In China, a successful book often spawns a whole bunch of Coco Canal ripoffs. I remember reading, in Rachel DeWoskin's memoir "Foreign Babes in Beijing," that the popularity of "Who Moved My Cheese?" in China had led to the publication of dozens of Cheese-themed books: "Stop Moving My Cheese"; "Understanding Other People's Cheese"; and, most memorably, "Chinese People Eat Cheese? Who Moved My Meat Bun?"
So it's no surprise to read in today's NYT that Harry Potter ripoffs are rampant in China:
These include “Harry Potter and the Half-Blooded Relative Prince,” a creation whose name in Chinese closely resembles the title of the genuine sixth book by Ms. Rowling, as well as pure inventions that include “Harry Potter and the Hiking Dragon,” “Harry Potter and the Chinese Empire,” “Harry Potter and the Young Heroes,” “Harry Potter and Leopard-Walk-Up-to-Dragon,” and “Harry Potter and the Big Funnel.”
All of which is to say... I'm not sure what, exactly. Maybe that Evan is Chinese. Or that if you live in China, you should keep your eyes open for "Harry Potter and the Bombs of Voldemort."
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