[HPforGrownups] Re: Harry Potter: a great representation of our time?

[T.M. Sommers]

No: HPFGUIDX 77287

Wanda Sherratt wrote:
> 
> I have to disagree. There is no way JKR can remotely come close to 
> the power of writers like Tolkien and Austen, nor is she anywhere 
> near as literate as Lewis.  "Warm flat beer" is not too bad as a 
> description; I enjoy a lot of things about the HP books (the first 4 
> especially), the tricky plotting, the red herrings, the clever 
> windup tying all the loose ends together, the energy, the humour.  
> But literary style would come somewhere near the bottom of the 
> list.  She's like Agatha Christie - a great read, but not a literary 
> master craftsman.

It is somewhat unfair to compare the styles of Rowling with Austen and 
Tolkien, because she, unlike them (with the exception of the Hobbit), 
is writing to be read by children.  That puts some rather severe 
limits on style.

However, the comparison with Christie may be apt.  People have been 
reading Christie for, what, 75 years now?  And will continue to read 
her for the foreseeable future.  Not bad for someone who is not a 
master literary craftsman.