An Awful Thought

[cat_kind]

No: HPFGUIDX 117383


SSSusan:
> But isn't this a bit of an insult to JKR's writing? But isn't this a bit of an insult to JKR's writing?  Even having  boxes & boxes full of notes and a final chapter, wouldn't it take some *talent* to bring it all together to the standard we're used to? 
<snip>
> I believe the only way we'll get a proper finish is if JKR herself issues it. 

catkind:  
I didn't mean to sound disrespectful! I was just trying to say that I
neither expect nor want the next two books to be about tying off loose
ends.

I'm not so sure it couldn't be done convincingly by someone else
though.  JKR has a very distinctive style, and distinctive styles are
in general easy to imitate.  (I don't mean fanfiction there - the best
fanfiction authors have their own styles, I haven't come across any
that convincingly imitate Rowling's.)  

I can think of two examples of such things happening - Mozart's
Requiem I adore, and wouldn't have known it wasn't all written by the
master, though the experts doubtless would. Jill Paton Walsh's sequels
to DLSayers' stories I found less convincing, because she has rather a
strong voice of her own, and couldn't resist trying to correct some of
Sayers' weaknesses.  Evidence inconclusive, I guess. 

Sure it'd take talent. It'd also take someone ruthlessly suppressing
their own voice, and very determined to keep all the characteristics
of Rowling's world, not just their favourite ones.  

Rowling is a genius for creating the style and the world. No debate here. 

catkind (hoping this is not too OT)