Quote:
Originally Posted by montsnmags
Oh, that's an easy one. If you go into a book store, you'll see some shelves are marked "Literature", and some are marked "Fiction". It's good that way, so you don't waste your time on the inconsequential stuff.  |
Don't waste my time on the inconsequential stuff... skip the shelves marked "Literature" and "Fiction" and stick to "Science Fiction." Got it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpiderMatt
What really bothered me about the the hype was that her books read like a comic book plot or even other well-written fantasy series before her. I'm a big comic book fan, as well. I love that stuff. I eat it up. And when I read a story about a school of "gifted youngsters" who have to hide their identity from the outside world, what else would I think of?
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Umm... Diana Wynne Jones'
Witch Week c. 1982?
The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper, c. 1973? I think I could come up with quite a long list, many of which would also predate the comic book series you're referring to. The interesting thing, to my mind, is that Rowling apparently didn't read any of these. There's something sort of bizarre to me about an author setting out to write a 7 book series in a genre that she doesn't even read. Some of her fans apparently think that helps her work seem more fresh and original, but to me, it also contributed to her tripping over plot problems that other authors have worked out before her (e.g. time travel). But I have to admit, based on her interviews (and I think she's telling the truth), she wasn't especially influenced or inspired by any of the other fantasy series (or comic books) before her. The "school story" has a long tradition, especially in the UK, and I'm pretty sure she read many of those books, but apparently she really hasn't read much fantasy, so if she's covering familiar ground, it's coincidence borne of cultural roots deeper than just what's been selling in the book and comic world.
