Has anybody else noted the similarities between these two characters? Tnaks to the media marketing blitz, most have at least heard of Harry Potter. Richard Rahl is the hero of the “Sword of Truth” series by Terry Goodkind. Even though I’ve been only a casual reader or either series, I couldn’t help but notice the following similarities between the two lead characters:
Both are the children of wizards who were raised in lands w/o magic after their wizard parents fell in battle against a hyper-powerful evil magic user.
Both are unaware of their status as uniquely powerful, world-saving wizards until comparatively late in life.
Both are mentored by semi-whimsical old wizards w/ long white beards (Dumbledore for Harry and Zed for Richard)
Both of them actually get to fight the hyper powerful evil wizard when he makes guest appearances from the afterlife.
Both of them have female significant others who are very smart and powerful users of their own kind of magic (Hermione for Harry, Kahlan for Richard)
Both of them have no understanding of their own abilities.
Both of them manage to pull heretofore unknown powers out of their respective asses and save the day each time the author writes him/herself into a corner.
There are some differences, too. The Harry Potter books don’t (yet) have the heavy BDSM elements that the "“Sword of Truth” stories have in great measure. My first exposure to Harry Potter was in getting dragged to the movies, and I remember thinking “Where have I seen this before?”
After all, who wouldn’t like to see Hermione in red leather, with a single braid down the back, tapping her wand on her palm and looking sideways at Ron?
You evil, evil person, Theobroma. I almost snarfed coffee all over my monitor when I read this.
I’d have to concur with the OP - now that you’ve mentioned it, there are certainly some definate similarities. Who knows, maybe Harry will start swinging swords around in his later years.
No, but he acquired a lot of powers from V, which make everyone distrust him, until he proves that it’s what you decide for yourself that matters. The same as Richard.
I think you’re reading too much into this, Scumpup. Lots of these crop up in all sorts of fantasy writing.
BTW Hermione is so not Harry’s SO (I’l allow companion)
Yeah, there are similarities between these two series…and about eleventy hundred other series, too. I’ve heard people accuse Terry Goodkind of blatantly ripping off Robert Jordan, who in turn is accused of ripping off David Eddings, and all of whom, naturally, ripped off Tolkein. There are common elements throughout the genre. It’s gotten so crowded in there that it’s starting to get tough to write anything truly original.
I wondered if anyone was going to bring up Tim Hunter, though the differences there are considerable. Beyond the physical similarities and the fact that both are English and involved in magic, there’s not much to link the two. They’re about as different as two English magic boys can get.
Sort of like the link between John Constantine and Rupert Giles. Both are very similar when you look at their origins, and John’s role in Tim’s life is analogous to Giles’ role in Buffy’s, but they are very different characters, and the roles they play in the lives of their respective charges are quite different as well.
Actually, this is one of my long-standing theories, or that they are at least related. Yes, it’s a little too Star Wars-y, but you gotta admit, there are nice details pointing toward it.
Neil Gaiman was asked about the similarities and merely shrugged it off, saying he didn’t think so and that the concepts weren’t all that new even in his case. He was a bit perturbed when the reporter made it sound like he was claming Rowling borrowed from him.
(I’l allow companion)