Literary world hangs head in shame.
Democracy, contrary to what many of our world leaders and worthy political organisations would have us believe, is not a good idea. Left to their own devices, people do all sorts of stupid things. If you don't agree, pause for a minute to reflect on the fact that Bush and Blair were both re-elected in the aftermath of their bungled intervention in Iraq.…
Article comments
26 - ellie crookes
I truly appreciate your comments; I now understand what the author of this article is saying. But I do believe that JK is a very gifted and talented writer, maybe its just me, but she is one of the only writers that make me think that I am living with the characters, everything seems so real. And I have read quite a few books no matter what anyone on this site says.
I now know that maybe I am not as welcome on this site as I thought I would be, because I do not post ideas that are as intelligent as older writers.
I will try this site again in a few years maybe, after I have brushed up on my grammar and learn to not my anger get in the way of my spelling.
I will look out for some of your books Ruvy in Jerusalem,
I wish you well with your writing and I also hope you never end up on the streets again.
Sincerely Ellie.
27 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Please Ellie,
Don't let Chris chase you off with his red pencil comments. He is a comments editor and must go through thousands of comments posted here for various things. On some of the sites, idiots post the stupidest comments. It must be frustrating for him to read an intelligent young lady with so many errors.
But that is HIS problem, not yours. I make plenty of spelling errors (I'm a lousy typist and always have been) in writing posts here, and there is no spell check on this medium. Go to some of the articles here where you see my comments and you'll see the proof of my words.
Keep at it, and don't worry too much about the spelling. Your teachers will penalize you enough for bad spelling. If you write enough, you'll get there. English is one of the hardest languages to learn to spell in.
Best,
Reuven
28 - Steve Local
Ellie, as far as I'm concerned your comments are as welcome as anyone else's, and it's certainly valuable to hear someone of your age expressing her ideas on the subject without resorting to quite the kind of name-calling I've seen on the Harry Potter fan site!
As I'm sure you now realise, my motivation isn't one of jealousy, and I have no real grievances against Rowling herself, though I don't care for her work. I used massive overstatement in my original article in order to express my extreme disappointment that the reading public has heaped such accolades upon a writer who I think is merely adequate at best.
If you're still reading, Ellie, I'm genuinely interested to know what other authors you've read and how you think they compare with Rowling.
29 - Dancinpup
I think she is an awsome writer!!!
30 - Steve Local
I'm sure you do, Dancinpup. Would you care to elaborate further?
31 - Dancinpup
No not really. I thinked I've explained myself quite enough.
32 - Steve
Steve L., may I ask what criterion were used in making the "Greatest Living British Writer" award?? From the little you said in the article about the voting process, it sounds like the award should have been titled "Most Popular Living British Writer"...in which case, surely Rowling would win??
I don't normally read fiction myself (I prefer non fiction), but I've read all the Harry Potter books and am looking forward to the last one! Her stories are far more intricate than any children's stories I remember reading as a kid. Even after six books, there are still mysteries to be unveiled!
33 - Kelly
But, wasn't this poll asking people their opinions? How can an opinion be wrong?
34 - ellie crookes
Steve Local In answer to your question, I have read all the Artemis fowl books at least twice over, and found it average in comparison to Harry Potter.
I have also read the dark materials by Phillip Pullman and found them interesting but lacking in something I can’t put my finger on.
I have read all the terry Pratchett books and found them tedious; I find that he, though this may sounds strange, puts to much emphasis on describing the scene, that it becomes boring. I flip through a few pages until I reach the dialogue or something more interesting that what exact shade of green the leaves were on the trees.
I think JK. Rowling has just the right amount of detail and dialogue that I stay interested.
I have read the hobbit, which I loved when I was ten but that I don’t particularly think is great writing anymore, I think it’s just a bit bland, I’m not sure. I just prefer Harry Potter.
I have reads The Lovely Bones, no comparison to Harry Potter in my books.
I’ve read the lemony Snicket books, tiresome after the seventh book, and counting.
I’ve read the lion the witch and the wardrobe, The Indian in the cupboard, many Roald Dahl books, which are very good I must admit.
