In a new interview on MTV.com Stephenie Meyer, the author of the popular “Twilight” novels, discusses Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling along with the similarities she finds between the “Twilight” and “Harry Potter” series. While Mrs. Meyer notes she has not yet had the opportunity to meet her fellow author, she does say she “would love to sit down and talk with her.” She continues, noting the fact that while both series are hugely popular among younger readers, comparing one series to the other is something she finds difficult to do. She states:
“The interesting thing about the comparison is that I think you can compare my fans to her fans more easily [than me to her]. I do think that we both have people who are just really really enthusiastic, and will come miles to see you and be involved, and everybody really cares about our characters. But the [’Harry Potter’ and ‘Twilight’] stories are just so different.”
“J.K. Rowling’s audience is everybody, so that means we all have a piece of her audience,” Meyer laughed. “It’s terribly flattering to be compared to her, but there’s never going to be another J.K. Rowling; that’s a phenomenon that’s not gonna happen again.”
Finally, Mrs. Meyer goes on to talk more on topics she would like to speak with J. K. Rowling about if given the opportunity, including Jo’s thoughts of the Harry Potter films, her fans, and her experience of being a popular writer. As readers will remember, actor Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory) has been cast as leading man Edward Cullen in the upcoming “Twilight” film. All three previously released novels in the “Twilight” series are available for purchase in our Cauldron Shop.
This is really a neverending argument! Different people have different tastes in things-I personally didn’t like Twilight when I read it but why keep comparing that and HP? They’re totally different stories.
I think it is hilarious to follow this debate over the recent days. I was surprised to see it on here as I have been an extremely loyal Potter fan, but having read and re-read I was looking for something else to read. My cousin lives in Washington and we spent some time last summer on a beach by Forks, where the Twilight story is set. I LOVED it there, so when she discovered these books she sent them to me, as they inspired memories of our vacation. I didn’t know what to expect beginning a new series, as I had not heard of the books before. I was very pleasantly surprised. While Meyer may not write anywhere near the style of our beloved Potter creator, she is very good. She has taken a whole different take on the “vampire” and it was, to say the least, a pleasant read. Maybe not the intricate story or important historical references that HP has, but there is something to be said for a straightforward read. I enjoyed it immensly, knowing that it was not even in the same category as HP. Some of the commenters on here need to have some respect. So Meyer is not JK…we know that, she isn’t Pullman or Paolini or Tolkein either…ALL VERY DIFFERENT STORIES!!! I however love them all for different reasons, and what is the harm there. Whether or not TW will stand the test of time to be defined as “classic literature” who knows…probably not…but who cares. If you enjoy the read, then that’s all that matters really. If you don’t enjoy the read, then move on!!! It’s all opinion. I honestly think that anyone who devotes time to create a series, and creates characters that come from heart and imagination, deserve some respect. You don’t have to like her story, but nonetheless it is a story that means something to the author at least, and she had the wherewithall to put it down in the hopes that someone else would feel the same way as she did about it. Isn’t that how JK started? Obviously it is NOT a story for everyone. Just like not every movie or song created appeals to everyone in the same way! Interesting that there’s been so much discussion on this subject that really has led to 11 pages of nowhere!
wuincxw: I totaly agree. I notice Cain has not replied to my last comment. Hopefully now he/she will cop and realise that its rude to just randomly call a book bad when clearly lots of people like it. I’m not saying its fabulous writing but its still a great story. Accept it and move on Cain. I love Twilight and HP and there is nothing wrong with liking both.
It’s pathetic to point out that debating is not immature ? People have the right to gove their opinion and defend them, you know. I’m not trying to keep the debate up, I was just pointing that debate !=immature. I had stopped before because I had said my arguments. This is why I did not answer to Kerrie (Btw, can you people be a bit consistent? I’m pathetic for keeping posting and yet you me want me to answer you post ? Logic missing here.) She’s not it’s saying it’s great literature, I can agree with that. She thinks it’s a great story, I disagree. But there’s nothing more I could say to change her mind.
I’m feeling like repeating myself again and again. Everyone is free to love whatever he wants.
(And again author loses respect because of criticism…sighs)
Cain: I don’t care if you don’t like Twilight, i honestly don’t. Obvsiously the story is not going to appeal to every single person. Some guys hate love stories, even if there are vampires invovled and thats perfectly fine. I was just angry that you bluntly called it bad for no reason saying “we should recognise it for what it is”. I mean what kind of the thing is that to say? Its a rude narrow minded stupid thing to say.
I’m just pointing out that even though its not “great literature” as you put it, the writing is still good enough to be a popular book and the story appeals to a lot of people or people would not keep reading the series and it would not be made into a movie series. You don’t have to like it, but please admit that its good enough to be made into a movie and be in competition with HP.
