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4.59 AVERAGE
4.59 AVERAGE
Continuing in my quest to re"read" and re-evaluate the series...through the Jim Dale audiobook versions.
With yet another rocky start to the school year, Harry finds himself shadowed by a creature he suspects to be a grim--a bad one.
It doesn't help his worries when he learns a dangerous criminal is on the loose, one that is rumored to have an interest in Harry.
Of the first three books, this feels far and away the strongest. Once we get through a profoundly uncomfortable scene with Aunt Marge (that includes--surprise-- fat shaming) we are off to the races. I remember this growing on me over the course of the series and it's no wonder. This is a pivotal book in Harry's story for a number of reasons. So many seeds are planted here that will be important later on. Rowling still pulls a few tricks late in the game that we are underprepared for, but is doing better with the seeding. (Though She did a bit too well in the case of Lupin. I find it just about impossible to believe there was any reader that didn't see that twist coming.)
It also has a number of delights that stand alone. The Night Bus, Hermione's secret weapon, the introduction of Patronuses, Trelawney, the only competent Defense Against the Dark Arts professor thus far, the Marauder's Map, Hogsmeade, and a concept truly out of nightmares...dementors.
It definitely still has its flaws. Ron and Hermione's feud goes on way too long and makes Ron look bad in a way that feels unjust to the character we've seen evolving. There's no Dobby (luckily) but we get more of a peek of the divisiveness and prejudice that exists within the magical world with Lupin and it's profoundly unsatisfying. Like the concept of house elves, it feels like it's an injustice that's almost unexamined--even...accepted as a fact of life? With Lupin such a sympathetic character, this casts a longer shadow over the rest of the series than I think Rowling bargained for. Of all the things Snape does, and all that we learn about him, it's his malice towards Lupin here that I can never quite forgive.
Also, again--the pacing is a problem. It feels long, even with the magical Jim Dale. I let being shocked at how late in the plot some things happened. The whirlwind rescue that unfolds very late in the book is thrilling enough that in retrospect-- you forget about all that. My kid, would beg for us not to stop the audio in that part when our car ride was over. Not only legitimately action packed, it's a bit of a mindf*** honestly with revelation upon revelation.
Book vs. movie: Book, but it's close. There are some particularly nice touches in the movie I treasure. All the visual nods to time and clocks, the choir singing "Something Wicked This Way Comes," Hermione's endearingly human dissatisfaction when she has the chance to see her hair from the back, Lupin and Harry's conversation on the bridge.Cuaron understood the assignment and pivoted the tone right when the series does. That said, even with the pacing woes, I'll never forget reading the Shrieking Shack scene for the first time.
..
With yet another rocky start to the school year, Harry finds himself shadowed by a creature he suspects to be a grim--a bad one.
It doesn't help his worries when he learns a dangerous criminal is on the loose, one that is rumored to have an interest in Harry.
Of the first three books, this feels far and away the strongest. Once we get through a profoundly uncomfortable scene with Aunt Marge (that includes--surprise-- fat shaming) we are off to the races. I remember this growing on me over the course of the series and it's no wonder. This is a pivotal book in Harry's story for a number of reasons. So many seeds are planted here that will be important later on. Rowling still pulls a few tricks late in the game that we are underprepared for, but is doing better with the seeding. (Though She did a bit too well in the case of Lupin. I find it just about impossible to believe there was any reader that didn't see that twist coming.)
It also has a number of delights that stand alone. The Night Bus, Hermione's secret weapon, the introduction of Patronuses, Trelawney, the only competent Defense Against the Dark Arts professor thus far, the Marauder's Map, Hogsmeade, and a concept truly out of nightmares...dementors.
It definitely still has its flaws. Ron and Hermione's feud goes on way too long and makes Ron look bad in a way that feels unjust to the character we've seen evolving. There's no Dobby (luckily) but we get more of a peek of the divisiveness and prejudice that exists within the magical world with Lupin and it's profoundly unsatisfying. Like the concept of house elves, it feels like it's an injustice that's almost unexamined--even...accepted as a fact of life? With Lupin such a sympathetic character, this casts a longer shadow over the rest of the series than I think Rowling bargained for. Of all the things Snape does, and all that we learn about him, it's his malice towards Lupin here that I can never quite forgive.
Also, again--the pacing is a problem. It feels long, even with the magical Jim Dale. I let being shocked at how late in the plot some things happened. The whirlwind rescue that unfolds very late in the book is thrilling enough that in retrospect-- you forget about all that. My kid, would beg for us not to stop the audio in that part when our car ride was over. Not only legitimately action packed, it's a bit of a mindf*** honestly with revelation upon revelation.
Book vs. movie: Book, but it's close. There are some particularly nice touches in the movie I treasure. All the visual nods to time and clocks, the choir singing "Something Wicked This Way Comes," Hermione's endearingly human dissatisfaction when she has the chance to see her hair from the back, Lupin and Harry's conversation on the bridge.Cuaron understood the assignment and pivoted the tone right when the series does. That said, even with the pacing woes, I'll never forget reading the Shrieking Shack scene for the first time.
..
~ “I don't go looking for trouble,” . . . “Trouble usually finds me.” ~
— Harry
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
❤️ 7th annual reread!! (Illustrated edition)
Favorite Characters:
▶ Hermione ⏳ • brown bushy hair, Time-Turner
▶ Sirius
— Harry
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
❤️ 7th annual reread!! (Illustrated edition)
Favorite Characters:
▶ Hermione ⏳ • brown bushy hair, Time-Turner
▶ Sirius
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No