I have read many books in the youth section of the town library, but all of the story lines are the same. ‘Girl isn’t happy with herself, she meets boy, they don’t like reach other, and they fall in love, the end’.
Seriously that’s the plot of almost all of them but with a death or a breakup thrown in.
I think Harry Potter is so different to those books that I have read I have never read anything as detailed, nothing so detailed that I have got bored with anyway.
You can’t say that someone else has written about Horcruxes, Threstles or Dementors, that’s why I didn’t understand, at first, what you meant by unoriginal writing.
I have read most of the books on my parent’s book shelf; nick Hornby Tony Parsons, Jonathan Coe, tom sharp, Dan brown. Though these are not children’s books I still prefer JK.Rowlings, Harry potter.
I have read a lot of books, but I can’t keep writing, I have soccer training in five minutes.
Bye
35 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
[Ruvy smiles, thinking:
"The young lady was not scared off by the 'discouragement fraternity' of perfect spellers and grammarians after all.
Good strong mind there."]
Ellie,
Your choices of books resemble those of my sons who are a bit older than you. And like you, they enjoy the Harry Potter series a great deal, returning to it over and over...
I wish that they were as articulate as you are in their own writing, though I have the feeling that one of them may be coming here to comment under his own moniker one day.
36 - Steve Local
Dancinpup: Thank you for your comment. I really don't know what to say.
Steve: I read through the Book Magazine's initial article inviting people to vote and parts of it discussed the very nature of "greatness" without, of course, coming to any conclusion. And you're right, of course; if the poll had been titled "Most Popular Living British Writer" I would have had no objection to it at all.
Kelly: You're right, opinions can't be "wrong" per se. But we're all free to consider someone else's opinion to be thoroughly misguided.
Ellie: Glad that you've kept reading the comments on this post and weren't discouraged from responding. Thanks for your insight, that's genuinely interesting, especially your comments regarding Pullman. Ruvy, you say that your sons keep returning to the Potter novels; Ellie, do you think you'll do the same? I would agree that Rowling's prose is very fast-paced; despite all the things I find to dislike about her writing, I'd agree that she's good at conveying a sense of immediacy. But I do wonder about the lasting appeal of her prose on repeated readings.
Thanks for an interesting discussion, folks. Keep going!
37 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Steve, as long as there is yet a novel to wait for, my sons will return to the Rowling works. Once the series is over, the puzzle will have been solved and the loose ends tied up with a certain amount of efficacy.
Rowling's ability to end the novel satisfactorily will play a big role in whether people will come back to them for another read once Voldemort or Harry have been killed off. IMHO, JK Rowling does not have the ability that Conan Doyle had in putting a character and a story together (Sherlock Holmes) in such a way that generations would read them long after Conan Doyle had died.
38 - Charles Ryder
Making a lot of relatively stupid people a bit happier is a much 'greater' deed than impressing a few clever people. That's why she won, because most people use the word 'greatest' in this way, and, if you've read Wittgenstein you'll know that use determines meaning.
39 - Charles Ryder
Making a lot of relatively stupid people a bit happier is a much 'greater' deed than impressing a few clever people. That's why she won, because most people use the word 'greatest' in this way, and, if you've read Wittgenstein you'll know that use determines meaning.
40 - Charles Ryder
Making a lot of relatively stupid people a bit happier is a much 'greater' deed than impressing a few clever people. That's why she won, because most people use the word 'greatest' in this way, and, if you've read Wittgenstein you'll know that use determines meaning.
41 - Grace Ki
It really is amazing how much depth a discussion can go into. As a Harry Potter fan myself, I did come clicking from the website mentioned above (HPANA). I wasn't furious, or mad, but merely intrigued, one could say.
Just plainly attacking Jo Rowling's good fortune and fame mercilessly is quite inappropriate. However, commenting on how other authors who have been with us much longer and presented finer literary work deserve the award more than Jo Rowling herself is very reasonable.
