Harry Potter, Any Thoughts Welcome

[Sabel]

I am hoping to get some feedback from the members here who have read Harry Potter.  Whether you have read the first book or all in the series, how you liked the movie, just any comments would be welcome.

I knew the movie was going to come out, so back in September for my birthday I asked for the series.  I really just expected the paperbacks from WalMart, but my mother bought me a beautiful set of hardbound editions.  

I usually have to let a book age on the shelf for a while before I read it.  Well, tonight I finally picked up Harry Potter and The Sorceror's Stone, knocked out the first 1/2 of it and am loving it.  

Sure, it is easy to read, but so were The Narnia Chronicles and from the posts here I can see how many of us love those books as well.  I can see why children and adults have been going to see the movie, then going back out to buy and read the book.  I will wrap up book #1 tomorrow night and then head to the movie.

[Hermione]

Well, I think it's fairly obvious how I feel about the books from my username.  I've been a fan for about two years now, and it's been wonderful to see how many people who I never thought would have read sci-fi/fantasy (or even read, period) are drawn to these books.

I was pleasantly surprised by the movie.  Granted, my expectations weren't very high, and I wasn't expecting it to be as good as the book by any means.  I do have my complaints about the pacing and the climax, but it was an enjoyable experience overall.

[Qab]

I borrowed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (USA version, I know that the British version is the Philosopher's Stone) from my Mom.  Yes, you read right, my Mom; she may be 58 but she is a 1st - 2nd grade librarian.  I knew if she had read it and liked it, then it was worth reading.

I really liked it!!  The thing that impressed me the most is that J. K. Rowling didn't Americanize the book to sell here in the USA.  The dialogue and descriptions still came across as charmingly British; the cadence and tone add so much to the story.  I wish I had a UK release just to see what (if anything besides the title) was changed.  Perhaps my UK board-mates can help me out here?

There has been a lot of hoopla here in the USA that the series is anti-Christian and promotes witchcraft, and that the children will think that Harry and his world is real, and that it will just "ruin and poison our little kiddies".  BALDERDASH!!!   C'mon, kids know the difference between make-believe and reality.  Like, when I was a kid, I watched the Bugs Bunny - Roadrunner cartoons, and I knew when the giant rocks fell on Wile E. Coyote, that he didn't die, or even get hurt, BECAUSE HE WAS IMAGINARY!!!!!  Most of the Catholics I work for understand that too, but the few who don't... don't have much of a grasp on anything else in the real world either.  Again, I am amazed at and frightened by humanity's capacity for utter stupidity.

...But, back to Harry.  Zeph and I are planning on seeing the movie sometime in the next month (once the theaters quiet down) with his Ex and their kids (ages 12 and 8 ).  As I hear, Ms. Rowling was heavily involved in the process of making the film, to ensure that it remained true to her book.  It's not word-for-word identical, but people I know who have both read the book and seen the movie say it was really well done.  (It had to be, or else they'd have a theater full of kids screaming "Hey, that's not how it went in the book!!!!!!!!!!!")  I'm looking forward to seeing the movie, too.  In the trailer, the scene of the dining hall is EXACTLY the image I got when reading the book.  That impressed me too.

[TNeia]

I've read them all, and I think they are wonderful.  I particularly like the way she's worked various mythologies into the stories, and kept them true to their origins - eg, Fluffy, the 3-headed dog, is really Cerberus, and as in Greek myth, he can be put to sleep by music...  It's so rare to see someone show evidence of having had a good classical education these days!!  

[StolenThunder]

Edited. Sorry.

[Sabel]

Hermione said:

Well, I think it's fairly obvious how I feel about the books from my username.  I've been a fan for about two years now, and it's been wonderful to see how many people who I never thought would have read sci-fi/fantasy (or even read, period) are drawn to these books.

I was pleasantly surprised by the movie.  Granted, my expectations weren't very high, and I wasn't expecting it to be as good as the book by any means.  I do have my complaints about the pacing and the climax, but it was an enjoyable experience overall.

I remembered your username, so I knew there was one fan here.  I got caught up doing something else and had to put the book down at the point where Harry had just saved her from the Troll and she lied to keep him from getting in trouble.  

I loved this quote from the book: " There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other and knocking out a 12 foot mountain Troll is one of them "

Made me think of some of my good friends that are long gone from my life and smile.

[Sabel]

Qab_jIH_noel said:

I borrowed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (USA version, I know that the British version is the Philosopher's Stone) from my Mom.  Yes, you read right, my Mom; she may be 58 but she is a 1st - 2nd grade librarian.  I knew if she had read it and liked it, then it was worth reading.

I really liked it!!  The thing that impressed me the most is that J. K. Rowling didn't Americanize the book to sell here in the USA.  The dialogue and descriptions still came across as charmingly British; the cadence and tone add so much to the story.  I wish I had a UK release just to see what (if anything besides the title) was changed.  Perhaps my UK board-mates can help me out here?

There has been a lot of hoopla here in the USA that the series is anti-Christian and promotes witchcraft, and that the children will think that Harry and his world is real, and that it will just "ruin and poison our little kiddies".  BALDERDASH!!!   C'mon, kids know the difference between make-believe and reality.  Like, when I was a kid, I watched the Bugs Bunny - Roadrunner cartoons, and I knew when the giant rocks fell on Wile E. Coyote, that he didn't die, or even get hurt, BECAUSE HE WAS IMAGINARY!!!!!  Most of the Catholics I work for understand that too, but the few who don't... don't have much of a grasp on anything else in the real world either.  Again, I am amazed at and frightened by humanity's capacity for utter stupidity.

...But, back to Harry.  Zeph and I are planning on seeing the movie sometime in the next month (once the theaters quiet down) with his Ex and their kids (ages 12 and 8 ).  As I hear, Ms. Rowling was heavily involved in the process of making the film, to ensure that it remained true to her book.  It's not word-for-word identical, but people I know who have both read the book and seen the movie say it was really well done.  (It had to be, or else they'd have a theater full of kids screaming "Hey, that's not how it went in the book!!!!!!!!!!!")  I'm looking forward to seeing the movie, too.  In the trailer, the scene of the dining hall is EXACTLY the image I got when reading the book.  That impressed me too.

Though I haven't been reading my American version with regards to how it was first published in England, I think you are right.  The only thing that I immediately noticed was that they changed WestHam football club to soccer and the other soccer references.

I don't think that is too big of an alteration.  Thanks for your thoughts, I had not considered the manner in which it was first published.  I shall be keepin' me eye open for other changes.  Interesting perspective!

[Rhai]

Ok Im reading The Sorcerer Stone to my 5 year old.. I thought he might be a little bored... but he seems to be enjoying it.

[Elric3960]

I just saw the film.  I liked it!  I haven't read the books yet because I knew with the heavy-duty buzz surrounding this book, perpetuated by no less a bibliophile than Whoopie Goldberg, there had to be a movie based on this released eventually, and I was right.

Hermione's "12 foot troll" line was cut, unfortunately, but everything else seems to coincide with what has been posted here so far, so they probably did an adequate adaptation job.  Eventually, I'll get back to you after I catch up with my other "assignments."

To "our" Hermione:  You have excellent taste in handles!

[Hermione]

^^*blush*  Thank you!    And definitely finish your other "assignments" first--once you start, it's hard to stop.