Harry Potter

[Shadowfax]

Sorry everyone who saw that. You are not to discuss what you saw on that post with anyone. I realised I would breach my warrant by saying what I said there so...

(If no-one understands what I have just said then that is a good thing, you are not meant to know.)

[dew7]

Look Shadowfax, I hail from the opposite side of the coin.  I see hope in many things.  Now let us be more positive in the future.

[Jeysie]

Hmm. (thinks up questions)

Who's everyone's favorite characters? I rather like Ron and Professor Lupin so far. Hermione reminds me a little too much of me as a kid... and Harry's a decent sort, but has things just simply fall into his lap a little too much.

And which house would you be in? Judging by the descriptions, I'd be in either Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff.

Peace & Luv, Liz

[dew7]

Yeah, Lupin is a decent sort and I like him as a character.

[koko_99_2001]

Loved Sirius the first time I read through the books...but after I took my class and read the fifth book, he wasn't really my favorite anymore.

And my class on Fantasy Lit. opened my eyes to how SMART Rowling is.  I so wish I could have the time to type up all my notes...that would be SO cool!  All HP fans would love the insite that can be gained from those notes!

[Shadowfax]

Well, I may not be the worlds greatest fan of Harry Potter books but if I was to pick a favourite character I suppose I would pick Lupin as well (seemed the vaguely mysterious type to me, with an infinte awareness of the world around him.)

See, I do have something postive to say about the books  

[Drunken Chinchilla]

My favourite is LOOOOOONEY LUNA! She so cool, and she has that Lion hat in book 5 Also for some reason I get the feeling that shes going to be an important character in the next two books, something about the way Harry looks at her at the end of book 5 or something...

*goes off to read order of the phoenix again*

Oh and cat, what was the topic of the insites into the books? I've read loads of things about how some people actually consider the series to be modern conversions of bible stories! Very strange indeed and Rowling has always denied any intentional bible connotations too.

[Drunken Chinchilla]

Oh and housewise I'd say Ravenclaw too. Powerful without being eviiiiiiil.

[koko_99_2001]

Oh and cat, what was the topic of the insites into the books? I've read loads of things about how some people actually consider the series to be modern conversions of bible stories! Very strange indeed and Rowling has always denied any intentional bible connotations too.

I don't think in any of our classes we talked about connections between the books and the Bible.  We talked more about how characters are named and how there are connections throughout the books that quite a few people might not recognize on their own.  I REALLY need to see if I can type up my notes!  Of course, gotta go home and get them first

[Drunken Chinchilla]

Ahhhh the names. Yes some are very clever indeed, such as Remus lupin was derived from Romulus and Reamus, the greek twins who were raised by wolves which then led to fans thinking Lupin had a twin. Theres loads about it on Rowlings site (not the harry potter one, her very own site jkrowling.com). Hahaha this topic has got me all hyped about the new book now and I thought i could cope with the wait!

[koko_99_2001]

Hahaha this topic has got me all hyped about the new book now and I thought i could cope with the wait!

And no date has been set yet, has it??

[racx_00]

I really like Sirius ! Unfortunately i havent read the 5th book yet

[koko_99_2001]

Go read the fifth book...we won't post spoilers here!

[FataliOmega]

Harry Potter definitely lacks in complexity on pretty much every area... Except the one area Rowlings is most experienced with. Her books pretty accurately account scholastic beaurocracy and the kids they supposedly (mostly unsuccessfully) teach. Read the books looking for this and you will get a revelation on the world's pathetic educational techniques. (Either that, or pass out and have a vision... the result is much the same. )

As for the simplistic Bad guy / Good guy thing... I think it might do our extremely wishy-washy culture some good. Yes its a little extreme and cardboard... but things have gone so far in the other direction we should strive to balance things a little. (Not too hot and not too cold)

[Shadowfax]

Hehehehe!

Right on mate!  

[Rune_of_Westhaven]

Kimmy said:

*am glad to say that i have not read a single harry potter book! therefore i am the best*

Blasphemer!!! Where is my wet noodle! (Goes in search of it and the holy ground hog, armed to the teeth with plastic sporks and wearing pillows strapped to her chest for armor)

Really...what is so nice about Harry Potter to me is that it teaches children about things you encounter as an adult but puts it in a way they can understand.  For instance, *SPOILAGE*
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Fudge's behavior throughout the whole thing.  If it isn't purely beauracratic I don't know what is.  Fudge is a bit on the selfish and blind side and he has you scratching your head going...how could anyone be that stupid? And yet he behaves that way...just like a lot of adults in this world.  Kids would be scratching their heads too, but maybe if they pay attention they would know the behavior for what it is in the future.  It also teaches them that adults aren't perfect, and maybe helps them understand when they reach a wonderful (agh I hated this) age like 15 that although said heroes aren't perfect they really love you.  For instance, Dumbledore's behavior towards Harry throughout, which is explained in the 5th book.  