I’m sorry but I can’t agree with your last part. It would be really nice if I could but I can’t. The only reason this kind of popular books (HP, Eragon, TW) are adapted into films is because they are popular. Studios don’t pay attention to ‘quality’ if there’s money to be gained. If studios were indeed paying attention we would have a lot less crappy films ;)
I still stand by my argument that popularity does not make a book good. And it certainly does not invalidate the possibility of being a bad books. (And both books are not to be compared, different genre)
“we should recognise it for what it is”
Yes. I read some books that are not good, with plots which are not so developed or a style which can be cringeworthy. And I recognise that. I don’t hide behind anything like ‘Whoa it sells millions.’ On my part, I was angry at people insinuating that “If you criticise TW it means you haven’t read anything apart from HP.”
But I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree on these points.
Kerrie, Cain, everyone. I know you’ve spent alot of time and effort here but nobody cares ok! I only stopped by because someone posted on another story that things were getting ridiculous over here. Indeed. Now I think everyone should give it up, shake hands and go and play outside. The news article was about some nice comments from Meyer. I suggest you go and read the books, talk with a loved one, do university work, heck go to the pub and down some alcohol if you want (after reading all this who-ha that’s definetly what I think I may do now) You have all thoroughly convinced me, not whether ‘Twilight’ is a good read or not, but that life can be sorrely wasted on the internet. And I thank you, gooday… now for a pint
Well you are entitled to your opinion CAIN. I’m glad you’ve calmed down a bit and are not being to rude anymore. I still stand by my opinion that bad books would not be picked for movies. I don’t think the twilight books could be bad if they are so hugely popular. But hey, what do millions of fans know right? lol we can’t all be wrong dude. Yep this debate is a waste of time. I quite liked Stephaine’s interview. She seems like a nice person.
This is a total waste of time. They cant be compared, so why are we doing it? YOu guys have made a nice little article into a huge debate. GO into politics and then you can debate about improtant thing. (Not that Harry Potter and Twilight arent important, but compared to death, wars, and desease)
From my understanding the fans don’t compare the books, it’s the media and publishing industry that do because of the numbers and how quickly they’ve become popular with a particular age group. Now with a movie in the works that will be released two weeks after HBP, it’s the industry that’s trying to stir up something like they always do.
I actually really enjoyed Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse. They’re told in the first person which was something different, very passionate and emotional, with action that comes out of nowhere taking me completely off guard in a good way, and at the heart of it a love story that can make even the most cynical person sigh because I don’t think a love exists like that but it’s nice to pretend it does.
Can I just say thank you to Stephanie for addressing this????
Now, first of all, I am a relatively new Twilighter (but I have read all the books…). If you stick with them (and, I know, it’s sometimes hard…) they’re GOOD. There are some preciously adorable or utterly hilarious moments that can be found if you read it.
I haven’t read all the comments, but from what I’ve seen, people are complaining that Twilight is a "teen romance novel" with "very little plot." Again, true (at least for the first three books, BREAKINGDAWN is my personal fave in the series _. There’s some plot tension there), but that’s the nature of the archetype. If you’re not a romance fan, don’t read them.
Now, all that being said, JKR’s writing is 3876439634829039543 times better than Stephanie’s… there is NO comparison, and HP is still at the top of my list! >_<
Hi, I’m a huge fan of Harry Potter, and lets be honest, nothing will compare to it. However after a lot of pressure I got from my friends that I should read Twiligh, well did, and I have to admit is good, but not as good as Harry Potter.
Ya, you can’t compare literary genius to garbage, it just doesn’t work. Plot complexity doesn’t make for good writing, character complexity does. Purple prose doesn’t mean a story is well written, ease in understanding does. Rowling makes a moral point in the same vein as Mark Twain, or Charles Dickens. Meyer’s isn’t a good author, Rowling is. End of story.
i reserved my comments until i have actually read the book.
what got me reading twilight was the tagling they used for the movie saying that it is "the hottest book since harry potter"…I, being a harry potter fan, got really curious and so i started looking for the books (they are actually sold out, good thing my friend had a copy).
Honestly, Twilight is in the same league as the Sweet Valley High vampire series that i read back in grade school. i was even thinking that francine pascal wrote hers better than ms.meyer….
it was painful, reading through Bella’s droolings about Edward Cullen…i can’t count how many times i rolled my eyes while reading… lines like edward "smiling his crooked smile that i really love" almost made me throw up!
the characters are hollow with paper-thin personalities…two-dimensional and really shallow…bella is motivated by her obsession with this really hot vampire, she is even ready to give up her humanity and her family all for the sake of what she calls "love"…
don’t even start comparing it with Harry Potter.
twilight’s cover is cool though. lol!
This is really a neverending argument! Different people have different tastes in things-I personally didn’t like Twilight when I read it but why keep comparing that and HP? They’re totally different stories.