Post by Dumbledork on Feb 17, 2015 23:46:30 GMT -5
1. I'm rereading. I read it maybe once a year. It's a comfort book, like comfort food. I named my daughter after Lily Potter, so obviously I'm a fan of her and I've been through the series 5 or 6 times since my kid was born, but I've found myself really thinking about and connecting with her this read through. Just how powerful a force J.K. made love and just how much love Lily had for, not only Harry, but everyone around her.
It's because she treated the freak boy that lived down the street with love and kindness that her son had a protector willing to turn traitor and protect him long after she died.
2. The Mirror of Erised, with Harry noticing his nose in this person, his knees in that. I think I cried when I listened to that chapter this re-read because I could just see him sitting there, silently connecting with a family he'll never really know and finally feeling like he's home. That he felt more at home sitting alone, staring at a mirror than he ever did growing up with the Dursleys.
3. Well, I think the obvious answer is that she wanted to show kids that no matter their shitty background or upbringing, they can rise and accomplish great things. It did start out primarily as a kid's book. I think she gives hints later on that Petunia really only treats him the way she does because she's so mad about what magic has done to her sister, probably her closest friend as a kid. Depending on how much she knows, she may blame Harry for her death. I can imagine how difficult it would be to see him every day. Still, you'd think she'd treat him a little better.
5. I don't remember my very first impression because that was years ago. Now when I think about the castle, I always think "Really, all that magic and you couldn't create heated robes or a spell to coat the castle walls to keep out the cold and the wind?" Maybe that's because it's so damn cold here though. Anyway, I think it's special in the same sense your college is special, fresh start and all that.
6. Sometimes, the very qualities that seem to make a person disagreeable to you, as Hermione was to Harry and his friends at first, become assets to you once that person becomes you friend. What qualities did Hermione bring to the group? What does her integration into the group tell you about the nature of friendship? Why did defeating the troll turn Harry, Ron, and Hermione into best friends?
8. I think it's a bit of tomato tomahto. Like I said above, J.K. made love this incredible force throughout the series. I think you can argue that she made love the power of the good, it's the basis for all the loyalty you see in the later books to Dumbledore, the Potters, Hogwarts, etc. It's what holds them together and helps them fight. When you flip it to "There is only love, and those too weak to seek it," you get the overall set up for the books.
9. Do any of the characters remind you of someone you know? Like I said, I named my daughter Lilly (Lillianna) after Lily Potter. I love her. See above for some reasons why.
10. I don't do Pottermore, but my guess is Hufflepuff.
11. If you had to hang any quote from this book on your wall, which one would you choose? Oh god… There are so many. Probably something from Hermione. Or maybe "She needs to sort out her priorities." I think that might just be in the movie though.
I'm rereading (audio book) for like the billionth time. I agree with tons in here, but one thing that always niggled at me - in the first chapter, mcgonnigle (or dumbledore) says they wouldn't be surprised if that night was henceforth known as harry potter night. And while that would have been overkill, it always surprised me that the wizarding world did nothing to mark that night
“With sorrow—for this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection—we dissent,”
just how is the audio book? I've started to do audio books on my long commute to work.
Not just, but I love the audiobook. It's the primary way I read HP now. Jim Dale is amazing, especially lin the later books. I really recommend that every HP vet reread with the audiobook at least once. It changes the dynamic a bit.
3. Why do you think J.K. Rowling depicts the Dursleys as being so terrible? I feel like this was almost a misstep with Rowling, because she turned them into 1-dimensional characters. Everyone else had such depth to them, but the life she gave Harry was truly horrific. The idea of a toddler growing up being constantly tormented, never being cuddled and loved, a child never having a friend or anyone on his side? And then he turns out normal? I think above everything else, this is the most over-the-top.
I almost feel like they are one dimensional because we are seeing them through Harry's eyes. He can only see them as terrible
until the end when Dudley says he doesn't think Harry is a waste of space
I agree. They become much less one dimensional in the later books when you get to see slivers of why they are the way they are. Especially Aunt Petunia.
just how is the audio book? I've started to do audio books on my long commute to work.