It makes it magic and fun for children and yet it grows at the same time, and it also appeals to adults because you can look at it and say you know...I've seen it before.  I know what that is like.  Then you hope those characters get their bottoms kicked, and it is generally satisfying when they do.

I cannot express how much I appreciate Harry Potter and I would certainly let my children (if I had any) read it.  

My favorite character, btw is Hermione because she is strong and independent, smart and clever but capable of being beautiful as well.  She has a good heart, but is still growing like the rest of us.  A very good model for young girls.

Take a look Tis mine.

<edit> Drat. Exceeded my own data transfer by looking at my own wonderfulness..drat, drat drat.  I'll just attach it here.

And I know someone like Luna Lovegood, and she is just wonderful...although a bit strange, I'll admit.

Good..now I've gushed my most.  I was just planning on rereading the books too. lol

[Shadowfax]

Well, obviously someone is a fan of the books!

As I mentioned earlier it isn't...well...strong enough for my tastes but I can appreciate why others enjoy it!

[Storm]

I only read book no. 3 (translated) just to see what all the fuss is about.
My conclusion? Great PR work, and not much else.
The book itself is good, but it's not breaking new grounds, not doing anything that hasn't been done before - nothing to warrant all the mass hysteria around it.
What we do have there is a coherent, well-written, interesting story with all the right elements, and a lot of PR.

I don't know anyone who just came up to a book shop and bought that book without knowing about it beforehand (of course, the book arrived here only after it was a huge success abroad). Right now, people buy the book mostly because everyone else also did... what's interesting (and would probably be taught on marketing classes in years to come) is to hear how it all started

Harry Potter definitely lacks in complexity on pretty much every area...

Complexity isn't always a good thing... especially in a book aimed at children, and most especially today's 20-commercial-messages-a-minute short-attention-span kids
I'm not too big on complexity or technical details myself - I remember reading books that just made me want to yell "cut this boring crap and move along with the plot, would you?"

Read the books looking for this and you will get a revelation on the world's pathetic educational techniques.

What really bothered me is the reckless disregard for the children's lives and general health
It's a good thing the plot takes place in the UK... if it was in America, the parents would sue the pants off Hogwarts

[Storm]

And which house would you be in? Judging by the descriptions, I'd be in either Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff.

Gryffindor, of course. From what I saw, no other house stands a chance of winning at the end of the year... correct me if I'm wrong though, I only know about the first 3 years

[KatieHal]

Haha, I finally got here, Alex.  

I'm pretty sure I've gone on at length before about the HP books and all the things I love about them. But hey, I'm a fantasy buff, I love well-written characters who actually change and develop, and I like to know it IS possible to come up with a great idea, get it written, and make that dream come true.

I admit to being disheartened about replying at all when I read some of the responses in here, but we're all entitled to our opinions.

And in my opinion, they are well-written, they're clear and easy to read. The most complex things? No. The bestest books evar? Probably not. Do I still love them? You bet. Rowling has created a long-spanning storyline (Harry vs. Voldemort, more or less) and still creates smaller story arcs, the mystery that spans each book, minor sub plots and characters and storylines within, and all of these things change and develop over time. I'd say there aer very few mentions or ideas,etc, that don't factor into the story.

Most of all, the way she's woven all these characters, storylines, themes, and the extensive history of the world she's created all together in a way that not only involves all of them, but makes them all fit together and develop. I love writing and do it plenty, and I *know* that's hard to do. Sure, the good guys tend to win, but they don't go unscarred or unchanged by what happens while they get there. And there are definitely unanswered questions left (some depend on where you are in the books). Why is Harry still alive? Why didn't Voldemort die when he originally tried to kill Harry? What's going to happen to all these characters--Harry, Hermione, Ron, the Weasleys, the many teachers of Hogwarts, the Dursleys, Voldemort, so on and so forth? And most of all, Hermione and Ron or Harry? (I'm a fan of the H & H pairing!)

Is some recklessness at Hogwarts? Yes. But for those who have read and enjoyed them, would the books be better off if they just played by the rules all the time? Heck no.

Some people might say they don't like them, but I would encourage anyone to go and read them (Kimmie  ) and *then* form their own opinion about it. Especially once the over-arching story begins to take off in the 3rd book, things get better, IMO.

Oh, and Rowling has said that it's not in her plan, nor was at any point, for them to get progressively bigger. So 6 and 7 may be shorter than 5 (which, IMO, was a bit too long and could've used some more editing. HA! SEE! I said something not glowing about it!)