CCBC-Net Archives
HIS DARK MATERIALS
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Thomson, Sarah <Sarah.Thomson>
Date: Fri, 4 May 2001 11:25:56 -0400
Jo Matzner comments on the differences between Lyra and Harry Potter: "In the Harry Potter books, everything seems to happen to Harry. Harry does not actively seek much of what occurs. Harry waits and then reacts as destiny comes calling for him. But Lyra, she is brave and not afraid of being in danger. Lyra actively seeks her destiny."
It is funny, isn't it, how we feel compelled to make comparisons between Pullman and Rowling--I know I do, anyway, and yet the books are so very different. One thing I was particularly struck by was how each author handled the death of a character. When Voldemort killed Cedric in the end of Book 4, I confess to feeling a little let down (particularly after all the hype about the death of a character, which, granted, wasn't exactly J.K. Rowling's fault.) It just didn't hit me particularly hard, since I didn't feel that I know Cedric or cared deeply about him. On the other hand, when Lord Asriel killed Roger at the end of The Golden Compass, I was in tears. One very intelligent and literate teenager of my aquaintance wouldn't go on with His Dark Materials because Roger's death was too upsetting. I know how she felt. (I had a similar reaction to A Bridge to Terabithia, actually--I read it as a child and wouldn't touch it again for years because it was too heartbreaking. I only recently reread and realized, as an adult, just what a wonderful book it is. And I was heartbroken all over again.)
And shouldn't we feel that way when a character dies? The death of innocence at the hands of someone seeking personal gain SHOULD be appalling, and we SHOULD feel it deeply. I was reluctant to accept Lord Asriel's reformation at the end of THE AMBER SPYGLASS because I was so profoundly horrified by what he'd done to Roger.
This doesn't seem to be turning into a very profound post...just some random thoughts, I guess.
Sarah Thomson, Editor HarperCollins Children's Books
Received on Fri 04 May 2001 10:25:56 AM CDT
Date: Fri, 4 May 2001 11:25:56 -0400
Jo Matzner comments on the differences between Lyra and Harry Potter: "In the Harry Potter books, everything seems to happen to Harry. Harry does not actively seek much of what occurs. Harry waits and then reacts as destiny comes calling for him. But Lyra, she is brave and not afraid of being in danger. Lyra actively seeks her destiny."
It is funny, isn't it, how we feel compelled to make comparisons between Pullman and Rowling--I know I do, anyway, and yet the books are so very different. One thing I was particularly struck by was how each author handled the death of a character. When Voldemort killed Cedric in the end of Book 4, I confess to feeling a little let down (particularly after all the hype about the death of a character, which, granted, wasn't exactly J.K. Rowling's fault.) It just didn't hit me particularly hard, since I didn't feel that I know Cedric or cared deeply about him. On the other hand, when Lord Asriel killed Roger at the end of The Golden Compass, I was in tears. One very intelligent and literate teenager of my aquaintance wouldn't go on with His Dark Materials because Roger's death was too upsetting. I know how she felt. (I had a similar reaction to A Bridge to Terabithia, actually--I read it as a child and wouldn't touch it again for years because it was too heartbreaking. I only recently reread and realized, as an adult, just what a wonderful book it is. And I was heartbroken all over again.)
And shouldn't we feel that way when a character dies? The death of innocence at the hands of someone seeking personal gain SHOULD be appalling, and we SHOULD feel it deeply. I was reluctant to accept Lord Asriel's reformation at the end of THE AMBER SPYGLASS because I was so profoundly horrified by what he'd done to Roger.
This doesn't seem to be turning into a very profound post...just some random thoughts, I guess.
Sarah Thomson, Editor HarperCollins Children's Books
Received on Fri 04 May 2001 10:25:56 AM CDT
