Harry Potter: a great representation of our time?

[ellejir]

No: HPFGUIDX 77454

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Wanda Sherratt" wrote:
> Since this is a reply to my post, I'd like to point out that I 
> didn't start this question of HP's status among the classics.  I 
was 
> responding to an earlier post, which rather provocatively claimed 
> that Rowling was a better writer than Tolkien, Austen or Lewis.  I 
> said she wasn't, and will not be considered their equal in the 
> future.  Furthermore, I think Rowling herself would laugh if 
someone 
> made such a claim to her.  She seems like a smart, sensible woman, 
> and has every right to be proud of what she's accomplished.  But 
> being sensible, she'd probably admit that she's not in the same 
> league with those writers, and it's foolish to claim that she is.

Me:
Whoa!  Wanda, I think that you were responding to *my* earlier post 
(although the question of HP's status among the classics was brought 
up by someone else.)  To clarify, I never said that JKR is a *better* 
writer than Jane Austen.  I believe that I said that some of her best 
parts are as cleverly written as Jane Austen's books.  As far as 
Tolkien and Lewis, I *do* happen to think that she is in the same 
league as those two.  I love the work of all three of them but 
definitely can find stylistic flaws in the writing of all of them (if 
I care to look.)  And I politely point out that your opinion that 
Tolkien and Lewis are head-and-shoulders above JKR in terms of their 
writing skills is merely *your opinion*.  I find it presumptuous of 
you to state that JKR would be on your side in this debate. Finally, 
referring to the opinions of others as "foolish" sounds rather 
dogmatic and could crush the little feelings (of one less self-
confident than I.) 
That said, I enjoy reading your posts Wanda.  They are thoughtfully 
written.           Elle