[electromagnetic]

I follow the philosophy of 'if it isn't in the book, it isn't cannon' so I strongly disagree with how Rowling actually came out saying Dumbledore was gay. I don't get why it wasn't revealed in a book if the character was actually gay. Aside from the religious wackies (which I didn't presume OSC to be) I think most people in modern society aren't offended by a homosexual character, so it strikes me as moronic it wasn't simply stated. I mean he's like an 80 year old man who has no mention of ever being married, in a relationship or having children, I simply assumed he was gay from the beginning.

I'd argue with you about the maturity of Harry Potter's plot, but I doubt you want a long diatribe about a book series you're not a fan of, so I'll clam up.

I'm aware the plot gets more complex as the series progresses and I've considered reading the books, although I'll likely wait a while after the film series is completed. My opinion of it has changed, possibly because the series does mature as the characters do (which is actually quite commendable), but I believe when I tried reading the first book I think I was already trying to read much more complicated books, it felt like stepping down. I didn't see the reward in reading a book for kids when I was reading adult books, which my opinion now is beginning to change. I respect the YA fiction a lot more now, especially since that's what I'm aiming my first novel for.

So who knows, I might have eventually picked up the first Harry Potter book from a purely research perspective. I mean for all my criticism of Rowling, I do admit she's wildly successful and I forgot who said it but "There's no point in being a brilliant writer if no body ever reads it."

[unalone]

I think most people in modern society aren't offended by a homosexual character, so it strikes me as moronic it wasn't simply stated. I mean he's like an 80 year old man who has no mention of ever being married, in a relationship or having children, I simply assumed he was gay from the beginning.

There was never really any reason to say it. I think the seventh book hints at it but there's no point in the series where it would make sense for him to mention it.

As for canon: I think canon is stupid. I don't get into arguments about fictional characters. It makes sense to me that J. K. Rowling would make Dumbledore gay, so I don't care that she announced that, save that I think it might help some kids realize that homosexuality is okay.

I believe when I tried reading the first book I think I was already trying to read much more complicated books, it felt like stepping down. I didn't see the reward in reading a book for kids when I was reading adult books, which my opinion now is beginning to change. I respect the YA fiction a lot more now, especially since that's what I'm aiming my first novel for.

If you haven't read more than the first book I'd absolutely understand how you feel. I was really lucky: I started reading the books at a time when the fourth book came out just in time for me to buy it, and the fourth book is where there's a real turn in how the books progress. (The third book had begun this, and it won the Hugo, I believe; the second book is the single weak point of the series.) So I got caught up at an age and at a time where the series really lifted up.

I forgot who said it but "There's no point in being a brilliant writer if no body ever reads it."

Brilliant writers can't help but be noticed. Even when they're bizarro brilliant, like David Foster Wallace, they find people willing to accept them. And I think Rowling is brilliant too: she's not a brilliant writer, but she's one of the best storytellers I've ever come across.