Posted on 08/17/2005 5:15:59 AM PDT by schwing_wifey
I'm posting this because after I finished the latest Harry Potter and started talking with friends along the entire East Coast, I realized that most had a different take on the plot than I did.
But first, for those persons out there that think the Harry Potter books are dangerous and should be banned, go back to your remote and ask your doctor to check the level of your meds. Its a story and if you take out all the imaginative settings and characters, its about teenagers growing up, dealing with crushes, rivalries, relationships, their futures, death of parents, realizing that not all adults in positions of authority should be trusted, and learning that they don't know everything they're sure they know. Pretty boring and written about in probably dozens of "Understanding Your Teenager" books. Thank heavens Rowling makes it interesting for us parents. And if you still have your shorts in a knot... Yes, I'm going to get the ingredients and brew up some "Felix Felicis" and see if I can order a "Pgymy Puff" online..... Bwaahhaaaaa!!!!!
Anyway, for the rest of you that like myself deal with the ups and downs of reality 24-7, let us slip off into fantasy for a short time. I must tell you that I'm going to try NOT to reveal too much for those who haven't read the book yet and if you haven't, you really should not continue here. However, unknowingly, before I read the book, I was out on the Tshirtshell.com website and they divulged the main situation in the book. I was not upset or disappointed, if anything it made me read the book extra carefully because I KNEW there would be subtle twists and turns before it reached the climax and I think I'm right.
Because all the people I talked to were pretty much surprised and upset by the climax of the book, I told them they needed to re-read some sections that put a different spin on the ending. Rowlings carefully crafted this story that on first glimpse looks to be a real downer with themes of betrayal all through it. Not so! The climax is set up almost from the beginning - the good guys planned it all and they're trying to save even some of the "bad" people. I don't have all the answers but if you re-read a few sections, I think you'll see what I mean.
My book is from Walmart and since I've see lots of different size books, I'll give you the page number and the start of the paragraph and you should re-read whatever scene to its conclusion OK?
Chapter 2, Page 30 to the end of the chapter, "I am not the Secret-Keeper;" - notice what is NOT said by our favorite maybe-villain in this entire scene.
Chapter 10, Page 194 Read the first paragraph. Sounds like somebody put a spell on the book huh? - So only Harry could read it. Setup time!
End of Chapter 15, Read the last 4 pages. Sounds like our maybe-villain is trying to protect somebody. Bad guys don't bother.
Chapter 21, Read Page 462, "I thought you lived in that girls' bathroom?" Tough guys don't cry so you see a glimpse of a change coming on.
Chapter 24, Read page 522 to the end of the chapter, "No one can help me," - this is a whole delicate balance between the three and you know something is cooking.
Chapter 25, Page 549 two sentences "I am sure" and the one following it. This is KEY to the whole series.
Chapter 26, Page 568 "I cannot touch" to the end of the chapter. This is really the climax.
Chapter 27 and 28. Re-read them both. Note who "HE" asks for. He's NOT pleading as you're led to believe he is, he already knows the only outcome from Chapter 26, now he's trying to save another. Follow me? Plus in 28, our maybe-villain reveals he's known all along where the knowledge came from and STILL saves Harry.
If you think about it, our maybe-villain has never physically harmed Harry even while he has tried making his life miserable. In the last book, remember Harry having to carve "I will not lie" into his hand for that other professor?
Also, I'm not quite sure if he'd do it but anybody think our dearly departed character would put part of himself into a horcrux (the phoenix?) to help Harry in the next book?
And does anybody remember any character in the previous books with the initials RAB?
I know this sounds like a book club discussion and it probably is. But, I only had a short time back in the states to discuss this with all my friends and I really got them thinking in different ways so maybe this will entertain somebody else.
And remember people! Its only a story!!!! And the good guys always win!!!! ;D
Ahem.
Wow..love the name... was watching "The Holy Grail" this AM while sorting laundry.
Don't know about the Lord of the Rings similarity - I've only seen the movies, never got into reading the books and we ALL know the book is always better than the movie.
Still, if Tolkien and family is getting royalties off the movies, more power to him! I think HP is racheted down to a younger audience. And since parents like myself are desperate to pry the kid off videos and the PC (and it worked for 3 days) but still vetting what they read, Rowling has something good going.
BTW, if I ever publish my first book, I'll either use initials or my maiden name to help avoid the kook factor.
I'm starting to read it a second time, only this time more slowly.
ROTFLMAO...thats a classic to me....
I know... its just too close to home if you get my drift....
I'm doing the same thing... I read it on the flight from Stockholm to Newark. As soon as the kid goes back to school next week, I plan on sitting down with a hot cup of tea and take an hour or two every morning till I get through it again.
Fantasy dream : Write just one book that attains that type of popularity and broad appeal (and controvery to help it sell). ;D
Very Wise!!! :D
Now you gave me an idea!
think I'll ste down with a nice cup of hot tea and HBP! :o)
:o)
Interesting. Actually, I just started the series in July, so I'll have to reread since they are now getting jumbled in my head.
TO think, I was just happy I figured out who R.A.B. was (i think).
Tell me!!!
Tell me!!!
Please with sugar and cream on it!!!!
Mail me if you don't want to tell anybody else!!!
I can keep it quiet!!!! I promise!!!!!
You have FReepmail!
(Just in case no one else wants to know!)
Got it and boy are you GOOD!!!! I missed that entirely.
I think it's because I read all of them in a month. Everything was fresher!
I could be wrong though....
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