What do you think are the better aspects of the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter series that triumph over each others aspects and those of many other works and make them such great phenomenons around the whole world even after they have been completed?
What is it that sets them apart so much from many others ?
(P.S- don't talk about what others might think etc, just give a personal opinion of what those aspects, elements or reasons are)
I love both of these stories, but I think what makes me generally prefer Rowling is that I can just pick her books up and read them without finding them too taxing. When I got to the end of The Lord of the Rings, frankly my head hurt. It's a great story, but I tend to find Tolkein epic descriptions about almost every facet of Middle Earth a little wearing at times.
For light reading, I certainly choose H.P. For a nine-month reading stint, I would choose L.O.T.R.
Occasionally The Hobbit also gets a look in when I'm on my annual break from Hogwarts.
Does that mean you read them David?!
I haven't read Lord of the Rings, or seen any of the films. Yes, there is at least one person...! I've just never thought it was my thing. I'm not that keen on fantasy.
Once upon a time I loved Mildred Hubble so Harry Potter was always going to be difficult for me to ignore. As soon as I started reading I was hooked and I think it's because Harry's world starts in a cupboard and just grows with every page, right to the last.
I also happen to think that these huge epic stories are few and far between. If you're not much of a fantasy reader and you don't like crime either, when are you going to read a really long epic story? The answer is you're probably going to watch TV instead because that's the only place you'll find long epics in your preferred genre. And people love epics. Everyone will tell you they don't have time and sadly publishers seem to believe them, but the truth is people make time for epic story lines. My favourite film is a real epic and is far too long for me to watch again, but I will, probably the next time I see it on.
And I'd like to say I'll never read Harry Potter again, but as soon as I started thinking about my response I was thinking about Dumbledore and his putter-outer in Privet Drive, Mr Dursley's ordinary day at work tainted by those people dressed strangely gathering to talk - the ones whose presence might upset his wife - of all the letters arriving for Harry and the journey to the shack on an island out at sea where Harry first meets Hagrid.
For me, there will always be time for the detail and depth provided by an epic.
I salute any author that encourages people to read whether I like their work or not.
Tolkien is a creative genius.
I have not read any of the Harry Potter books or seen any of the films.
Millions have enjoyed J K Rowling and J R R Tolkien. The readers love of their books is what sets them apart from others.