Both the UK and US versions are really good, I prefer the UK (stephen frye) version because Jim Dale's voices grate on me after a while, I like Stephen Frye's more low key approach.
A couple more thoughts - When I came across descriptions of Dudley's VCR I had to check and see when the books were written - 1997! Almost 20 years old! I had no idea it has been that long. We've gone from VCR to DVD to streaming in that time.
I also liked a lot of the foreshadowing going on - spells and objects that become important, creatures. All these little hints are so fun.
In regards to the seemingly simple tasks required to get the Sorcer's Stone - the one most important point is Dumbledore's addition of only allowing the stone to be found by someone who didn't want to use its powers - that would be a pretty rare person. So really, it wasn't as simple it seemed to get the stone, and possibly not surprising that a child would be the finder.
The first one was published in 97, but it takes place in 91/92 because Harry was born in 1981.
A couple more thoughts - When I came across descriptions of Dudley's VCR I had to check and see when the books were written - 1997! Almost 20 years old! I had no idea it has been that long. We've gone from VCR to DVD to streaming in that time.
I also liked a lot of the foreshadowing going on - spells and objects that become important, creatures. All these little hints are so fun.
In regards to the seemingly simple tasks required to get the Sorcer's Stone - the one most important point is Dumbledore's addition of only allowing the stone to be found by someone who didn't want to use its powers - that would be a pretty rare person. So really, it wasn't as simple it seemed to get the stone, and possibly not surprising that a child would be the finder.
The first one was published in 97, but it takes place in 91/92 because Harry was born in 1981.
Lol. True enough - I forgot. I still cannot believe the books are almost 20 years old. So like, I've been a Harry Potter freak for about 15 years?? Where has the time gone?
Post by EloiseWeenie on Feb 18, 2015 13:55:14 GMT -5
I was stuck doing lots of sewing last week, so I just finished the book today.
1. Are you reading the series for the first time? Are you rereading? I'm re-reading. I think this is either the 4th or 5th time reading this book. b. If you are rereading, did anything stick out to you this time that you may not have noticed the first time? The Sirius comments in the beginning. I also compared Harry and Neville a lot, noticing the differences between Neville raised by his Gran in the wizarding world (and family kind of treating him as worthless) vs Harry's cruel, muggle childhood.
2. What was your favorite part of the book? I LOVE when Harry and Ron are on the train going to Hogwarts, and Harry shares his treats with Ron, because it was the first time he ever had something to share. It's so sweet and tender. I was really loving Neville during this read.
3. Why do you think J.K. Rowling depicts the Dursleys as being so terrible? He gets to go from a place where he's merely existing, to a new, exciting place where there's lots of possibilities.
4. What are the advantages to Harry not having known he is special before he starts school? Disadvantages? Advantages: He's humble Disadvantages: He misses out on knowing who he is, and who he comes from
5. What is your first impression of Hogwarts School? What about it makes it seem special and different? Hogwarts is amazing, and I want to go!!
6. Sometimes, the very qualities that seem to make a person disagreeable to you, as Hermione was to Harry and his friends at first, become assets to you once that person becomes you friend. What qualities did Hermione bring to the group? What does her integration into the group tell you about the nature of friendship? Why did defeating the troll turn Harry, Ron, and Hermione into best friends? Hermione's intellect and logic. She was really bossy at the beginning, which doesn't surprise me that she and Neville stuck together. The troll incident bonded them. Ron and Harry went after her, because they felt guilty for upsetting Hermione. Once Hermione defended them to the teachers, they bonded.
7. The Mirror of Erised (Desire) plays an important role in the Harry’s growing understanding of his internal conflict. The inscription around the top of the mirror translates: “I show not your face but your heart’s desire.” When Harry gazes into the mirror he sees his parents and other members of his family. Dumbledore, the headmaster of the school, cautions Harry, saying that the mirror “will give neither knowledge nor truth. Men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if what it shows is real or even possible,” and he concludes by saying, “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”. Harry longs for the connection to his family, something missing from his miserable childhood. How does he eventually make that connection to the past without losing sight of what is important in the present and essential to the future? I think that simply seeing his family for the first time was a huge connection to the past. I'm sure it was as comforting to see them as it was gutting. He was forming his new family with Ron and Hermione.
