Posted on 07/15/2005 10:25:17 PM PDT by Williams
Well the new Harry Potter book has arrived and I can report the first page of the first chapter contains an obvious jab at our president. The book begins with the British Prime Minister awaiting a phone call from the "President" of an unnamed distant country, and wondering when the "wretched man" would call.
As a fan of the books and for that matter of Rowling's personal story and success, I'm saddened that liberal madness had to invade this children's classic. The first chapter was otherwise perfectly enjoyable.
I'm not saying anything else in the chapter was intentionally connected to current events, but I had to draw the comparison with what has ended up in British headlines at the same time as the book release. In the book, the Prime Minister is dealing with unexplained events, at least some of which could be terrorist like. Indeed, they are the work of sinister forces. Whereas I'm sure in this book series, ultimate help will come from the wizarding world, in reality Britain needs the support of the leader J.K. Rowling refers to as that "wretched man." How sadly misguided.
I personally have always found it more enjoyable than watching TV or DVDs.
There's nothing wrong with "wasting time" once in a while. You only get one shot at life. You won't look back when you're on your deathbed and bemoan the fact that you weren't productive 100% of your waking life.
Blair is big on helping africa.
They have many presidents who are wretched men there...
You what you want. What about the rest of the book?
Is harry potter now quoting Marx and Lennin?
It's about 500 million bucks too late for that.
I'm not an HP fan, haven't read any of the books, and won't read this one.
But I peeked at the last page and it ends with this cryptic message at the bottom of the page: 652 What do you make of that?
14 pages to go???
*sigh* 14 pages too short!
"wasting time" is used freeping. :D
Once, again, I am a fan of Harry Potter as is my entire family. Love the books and movies. Think that those (and there are many) who believe it is Satanism are being absolutely ridiculous.
But this reference to a president on the first page of a book she knew was going to get incredible distribution, given the well known British disapproval of our president, is obvious. I'll still read the books, I'll watch the movies, but her opening of this book was not an accident. I think it was certainly worth noting on this site, which last time I looked often pays attention to criticisms of Bush in popular culture.
JK will of course deny she was thinking of Bush, but given the context of the times that is preposterous. I will ask in sincerity that the British who claim I misunderstand their culture, kindly explain the use of the word "wretched" that would not be negative. I'm well aware it can mean an unfortunate individual, but I believe it also can be someone who is found to be disgusting and repulsive. And I certainly think that if someone is waiting for a call from "that wretched man" who is a president, it conveys dislike and even contempt. But if you want to explain this rather than just say I don't understand British culture, feel free.
There is another fantasy book published in 1959 called the Gammage Cup. One of the main characters is named Muggles.
LOL!
Sounds like you have your priorities straight...
the "wretched man" would most likely be the President of France.
not "far away" enough
Stop, lets use our brains for more than cooling our blood. JK Rowling probably completed this book some months ago. So you assume she had advanced knowledge of a terrorist attack? I never read the books but I hear they are enjoyable This is the first time I've heard of politics being injected in them.
Take a look under the bed, shall we? No liberals there, and I doubt any are in this book.
france is not far away enough for anyone...
Sorry, but you can't just wish away the actual timeline of the books, and read something into her language that exists in your mind only. There are quite a few authors who write in earlier time frames, and NO they don't assume the reader will transpose the dates because the book is published in 2005. Sue Grafton a mystery writer, purposely writes in the 1980's to allow her gumshoe the use of old fashioned research techniques. You really do sound a bit paranoid...it's fiction after all.
Get your freep on! hehe
No I said she of course didn't know what the headlines would be on the date of publication. I just found it interesting the book opens with events some of which are terrorist like. In fact, they are being caused by an evil group called death Eaters, who are very much like terrorists. Voldemort would make a good Bin Laden and vica versa.
Yup.
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