<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>We seem to have three topics running through this thread:<BR>*The relative value of Harry Potter, how does it compare to the LotR, does it really encourage children to read?<BR>*Is HP really just a "commoners" book, well-pumped up by the marketing machine?<BR>*Does HP invoke (so to speak) witchcraft? And is violence or use of witchcraft caused by media images?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Thanks for sorting out the topics!<P>I heard of LOTR because of HP. I was an HP freak last year or so and I was reading about the dumb "HP/LOTR" rivalry stuff, and that's how I heard of LOTR, before my English teacher made us read it in class. HP did also encourage me to read more; I looked for other fantasy books that were similar to HP and read them. (<I>The Iron Ring</I> by Alexander Lloyd is really good, if you want a stand-alone fantasy book.) <P>As for HP being a "commoners" book, I disagree with that. HP is brilliant, funny, and inventive...this was discussed on another message board on a different website <A HREF="http://www.countingdown.com/movies/harrypotter2/fancentral/board?viewpost=560172" TARGET=_blank>here</A>. Well anyway I think that without all the hype HP would still be very popular because the books are so well-written. <P>HP invoking witchcraft...I think that the ppl who said that were just paranoid of children becoming too smart. They didn't try to ban the Narnia Chronicles, LOTR, and other magic-involved books. Personally I think they're just stupid (no offense.) Besides, the whole witchcraft debate got people interested in reading HP, to see what the big deal was about. So their little plan for banning HP sort of backfired...it made people interested in HP! So HA to them. <P>Oh, and movie-book comparisons--I definitely liked the <I>HP</I> books better than the movie. The narrative is great in the books but the movie wasn't so smooth. I liked both the <I>LOTR</I> books and movie. PJ did a great job on the movie and it's a good movie all-around. Let's see...<I>Jurassic Park</I>...I watched the movie when I was really little so I don't remember it; the book is good though. I saw <I>Great Expectations</I> the movie on TV but never read the book. It was a weird movie anyway. <I>The Ice Storm</I>, never read the book but it's a good movie. <P>That's all I can think of for now...see ya later.<p>[ March 11, 2002: Message edited by: dragongirlG ]
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