I do understand that her popularity as an author is not based on her 'literature', per se, than the genius idea of a story that instantly captured fire. I heard some say that she may be a witch herself. However, no one can deny how her story telling captures the audience and most importantly how her characters come alive as if they live amongst the readers.
I have often felt I was living in Rowling's world myself and I think I still do. I talk about the characters of the book as if I have known them forever. I even compare reality and the people in it to the situations and the characters of the Harry Potter series. I have gone to the extent of making the connections between Jo Rowling's stories and characters to history and its people, especially Hitler and Lord Voldemort. Anyway, quite off topic here.
I certainly admire Jo Rowling for her work and how it has changed me, but I do believe that she isn't the greatest living British writer. She is the most well known British writer in the whole world, but certainly not the best living writer. She is one of my two favourite authors, one being Chritian Jacq. I do believe she should have gotton "Most Popular Living British Writer", "Most Well-Known Living British Writer", "Living British Writer With the Most Genius Characters" or even "Living British Writer With the Greatest Influence On Children". The point is since the vote was a popularity vote, it should not have been given the title "Greatest Living British Writer", which upset critics everywhere.
Well, I shold stop rambling on as I would take up too much room. I will, of course, follow this article and keep coming back to read and write more comments. That is.. if I am welcome.
Thanks Steve, Ruvy in Jerusalem, and Ellie for the food for the thought!
Good night! (It's night here, where I live)
42 - Grace Ki
Too bad I can't fix my spelling mistakes.
gotton -> gotten
shold -> should
Sorry about that.
43 - ellie crookes
I have read the potter books at least six times each. I don’t just read them over and over, I read them when I have just finished at book and have nothing else to read at that moment.
Yes I do think I will carry on reading the Harry Potter books long after the seventh book has been released.
I can’t help but love the world of Harry Potter; I actually waited until the clock stroke twelve on my eleventh birthday, hoping that Hagrid might appear.
I have thought about how unhappy I will be when I finish reading the seventh and last book. I have promised my self that I will only read a chapter at a time, not like the last few where I read each the same day I got them, and I won’t rush.
I actually have these withdrawal symptoms when I finish reading each book, I don’t want to leave those characters that I know so much about.
No matter how many times I read each of them I still stay up late reading so that I don’t miss an exciting bit. I still cry when Dumbledore dies, even though I’ve read that scene more than all the books put together I think.
Harry Potter will forever trigger my imagination, and I will always read them.
44 - Snarkattack
I admit, she may not be the "greatest" (not that I've any right to judge - I don't have any books published) but at least she's got kids all excited about reading again, and even adults.
But what's to be angry about? It's not like she was chosen as the recepient of the Nobel Prize for Literature. That would be an outrage, her being chosen. I say let the people have their day (as in the ones that voted for Rowling in this particular publication).
45 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
My son, my younger one, who is the more articulate one on paper, left me a message. He'd like to comment on this article, but it is after 11:15 at night, and he does have school tomorrow (albeit not a full day). He's got a good sense of responsibility, if I might brag a bit.
His message is for Ellie, who is just a drop younger than he is. He says that he agrees with everything she says about the Harry Potter series, though he admits to being not as well read as she is (he's getting there, though).
46 - ellie crookes
Thanks, Ruvy in Jerusalem’s son.
I am sure it won’t take long for you to catch up with me; I am just starting a rather large novel. It’s going to take me a while.
I don’t usually get to talk about Harry Potter, very few of my friends like the books; actually they don’t really like reading at all. Their loss, not mine.
This is a message for Ruvy of Jerusalem’s son:
Why do you like Harry potter so much?
47 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Ellie, my boy has a name - Avi. He can write you back later himself, when he gets home from school...
48 - Cameron Buzzell
I think the issue here is: What do we define a great author as?
Is it the author that has produced the most quality books?
Is it the author, who's style is so unique, that takes multiple reads to decipher the significance of its meaning?
Is it the author that delivers a compelling theme or message?
Is it the author that has made the most entertaining books?
... Or, is it something else entirely?
We all have something we value and look for in a book, and so you really can't debate who is better then whom. Each author intends to accomplish his or her own goals, likewise, each reader expects to get something specific out of each book he or she reads.
