Harry Potter: a great representation of our time?

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 77290

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Ali" <Ali at z...> wrote:
> 
<snipped>

Ali:
> So you mean that the general populace shouldn't have the right to 
> decide whether something is great or not? What is the alternative a 
> body of say English Literature Professors dictating to us what is 
> quality or what is great? <g>
> 

Heaven forbid!

Read both Tom Shippey and Michael White in their latest books on 
Tolkien about the reaction of the literary "establishment" to JRRT - 
especially when the polls persistently put LOTR at the top. I laughed 
out loud at Germaine Greer's reported reaction!

I have loved the "Rings" since I first discovered it as a 15 year old 
a year after publication. I also think Harry Potter is great. They 
are different types of book - the style is different but they each 
have the ability to transport me away to new worlds where I can also 
use my own imagination to think through "What happened behind the 
scenes here?", "What would I have done here in Ron's shoes?" and this 
sort of mental exercise. 

Don't ask me to vote for one or the other - I'll spoil my ballot 
paper and vote for both of 'em!

Geoff