8. Quirrell tells Harry that “There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it.” Do you agree with this? Is this the reality of the world? Or if good and evil do exist, what makes them so? Which is more important in the world - power, or good and evil? I think that people who are obsessed with power don't concern themselves with the lives of others. So, Quirrell may only see power and weakness, but will never consider how his actions/power affects others.
9. Besides Harry Potter himself, who was your favorite character in the book? Which character did you find most interesting? Why? What details did Rowling provide that made that character come alive in your mind in all his or her complexity? Did your first impressions of the character remain unaltered, or did you change your opinion of the character as the story went on? Do any of the characters remind you of someone you know? Professor McGonagall- I love when she's expected to be severe, but usually ends up surprising the character/reader. I noticed Neville a lot more in this read, as I said earlier. He is so loyal.
10. If the Sorting Hat were placed on your head, which house would you be? I would want Ravenclaw, but would probably be Gryffindor or Hufflepuff.
11. If you had to hang any quote from this book on your wall, which one would you choose? To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever.
just how is the audio book? I've started to do audio books on my long commute to work.
I love the audiobooks. I haven't read the physical copies in years but listen to the series once (ok FINE twice) a year.
I've had the british and the us versions. I prefer the british ones, but I had downloaded them illegally in my anarchistic youth. I then received the american ones as a gift. Because those are the legal ones, those are the ones I listen to now.
They were the best introduction to audiobooks for me because I can zone out from time to time but because I know the stories so well I don't 'miss' anything. When I'm listening to new books I need to be a little more on task
ETA: They're also SUPER long (at least the last 4) so great value and wonderful for long trips.
“With sorrow—for this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection—we dissent,”
just how is the audio book? I've started to do audio books on my long commute to work.
I love the audiobooks. I haven't read the physical copies in years but listen to the series once (ok FINE twice) a year.
I've had the british and the us versions. I prefer the british ones, but I had downloaded them illegally in my anarchistic youth. I then received the american ones as a gift. Because those are the legal ones, those are the ones I listen to now.
They were the best introduction to audiobooks for me because I can zone out from time to time but because I know the stories so well I don't 'miss' anything. When I'm listening to new books I need to be a little more on task
ETA: They're also SUPER long (at least the last 4) so great value and wonderful for long trips.
I sent money with my friend when she went to London and had her buy me the cds Huge outlay of cash but I WAAAANTED them. and :cough: they're on youtube now :cough:
just how is the audio book? I've started to do audio books on my long commute to work.
Both the UK and US versions are really good, I prefer the UK (stephen frye) version because Jim Dale's voices grate on me after a while, I like Stephen Frye's more low key approach.
I really want to try the UK version, but I've had a hard time finding it. Where'd you get it?
ETA: I should have finished reading before I asked. Sorry!
I really want to try the UK version, but I've had a hard time finding it. Where'd you get it?
My friend had a client in London and one of her business trips I sent her with enough cash to buy them all for me. I have no idea what store she got them at. You can also check out youtube and stream them depending on how you feel about that.
If Harry is a horcrux, and all the other horcruxes were impervious to harm except for a very few weapons, why is Harry not the same? Why was he able to be injured and come so close to death so many times? Plus, why did Voldemort's soul not possess Harry? The evil in the necklace horcrux messed them up when they were just near it. How was Harry not affected? [\spoiler]
horcrux' can be injured, and even come close to death they just can't actually die, hence why Voldy lived in a suspended state. Same with Harry he could come next to death but not make it all the way unless/until the horcrux was destroyed.
my understanding of the not possessing him thing is part Lily's protection (her love acted as a barrier to the horcrux taking over) and part choice. by choosing to be good and fight voldy he reinforced Lily's protection.