Let's play with the music analogy... Take Bob Dylan for instance. He certainly has the ability to write good lyrics (See: Desolation Row), but is his musical tune writing or singing particularly compelling? I'd say no. Does the fact that he can't sing make him less of a musician? Those that value harmony over lyrics would probably say: Yes. However, those that are looking for good cryptic lyrics would argue that Bob Dylan writes some of the best lyrics around, and therefore he is one of the greatest musicians around.
I sat through my World Literature English class this year (I'm an American high school student. Just in case you're curious how I spell the word color.) and read an array of different books and different styles. These books are all considered masterpieces, and yet I often got little enjoyment out of reading them, and found most of them to be nothing more then good conversation points. Although they were unique in style and theme, they didn't satisfy my primary goals in reading, which is to escape and enter a more interesting place. They were to slow, to dull, and to overripe, they didn't feel real, they felt like caricatures.
I enjoy Harry Potter because it has what I like: entertainment value and a rich world that is easy to fall in love with. Sure, when you boil it down, it has a basic coming of age plot, bad prose (Although, as Rowling has written more, her prose has improved, and the fifth and six books in the series are much better in this department), and few significant themes. But, that doesn't matter as much to me because those things aren't what I value most in a good book (Not that those things aren't important to me though.). Rowling is successful in what she tries to accomplish, and her fans enjoy her writings because they find in them what they are specifically looking for. Does that make her great? Maybe. I guess it depends on what you define a great author as ...
49 - Avi in Jerusalem
Ellie,
I like the Harry Potter books for a lot of reaseons, but the main one is that Rowling makes the characters live and take shape in a way that one can compare them to real life
and real life's problems. For example, the fifth book, a boy on a date with a girl he's noticed for two years. He thinks he's doing alright when she bursts into tears and runs out with him not knowing what happend. Enen though Rowling's characters are magical they're not inhuman. She gives each character a special personalaty and personalaty traits that make them unique and more real-feeling than any other book I've read, and I've read quite a few.
I also appreciate the research and review Rowling has put into her books. Let's take for example the "killing curse". The word "Avada" in Aramaic, wich I happen to know a little of, means "to lose" or to "expire". The word "Kadavra"(Keh-davRA) means "the thing spoken of" or in the wizard's case "the thing pointed at". Hense, "It shall die!" or, as I said, "expire". Thats just a taste of what kind of research has been invested here.
Anyway I have to get off since my dad is almost fainting from Computer Withdrawl Symptoms.
Have a good weekend,
Avi
50 - reggie von woic
oh yeah!! the research put into the spells n all in her books definitely hasn't gone unnoticed.
good for her!
51 - Mary K. Williams
OK I must admit, the image of Ruvy having the vapors because of computer withdrawl, is much to fun to pass up.
Ruvy - your son Avi does OK! Good job Dad.
52 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Mary, the credit all goes to his mom. I just hang around making a nuisance of myself, trying to help him learn things - like Aramaic...
Avi, his brother and my wife are the best things that have happened to me in my entire life. I'm blessed by their presence in mine.
53 - ellie crookes
Avi,
I agree with you completely.
I think as humans, we like things we can relate to, but we like things that are out of the ordinary also.
I’m not sure where I heard this but apparently humans are more afraid of horror movies where the villain has distorted, yet still human like features.
I suppose the idea of human faces being changed into something unnatural is kind of scary.
I’m going off the topic. Sorry.
I defiantly think that her naming of creatures, spells and things in general, is very well researched, and really interesting.
I never knew that that Advada was an Arabic word or that Kadavra meant to expire.
I just thought it sounded like “Abra Cadabra”, your definition is much more interesting and has far more intellectual knowledge than mine ever had the Potential to contain.
Your dad sounds just like my dad. my Dad feels nauseous until he has a piece of electrical equipment in his hands.
I had a great weekend thanks, I hope yours was good too.
