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Rowling, Tolkien, Lewis, etc.
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From: steven engelfried <stevene>
Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 17:10:52 -0700
I'm not sure it's fair to compare Rowling to C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and/or Roald Dahl. Though the HP books share some elements with the works of these authors, I really think Rowling is trying something different. She's combining high fantasy, school stories, humor, and mystery all at the same time. It's some trick to make a book funny without detracting from the suspense, or to capture the everyday problems of adolescent kids who also happen to be involved in the ultimate battle between good and evil. Her attempts to juggle all this at once may be where some people find fault; her success at integrating so many different elements is part of the books' broad appeal too. Diana Wynne Jones is the one author I can think of who tries a similar balancing act (and succeeds). And though I wouldn't wish for any changes in DWJ's works, let's face it, Harry Potter's a lot easier for kids to get into (and once they've read Harry, Witch Week and Archer's Goon are less daunting...)
Steven Engelfried, Young Adult Librarian Deschutes Public Library System, Bend Branch 601 NW Wall Street Bend, OR 97701 ph: 541a7p72 fax: 54189)82 e-mail: stevene at dpls.lib.or.us
Received on Sun 10 Sep 2000 07:10:52 PM CDT
Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 17:10:52 -0700
I'm not sure it's fair to compare Rowling to C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and/or Roald Dahl. Though the HP books share some elements with the works of these authors, I really think Rowling is trying something different. She's combining high fantasy, school stories, humor, and mystery all at the same time. It's some trick to make a book funny without detracting from the suspense, or to capture the everyday problems of adolescent kids who also happen to be involved in the ultimate battle between good and evil. Her attempts to juggle all this at once may be where some people find fault; her success at integrating so many different elements is part of the books' broad appeal too. Diana Wynne Jones is the one author I can think of who tries a similar balancing act (and succeeds). And though I wouldn't wish for any changes in DWJ's works, let's face it, Harry Potter's a lot easier for kids to get into (and once they've read Harry, Witch Week and Archer's Goon are less daunting...)
Steven Engelfried, Young Adult Librarian Deschutes Public Library System, Bend Branch 601 NW Wall Street Bend, OR 97701 ph: 541a7p72 fax: 54189)82 e-mail: stevene at dpls.lib.or.us
Received on Sun 10 Sep 2000 07:10:52 PM CDT
