The Times newspaper has compiled a list of the top 50 greatest British writers since 1945, and J.K. Rowling was ranked at number 42. Noting that children read the Harry Potter books "simply because they love them, and because Rowling has an extraordinary ability to hold the reader until the very last page," the paper continues:
"She has created a world that children want to enter and never leave.Like all the classic British children’s fantasy writers, Rowling sets the epic firmly in the domestic, everyday world. Yes, she uses some familiar elements (show me the “literary” author who hasn’t borrowed themes from previous literary authors), such as wizards, witches, boarding schools and orphans destined for greatness, but she builds a new and very detailed world out of them. With its satires on politics, education and the media, though, her world is far from simplistic. These are well-told stories that will enthral, amuse, scare and delight children for generations to come. One to read: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997) — because you should always start a good story at the beginning."
Others of note on the list include Philip Pullman (43), Roald Dahl (16), C.S. Lewis (11), J.R.R. Tolkien (6), George Orwell (2), and Philip Larkin was listed at the top spot. Thanks MFC and Klooby!
She should be ranked way higher, but oh well I suppose the phenomenon is still fairly young in literary terms, so I am sure she will move higher up the list as time goes on.
On one hand, I was immediately surprised that she wasn’t ranked higher.
On the other hand, there are a lot of great authors in that list.
On a third hand, I don’t really agree with any of their placements. Phillip Larkin? Really? But then, they do more or less admit the fallibility of their system.
Finally, I bet there are some HDM fans who will be upset that Jo topped Phillip Pullman by one.
Post-War is a fairly large period by now and you hardly can compair
the period till ‘80 with after ‘80. It’s compairing peaches with pommagrates and wonder which is the greatest fruit.
But when populairty is taken in account she could give Tolkien a run for his money.
I was really disapointed that she didn’t rank higher. She should be at least round 25, in my opinion. J. K. Rowling has brought a generation back to reading through her fantastic books, and that’s saying a lot. I only started reading seriously after I found the Harry Potter series. I jumped on board after book four. Since then I have read tons of books from almost every genre, and have not found anything nearly as good.
But that’s jut my opinion.
I agree I hate it when people think “children’s authors” aren’t worth mentioning. I don’t think Jo is a children’s author anyway. Her books are for absolutely anyone of any age. She should have come higher in that list. Philip Larkin? Hmm I don’t like their top choice. But the rest of the list looks OK. some good writers on there.
I’m not complaining. This is 42 out of how many authors since 1945. Yes her accomplishments are amazing and I would like to see her higher on the list, but 42 when looking at the big picture is huge. Anyways, that’s just their opinion.
Larkin got number one which is joke, the man tortured me threw my A Levels. I think JK got a pretty good position, considering the others on the list. Give her a good couple of decades and our generation will put her higher because she is the writer of our childhood. I’m just gla they’ve recognised her. There where lots of other authors who should have got on it, Anthony Horowitz, Malorie Blackman..what about Terry Pratchet?
All lists like these are silly. What does it all mean ? That “Lord of The Rings ” is a better book than “His Dark Materials” ? Or does it mean that it is better written ? Or does it mean that Tolkien is a better writer ? In whose opinion ? And use the same formula for any of these other writers.
By the way, rather strangely, the list excluded what it called “oral writers” such as Harold Pinter but included Ted Hughes, whose wonderful poetry, (especially if you ever heard him read it) was the stuff of thunder and lightning.
I am glad for Jo that she made the list but we don’t need lists like that to tell us who our favourite authors are.
She should be ranked way higher, but oh well I suppose the phenomenon is still fairly young in literary terms, so I am sure she will move higher up the list as time goes on.