Mike Lorrey writes, regarding the Harry Potter books,
> > On Tuesday, September 05, 2000 10:30 AM Michael S. Lorrey
> > retroman@turbont.net wrote:
> > > Of course they are good books, they were written by two people. JK Rowling
> > > copied the work of an earlier author and rewrote them.
> >
> > Who was this earlier author she used?
>
> Don't recall the name, but there is/was a plagiarism lawsuit going on filed by
> the offended party.
I found some information on the web about this. Rowling is being sued
by American author Nancy K. Stouffer, who alleges that Rowling borrowed
language and ideas from her 1984 book, "The Legend of Rah and Muggles".
http://mrshowbiz.go.com/news/Todays_Stories/317/potterplagiary031700.html:
Stouffer's litany of similarities begins with "muggles." In Rowling's
Potter books, "muggle" is the word used by wizards to mean ordinary
humans. Stouffer's muggles are Lilliputian little people who care
for two orphaned boys. More to the point, Stouffer says she owns a
trademark on the word "muggle."
Additionally, The Legend of Rah and Muggles features characters
named Larry Potter and Lilly Potter, and Stouffer also writes about
characters called "Keepers of the Gardens." In addition to the obvious
Larry/Harry link, Rowling also has a Lily (mind you, that's with
just one "l") Potter, and her books include a "Keeper of the Keys"
character.
IMO even if these similarities prove to be more than coincidence, it would
hardly be fair to say, as Mike did, that "JK Rowling copied the work of
an earlier author and rewrote them". His suggestion that such a practice
would "of course" lead to a good book is a non sequitur, as well.
Hal
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