Possible JKR "Inspiration" Diana Wynne Jones

[feetmadeofclay]

No: HPFGUIDX 81143

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "erinellii" <erinellii at y...> 
wrote:
>I think most unpleasent relative scenerios nowadays are sort of 
> inspired by Dickens, myself.  Probably where both Jones and 
Rowlings 
> came from.  


I do see Rowling's work as inspired by her love of Dickens (and no 
I'm not using 'Dickensian' - I refuse to). 

Jones' work is also based on her own life experiences.  Apparently 
she had really horrible parents. She says that she has to tone down 
her own experience because no one would believe it in a fictional 
book.   

But her parents span the gambit. She lets the real parents be 
horrible too. Even the good ones make mistakes and are prone to 
fail.  I wasn't that impressed by the Dursleys.  They are basically 
wicked fairytale step parents.  And Harry's made to sleep on the 
firegrate.  

I think my favourite parent in Rowling's books is Amos Diggory.  I 
loved Amos Diggory. He was a much more subtle horrible parent.  
Embarrassing and entirely out of touch with his son's personality.  
The contrast between the modest moral Cedric who wanted to redo the 
Quidditch match in third year, with his braggart father is amazing.  
That one little scene in GOF is one of my favourites. It is a real 
little nugget of life.  

I think my favourite character in any Wynne Jones book so far is Ivy 
from Fire and Hemlock.  She's the Anti-Lily. But she's not a 
charicature either.  She's very real. 

Golly