Oz vs. Potterverse (Minor OOP spoiler; was: OoP as "children's book" )

[Dave Hardenbrook]

No: HPFGUIDX 64562


Thursday, June 26, 2003, 1:26:11 PM, Dicentra spectabilis wrote:

Ds> People often compare HP to the Wizard of Oz.  I loved the Wizard of Oz
Ds> as a kid and read all of the original books.  Dorothy often found
Ds> herself in peril, but it was hard to take it seriously because you
Ds> knew she was going to come out unscathed.  The excitement was in
Ds> wondering *how* she was going to extract herself from the dilemma. 
Ds> Besides, in Oz, no one can die.

As a joint Oz/Hogwarts fan, I of course find making comparisons
irresistible.  One thing about the Oz books is that the established
dogma says that all Oz books must come full circle -- Oz can never
change, either for the worse *or* for the better.  Yes, no one can
die, but no major character can, for example, find romantic love or
grow as a human being either.  (Though I and a few other maverick Oz
authors are working to break down this long-established tenet.)

One other thing notable about Oz in contrast to the Potterverse
is that magic is in many ways much easier in the Ozziverse, yet
ironically most Oz citizens are barred from learning the skills.
This is something else I address in the book I'm currently working on,
in which long-assumed-Muggle Jellia Jamb discovers she has magical
ability, and Ozma tries to stop her attending an "illegal" school
of magic.

BTW, if Dicentra or anyone else here is familiar with the Oz books
authored by John Neil, did anyone besides me find Tonk's polymorphic hair
and appearance reminiscent of Jenny Jump?

-- 
Dave