But think about how the others behaved. They cases couldn't be injured. Plus, the necklace emanated evil. The diary worked to possess whoever connected with it [\spoiler]
But think about how the others behaved. They cases couldn't be injured. Plus, the necklace emanated evil. The diary worked to possess whoever connected with it [\spoiler]
But think about how the others behaved. They cases couldn't be injured. Plus, the necklace emanated evil. The diary worked to possess whoever connected with it [\spoiler]
The first one was published in 97, but it takes place in 91/92 because Harry was born in 1981.
Lol. True enough - I forgot. I still cannot believe the books are almost 20 years old. So like, I've been a Harry Potter freak for about 15 years?? Where has the time gone?
It's been 15 years for me too. I was just a kid. I got the 4th for my 9th birthday, just after it came out.
Also, Harry was born July 31, 1980. (Ron in March, Draco in June. Hermione September of 1979.)
I think Harry's freewill counteracted the horcrux. Voldemort was able to completely take over Nagini, because she was just a snake, and predisposed to listen to Voldemort anyway because he spoke parsletongue. The inanimate horcruxes became completely like Voldemort, because there was nothing there to begin with.
Also, H's birthday is July 31, and I always remind him that it's Harry's birthday, too. He loves that (he doesn't).
Post by lightbulbsun on Feb 19, 2015 10:25:09 GMT -5
Oh, and one other random thing I noticed this time - when they were in the shack on the rock, and Hagrid was telling Harry he was a wizard, Vernon mumbles something that sounds like "mimblewimble". Mimble Wimble is the tongue-tying curse.
I finally have some time to answer these questions.
1. Are you reading the series for the first time? Are you rereading? I am rereading. I am finding that I am noticing a lot more of the foreshadowing and hints to future things.
2. What was your favorite part of the book? I enjoyed the dynamic as Hermione, Ron, and Harry banded together to get to the stone. Seeing how their friendship developed and they were able to work as a team was cool to watch.
3. Why do you think J.K. Rowling depicts the Dursleys as being so terrible? I think some of it is to give a context for Harry's desire for a loving family. I also think some of it sets up his ability to jump right into fighting evil. He has not ever been able to "fight back" against the terrible things that the Dursleys do to him, so it seems more natural when he has more freedom that he immediately fights back.
4. What are the advantages to Harry not having known he is special before he starts school? Disadvantages? One advantage is that he doesn't have any bad habits - he has never had access to really using his magic, so he doesn't overly rely on magical skills. Using magic is new, so his first instinct is to use non-magical solutions. This is also a disadvantage - his hesitance to take the magical option at first ends up with him being behind in a fight.
5. What is your first impression of Hogwarts School? What about it makes it seem special and different? Hogwarts is huge and old and physically impressive. It is obviously special because of it's size and imposing quality. ONce inside, the unusual staircases, magical great hall, and password protected areas are very unique.
6. Sometimes, the very qualities that seem to make a person disagreeable to you, as Hermione was to Harry and his friends at first, become assets to you once that person becomes you friend. What qualities did Hermione bring to the group? What does her integration into the group tell you about the nature of friendship? Why did defeating the troll turn Harry, Ron, and Hermione into best friends? Hermione had a tremendous about of book smarts and a need to try to learn how everything works. She also tended to be a bit of a know it all because of her focus on her book learning. I think that her becoming part of the group shows how friends can see beyond our external shell, and see that her smarts and tenacity are valuable. Defeating the troll allows them to see the internal values of each other, instead of just the external facade they show to the world.
7. The Mirror of Erised (Desire) plays an important role in the Harry’s growing understanding of his internal conflict. The inscription around the top of the mirror translates: “I show not your face but your heart’s desire.” When Harry gazes into the mirror he sees his parents and other members of his family. Dumbledore, the headmaster of the school, cautions Harry, saying that the mirror “will give neither knowledge nor truth. Men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if what it shows is real or even possible,” and he concludes by saying, “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”. Harry longs for the connection to his family, something missing from his miserable childhood. How does he eventually make that connection to the past without losing sight of what is important in the present and essential to the future? He is able to see how he has traits from his parents - like his mother's eyes, and his father's flying skills, that allow him to feel like he has some of them with him.
