The editor was sobbing/ JKR originality

[puduhepa98 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 167450

> 
> 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'different genres--that'<WBR>s exactly what I s 
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.)

Nikkalmati
 
Ok, so we agree.  I'm glad you so eloquently defended JKR's  honor.  On the 
other hand, there are some people out there, even some on  this list, who have 
taken the other POV and have complained her work is not  original and 
creative.  I won't be disappointed, however, if no one wants  to argue the point.
 
Nikkalmati




************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]