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Post by The One on May 27, 2007 22:03:19 GMT -5
Yes, that's more or less what it is. Maybe the 'magic' isn't real, but the characters are so real. You start to live with them when you read it. I'm interested in HP books not because of the magic in it, but because of the story. I'm so curious as to what will happen in the end. Can't wait to read the last one...
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Post by Lukaran on Jun 7, 2007 12:42:32 GMT -5
Oh Noooo!!!!! You said the B-word!!!! "Borders"! Just kidding, I work at a Barnes & Noble. I'll be working the midnight release party for the 7th Harry Potter book. Two years ago, I also worked the one for the 6th book. Four years ago, when the 5th book came out, I was at the Barnes & Noble party as a civilian. Forgive me, Kahlessa, but Borders is much closer than Barnes & Noble, and with the price of gas…
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Post by ContessaJ on Jun 8, 2007 10:15:48 GMT -5
Will you folks tell me if you think the HP books are better than the movies? I might even try reading one some day... I'm trying to get on board here, but I'm really digging my heels in. Can someone rescue me and my lagging literary scope? I'm the only hold-out I know. Ha, I am a great lover arts, the written word in particular, but I just can't bring myself to get into HP. My heels are firmly "dug." I have enjoyed the movies thusfar and that's as far as I intend to wander. I know, I know, I'm being very stubborn and snobbish and probably irrational, but when something becomes a cultural phenomena, I tend to turn in the other direction. It's a hereditary prejudice, I'm afraid. But I do have logical reasons for my boycott as well. I have read most of the first book and while I admit that it was well-written and many of the details are very intriguing, I, too, was disappointed by all the negativity coming from the adult characters and the lack of consequences given to those who break the rules... the adults are all either ditzy, crotchety or just plain evil. HP and the gang do whatever they are inspired to do (because they are so clever and what do the adults know anyway?) and even if things go wrong, all is well in the end and go, harry, go. I'm sorry... I am all for child empowerment and instilling confidence and ingenuity in them, but respect is also something modern children lack and from what I read, this text frequently reiterates the idea that you can and should do anything you want because you think you should. and gall-darnit, it's sure funny to watch those silly adults befuddle over your mischievous actions. again, I'm certainly not one to blindly condone ulta-conservativism, or anything traditional for that matter, but children do need mentors, structure, guidance and the humilty to respect those in authority. Obviously, not all authoritative figures properly deserve that respect, but certainly the flawed shouldn't be depicted as representative...? Enough ranting. But, you now may realize why I have special affection for Severus Snape. We seem to be on the level. Plus, I adore Alan Rickman; his voice is like melted chocolate In any case, I hope Rowling does the proper literary thing and kills off Potter in the end... all great protagonists die at least once. Plus, it would upset so many people that I would be quite proud of her spunk. Oh, dear. I'm sure you all hate me now, don't you?
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Post by Kahlessa on Jun 8, 2007 18:38:28 GMT -5
But I do have logical reasons for my boycott as well. I have read most of the first book and while I admit that it was well-written and many of the details are very intriguing, I, too, was disappointed by all the negativity coming from the adult characters and the lack of consequences given to those who break the rules... the adults are all either ditzy, crotchety or just plain evil.... I am all for child empowerment and instilling confidence and ingenuity in them, but respect is also something modern children lack and from what I read, this text frequently reiterates the idea that you can and should do anything you want because you think you should....I'm certainly not one to blindly condone ulta-conservativism, or anything traditional for that matter, but children do need mentors, structure, guidance and the humilty to respect those in authority. Obviously, not all authoritative figures properly deserve that respect, but certainly the flawed shouldn't be depicted as representative...? Oh, dear. I'm sure you all hate me now, don't you? No, Contessa, we don’t hate you. (At least I don’t.) And I encourage lively discussion here as long as it’s polite. As for the books, I have to say that if you’ve only read the first book (or most of it), you’ve barely scratched the surface. The genesis of Rowling’s writing is her characterization, and how the characters deepen and become more complex as the books continue. As Harry gets older, he understands more and things become less simple. I have to add that you won’t get much depth of character from watching the films. If that’s what you basing your opinion on, no wonder. And I very much disagree with your opinion about how the adults are portrayed. (Of course, I’ve read all six books. More than once.) The adults in the novels are not one-dimensional. Harry and his friends come to respect and appreciate many of the adults, especially Dumbledore and McGonagall. The book also shows that being an adult is not easy. Even the wisest have their doubts and uncertainties. Right now I’m working on an essay about being an adult Harry Potter fan. I disagree that the books are a childish fantasy, an escape. There are many adult issues at play in the series. I’ll expand more on this later.
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Post by Kahlessa on Jun 8, 2007 21:19:45 GMT -5
There are a couple of things that are different in the Harry Potter films from what is in the books. In the Sorcerer’s Stone film, Harry is shown defeating Quirrell and then he passes out. In the book, he passes out while fighting Quirrell and Dumbledore arrives in time to pull Quirrell off Harry and then defeat him.
In the Chamber of Secrets film, when Harry and Ron are in trouble for taking the flying car to school, Dumbledore says he won’t expel them this time, but he will be writing to their parents.
In the book (pp.80-81), the tone of the scene is different. McGonagall asks them to explain and Ron said they had no choice but to take the flying car when they found the gateway blocked. Here’s the passage with McGonagall’s response:
“Why didn’t you send us a letter by owl? I believe you have an owl?” Professor McGonagall said coldly to Harry.
Harry gaped at her. Now she said it, that seemed the obvious thing to have done.
“I--I didn’t think –“
“That,” said Professor McGonagall, “is obvious.”
So Harry and Ron realize that what they did was not only dangerous, but stupid and unnecessary. Then Dumbledore comes in and note Harry’s reaction in this passage:
Henry’s whole body went numb. Dumbledore was looking unusually grave. He stared down his very crooked nose at them, and Harry suddenly found himself wishing he and Ron were still being beaten up by the Whomping Willow.
There was a long silence. Then Dumbledore said, “Please explain why you did this.”
It would have been better if he had shouted. Harry hated the disappointment in his voice. For some reason, he was unable to look Dumbledore in the eyes, and spoke instead to his knees.
Dumbledore says he will be writing to their parents and if they do something like this again, they could be expelled. McGonagall tells Harry and Ron that they will both receive detention. (I don’t think that was in the film.)
The scene, as written in the book, does not give the impression that the kids think they’re right or that they have no respect for the authority figures at the school. It’s clear that Harry has great respect for Dumbledore and is more hurt by having disappointed him than by any punishment.
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