Entertainment
JK Rowling: The Greatest Living British Writer?
If you've never visited the site before, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed, or create an email subscription using the link at the top. Enjoy the site, and thanks for visiting!
JK Rowling - author of the Harry Potter series of books, just in case you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years - has been voted “the greatest living British writer” in a recent poll in The Book Magazine.
Discworld author Terry Pratchett came second, but received just a third of the total number of votes bestowed upon Rowling.
Christine Kidney, editor of The Book Magazine, says this “provides a fascinating insight into what the British public thinks makes a ‘great’ writer”.
I’m can’t say I’d describe myself as fascinated, rather astonished. In fact, I might even go so far as to describe my current state as horrified.
For Rowling to be given this accolade above such talented - and accomplished - writers as Iain Banks, Philip Pullman, and Salman Rushdie is nothing short of outrageous. For her share of the votes to be three times that of Pratchett is downright appalling.
Rowling’s prose is deeply unimaginative when compared to the vast majority of the other authors on this list. Her content is unoriginal, even if she is dismissive of her peers and cites other sources as the inspiration for her work.
And she’s not exactly the most prolific author in the world.
But who am I to question to writing ability of Britain’s greatest? The public have spoken. It’s clear that the public are convinced, thanks to the popularity of her books, that she’s the best writer we’ve got.
Rowling has received this award simply because her books have achieved a far greater amount of publicity. If Iain Banks’ Culture novels had been successfully adapted into Hollywood movies, would his name be top of the list? If a wizard named Rincewind had graced our screens, instead of a wizard named Harry, would Pratchett be crowned the greatest?
It’s hard to dispute Rowling’s status as Britain’s most popular author, but she’s a long way from great.
Tags: Similar Posts
Random Posts
Categories
Discussion
Comments for “JK Rowling: The Greatest Living British Writer?”
Add New Comment
Viewing 3 Comments
Thanks. Your comment is awaiting approval by a moderator.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Add New Comment
Trackbacks