First Page Of New Harry Potter Book Takes Swipe At Bush

Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince | 7/16/05

[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.

[frgoff]

Never underestimate American snobbery. It is just as bad as the European variety, only we're less couth about it.

Rowling wanted a British director because he would understand the subtle British flavor of the book.

[frgoff]

The big book appearance of the HP books is helped with thick paper, wider margins, and generous spacing in the copy

Oh, please. The books ARE big. I read 420 words per minute and it took me 6 hours to finish Half Blood Prince.

[coydog]

Yeah, well, so are a few hundred other countries with "presidents"... relatine to the UK, that is.

[frgoff]

Here's all you need to know: Snape is the half-blood prince and he kills Dunbledore.

There's a jackass jerk in every crowd. Go collect your prize.

[Williams]

It's not difficult for me to understand. It's an idiotic point. Yes, in the second book the year was mentioned. Never again. It is impossible to "prove" that her remark on the first page is only directed at some president in 1996, if any. IMHO it was a totally extraneous dig at the current American president. Why do I think that? Gee, because the British intelligentsia hate George Bush. Because I am aware of the current climate in Britain. Because it had nothing to do with the story. Go ahead and give her a pass. But this book was published in 2005, not 1996.

And as for not making a big deal out of this, IF you know anything about the Potter phenomenon you would know that kids spend years in between books searching for clues in the most insignificant sentences in the books. There are books published analyzing the books for clues. It is just as likely that kids will be wondering whetherr that call from the president will come into play in book seven. JK Rowling in her interview this evening discussed this phenomenon, and she often answers the speculation. So I am not the first to pay attention to a detail in one of her books.

[quidnunc]

Here's a synopsis of the whole plot line of the book, complete with ending.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/entertainment/books/stories/071605dnoveharryspoilers.ad97b32a.html

[Tangerine Time Machine]

I don't know why people are working so hard to "prove" she didn't mean president Bush. She did.

---

I don't know why you are working so hard to discover me "proving" anything. If you will re-read my post, you will discover that I take no stand on the issue whatsoever.

[Williams]

OK

[I still care]

Well, I guess I'll have to throw out this book then. LOL.

[MozartLover]

"Yes, in the second book the year was mentioned. Never again. "

Why is my point idiotic? Isn't this a "detail" which establishes a timeline?

[Williams]

I apologize for the use of the word idiotic. I don't think her mention of a year in book two prevents her from making a veiled snide remark about the current president in book six. IMHO she was motivated by her political views and those of her liberal social set. I can't prove she was razzing George Bush but I think it's extremely likely. No one can prove she's limited to 1996 in this book. Except for a momentary reference to time period in one book out of six, she has never made any of the books dependent on any exact date.

[Oztrich Boy]

But her reference to a president as a wretched man on the first page is so obvious that I don't know why for the life of me Freepers are so defensive over this. In the context of British antipathy toward Bush, and the obvious connection between Britain and America, the placement of this little jab on the first page is obvious.

It's not a mayy=tter of being defensive. Just finding it strange that it bothers you. In the words of the great Homer

Lisa, just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand.

[MacDorcha]

Don't know if this was pointed out or not in here...

This current chapter of HP was to have taken place in 1997-98.

Clinton was in office.

But then again, it's also still a make-believe story. As a female was PM then.

[MacDorcha]

I think you should read it. This book (the 6th) was to have taken place in the 1997-1998 schoolyear.

[Xenalyte]

If you seriously have nothing better to worry about than three words in a Harry Potter book, I envy your serene existence.

[DAC21]

Chirac?

[Xenalyte]

I tried to read that one. What a yawner. The "hero" complained and bitched and whined for so many pages, I threw the thing across the room.

[kgdallen]

What makes you so sure it is Bush? A 'distant country' could be France and the 'wretched man' Chirac. France has always been distant to Britain despite the narrowness of the Channel. After all, Wogs begin at Dover.

[MJY1288]

Thanks for that info, I have never read any of the Potter books, nor watched any of the movies, they're just not my cup of tea :-)

[MacDorcha]

Heh, I'll ask you, as I have been asked.

How do you know it's "not your cup of tea" if you haven't yet, sipped?

I refused to read any of them. Then I met my girlfriend of two years. She got me to read the first book after getting me to watch the first two movies.

I'm hooked now.