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Twilight vs. Harry Potter

Little Linguist

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In my opinion, Harry Potter was poorly written.

I can't say one way or another about the Twilight series....
 

Tallulah

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I don't get the Harry Potter snobbery, either, mysterio. I thought they were loads of fun. I loved Rowling's imagination, her use of various mythologies, and her fantastic sense of humor. I thought the characters were engaging, and I loved that she wasn't afraid to be dark in a children's book. I would be proud to have written the HP series.

I haven't read Twilight, and don't really have a desire to. I did read a few of the Anne Rice vampire books, and feel the same way as other posters who enjoyed the books, but thought they were terribly written. I think Anne Rice has a heck of an imagination; just no skill with the English language. But, then I could accuse Stephen King of the same, to a much lesser degree.

My sister read the Twilight books because all of her friends wouldn't stop talking about them. She hated them, but kept plugging away, thinking they had to get better. Then she went BACK and read the first book again, thinking she was missing something. It really bothered her that she couldn't see what they were seeing. :p

I had the same phenomenon happen with a few classics (Hemingway, anyone?) earlier in my life (reading something and wondering WHY people thought it was so fantastic), and decided I would never waste time again on a book that hadn't grabbed me by the middle of it.
 

Oso Mocoso

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3218622013_5c75ea3f04_o.jpg


Twilight is kind of like this.
 

Kangirl

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I read one Harry Potter book after my dad and sister got *really* into the series. I forget which one it was but it had a mainly yellow jacket/cover. I didn't like it at all and actually only got about 3/4 of the way through (and I'm usually pretty obsessive about finishing books, just as a point of honour and even if I don't like them). Didn't think it was well written or compelling at all.
 

Tallulah

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I read one Harry Potter book after my dad and sister got *really* into the series. I forget which one it was but it had a mainly yellow jacket/cover. I didn't like it at all and actually only got about 3/4 of the way through (and I'm usually pretty obsessive about finishing books, just as a point of honour and even if I don't like them). Didn't think it was well written or compelling at all.

If it was the first book, I recommend forging ahead anyway, and not judging the series until you've at least read the second book. I liked the first book, but it definitely has more of a kiddie/teen feel than the rest of the series. Things get a lot darker after that.
 

kyuuei

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:) I like young adult novelist Tamora Pierce a lot.. I've enjoyed many of the Quartets she's put out.. and her daughter wrote a Trilogy that I enjoyed. I don't know if anyone's heard of her, but I thought I'd throw the name out with the recommendations. I think I will read the erotica that was perscribed.

I have not read either series. I watched both movies though!! Lol. It's always a backburner thing.. I'll get around to it eventually. But my say on books has always been if you enjoyed it, than the book was good. If you didn't, it doesn't matter how awesome the grammar is, the way things were written, etc. The Jungle was a beautiful book, well constructed, etc... I thought it sucked anyways. It's about what you get out of it.

Twilight is definitely not intellectually based.. but I admit three things about it based on my movie-going experience: Vampires being normal and not haughty-taughty rich snobs and playing baseball sorta rocked imo, Bella got her ass whooped for being dumb instead of being saved at the last minute, and the whole "we avoid the sun because it sucks, not because we're weak." was a new twist (I wish their skin would have done something cooler than shine like a glittery disco ball in a 12 year old girl's room though).

I heard great things about Harry Potter, I plan on reading that series for sure.
 

kelric

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I don't get the Harry Potter snobbery, either, mysterio. I thought they were loads of fun. I loved Rowling's imagination, her use of various mythologies, and her fantastic sense of humor. I thought the characters were engaging, and I loved that she wasn't afraid to be dark in a children's book. I would be proud to have written the HP series.

I really enjoyed Harry Potter as well. I wouldn't say that they're the best things I've read, but they're certainly good, and they're hard to beat for fun, imaginative stories with great characters. One thing in particular that JR did well is hook me in - I cared more about her characters ten pages in than I did about Tolkien's 500 pages in. I'll re-read them many times (more), I'm sure.

... (I haven't read Twilight, and probably won't) ...

I had the same phenomenon happen with a few classics (Hemingway, anyone?) earlier in my life (reading something and wondering WHY people thought it was so fantastic), and decided I would never waste time again on a book that hadn't grabbed me by the middle of it.

Oh, yikes. I recall being forced to read Hemingway in high school. Simply hated it. Maybe I missed the point, but I just couldn't force myself to care about any of the characters. A lot of "classic" literature's like that for me. At best, I can admire it and say "that was well written"... but I don't find much of it very engaging or interesting.
 

MacGuffin

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At least Harry Potter isn't misogynistic Mormon blue ball almost-porn.
 

laintpe

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I don't get the Harry Potter snobbery, either, mysterio. I thought they were loads of fun. I loved Rowling's imagination, her use of various mythologies, and her fantastic sense of humor. I thought the characters were engaging, and I loved that she wasn't afraid to be dark in a children's book. I would be proud to have written the HP series.

