The editor was sobbing/ JKR originality

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 167406

> >Magpie:
> I disagree. They are a  bit difficult because they mix lots of 
genres 
> together, but that depends on  many of the things that aren't 
original in 
> them.
> 
> <snip>
> 
> >Magpie:
> I don't think that can really be said to say anything  about 
Potter as a 
> book. It was the right story at the right time with lots  of 
things coming 
> together to make it very popular. Perhaps in another time  and 
place they 
> just would have been very popular children's/YA books. The  
popularity with 
> adults also seems to sometimes lead to things in them being  
considered 
> original when they're not as well.
> 
> Nikkalmati    
>  
> I have seen others state as though it was agreed that JKR's work 
is not  
> original.  Although I am not a literary critic and I know at least 
one  well-known 
> critic made this statement, I can't disagree more.  JKR has  built 
her world 
> with elements that are found frequently in legends, myths, and  
children's 
> stories, but in a unique way. 
She has followed the conventions  of different 
> genres but she has woven them together and she still keeps us  
guessing as to 
> where she is going.  I enjoy the stories because, IMHO,  there is 
something 
> original (and often amusing) in almost every chapter. 

Magpie:
So why are you claiming to disagree? You just said she's built her 
world with elements that are found frequently in legends, myths and 
children's stories, that she has followed the conventions of 
different genres--that's exactly what I said. Eggplant claimed they 
were so alien they couldn't be categorized and that's just plain 
silly, imo. It's not a choice between JKR not being original, 
creative or unique at all and JKR being so totally original she 
can't be spoken of as connected to any genre, tradition or 
recognizable style at all.  You yourself just explained it--she 
takes familiar elements and weaves them together her own way...just 
as all the writers in those genres before her, if they were any 
good. If they were that alien they wouldn't be as enjoyable. The 
familiar is part of the appeal, and the reason we can even begin to 
guess what's going to happen next. There are lots of books that keep 
you guessing that are still firmly part of a genre or tradition. 
(I'm actually reading a kids' book now that's surprised me far more 
in the first 100 pages than HP because it actually is a bit more out 
there, but I still recognize plenty of genre elements in it.)

-m (who can't believe she used a post defending the notion that a 
book series that cheerfully plays with recognizable literary 
traditions, myths, folklore and types is, in fact, a book series 
cheerfully plays with recognizable literary traditions, myths, 
folklore and types.)