While both the Twilight series and the Harry Potter series have much to recommend them (namely that they have catapulted millions of people worldwide into a frenzy of reading), I've always found it fascinating that readers of both Stephenie Meyer's and JK Rowling's works invariably always prefer one over the other. The purpose of this debate isn't to trash on one series or group of fans, but rather to figure out what it is about the books, and their fans, that creates such devout followers on each side.
The members of each team were presented with the following set of 5 questions:
- How does the development of the main characters in each series compare to one another?
- How do you think the overall plot of the books compare? Is one series richer and more complex than the other?
- What lessons does your favorite of the two sets teach to young readers and how do those compare to the lessons taught by the other series?
- How successful do you think your favorite series is in encouraging new readers to continue reading and how does this compare to how new readers will react to the other series?
- A number of critics have predicted that, decades from now, no one will think the Potter series or the Twilight series worth reading. Do you agree or disagree? If you disagree, why do you think people will still be in love with these books? Do you think the series you are defending will stand the test of time better?
Introducing Team Twilight!
Ms. Laura Nelson
I am 22 years old and live in Maple Valley, WA. (Just 4 short hours from Forks :) Reading is one of my greatest pleasures and I ALWAYS have a book with me in my purse or car. I was introduced to the Twilight world as a Harry Potter Fan. I actually stubbornly refused to read them for a whole year because my sister dared to tell me they where better than Harry Potter! Of course I found out how right she was! They quickly became my favorite book series. I also enjoy Dean Koontz, Nora Roberts, and Nicholas Sparks. I am a sucker for a love story with a happy ending, as long as the plot is rich with suspense and characters are well developed. Other than reading I enjoy spending time with my fiance, family, pets, and friends. I love to swim and be outdoors, even in rainy Washington!
Ms. Caroline Gates
Name : Caroline
Place of Refuge : Wisconsin...even though the snow makes driving INSANE!!!
Age : 21
Job : I work at a daycare (we call it latchkey) where I get to work with kids ages 4 all the way up to 8th grade
Favorite Twilight Book : It has to be New Moon. I just love it for the ending!
Why Not a Pott-Head? : I use to like Harry Potter, but then I grew up :D
Life? : When I'm not working at my job, I love to go out with my friends, see movies, read, and hang out with my Mom. She's hilarious!
Twilight : I was introduced to this awesome "brand of heroin" by my friend of many years. I read the series in a week only to reread it a week later and have since read the series over .... many times. I've lost count.
Other Randomness : My friends and I have made our own Cullen family. I am Alice. My closest friend is Edward. I randomly laugh at anything and everything. My favorite color is green. My other favorite past times include performing in plays in high school plays, singing karaoke, and driving my awesome car..that has a dent in it.
Ms. Taelor Ball
Nicknames- Holly, Esme, Cake,
What pays the bills?- I'm currently a student so unless it's from babysitting for people on my street, no cashflow comes to me..
My own Edward?- I haven't found him yet, I know, so sad!
Current addiction- Ummm, Twilight, DUH.
Personal Treasures- My copy of Entertainment Weekly with Rob and Kristen on the cover (from July) I have it framed on my wall.
Fondest Memory- waiting in line for 5 hours to see Twilight the day it came out.
Record Holdings- Reading Twilight countless times, I read Twilight in 2 hours
Clubs- Stephenie Meyer Book Club at school, Member of countless Twilight Roleplay sites, Member of Bellaandedward.com's forums
Charity Work- I do volunteer work to beautify the
Random facts- In Stephenie Meyer Book Club we are putting on a production of Twilight. I am the Director, the script co-writer, and I also play Esme.
Ms. Caroline Suh
My name is Caroline and I'm a third year student at UBC studying literature and classical studies. I love rainy, overcast days (even before I read the Twilight series); they're the best days for reading and writing. I am also really into music and can be found anywhere with headphones on. Ever since discovering the Twilight series I can't seem to focus, talk, or think about anything else (only my sister can put up with me now). I live on a property that includes a thick 20-acre forest, so I pretty much catch myself wondering if there are vegetarian vampires hunting in there or werewolves running loose. Two specific goals short-term goals I have set for myself: 1) go visit Forks, WA and 2) meet Kellan.