I had the same phenomenon happen with a few classics (Hemingway, anyone?) earlier in my life (reading something and wondering WHY people thought it was so fantastic), and decided I would never waste time again on a book that hadn't grabbed me by the middle of it.

srsly, who puts down HP? Who dares to mention that other series in the same sentence as HP!... well, IDK, after reading the description of Twilight I refused to give it a chance. ....but I have forced myself through some of the other romance books... we had to read Jane Austen in high school... it just kind of dragged on and was way too idealistic, imo... but at least I can say I tried.

and Hemingway... gahh... Farewell to Arms... well, there were moments where I thought "okay... those few pages were onto something"... but overall- it wasn't that great.
 

BlackCat

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I grew up with Harry Potter, so what can I say? I really like it. Twilight was garbage to me compared to Harry Potter though.
 

Haphazard

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I didn't really like the Harry Potter books past the third, but Twilight was so much worse...
 

Kangirl

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I've only seen the Twilight movie and haven't read the books but Edward Cullen, ladies? Seriously? I mean, yes, I see that the whole 'holding himself back' thing is hot, but what if he NEVER gives in? Boo.
 

The Ü™

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I pre-ordered it on Netflix.

I don't know why, though...

Netflix makes you do crazy shit.
 

LunaIndigo

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Harry Potter is what got me to be the book worm that I am, and while it has its flaws it holds a place in my heart.

Twilight on the other hand is a loaded piece of garbage. Edward is a crazed stalker and I definitely wouldn't find it sexy if I found out someone had been following me, staring at me while I sleep from the tree outside my window, and is only really attracted to me because my blood smells good. Umm...eww. Perfection is overrated.
 

01011010

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A BDSM trilogy based on Sleeping Beauty. It's excellent. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Bought the trilogy a couple years ago. Never made it past the first book. It was rather lacking imo. Pure smut, no substance. Kushiel's Legacy (Phedre's Trilogy) is far more nuanced and elegant, with a political clusterf*ck that would keep most keen minds involved. Jacqueline Carey is an engaging writer.

Read the first review here: Amazon.com: Kushiel's Dart: Jacqueline Carey: Books



OP:
I read both.

Harry Potter will end up a classic like LOTR. It reached a much wider audience. Twilight most likely won't be as remembered in 50 years, and the writing was glorified fanfiction. Meyer got lucky. She's probably laughing all the way to the bank.
 

ptgatsby

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Harry Potter will end up a classic like LOTR. It reached a much wider audience. Twilight most likely won't be as remembered in 50 years, and the writing was glorified fanfiction. Meyer got lucky. She's probably laughing all the way to the bank.

I can't even believe there is a comparison between the two. HP was something very different, and very good. Still meant for children, so YMMV, but good. Still hated the ending.

Twilight is popular because it hit the perfect formula for young female teens. The "perfect" guy that is both a bad boy and yet caring, powerful and in demand and yet absolutely loyal to "the girl", who doesn't really do anything to deserve any "special attention" - ironic, given how "old" he is... you'd think he'd have given up on high school students by now. And he even comes complete with built in angst... over his animal instincts and his respect for her. Perfect analogy for sex, which makes perfect sense in the story. I mean, 'an eternal' and powerful teenage boy would be reluctant to have sex, *of course* (the author doesn't believe in sex before marriage, so she didn't let it happen... good character writing there!)
 

zarc

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Bought the trilogy a couple years ago. Never made it past the first book. It was rather lacking imo. Pure smut, no substance. Kushiel's Legacy (Phedre's Trilogy) is far more nuanced and elegant, with a political clusterf*ck that would keep most keen minds involved. Jacqueline Carey is an engaging writer.

Read the first review here: Amazon.com: Kushiel's Dart: Jacqueline Carey: Books

I read the books as a mid teen so my memory may be hazy but I think there was psychological depth throughout the books that initially seems like background noise. Throughout each book, it got louder and louder, however. Individual character development is sacrificed, but I think she made it that all characters are in a broader sense crucified together.- perhaps with a bit of exception for Beauty. There is succession to the themes and (moral?) resolutions which are fairly distinct for each book. Not to say it was the greatest but it certainly was a relief from Rice's run-on marathons of a Vampire Series lol. Then again, my memory IS hazy so maybe none of that is right. >_> I think I liked her even greater "controversial" Belinda book even more, however unrealistically realistic it was.

Thanks for the link! Haven't read erotica in a while. And fantasy at that. Nummy combo.

HP was something very different, and very good. Still meant for children, so YMMV, but good. Still hated the ending.

+ 1

Twilight is popular because it hit the perfect formula for young female teens. The "perfect" guy that is both a bad boy and yet caring, powerful and in demand and yet absolutely loyal to "the girl", who doesn't really do anything to deserve any "special attention" - ironic, given how "old" he is... you'd think he'd have given up on high school students by now. And he even comes complete with built in angst... over his animal instincts and his respect for her. Perfect analogy for sex, which makes perfect sense in the story. I mean, 'an eternal' and powerful teenage boy would be reluctant to have sex, *of course* (the author doesn't believe in sex before marriage, so she didn't let it happen... good character writing there!)

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