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Harry Potter: 3 More Things I Learned
ExileStreet ^ | 8/1/07 | John Mark Reynolds

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 ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: childrensbooks; christianity; culture; deloresumbridge; harrypotter; hillaryumbridge; kidbooks; nooccultpractices; strictly4kids; threaddementorsalert; tinfoilwitcheshat
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To: jetson

Could mean you’re painting with too broad a brush. I follow politics and have read all seven books, and seen all five [as of now] movies. And while it isn’t “Lord of the Rings”, it isn’t ‘garbage’.


21 posted on 08/01/2007 7:33:05 AM PDT by PzLdr ("The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am" - Darth Vader)
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To: ParsifalCA

I never watch a movie when it first comes out and I never read a book less than 2 years old.

That way all the hype can die down and I can make a well educated decision as to where best to spend my time.

For the record, HP has not made it on to my long list of books to enjoy.


22 posted on 08/01/2007 7:39:19 AM PDT by proudpapa (Thompson and/or Hunter.)
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To: ParsifalCA

I never watch a movie when it first comes out and I never read a book less than 2 years old.

That way all the hype can die down and I can make a well educated decision as to where best to spend my time.

For the record, HP has not made it on to my long list of books to enjoy.


23 posted on 08/01/2007 7:39:23 AM PDT by proudpapa (Thompson and/or Hunter.)
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To: proudpapa
Hmmmm. FR seems to be stuttering today, it’s not just you.

Should you get around to reading any of the HP books I’d be interested to know what you think of them.

FWIW, the first two aren’t as well written, she doesn’t really get into her stride until Prisoner of Azkaban.

24 posted on 08/01/2007 7:42:54 AM PDT by null and void (Whale oil: The carbon neutral, renewable petroleum alternative)
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To: proudpapa

Your loss, but you seem to have two others to share in it.


25 posted on 08/01/2007 7:44:56 AM PDT by norton
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To: null and void; proudpapa
FWIW, the first two aren’t as well written, she doesn’t really get into her stride until Prisoner of Azkaban.

I hadn't realized how much she improved until I went back to re-read the series from the beginning. I finished Sorceror's Stone last week and am almost through Chamber of Secrets (I had a weekend diversion that kept me from reading).

But you're right. POA is where the writing really improves.

26 posted on 08/01/2007 7:46:38 AM PDT by Corin Stormhands (I drink coffee for your protection.)
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To: ParsifalCA
The strength of these books is in the plot

I disagree. Although the plotting is good, and gets better as the series progresses, the real strength is the characters and setting.

That's why I've read some of the books three times, and occasionally pick one up from the library on a whim. It's fun to spend a little time (especially treadmill time!) with these people in this place.

27 posted on 08/01/2007 8:03:05 AM PDT by Tax-chick (All the main characters die, and then the Prince of Sweden delivers the Epilogue.)
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To: jetson
What could this mean?

That you associate with boring people?

28 posted on 08/01/2007 8:04:01 AM PDT by Tax-chick (All the main characters die, and then the Prince of Sweden delivers the Epilogue.)
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To: Lx
I think a little Spell-O-Tape should fix it.

Now you know that Spell-O-Tape on wands leads to tragedies like vomiting slugs.

29 posted on 08/01/2007 8:15:29 AM PDT by Ingtar (The LDS problem that Romney is facing is not his religion, but his Lacking Decisive Stands.)
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To: Corin Stormhands; null and void

“I hadn’t realized how much she improved until I went back to re-read...”

Probably when the “ghost” writer came onboard.

Whaaaa, haaa, haaa, haaa!!!!!

:)


30 posted on 08/01/2007 8:19:35 AM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: ParsifalCA

And just so we can put this all in perspective...

There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD.

Deut 18:10&11


31 posted on 08/01/2007 8:24:42 AM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: jetson

As someone who is keenly interested in politics and hasn’t started reading the Harry Potter books or seen any of the Harry Potter movies (except for a few minutes here and there on TV), I haven’t the slightest idea what it could mean.


32 posted on 08/01/2007 8:25:08 AM PDT by rwa265
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To: PetroniusMaximus
*GROAN*
33 posted on 08/01/2007 8:29:07 AM PDT by null and void (Whale oil: The carbon neutral, renewable petroleum alternative)
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To: PetroniusMaximus

Thanks for bumping the thread!


34 posted on 08/01/2007 8:29:15 AM PDT by Artemis Webb (Cindy Sheehan for Congress! Because...well...just because!)
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To: allmendream

Welcome to FR.


35 posted on 08/01/2007 8:29:34 AM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: null and void

No kidding. I actually wonder how many of these whiners that complain about Harry Potter have actually opened any of the books. More likely they just get their info from kook websites.


36 posted on 08/01/2007 8:32:38 AM PDT by TexasAg1996
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To: PetroniusMaximus

And just so we can put this all in perspective ...

These books are fiction, so there is none of the activity you speak of actually happening. There is nothing in Deuteronomy that mentions that reading fiction on these topics is an abomination.


37 posted on 08/01/2007 8:33:51 AM PDT by dmz
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To: PetroniusMaximus

I’ll keep that in mind if I ever have a desire to actually try and to magic, rather than just reading children’s books about it, or watching “I Dream Of Jeanie”.


38 posted on 08/01/2007 8:38:54 AM PDT by Cymbaline (I repeat myself when under stress I repeat myself when under stress I repeat myself when under stres)
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To: dmz
“These books are fiction, so there is none of the activity you speak of actually happening. There is nothing in Deuteronomy that mentions that reading fiction on these topics is an abomination.”

Thank you.

Now if there was a very popular childrens series about a couple of crack-addicted, teenage, male-prostitutes - and this series described the kids life and habits in detail but also included a bunch of “life lessons” - would you want your kids to read this?

Remember, it’s all just fiction.

So, would you?

39 posted on 08/01/2007 8:39:31 AM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: allmendream; Tijeras_Slim

Welcome back Accygirl...


40 posted on 08/01/2007 8:40:06 AM PDT by null and void (Whale oil: The carbon neutral, renewable petroleum alternative)
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