Obviously the Harry Potter books attract a much larger audience than the Lord of the Rings, however, the Rings are the masterpieces of fantasy. J.R.R.Tolkien is literally the king of fantasy. But Rowling of course is always on the top book lists and is world renown as having the best series of all time. Also, if you look deeply into Rowling's writing, you will notice great similarities between Harry Potter, and the Lord of the Rings. Does this mean Rowling was greatyly inspired by her great predecessor? Tell me.
2007-08-15 16:10:43 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Tolkein. Ms. Rowling was not only inspired by him. She actually stole from him and anyone who knows LOTR knows that. Pax - C
2007-08-15 16:16:50 · answer #1 · answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I am hoping to remember to get the series because I really want to read them. Hmm, a very nice question you have asked. Lets see:
Rowling has been on the top charts soon after the first Harry Potter book. It became scarily popular and still is even though the series is over. I think Rowling is a talented writer, and I know HP had resemblances to LOTR but J.K. Rowling created the whole world herself, I believe.
Tolkien was the first to really create a worl of his own and to create a book that you could get mesmerized by it. Everyone I know who has read the Lord of the Rings series absolutely adores it. Many take ideas off of him and turn them into their own, which Rowling did in some parts of the ever popular series, Harry potter.
Though it is a difficult question to answer, I would have to say Tolkien. Many would disagree with me for different reasons. Some would because they think Rowling is. Others would because they would think it is an easy decision. Well, I think J.K. Rowling has created a book for all ages where you can get away from your troubles and get lost in the book. Tolkien did the same but he was the first, and still the best. I am a faithful harry Potter reader and even though I haven't read LOTR, I've read tidbits and I even now think he deserves to be called the winner.
Hope you get a satisfying answer.
peace Out.
2007-08-16 00:32:52 · answer #2 · answered by Vyxxen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally I prefer J.K. Rowling. I think JK Rowling is more popular because she attracts all audiences. Tolkien mostly attracts older audiences because of the writing style. I'm sure most little kids around the age of 10 would have a hard time reading the Lord of the Rings which is why the fans are much older whereas with Harry Potter its simple enough for little kids to read and intersting enough for adults therefore making Harry Potter have more fans.
2007-08-16 04:25:43 · answer #3 · answered by Alyssa 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe it depends on what kind of story you're looking for. J.R.R. Tolkien's books were targeted toward an older audience. J.K. Rowling's book are easier to understand for children as young as seven years old. That's about how old I was when I started reading Harry Potter. I've never quite had the patience to read Lord of the Rings. So it all depends on the audience age and attention span.
2007-08-15 23:48:36 · answer #4 · answered by Delaney c 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I honestly think this would be one of those 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' questions. My husband loved Tolkien, but I read the Hobbit and that was it. It didn't pull me in. The Harry Potter books did. I bought them for my children and started reading them as bedtime stories, but couldn't just read a chapter each night, I had to finish the book on my own. What I enjoyed the most was how skillfully she wove each book together with it's predecessors, so that actions and details in an early book were crucial to outcomes in the later books. Having only read one Tolkien book (possibly two, now that I think about it), I really can't compare his skill at this. As for the similarities, I've also noticed similarities between Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Narnia series. I would imagine that any author will draw ideas from books she has read and loved herself, and hopefully wouldn't consciously borrow another author's work.
2007-08-16 00:09:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wait a minute. How can you say that HP has attracted a larger audience? Tolkien has been selling books for more years than I've been alive. Rowling is just getting started. As of right now, Tolkien is much better in the rank of sales, but Rowling is more popular TODAY. I think that in the long run, Tolkien has her beat, but Harry will do well for Rowling. Actually, Harry does well for Tolkien too, since booksellers lead people from Harry to hobbits.
2007-08-15 23:20:03 · answer #6 · answered by MissFloor 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Tolkien for sure!!! im a harry potter fan and all but ive read "the hobbit" and harry potter doesnt even come close!! ive not read the other LOTR books but the hobbit was pretty good....i think harry potter is more of a "childrens" fantasy anyway. Plus, Tolkiens language is more elevated...the books are meant for a older audience.
2007-08-15 23:56:08 · answer #7 · answered by <3pirate 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well if J.R.R. Tolkien is king of fantasy then J.K. Rowling is queen. She really is. I've never read any of Tolkien books becuase I dont really like Lord of the Rings. I never really got into it. But I would really like to know some of the so-called similarities you say the books have. Please enlighten me becuase J.K. Rowling is completely original.
2007-08-16 12:01:48 · answer #8 · answered by wood_girl10 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have read all of the lord of the rings books and all of the harry potter books multiple times. But I believe that J.K.rowling is the better author something about her writing and the whole story plot just drew me in so much more then the lordoftherings series Dont get me wrong though their both good but J.K has something that just makes her better in my eyes
2007-08-15 23:24:14 · answer #9 · answered by hurdler826 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I will say Tolkien. Its very difficult to maintain originaity in fantasy. Harry Potter actually went over the beaten path. she used similar things and ideas, but Tolkien is far better.
When i had to choose on reading a fantasy (any fantasy) Tolkien was the only name that struck me as worth that.
TW K
2007-08-15 23:41:12 · answer #10 · answered by TW K 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I am sure that she got some inspiration from him, who hasn't. But, what I can say is that I personally tried to read some lord of the rings, but didn't finish. With the HP series, I started and finished with Rowling. Who didn't love the journey of Harry, Ron, and Hermione?
2007-08-15 23:20:53 · answer #11 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