8. Quirrell tells Harry that “There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it.” Do you agree with this? Is this the reality of the world? Or if good and evil do exist, what makes them so? Which is more important in the world - power, or good and evil? I think power is an integral part of good and evil. It seems like evil tends to seek power in order to use it for evil. I feel like good tends to try to do a good job and when they succeed, end up in positions where they can use their position of power to increase good.
9. Besides Harry Potter himself, who was your favorite character in the book? Which character did you find most interesting? Why? What details did Rowling provide that made that character come alive in your mind in all his or her complexity? Did your first impressions of the character remain unaltered, or did you change your opinion of the character as the story went on? Do any of the characters remind you of someone you know? I enjoy Hermione - she reminds me of myself. I was always focused on being smart, and often came off as a know-it-all. Inside I just wanted to be accepted and be a good friend. I enjoy seeing her come out of her shell with her true friends.
10. If the Sorting Hat were placed on your head, which house would you be? I always figured I would be in Ravenclaw, as I value intelligence. Pottermore put me in Slytherin - which I guess makes sense as well - I am also a problem solver.
11. If you had to hang any quote from this book on your wall, which one would you choose? I am not sure what quote I would use - I think I would take a quote from one of the later books.
I feel like this is a good place to post last year's Halloween photos. Getting h to be Harry involved a lot of bribery.
When they were casting for Harry Potter my DH was the right age, short, skinny, had lots of dark hair, and round glasses. My hair is red and I'm a year younger. We haven't been together on Halloween for a couple years, but when we are I have our costumes all planned.
Another thing I kept thinking during reading... It's a serious shame that they didn't include Peeves in the movies. I know they had to edit for time's sake, but Peeves is hilarious and would have gotten some good laughs.
Yes! I loved Peeves.
And also, I'm sure I'm totally alone on this, but I think I initially failed to read the description of Peeves and instead visualized him as Slimer (I think that's his name?) from Ghostbusters. I do not know why. But anyway, to me, Peeves is a green blob. That can talk. Yeah, it makes no sense...
You're not alone! That's always how I picture him too and every time I re-read the first book I'm surprised by his description. In my mind, he is slimer. lol!
Post by SpartanGirl on Feb 20, 2015 23:04:40 GMT -5
1. I'm rereading and I think what sticks out to me the most is how mean the Dursleys really are to Harry. It didn't strike me as much the first time I read it, but now that I have kids it really stands out to me.
2. Diagon Alley will always be my favorite thing. I still get goosebumps when I read it. It's our first real introduction to the magical world and I always feel so swept away by JK's imagination.
3. I think it shows that, even in the worst of conditions, you can choose to be a good person. It would have been easy for Harry to be bitter or mean, but he wasn't. It also highlights how desperately he craves family and friends.
4. I think it did exactly what Dumbledore said it would - it kept him humble. The disadvantage was the lack of love and support that he could have found within the wizard community. Lily and James had many friends who would have been great stand ins for parental figures.
9. This is a hard one. I love Hermione for being such a strong and determined person. I also love Dumbledore. I have more to say on why I like Dumbledore, but it's spoiler-y so I'll save it for later book discussions.
10. Well Pottermore says Gryffindor, but I'd guess Hufflepuff.
11. Not sure I'd hang it on my wall, but I do like the quote: "To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.”
Post by fozziebear on Feb 21, 2015 20:10:38 GMT -5
I'm late to the game because my internet went wonky this week.
I'm a rereader. My thoughts have all been said by others, but I love reading everyone's thoughts. I enjoy reading other perspectives and getting tidbits of info that I didn't really know, backstory that's not directly in the books.
Post by christy082 on Feb 23, 2015 12:46:13 GMT -5
I reread the first two books prior to having a baby last week. While I haven't slept enough to formulate my own thoughts, I'm very much enjoying reading everyone elses.