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Goblet of Fire
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From: MalibuInc at aol.com <MalibuInc>
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 02:05:05 EDT
In a message dated 9/12/00 0:33:45 AM EST, daj9999 at yahoo.com writes:
<<
I agree -- though I also think the books are
reminiscent of Roald Dahl's humor and caricatures,
especially in the scenes at Harry's home; of Tom
Brown's schooldays at Hogwarts; of the Hardy Boys not
just for the mystery but also the fast pacing and
danger; and of the Oz books for the continual string
of imaginative details and occurrences. Much as I
enjoy Harry, so far I've felt the books lack the
emotional depth and richness of theme, character, and
language found in works like LeGuin's Earthsea trilogy
or Alexander's Prydain Chronicles.
But then, I often wonder if the Hardy-Boy-like series
pacing (and, at times, style) doesn't account for some
of Harry's popularity -- the books combine elements of
popular series fiction and of more literary
antecedents.
DAJ
daj9999 at yahoo.com
Bringing up The Earth Sea Trilogy is a very interesting point. In many ways LeGuin's books are similar. Both are about the path of a wizard from boy hood to maturity. LeGuin's books, if I recall, were deadly serious about their subject. Rowling's books are tongue and cheek. The wizard in LeGuin's series doesn't end up very happy in the end. The life he leads requires great responsibility and sacrifice. The creature that haunts him also greatly influences the type of wizard he becomes later. Also, if I recall, a school prank the wizard played created the monster. It will be interesting to see how Harry ends up.
The Hardy Boys pacing certainly adds to the suspense of each Potter book. I for one ended up wearing glasses because I sat in the dark with a blanket pulled over my head while reading Hardy Boys Books with a flash light. I was supposed to be sleeping. I had to know what happened next.
Preston McClear
Received on Tue 12 Sep 2000 01:05:05 AM CDT
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 02:05:05 EDT
In a message dated 9/12/00 0:33:45 AM EST, daj9999 at yahoo.com writes:
<<
I agree -- though I also think the books are
reminiscent of Roald Dahl's humor and caricatures,
especially in the scenes at Harry's home; of Tom
Brown's schooldays at Hogwarts; of the Hardy Boys not
just for the mystery but also the fast pacing and
danger; and of the Oz books for the continual string
of imaginative details and occurrences. Much as I
enjoy Harry, so far I've felt the books lack the
emotional depth and richness of theme, character, and
language found in works like LeGuin's Earthsea trilogy
or Alexander's Prydain Chronicles.
But then, I often wonder if the Hardy-Boy-like series
pacing (and, at times, style) doesn't account for some
of Harry's popularity -- the books combine elements of
popular series fiction and of more literary
antecedents.
DAJ
daj9999 at yahoo.com
Bringing up The Earth Sea Trilogy is a very interesting point. In many ways LeGuin's books are similar. Both are about the path of a wizard from boy hood to maturity. LeGuin's books, if I recall, were deadly serious about their subject. Rowling's books are tongue and cheek. The wizard in LeGuin's series doesn't end up very happy in the end. The life he leads requires great responsibility and sacrifice. The creature that haunts him also greatly influences the type of wizard he becomes later. Also, if I recall, a school prank the wizard played created the monster. It will be interesting to see how Harry ends up.
The Hardy Boys pacing certainly adds to the suspense of each Potter book. I for one ended up wearing glasses because I sat in the dark with a blanket pulled over my head while reading Hardy Boys Books with a flash light. I was supposed to be sleeping. I had to know what happened next.
Preston McClear
Received on Tue 12 Sep 2000 01:05:05 AM CDT