Introducing Team Potter!
Ms. Victoria Landaker
Age: 16
General Vicinity: California
Passions: Reading, Writing, Movies, Film making (3 years experience in Advanced Media), Singing, and listening to music.
General Favorites:
color: orange
animal: the Elephant
number: 137
time of the year: Autumn
beach or mountains?: Beach
chocolate or vanilla?: Chocolate
boxers or briefs?: I wouldn't know.
foods: Spaghetti in red sauce, Sushi, Teriyaki chicken, and white rice.
beverages: Coffee, and Dr. Pepper
movies: Kill Bill, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Empire Records, and any movie by Alfred Hitchcock.
tv. shows: House, Graham Norton, and Twilight Zone reruns.
Bands: The Beatles, Radiohead, Emarosa, Atmosphere, The Doors, and so many more,
Books and Authors: The Potter series (of course). The Twilight series (Yes, I did like them.) Jane Austen, Ayn Rand, Orson Scott Card, 1984, Douglas Adams, The Watchmen, Bleach, House of Leaves, and hundreds more.
Ms. Annalisa Freeman
I have a hard time describing myself because I am both quiet and loud, conservative and liberal, funny and serious, left and right brained. I'm a 34-year-old real estate agent who majored in English and is married with a daughter. I love swimming and running, hanging out with friends and family, and of course reading as well as reviewing and discussing what I read. As an avid reader, I love when writing is symbolic and poetic, when an author is creative and tells a fascinating story, and when a book lingers after you finish. Some of my favorite books include One Hundred Years of Solitude, The Book Thief, Atonement, Life of Pi, and the Great Gatsby. But for all the reading I do, Harry Potter remains my favorite.
Ms. Molly Gerber
Ms. Juliana Gomes
Nickname: Jay
Age: 17
Country: Brazil
Hobbies: reading, writing, movies, music
Favorite books: Harry Potter series, Twilight series, The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, Deception Point, Digital Fortress, The Grail Conspiracy, Beowulf, John Lennon's biography by Cynthia Lennon; Stephen King's stories, Betty Neels's novels and all of Clarice Lispector's books.
Ready to hear their answers to the questions? The debaters' responses for each question will be posted starting tonight, December 23rd, and will remain up for perusal and as a source of Christmas Day banter for the next several days.
To get the responses emailed to you directly, SUBSCRIBE to the Book Examiner. Huzzah Team Potter and Team Twilight!
Comments
Cool. Love how you brought the fans into this tussle. Hope Potter kicks Twilights nymphy little ass.
twilight will always be better than harry potter, and good luck to the twilight team! werewolves and vampires are much betty than nerdy wizards like harry potter.
i meant better, not betty. oops.
Though I prefer Harry Potter to Twilight (they both are great books), I feel that you can't really compare these books. Their plots are completely different, and each main character develops differently. Twilight is mainly romance with a pinch of fantasy, whereas Harry Potter is more of everything. I think everyone can relate to both of these books, but I'm anxious to read the replies to the questions.
well DUH twilight is BETTER!! i mean EDWARD IS HOTTT! <<<333
and like twilight is so eesy to reed cuz it has like no point and harry potter is like to complicated 4 me and my pathetic brain..
TWILIGHT ALL THE WAY!! (did i mention EDWARD IS HOTTT <<<333)
Just to say.. people who are saying that Twilight is way better because of the reasons A-Edward is hot. B-Vampires (and werewolves) are cooler than wizards.
Edward being hot has nothing to do with how good a book is. There are hot guys (and girls if you're into girls) in Harry Potter. Hello. Cedric is the same person who played Edward, except for he didn't have layers of make-up on in Harry Potter, which made him look better. So that means nothing when you say that. (even though jaMIE's comment was obviously a joke, I've still heard the Edward's hot reason.)
