Rowling VS Tolkien, who created the most creative book world

[Emilie]

A fan of both authors, its still immediately clear to me that there is no competition between the two. Now I loved HP - but in the same way I secretly love iced vo-vo's (ie, a childish pleasure). Sure, the magic was entertaining and the adventures interesting, but it simply cant compare with Tolkiens amazing and enthralling world. LOTR has a timeless quality that allows the reader to slip fully and willingly into the world of Middle Earth. Will we be singing the same praises of Hogwarts in a few decades time? I think that perhaps, lovely as they are, their ties to the present society will unfortunately date Harry and co.

[Mel Carriere]

Will we be singing the same praises of Hogwarts in a few decades time? I think that perhaps, lovely as they are, their ties to the present society will unfortunately date Harry and co.

I respectfully disagree. I think we will be singing the praises of Rowling for decades to come. I think she stands on an equal footing with Tolkien in the realm of the imagination. I think at least half of the Harry Potter fans bought the book for the fad appeal, and never really read it, or only read a couple of chapters to pretend like they were reading it. The other half of the series' purchasers, however, were intelligent readers who recognized it for the greatness that it was. I am hoping that Rowling will write something else, because she is a superb author who is well versed in history and magic lore in her own right. If he were alive today, I think Tolkien would agree.

[OldeTymeBooks]

While I find both worlds impressive for different reasons, I think Tolkien's achievement is definitely more exhaustive of creative expression that Rowling's.

[Mel Carriere]

I submit for the jury's examination that we don't really know the depth of Rowling's research in creating the Harry Potter series, because she did not include a lengthy appendix with her work outlining the entire history of Hogwarts, as Tolkien did in The Lord of the Rings. It could be that the Hogwarts Expanded Universe is just as expansive as Tolkiens. I am just playing the devil's advocate here, because I love Tolkien's work, but I have to give my props to Rowling, too.

[Gannon]

I have read and enjoyed the Harry Potter series, and I respect everyone's opinion. However I think that even Rowling herself would admit that her HP series is not even in the same universe in terms of creativity when comparing it to LOTR. To all the HP fans salivating at the chance to attack me, I am sorry, but imho they are not even close.

[Mel Carriere]

I enjoy them both immensely, I am just saying don't sell Rowling short. I think her imagination and knowledge run pretty deep.

[Wintermute]

I don't understand why this is even a question. There's no argument to be made for the Potter series next to Middle Earth.

[A24]

I'm currently reading the Harry Potter series (and loving it). I plan to read Lord of the Rings after that. I'll let you know.

[Leonardo Noto]

Wow, tough decision on this one. I'm a huge fan of both, but I'd have to go for Tolkien because he truely created a new world whereas much of Rowling's work is based in the world. But like I said, very tough choice.

Leonardo Noto

[Mrs_Britt]

Tolkien of course!

[Thailander]

Tolkien by a mile. He even invented a language for it. Plus there is the question of plagiarism of a New Zealand author by Rowling. I would take C S Lewis to a desert Island ahead of J K Rowling.

[CashJames]

I question Rowling's originality, whereas I doubt anyone does so with Tolkien.

[frik]

what is probably the most comprehensive fictional world ever created. He was involved in how myths, legends, and annals are conceived, so he set out to make his own legends. In periods of untainted scope, Tolkien's fictional world far passes Rowling's.

You said it all, Timpane.
Hands down, Tolkien!

sk

[Mack]

Well, I had a debate with my boyfriend, and he was for Tolkien and I was for Rowling. He argued that Tolkien was the first to create such a magical world for readers so his setting was the best. I argued that just because Rowling came later in history did not make her book any less creative.

What do you think? Is Lord of the Rings more magical, more creative, more out of this world, more intriguing than Harry Potter? OR is it the other way around?

Firstly, Tolkien was not the father of 'high fantasy' fiction, that honour goes to Eric Rücker Eddison and his The Worm Ouroboros novel which predates Tolkien's Lord of the Rings by some 30 years or so.

Rowling v's Tolkien. Although both are regarded as heroic high fantasy fiction I cannot set one magical world creation apart from the other as each inhabits a totally different realm to the other. Middle-earth and Potterverse each own unique creations to ensnare and delight the reader, and as they both have more than a singular detraction. I like to slip between the pages and inhabit the magical worlds of both Rowling and Tolkien.

As aforementioned in this thread...Rowling v's Tolkien? Like comparing apples and oranges.

[KirkB]

Although I have never read the Harry Potter series, I have watched the movies btw, I can't fathom that Rowling's "book world" can even be compared to Tolkien's. For one thing, Harry Potter takes place in the 'real world' with a hidden magical world behind it. Tolkien's takes place in an entirely made up world altogether. So if you are simply asking who has the most creative book world, my answer is Tolkien hands down.