Posted by Robert Dilley on December 15, 1998 at 14:57:45:
In Reply to: Getting the spouse interested: Was Re: Lone AR fan posted by Jon on December 15, 1998 at 13:56:17:
A simple point that may be useful to those having difficulty explaining an adult enthusiasm for AR: to spouses or others. There is a world of difference between books ABOUT children and books FOR children. The AR canon clearly falls into the former category: children can and obviously do enjoy them, but they are not aimed exclusively at a child audience. This might help with those who think AR's work must be like Beatrix Potter (a fine writer herself, and capable of being appreciated by adults, but clearly writing for an audience of young children). As Tolkien wrote of "The Lord of the Rings", the book was not written for children, but they will doubtless read it nonetheless (or words to that effect).
Fortunately, my Portuguese-born wife took to the series on first introduction, as did all four of our daughters. I have never had to justify my enthusiasm domestically!