Young Writers Society

It really is a great, simple, and comedic (is that a word...?)book. And the Hobbit (rather the movie) is what brought me to the LotR, and surprisingly I read it after I had read the LotR-unexpected as it was the Hobbit movie that dragged me into this whole trilogy! it would seem sensible to start with it, but no...

Harry Potter all the way. I can't believe what she did with Dumbledore!

i like both but i have to say harry potter cause its easier to read and the movie isn't that bad either

Harry Potter, definitely. I've liked it since fourth grade and went to the midnight party at Borders to get Half-Blood Prince. I've tried reading The Hobbit twice, gotten about half way through, and just didn't like it. Oh well. Maybe I'll try again soon.

I like to read Harry Potter more than Lotr,cuz the way J.K.Rowling wrote it, its hillarious,making everything realistic.


But in movies I've to say that Lotr is better than HP.

Interesting...I suppose because Harry Potter is just in that time-period that most of you choosers of it are in. I mean you can all relate to it-it was written more directed at you. The LotR, however, was written by a crabby-old English proffesor who couldn't be understood half the time because he spoke so fast!(Much like my grade 4 teacher...It was he, in fact, that read to the class the Philosophers Stone when it came out, needless to say I became a fan before he finished), with the goal of really, yes continuing the Hobbit, but creating a fantasy world of his dreams, which he cared not whether others liked it or not (well of course it was on a course to outsell the Bible), and in fact being the pessimist he was, thought it wouldn't make it that good to begin with. This is an opinion topic, after all, and all to their opinions. But I stick by it-LotR byfar.^_^

I think that JK Rowlings writing has no where near as much depth as Tolkein's, which is why it is much more accessible to the average reader. Tolkein created an epic that spans three volumes, whereas Rowling created an easy to relate to story which uses simple language and large print. Its quite obvious why most people prefere Rowling. It is the same with anything like music and writing: the simpler works are more popular with the general population because the simpler the work, the less knowledge (or IQ, I guess that is true also) needed to absorb it, and therefore within the population there will be a larger percentage of people who can enjoy it than enjoy a more complex work such as Tolkein's. I compare this to music because most popular music such as country, pop-punk, emo, and modern rock is almost all laughably simple compared to more complex genre's such as blues, jazz, and classical. I am not making this up either, I am a qualified musician (8 years piano, 2 years clarinet, 2 years saxaphone, 2 years guitar, many many many hours of practice and learning theory).

So, I love Rowling's books, and understand why people prefer them over Tolkein's. I find them much easier to read, and much easier to get instant pleasure out of. But speaking just in terms of literary merit, Tolkein has the upper hand. LOTR set the bar for the fantasy genre, and therefore is a beast to be reconed with. While both stories plots exploit the same cliche (the most unlikely character's becoming heroes), I think that LOTR does it much more realistically, showing much more imperfection in Frodo than is shown in Harry. But they are both great, so why argue. I love to analyze the differences, but when it comes down to it they are completely different. HP is, in many ways, about growing up. LOTR is much more about war and values, and religion as well.

Ah, I could go on forever...

But I wont.

-Jason-

oh, LOTR DEfinitely. HP was as lame as they come, but LOTR was Epic.

'Tis truth. Tolkien is literary, in the most profound sense. Rowling is entertaining. They really needn't be compared. Their aim is different; unless you intend to compare aims, in which case Tolkien wins out on that as well.

well said, Imp

The LOTR Movies were half baked crap which were better than the raw crap books. THe books are drawn out and long winded to the Nth degree, every single page bored me.

The films likewise, they were a waste of 12 hours of my life. They went on and on and on when such alot could be cut.

I am a huge part of the HP fanbase as I am admin of two fairly active rp sites, one custom made on my own space. I am a HP podcaster too. Ive read the books millions of times and have never found a dull moment.

I also love the films but ever since Gambon and Fiennes have come in I have reviewed them harshly.

HP ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well i still to manage to read LOTRs the movie was great though. Harry Potter movie are way below that film. The 3rd film was the best the forth the worst the worst. So no idea one older one newer so i'll go equal since Jk Rowling probalby got laot of her ideas from J.R.R Toilken.

The LOTR Movies were half baked crap which were better than the raw crap books. THe books are drawn out and long winded to the Nth degree, every single page bored me.

The films likewise, they were a waste of 12 hours of my life. They went on and on and on when such alot could be cut.

I am a huge part of the HP fanbase as I am admin of two fairly active rp sites, one custom made on my own space. I am a HP podcaster too. Ive read the books millions of times and have never found a dull moment.

Alas -- another person who values excitement over quality. The Harry Potter books are good, no doubt, and the movies are average affairs, who struggle to put across the same ideas that run through the books.

I'm curious as to how you think the LOTR films are so bad -- they're without doubt amazing creations. The cinematography is absolutely awesome.

i personally like LOTR better
i like the more complicated books i guess
HP isn't my type of book i guess

Phorcys wrote:The LOTR Movies were half baked crap which were better than the raw crap books. THe books are drawn out and long winded to the Nth degree, every single page bored me.

The films likewise, they were a waste of 12 hours of my life. They went on and on and on when such alot could be cut.

I am a huge part of the HP fanbase as I am admin of two fairly active rp sites, one custom made on my own space. I am a HP podcaster too. Ive read the books millions of times and have never found a dull moment.

I also love the films but ever since Gambon and Fiennes have come in I have reviewed them harshly.

HP ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

....Wow I don't know whether to laugh, cry, throw a fit...nah, I think I'll just stare in amazement