Category: book Nook
The title says it all. Which books are better: the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, or the Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket? The recent release of the movie based on the latter prompted this question. Cinematically, I think Lemony Snicket wins hands-down, but the factors that make the movie better are not so much the plot. So anybody who has read both series, how do they compare?
I love them both, and could never decide. Rock on to both authors, I say. Theyr'e very talented, and different, people.
Caitlin
Granted I am not well versed in the Harry Pothead series (hehe sorry), but I'm planning to read them all. From the little I've read and L.Snicket books (I've read them all) I feel those books are drstically different. The coolest thing about Snicket is that he plays to older audiances by subtle jokes and literal reference and social criticism that kids don't really get. I think the movie was horrible, compared to the books (but that's just me and I don't really know wht I was expecting I guess) but, yeah, I'd have to say both are great, there is a new book "the Ominous Omnibus" coming out in March, the 12th in the series .
cheers
-B
Yeah I agree with you Wildebrew. I see some of the hidden stuff in his books. Lemony I mean. They're quite good for many audiences. As are JKR's things. Lol Harry Pothead ... honestly ... Caitlin
I like Harry Potter. A Series of Unfortunate Events just annoys me for some reason. I mean, can you please stop reminding me that these kids live terribly unfortunate lives with more misery at every turn? I want some suspense here. Harry Potter keeps you guessing, sometimes not unraveling some plot details till the book's almost over. And J.K. Rowling is a master at foreshadowing.
You have a fair point, KrIsMe, I see what you're saying. it's kinda like, it's dragging on a bit? Lol? Caitlin
I wanted to see Lemmony Snicket but will wait until it comes out on video..then we can enjoy it minus the comentators
otherwise known as pre school children...
....Ahh! No bring back Alfred Hitchcock. A lack of suspense is just an trick directors use when they have run out of imagination..
Personally, I feel that Harry Potter is just a way better book. Series of unfortunate events is alright, and it's a good passtime, but it's not the same as HP. I think that the books are extremely overdone. It's not realistic at all, and, I know that harry Potter isn't either, but it's just written better, and the plot is more attention grabbing
Yeha RF you again make a fair point that I agree with. But I still like Lemony, just because ... wel I don't know why, i just do! Plus i've met him and he's hilarioush eheh. Caitlin
Well, I would say I'm quite a fan of the Harry Potter series. I've read only the first of the series by Snickett and I honestly don't know waht to think. I can't really compare the two and I think doing so would be like comparing apples to oranges outside of the fact they're written to ahve at least some appeal to kids. The styles of the books seem different to me. So right now I'd still say I'm more into the Potter series, although I might read a few more of the Snickett books to see if I can get into that particular groove. I most likely won't go see the movie, though.
Agree iwth Lab. They're totally different and that's why I can't really compare them well. Caitlin
Can someone explain Lemony Snicket to me? What, exactly, is amusing or interesting about the child abuse ridden and miserable lives these books portray? Why do you continue reading when you know it's just going to continue to be bad? How can you enjoy an escape from reality into a much worse reality? I thought the point of books was to be a fun escape and enjoyment, not an extremely depressive downer. I have a couple of friends who love these books, and honestly, based on the two I forced my way through, I have to say that it just seems kind of twisted. Am I missing something? I'd really like to know; as it is I can't even see why these were published in the first place. Sorry to offend, but that's how I feel. Maybe I'm just culturally stunted or something.
Eeeh, the point of Lemony Snicket is actually at least twofold:
a. To show the world is not always a happy silly Walt Disney type of place, children's movies make everything seem so happy and easy and I think it's good to know kids, even in books or movies, can also deal with dreadful and difficult things. And if you read through the books beisde the first incident where they lose their parents, their lives are intersting, yes, they are in danger, yes, but do their lives really get more miserable, not really. The point is they have each other and their friendship and willingness to collaborate gets them through every scheme and dangerous situation and that's encouraging to both kids and adults, same point as e.g. Lord of the Rings makes.
2. It's drop dead funny, if you pick up on his word explanations and sometimes ridiculous literal references this is definitely not a kid's book at all, a lot of stuff is implied and he makes fun of other books and authors etc and it's really funny to read.
Why would somebody read a book that isn't a "feel-good" happy book? Because some of the best writing in the world captures the delicate balance of human existence: from heartwarming and joyous to raw and tortured. Some of my fave books (The Power of One, The Color Purple, a Prayer for Owen Meany, etc.) are not "happy" books. Sure, they have happy endings, but look what the characters have to go through! I think this is part of what makes us "human" and what makes a story believable. This is why I like Snicket better thanHP, because the kids have to actually SOLVE their own problems instead of casting spells to elicit change.
I love them both, harry potter and unfortunate events, because...well...they're both good. hahaha.
True, but from the books I read, I found what Snicket puts his characters through and the way they react to these harsh situations completely unbelievable (as well as somewhat twisted, see above). I did not find his humour particularly clever or amusing. I am a sucker for happy books, but I will read books with sad endings so long as it's realistic throughout, the characterisation is good, etc, etc. I dislike books that are sad throughout and then suddenly get happy endings (see Oliver Twist for the all time worst example of this, Dickens should be shot for this authorial crime).
FastFinge.
Well, it's just a matter of taste and I think I can understand why some people don't like the books, and that's totally ok. However I should point out the interesting things in the books start to unravel after book 6 and the first 6 are a bit of a repeat, after that the plot becomes a lot more complex and we start finding out things about secret societies and questions arise as to the authenticity of the house fire etc. I can't tell you more because I don't want to ruin it for those who read the books but certainly the stories take on a whole new meaning. Sure they are not believable but, hey, casting spells isn't believable either or having a spider web grow from your palm, it doesn't have to be, as long as it makes sort of sense and you can enjoy reading it and getting immersed in that world. I love those books, especially book 10, and you have to have them read by Tim Curry (audible.com versions) 2 of the books are read by the author himself and he's an awful reader whereas Tim Curry is truly a master. So, if you run out of other things to read I recommend you give it a second chance, you might like the stories as they start to unfurl.
cheers
-B
Well, I hated Lemony Snickert from the word "go" He promotes nothing but child cruelty in my opinion. Fancy dangling babies out of a high window in a cage and threatening to drop them so they fall to their deaths if their sister doesn't marry the worst man on this earth! That's just horrid. Where the fuck did Lemony get those ideas from? Harry Potter on the other hand's funny, full of comedy, action, supprises and all the rest of it, and JK Rowling keeps the unpleasantness till the end so the listeners can enjoy the book rather than shut it after just a few pages or a couple of chapters.
JK all the way! I absolutely hate the Limony books.
Yeah, after the sixth book, I just gave up. I read the rest, but I read it for hoping it would get better. I wanted to see if it ever would. I thought it would. Rowling always wins, and I mean Lemony Snicket didn't really appeal to me. Violet seemed to be a Mary sue to me. I mean Harry Potter has it's morals to it, although it seems it's not there. How the malfoys being prejudice, that's a moral there. I love that one. How about bravery till the end. She did great with that. Also, the one with Deathly Hallows about bad doesn't always stay bad where Snape turns out to be good. The Malfoys convert. Well, Also, in the last two books the theme of second chances. I love the way Harry gave Ron a second chance in Deathly Hallows.