Ellie
54 - Nirupama
i accept that there are many other British authors who are just as good.but plain criticizing an author without recognizing her valuable contribution to the literary world and in fact,considering it rubbish is outrageous.it is a herculean task to get kids to read these days.the very fact that she has been able to do so seemingly without any effort is very commendable and at least for that,i think she fully deserved the title.people are not stupid enough to vote for just anyone-perhaps one can better understand if he/she ever reads her novels without any prejudice(most "hyped-up" things are looked down upon you know?)her skill as one of the most competent authors on the face of earth shows thru her works easily.her imagination and ability to transform that into words is incredible.
55 - Bookworm
I happened upon this particular thread with deep fear in my heart, but I can now breathe a sigh of relief that there is none of the bitter feuding prevalent amongst most conversations concerning anything Harry these days.
I'm a nineteen year old high-school dropout. Be that as it may, I am also a voracious reader. I have read many books of multiple genres in my life, and I really do believe that nothing has captured my imagination in the same way that Harry Potter has.
You may consider J K's prose dull or bland, but I find that her easy style is what draws many readers in, old and young. My mother enjoys the books with the same passion as I. We both await the next book with baited breath, anticipating the finale.
As with Ellie, I have read many young adult authors, but I also have read Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker series and was just as enthralled. I also thoroughly enjoyed Moby Dick.
What my whole rant boils down to is, it does not matter what style the story is, or with what specific words it is written, the point of a story is to entertain and enlighten. J K's books do just that. Her story of Harry's troubled young life has captured imaginations and hearts worldwide because he is a relateable character, even with the magic.
Her world seems real, even if it isn't, and her stories spring of the page in a very nearly tangible way. That is what makes her such a great writer. I do think she deserves the award. Thanks for letting me air my opinion.
56 - Mohjho
I too gave little credence to the Potter books do to the nature and popularity of the series.
It was a college English teacher that turned me on to the books. She said Rowlings is able to get a child to read a book cover to cover and stay excited about the reading. This is an extremely difficult thing to do. She suggested the books to to other aspiring writers to experience excellent writing craft.
This teacher was very impressed and it seems others share this view. I'm no writing expert, but it seems that if the popularity stands the test of time, Rowlings will be a literary heavyweight whether you like it or not.
57 - Liz
I guess I'm agreeing with most of the people here. While I don't see that Rowling can be considered the "Greatest Living British Author," I have read and enjoyed all of the books - and I'm a 25-year-old journalist, not a mush brain. That was a little much.
Congratulations to everyone here for staying civil (except Christopher Rose who attacked a 14-year-old kid).
58 - Leah B.
My name is Leah, and I am a 17 Year old High School Graduate. I have been a big fan of the Harry Potter books ever since I got the first one when I was Eleven. If the Harry Potter books turn your brain to Mush, then, wouldn’t it also be fair to say that, me reading and re-reading all the Harry Potter books would have stopped me from Graduating High School? Because, as we all know, if your brain is Mush, then it would be impossible to move, talk, or function, let alone Graduate.
In turn, I rather agree with Crystal. You haven't read all the Harry Potter books, and therefore have no right to say that they all turn your brain to mush. Here is a little tip: go and read ALL the books, and then come back and tell us these things. Its not necessarily fair to judge a series when you've only read half or less.
First of all, she may not be up there, equivalent with Shakespeare or Tolkien, but that’s why the award is called greatest LIVING author.
Secondly, the Harry Potter series have shown kids that normally would never have touched a book in their lives that reading can be fun. I have a friend who would never pick up a book. with a little goading, I managed to get her to read the Harry Potter series. After the first book, she began picking up other books, asking me why she hadn't known that they could be so interesting.
Thirdly, Harry Potter is a gateway into reading other books. Children get so interested in reading the books, that they begin to wonder if there are other books out there that are similar, and thus, they read more books.
Harry Potter does not turn your brain into mush. That is a little harsh to say, for someone who hasn't even read all the books.
And, JK Rowling does in fact have imagination. Just because her books can reflect the feelings and attitudes of modern life, doesn't mean that she is unimaginative. She is taking issues and feelings from modern life, such as rivalry, friendship, pain, loss, and prejudice, and placing them in an imaginary setting. This, even if it is unintentional, gives readers a perspective on some issues of life, while also entertaining and teaching children.
