I think it's useless to pit <I>Harry Potter</I> against the <I>LotR</I>. Some people will prefer the latter, some the former, some both. I happen to be in that last category. I actually interchanged reading Tolkien with J.K. Rowling, and can't say it did me any harm. Potter is delightful, less deep, certainly more juvenile, but a great read nonetheless, and not without its share of seriousness. Makes me feel like a wee babe again. What I like most about Rowling is that she doesn't insult her young readers' intelligence. As for Tolkien, his writing is like a great, deep pool of image and thought. I am currently sitting at the at the bottom, and couldn't think of a better place to be.<BR>As for the films, I have not seen the first Potter installment, but from what I hear, PJ certainly outgunned Chris Columbus. I may watch it on video, just because Daniel Radcliffe is such a cute kid, and I LOVE Richard Harris. But, y'know, I think pretty much the entire world has caught on to the fact that the cinematic version of the <I>LotR</I> is a tastier treat. Unless of course you're Rhud, and that treat has caught in your throat. <p>[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: Lush ]
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~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~
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