arry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the book that began it all. Except I didn't read it until the third book came out - I though the books were just a fad, and didn't trust the fact that everyone in the world seemed to be jumping on the bandwagon.Then, the year Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was released, my sister borrowed all three from a friend and I thought I'd better read them if I was going to continue being critical.
That was the end of my criticism! J. K. Rowling captured me from the first chapter, all about the mysterious cat and robed wizard, and even from the first paragraph, which is so delightfully British omniscient storytelling style:
"Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn't hold with such nonsense."Of course, by the time I'd met all the other characters, laughed at Lockhart's foibles in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and agonised over Sirius' and Buckbeak's fates in the third book, there was no turning back; I turned into one of those people who signed up for same-day Saturday delivery of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and hardly said two words to my family that weekend as I devoured the book.
I reread them all every year as the next books - and then the films (which are brilliantly characterise but, in my opinion, don't have much else going for them) - were released: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, during which I wished I could live with them all in Number 12 Grimmauld Place; Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince, in which I have to say I was furious at Snape; and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, after which I fell in love with Snape. Not to mention the two textbooks of Harry's, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard...
Here're two pages of Rowling's notes:
And here're two Snape related images:
20 comments:
I didn't read the first one till last year, and I was totally struck by that perfect-pitch opening chapter, where it's totally obvious something really strange is going on behind all that polite and very reasonable British presentation. (Not to mention very funny.)
Love the quote from Rickman. I totally agree with you about the movies and the books. I started reading at book three too and snuck out of the house early in the morning to guy buy the fourth when it came out.
We love Alan Rickman in our house, kind of glad he loves the books. Snape was my favourite character and the fact that she sustained the ambiguity of his character was the best thing about the books. My favourite scene is where we find out about him being in love with Lily.
thanks for sharing
martine
Should I mention that I'm one of the few that didn't fall under the spell? Now, don't start the hard sell. ; ) It's just I didn't have time to read while teaching and I haven't ever gone back...yet. ; )
I absolutely love that second Alan Rickman image! I'd like to re-read those books someday, if I could just get my TBR pile a little shorter!
I haven't read the series and only saw the first movie. I tried reading the first book twice. It's not my cup of tea. The movie was okay though. I love the page of her notes. Super cool! :)
Don't feel too alone, Zan Marie...I've never read either. My two oldest girls have, but my sons and I have not. I did watch the movies. :)
Would you believe I still haven't read them all?
Denise
I didn't read Harry Potter either until after the first movie came out; I assumed that it was for younger kids. But once I started reading the first book I managed to finish it within a few days just because it was so good. The same thing happened with the other books. But I've never been able to reread the books; I'm not sure why. I did like the storyline about Snape and his unrequited love for Harry's mother, though.
When the books first came out - a fellow teacher brought Philosopher's Stone in - thumped it on the staff table and told us he'd read it in one day. He also insisted I read it next and then we passed it around. I think the entire staff read it in about a month! :)
Rowling is my hero. Great to see Harry Potter here.
wow lovely post
I love Harry Potter
do check out my letters at GAC a-z
Thanks for coming by everyone!
It's neat to see some dissenting voices; I can see how the tone or voice of Rowling's story isn't for everyone (I, for one, couldn't get past even the first chapter of Twilight). If they hadn't been so English I doubt I would have loved them as much as I do!
Hi Denzil .. my goddaughters loved them .. and were demanding midnight swoops to stores - so I did glance at them, and appreciate what JK has done .. and I love the way she's opened the doors to young writers by exposing her creative thoughts to them. I like the films - but only because I can lose myself in them and do other things at the same time - typical adult!
When you've visited Dover Castle - it'd be great if you'd drop back and leave a note?! Pretty please?!
Many thanks - cheers Hilary
Still haven't read them! My daughter loved them though!
I love me some Harry Potter, and I'm loving that I can start reading them with The Girl. Only the first one so far, but she loved it. Same day delivery? How about getting to the store for midnight release pickup and eating Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans for a discount? This guy! FYI: Black Pepper Beans? Not bad.
Gotta love Alan Rickman :)
Love the notes that Rowling wrote though; I'd assumed that they were tucked away neatly in a notebook.
Jamie
Fellow A-Z Bloggy Buddy
Mithril Wisdom
These are definitely on my all-time faves list! This year on our tour we went past the cafe in Edinburgh where JK Rowling started writing the books :)
I was late to the party. A friend read HP & The Sorcerer's Stone and gave it to me to borrow. I couldn't make it through the first chapter. Then I caught the first two movies on ABC Family and was hooked. Though I didn't read the books until right before the 5th movie was about to come out in theaters. Then I read books 1-6 in 2 months and the 7th when it came out 2 months later. Want to reread them now that I've focused on writing as a craft. See how Rowling wove everything into the story and what clues were there in the early books that I missed.
Melanie
Thank you Hilary! I've saved your comment - will let you know about Dover Castle!
I love 'em, Romance!
Ooh, midnight sales, Joshua? That sounds like fun. Reminds me of the midnight screening for LOTR - everyone around me was French and I asked at least two ushers whether the movie was definitely going to be in English, I was that worried!
Did you see the 60 Minutes episode where she pulled out her trunk of papers, Jamie?
Ooh, which cafe was it, Trisha? I should go there!
I was late too, Melanie - started when the third book came out. I just love their Englishness :-)
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