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 Sam’s 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 children’s 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 ...
The wiccans I’ve known have limited their “occultic practices” to lighting candles of various types. Should I avoid candles because of that?
And anyway a lot of your examples of “occultic practices” in Harry Potter have been completely wrong.
“By the way, you never did answer my question. If JK Rowling had called them Jedis and said they used the Force, would you be complaining about the story?”
If it had also used other clearly occultic practices like HP does then yes, I would.
Using a mirror as a communication device or for seeing the future of past is suing it for spiritualistic purposes.
I would hope so.
Some of the oldest original writing in the Russian tradition portrays gay love. The 11th century "Legend of Boris and Gleb" tells of George the Hungarian, who was "loved by Boris beyond all reckoning."
Ah, but don't you remember that Dumbledore warned against the misuse of the Mirror of Erised!
Now you’re making me feel like GIlderoy Lockheart!
Perils of the internet age.
It was so much simpler when I used a mirror as my search engine.
Nothing wrong with a little fantasy, you should try it and you won't be so whiney.
Here’s another example.
HP has a seer named Cassandra Vablatsky. The name “Vablatsky” is a a play on the name “Blavatsky” as in Madam Helena Blavatsky, 1831 - 1891.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helena_Petrovna_Blavatsky
http://www.blavatsky.net/blavatsky/madame-blavatsky.htm
She was a serious occultist and was known as the "Priestess of the Occult".
Not my copy! It's quite old and unabridged.
I was thinking, also, that although Voldemort kept saying that nobody could deceive him, nobody could beat him at anything ... that was just him saying it. It doesn’t make it true.
I think Lord Voldemort’s dramatic trajectory (so to speak) indicates that he wasn’t quite as hot stuff as he thought he was.
No actually I thought, and said, you had an unhealthy obsession, and then added the Thailand thing because that’s become a punchline on FR. Never said or insinuated you were a pedophile at all, that came out of YOUR head, and if your head is adding filthy personal insults that’s not my problem.
The scene in the graveyard in GOF shows Voldy loves to hear himself talk.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.