Yes, I said Teaching. *Le Gasp!*
Whether anyone likes it or not, the Harry Potter novels do teach children. Throughout the books, there are multitudes of references to Mythology and History, and also teach children the values and importance of friendship, individuality, and love.
59 - Jack Jack
I chanced upon this brilliant discussion, and am throughly impressed by how profound and civil it has been so far. I agreed almost completely with Grace Ki above, and was a bit dismayed that there were no responses to that. While I appreciate Cameron Buzzell's attempt to analyze greatness, I think it is a subjective entity, and hence entirely subject to individual interpretation. Popularity, on the other hand, is objective and may be quantified.
Do I believe JK Rowling is the 'greatest' living British author? Absolutely not. But do I love the Harry Potter books? Absolutely.
If the award was named 'The Most Popular Living British Author Award' (since 'Arguably The Greatest Living British Author Award' sounds rather odd), I doubt if any of this furore would have been initiated.
60 - ellie crookes
Lea B,
I agree with you, I don’t think the author of this article should judge the series without reading all the books, at least more than three of them.
I have read the all the books many times each, as I have mentioned before.
What I don’t think I have said, correct me if I’m wrong, is that JK Rowling has improved since her first few books.
I read the first book again yesterday (I’m in Europe at my grandmas at the moment and I didn’t have anything else to read, other wise I don’t re-read past the third book) and I noticed that I much prefer the more recent books by JK, they seem to have more depth and thought put into them. I strongly recommend that Steve Local reads the newer books in the series and maybe reports back with his opinion, I’m not being nasty I really want to know if he finds the newer books better like I do.
Thank you Liz for your support against Christopher Rose but I think I can handle people like him, even if I am a kid.
I was also going to say, this is a bit off the topic, actually it’s fallen off the topic and rolled a couple of metres away, but I have just read the new book by Eoin Colffer, Half Moon Investigations, first in a series I believe. It’s quite good; I recommend it, as a light read. No comparison to Artimis Fowl or Harry Potter but still good.
I also read the new one by Louis Sachar, small steps, also good but in no way as good as Holes. Holes was an amazing book I must say, it has a very rich plot line.
Anyway must go
Ellie
61 - Jack Jack
Ellie and Leah,
You can try out the Dark is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper, the first three Earthsea books by Le Guin, The Dragon and the George by Gordon Dickson, some of the early Dragon books by Anne McCaffrey, and the Gormenghast trilogy by Mervyn Peake (if you havent read them already). They are loosely listed in a ascending order of complexity, with the last one being a fantasy noir which you might want to wait on. I definitely didnt appreciate it when I was 17!
Regarding mathematics in books, "The curious incident of the dog in the night-time" by Mark Haddon is a nice book that touches on some unique mathematical problems.
It is interesting that you liked the later ones of the Potter series better. I had the exact opposite impression, I love the first four books. I felt the characters became quite one-dimensional in the last two books.
JJ
62 - Samani
I am glad she is named the best living British writer. Why shouldn't she? She has an amazing plot she imagined on her own, she didn't have to use those big words in a sequence that some authors seem to do to be viewed as smart. A story so fun, great, funny, adventerous, and beautiful. It captures anyone's heart and is the best. She inspired me to read, and let me tell you I certainly am reading!
63 - Dyanne
It's disturbingly sad that many of the replies here come from Harry Potter fanatics, rather than people with an unbiased opinion. Just because you yourself enjoyed the Harry Potter series doesn't mean that Rowling's prose and writing style are *that* good. It's true that she writes for a specific age group, but its also true that the age demographic that reads her novels is large and varied. You'd think that after six novels (and yes, I have read and enjoyed them all) she'd improve her style. Rowling's is a children's writer at best, and while I applaud her ability to tell a good story, her writing itself is juvenile and most undeserving of the award she's received. Just because she's made millions doesn't mean she's an amazing writer. Its her story telling ability that has her rolling in the dough.