From: Christine Hill <chill>
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 1999 15:04:11 -0400

I was also struck by the sweet and well?lanced personality with which Harry emerges from his Dickensian childhood. I use the reference to Dickens deliberately, because in this he reminds me of Oliver Twist. I also see his resemblance to Oliver in that he is something of a passive protagonist (usually a literary no-no), hurtled along in his adventures at the instigation of others
(the headmaster, Hermione, etc.). Of course, he is not nearly as passive as Oliver and the increasing role he takes as the first book progresses is part of his change and growth. I wonder if he will not be reunited with loving family members further down the road, as Oliver was. I don't expect Arthur Levine to answer that, but would like to know if he is aware of an afinity for Dickens by J.K. Rowling. Christine M. Hill Willingboro Public Library One Salem Road Willingboro, NJ 08046

Andrew Ogus wrote:
Received on Sat 05 Jun 1999 02:04:11 PM CDT