Rowling vs. Gaiman

[orionsixwings]

Neil Gaiman released a series called THE BOOKS OF MAGIC April 1991, and JK in many interviews said that she began conceptualization of Harry Potter sometime in 1992 but did not actually release the book till 2000.

The comic book series for DC's Vertigo Line shares similarities, though superficial mostly, are striking, with Rowling's hit book series Harry Potter: Both feature a bespectacled English teenager with family troubles who have a magical owl as a pet. While Rowling's Harry was fetched by Hagrid, Gaiman's Timothy was approached by four of DC's mystical heroes.

If you have read both collections, who's story do you think was better? Which Teenage Wizard is better?

[direghost]

I haven't read too much of Rowling, just the first book and I was underwhelmed to say the least, but it's not too fair to compare her to Gaiman, who is one of the most brilliant writers alive.
I remember reading other books in the 80's about a young wizard school as well, so the idea isn't an altogether new one either.

[dwndrgn]

A 'young wizard in training' is a classic YA theme in fantasy. School and studying is something most YA can relate to so makes a good basis for stories meant for them. All professors (the good ones) wear glasses in fantasy as well...owls, cats and whatnot are favored 'familiars' or just companions.

I read a book (definitely a fantasy - I think she was a witch) once a looooong time ago that had a woman who's cat might have been named Greymalkin or something similar (I know that name has been used since for a couple of other stories so I may have that mixed up) and she took daily 'constitutionals'. That totally stuck with me and I still use the word today (though most people either give me odd looks or just ignore me). Anyone recognize it? For some reason, this post just reminded me of that story, and now I just want to know what book that was. There may have been a portion where a cat did a hornpipe? That one, if it was a different one had pictures. Or was that another story? Hmmm, it's all a blur in my mind.

I've never read Gaiman's Books of Magic. May have to see if they are available anywhere. I like his style but am not totally inspired by his actual tales. Maybe one made specifically for YA would be more to my liking.

[GOLLUM]

I haven't really read those Gaiman books you mention but generally speaking give me Gaiman over Rowling anytime of the day or night.

[I, Brian]

I have Gaiman's Books of Magic 4-part series, and I was certainly struck by the basic similarities with hindsight.

However, even on saying that, I felt comparisons aren't really fair - they really are very different stories (or, the original Gaiman series was - I believe DC extended it since).

Both stand on their own different merits, IMO, with Harry Potter living a fantastical almost child-like experience of magic - whereas Tim Hunter was faced with a darker adult world, where magic was more subtle.

2c.