The vampires (and werewolves) are better than wizards also has nothing to do with it. For one thing, there are vampires and werewolves in Harry Potter too, so it doesn't make sense. Also that does not make the writing and plot better. I don't like comparing these two books, because they don't have any common ground. They both are classified as fantasy, but I don't think Twilight really is fantasy. It is just romance to me. I think that comparing them is useless, because people have different tastes and we will never come to an agreement. I do think Harry Potter is better writen, and I'm saying that without basing anything on the genre. The problem is that other people are basing it too much on what genre they like better.
I love both series like crazy... I don't have to choose because this series are SO different that is not even right to compare them... is like when you compare cats and dogs... you can hate or love one of them but if you like dogs you don't have to hate cats.. and vice versa... For me is no point in comparing and I'm a big big BIG fan of both series...
ok so here it goes first i'll talk about the books i seriously love them BOTH eve if u say i can i do! i've read harry potter like a million time and it will NEVER get borring, but neather will twilight. So on the books i have no sides.
Now i will take sides on the movies, there is no buts on this Harry Potter is a waaaay better movie any time i mean seriously twilight was not what i expected really it so WRONG!! the guy who plays Edward is HOT but NOT HOT ENOUGH! and bella god she was soposed to be more akward and her dresing was to be horrible! oh and i think edward was tooooooo hostile in the begining of the movie he never pushes bella to do anything she doesn't want to do so harrshy (the scene wher they are in the forest and she found out what he was)he always used a his charm (oh and bella was NEVER scared) and a little stuck up in one scene!
Harry potter is way better adapted to the books SOOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER and all the actors fit so well whith the characters!
OK, so I've done this poll on Goodreads.com where early readers compare the soon-to-be released Secret Speakers to Harry Potter and Twilight. 535 people are in the group, and 40 intrepid souls across the country read the manuscript online. All heroes in my book. They out-voted it to both books in terms of likeability, which shocked and surprised me. <looking both ways> What, are you talking about my iddie biddie book, Secret Speakers?
The deadline to Read & Rate just passed, but I'll extend it for you folks if you want to do a pre-pub banter. :) But wait! There's more! For $19.95 . . . just kidding.
I weely, weely want to get the story right and make sure the characters are well-developed. I was incredibly impressed with your insights into character development in the Twilight vs. Harry Potter debate. I'm wondering if this post is just a big nerd alert with fingers pointing my way, but if you're interested, then huzzah, huzzah.
I love how all the Twi board members sound retarded and the Harry potter fans are sophisticated looking and sounding.
Wow, if there's any indication of how Harry Potter appeals to a more diverse and dynamic audience, it's right there in those pictures.
* profiles.
Potter > Cullen
This is a very interesting topic. First of all, I agree that you can not really compare the two series. I am a huge fan of Twilight, but I also love Harry Potter. I think where the Twilight team goes wrong is that it seems that they are more focused on the movie, rather than the actual book and it's plot. Don't get me wrong, Twilight is my first love. However, I don't feel that they were properly represented. But of course, Harry Potter is absolutely wonderful!
This is a very interesting topic. First of all, I agree that you can not really compare the two series. I am a huge fan of Twilight, but I also love Harry Potter. I think where the Twilight team goes wrong is that it seems that they are more focused on the movie, rather than the actual book and it's plot. Don't get me wrong, Twilight is my first love. However, I don't feel that they were properly represented. But of course, Harry Potter is absolutely wonderful!
I have been a Harry Potter fan for about 15 years now and love it to the very core. The story and characters are well thought out and are a rich tapestry. I never thought I would find another series that would grab my attention until I read Twilight. It is a beautiful love story and I love how it is written. To compare the two is impossible as with all stories it means something different to every person that reads it. To compare one to the other is like comparing one person to another, simply put you can't. Instead of comparing the two shouldn't we consider ourselves lucky that we live in a time where we have two awesome writers with great imaginations that both took us on a journey like no other.
i've read both series, and there is just no way twilight can compare to the intricate harry potter storyline. they aren't even on the same level, people should stop comparing them. in stephen king's words (and if you don't know who he is, i don't even..): "The real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephenie Meyer can't write worth a darn. She's not very good"
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