness. 'Stupid Girls' satirises the talking toothpicks held up to girls as role models: those celebrities whose greatest achievement is un-chipped nail polish, whose only aspiration seems to be getting photographed in a different outfit nine times a day, whose only function in the world appears to be supporting the trade in overpriced handbags and rat-sized dogs.

Maybe all this seems funny, or trivial, but it's really not. It's about what girls want to be, what they're told they should be, and how they feel about who they are. I've got two daughters who will have to make their way in this skinny-obsessed world, and it worries me, because I don't want them to be empty-headed, self-obsessed, emaciated clones; I'd rather they were independent, interesting, idealistic, kind, opinionated, original, funny – a thousand things, before 'thin'. And frankly, I'd rather they didn't give a gust of stinking chihuahua flatulence whether the woman standing next to them has fleshier knees than they do. Let my girls be Hermiones, rather than Pansy Parkinsons. Let them never be Stupid Girls. Rant over.

It's the whole "gust of stinking chihuahua flatulence" that really makes me love her. But I've always kinda liked her anyway, and how she seems to have kept a pretty level head despite the fact that her creation is so huge and credited with getting kids to read again. The Harry Potter books aren't the greatest works in literature evah, they are just really entertaining stories that are told very well and I think she realizes that. I've never seen her try to make her books out to be more than they are.

As for all her evil characters being fat, I can only think of one off the top of my head (Umbridge) outside of the Durseys and many of them are described as thin (Aunt Petunia, Draco's mother, Snape - if he's truly evil - and Voldemort), so I don't think there is much of an argument there.

[berrybearie]

As for all her evil characters being fat, I can only think of one off the top of my head (Umbridge) outside of the Durseys and many of them are described as thin (Aunt Petunia, Draco's mother, Snape - if he's truly evil - and Voldemort), so I don't think there is much of an argument there.

Plus, as the commentary Abby linked to points out, there are good big characters, e.g., Sprout, Slughorn, Hagrid, Madame Maxime. And the newspaper piece was so sloppy it described Hermione as "ravishing and trim." Emma Watson is lovely, but I'd bet 100 galleons, that Hermione was never described in any of the books as "ravishing," quite the opposite considering her Yule Ball transformation.

Way to go, Jo!

[susyhomewrecker]

Neville Longbottom is always described as "round" and he's one of the best characters!

I love her too. She's a tricky one, though, and I think she takes great enjoyment out of messing with her fans because she knows we hang on her every word. If I were in her position, I would too! Can't wait for the seventh book...

[Deleted]

I have a friend that says "J K Rowling" instead of just kidding and it cracks me up every time.

Anyway, I have nothing else to add. She seems pretty down to earth considering her situation, and I'm glad that she wants to raise her kids to be more than Paris.

[lallybroch]

I saw a photo of her older daughter at about age 10-11, she reminded me of Morticia Adams, but in a good way. As for JKR, I wish she would let it go with the blond hair and hope she lays off the cosmetic procedures (I think she may have had an eye job or Botox--her face doesn't quite move like it should). Good for her that she's triumphed over losing her mother to a debilitating illness at a relatively early age, the abusive ex and the stint on the dole to find wealth and personal happiness, but my opinion of her writing slipped badly after enduring her latest book. It was like she realized that OotP had lost all 10 year olds and she had to keep things simple to get back on their wavelength. Somewhere in HBP there was a good 150 pages; too bad the book was four times that long.

With the issue of fat characters, when I first heard about her rant on society pressuring women about their weight, I did think of Dudley and the other alternately gluttonous or lovably plump characters in HP. I don't think she has any particular grudge against overweight people, just that her writing is full of clichés and archetypes (some would say stereotypes) in general. It's just that the French haven't bothered to get annoyed about Fleur, naturally thin people about the way Aunt Petunia's figure is described, the librarians about Madam Pince, history teachers about the boring ghost professor, etc.

[twodollars]

susyhomewrecker said:

Neville Longbottom is always described as "round" and he's one of the best characters!

Neville is my favorite character followed closely by Luna.

I have no opinion on J.K. Rowling, except that I love her books.

[Deleted]

I don't think Dudley was made fat to demonize fat people but more to emphasize the results of his mother's spoiling him-she is totally ruining her own son.

LOVE J.K. She's got a great sense of humor and I love the HP books as well. No, they're not Shakespeare, but they'll keep you up past your bedtime, as Stephen King would say.

ETA: I LOVE Luna and Neville. I so want them to get together.

[thesurlymermaid]

If I could be any celebrity, anyone at all, I would be Jo Rowling. She seems to have it all. And she knows how the Potter books end.

[Deleted]

I love her for writing the books (which I've not read) which lead to the movies (which I have seen) which gave me --

the most relaxing fun awesome interesting computer games ever!!! Harry Potter rules!



Seriously, the games are great for stress relief. And for that alone, I will always love J.K.R.