Posted on 08/01/2007 6:59:32 AM PDT by ParsifalCA
I am warning those who have not finished the series . . . and there must be still a few of them by now. . . that there are spoilers ahead. I have just finished the last book . . . having spent an enjoyable evening with it thanks to Sams Club and an indulgent wife.
I am done with Harry Potter and enjoying the literary aftertaste the way one enjoys a fine meal almost as much after it is done as when it is being consumed . . . though it is a bit sad that the series is finished.
And it is really finished . . .
Will one be able to re-read the books with pleasure?
I think the answer is only a tentative yes. If one knows the puzzles and the secrets of the book, it will not take away the charm of the characters or the fun of a good Quidditch match, but the first read will always be the best.
The strength of these books is in the plot and the second read, when everything is known, will be satisfying for finding all the clues to what happens . . . but I am hard pressed to know if I will want to re-read them a third or fourth time.
A really great book is as good on the fourth read . . . and some childrens books (Little White Horse) are better.
I deeply enjoyed the last book and thought the ending satisfying. For those who found them quite Christian, they will find much in this last book to give strength to their idea.
(Excerpt) Read more at exilestreet.com ...
Okay, now we're getting somewhere...
People in Britain used to believe the world was flat.
How you managed to post that, yet overlook all the “used to believe” and “supposed to” and other qualifiers, escapes me.
Sort of like all those qualifiers did you.
“If you want to talk about the movie, watch the movie. If you’d actually read the books you’re talking about, you wouldn’t be getting so much flak.”
My point all along has been that HP, whether book or movie, contains real occultic practice. I think the quote from JKR in post #912 now proves that beyond any dispute.
USED TO BELIEVE does not equal IS TRUE AND FACTUAL.
Otherwise we’d be having a lot more discussion about the world being flat.
Only if “what people used to believe” means “real occultic practice.”
Are you willing to assert that?
“People in Britain used to believe the world was flat.”
She publically admitted that 1/3rd of it is (or was) real belief and practice. As a Christian, that should give you serious pause.
People in Britain also used to believe that bathing was unhealthy...
1st - Don't preach to me.
2nd - We've pointed out that people used to believe a lot of things. And of course there's a smidgen of actual beliefs in there. Good grief no one's ever denied that.
What we've pointed out is that it's not real. If anything Rowling is making fun of those beliefs.
You'd know that if you'd read the books.
3rd - Don't preach to me.
Her use of the phrase what people used to believe is disingenuous. She, more that likely, knows full well that people still believe and practice many of the things she admits are real. I have known people that use similar practices and rituals.
You can’t use the argument that “it’s not real” anymore. The author herself has admitted it.
Oh my it is still going.
Muffliato! Muffliato!
(That is going to work right? It is based on actual Wiccan practices)
It’s pretty damn presumptuous to speak for what Ms. Rowling does or does not know.
She has admitted nothing, unless (again) if “what people used to believe” equals “real occultic practice.”
Which only you seem to think it does.
Good Lord above, I hope so.
What part of OF COURSE IT DIDN'T WORK do you not understand?????
Children often, often ask me how much of the magic is in inverted commas real in the books in the sense that did anyone ever believe in this? I would say - a rough proportion - about a third of the stuff that crops up is stuff that people genuinely used to believe in Britain. -JKR
A third = a “smidgen”?
Interesting.
” Good grief no one’s ever denied that.”
It’s been denied many, many times on this thread!
Beyond any rational dispute? You're joking, right?
The quote in question discussed the mythology, creatures, and spells that people used to believe in. There are no *real occultic practices* contained in the books.
He’s gonna “win” since I’m going to visit the in-laws this weekend ;-)
I’d use “silencio” or “obliviate” myself...
Waiting list at the library.
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