Harry Potter, Book #5- Spoilers

Harry Potter, Book #5- Spoilers

This is for anyone who wants to discuss Rowlings latest book. I've only read the first four chapters, but so far am totally pleased that she has picked up the same "literary rhythm" from where she left off in #4. As much as one wants to dislike the Dursleys, it is, I think, a good basis to begin each new book. Was anyone surprised to see a bit of "humanity" hidden in Aunt Petunia? That one knocked me for a loop. Any comments thus far? 42

Re: Harry Potter, Book #5-First Four Chapters-Spoilers

<span style="color:teal;font-family:helvetica;font-size:small;">There is an unfinished story there. Somehow I'm sure it had to do with the death of her sister and the guilt she feels over it. It was the note that threw her and made her insist on Harry staying there. </span>

Re: Harry Potter, Book #5-First Four Chapters-Spoilers

Do you think, then that the voice was her sister's voice? You are further ahead than me, RGal, I just started chapter 7. I was also happy to see that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley have a more expanded part this time. I always thought they were interesting, and enjoy their further character development. 42

Re: Harry Potter, Book #5-First Four Chapters-Spoilers

<span style="color:navy;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:small;">Oh, I hadn't thought of that! That would be freaky (but great)! That Umbidge woman is just about the most horrible character we've seen yet! (Wonder who will play her in the movie?) She gets worse and worse with every chapter.</span>

Re: Harry Potter, Book #5-First Four Chapters-Spoilers

<span style="colorurple;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:small;">What I really love is how so many characters from previous books are making appearances in this one (Lupin, Firenze, etc.)</span>

Re: Harry Potter, Book #5-First Four Chapters-Spoilers

In total agreement, RGal.......and finally, we get to see the inside of the "Ministry of Magic". ( I keep trying to picture how everything will look once it gets to the big screen). I love the way "ordinary occurrences" take on a new meaning......the horseless carriages that take the students to Hogswort are actually not, and now why does Harry suddenly see the animals? I'm finished with Chapter 12 now......silly everyday occurrences of life keep interfering with my reading........42

Re: Harry Potter, Book #5-First Four Chapters-Spoilers

<span style="color:navy;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:small;">I finished the book! It was fantastic! Well, I've already decided that Kathy Bates would make a wonderful Umbridge. Although there is absolutely no reason really for me to think so, I believe that Ron and Hermione will end up together. (He seems to be jealous of her continued correspondence with Viktor and she seems to be aware on some level that she is making him jealous.) Also, I believe that in the end of the series Arthur Weasley will become Minister of Magic. Just a feeling.

Also, the person who dies was not at all who I expected, but it was something I could live with, although it was a surprise and, of course, sad.</span

Re: Harry Potter, Book #5-First Four Chapters-Spoilers

I also think Ron and Hermione will end up together.

Aurthur Weasley will NOT be Minister of Magic, he's too fond on Muggles.

The death was sudden and sad.

I was waiting throughout the book for bad things to happen to Umbrige. I was pleased to see Fred and George walk, I mean fly, out on her, and getting frustrated numerous times.

Re: Harry Potter, Book #5-First Four Chapters-Spoilers

oops... double post

Re: Harry Potter, Book #5-First Four Chapters-Spoilers

I thought the book was excellent! As Rgal said, I also liked the appearances of previous characters. Took me five hours to finish. That Umbridge woman is pure evil. "hem hem"

Re: Harry Potter, Book #5-First Four Chapters-Spoilers

Only 5 hours?

Re: Harry Potter, Book #5-First Four Chapters-Spoilers

I don't know if she's still alive, but here's the bio for my choice for the role of Prof Umbridge:

Standing 4'3", and possessed of a nails-on-the-blackboard speaking voice, actress <strong>Zelda Rubinstein</strong> will probably never essay a "normal" characterization. She was appropriately cast as one of the Little People in her first film, Under the Rainbow (1981). Her best-remembered screen role was Tangina, the disastrously self-assured exorcist in the first two Poltergeist films. Zelda's declaration that "This house is clean" has to be the most famous speaking-too-soon miscalculations in movie history. She was later seen in oddball minor roles as domineering mamas, witches, snoops and gamblers. TV fans know Zelda Rubinstein best as Ginny Weedon on the weekly cult favorite Picket Fences (1992-95). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide


I've started reading on Friday and am 1/2 done. It was a little harder to 'get into' this one IMO because there were so many characters I couldn't recall. I read the 1st 4 in rapid sequence and the 2 year wait for this book prevents me from remembering all the details. It's coming back to me now. Definitely enjoying this book...

Re: Harry Potter, Book #5-First Four Chapters-Spoilers

Yes, I finished at 1:30 a.m........and into major "withdrawal". I love the way she parallels the "magical" society with our own. I love the concept of O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S and career planning day........I must admit, I didn't figure out who the possible person was that would "bite the bullet" until nearly the end. There were about four other people who I felt sure would be chosen to go. I think the choice was inevitable, but sad none the less..........42

Possible choices for Umbridge (is she awful or what?) Bates and Rubenstein would be good choices. This person needs to be short and heavy set.....what about the lady who plays Raymond's mother in "Raymond"? 42

Re: HP #5

I just finished it last night!! Woo!

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>It was a little harder to 'get into' this one IMO because there were so many characters I couldn't recall. I read the 1st 4 in rapid sequence and the 2 year wait for this book prevents me from remembering all the details.[/quote]

That's exactly what happened to me. I had a plan of rereading the 4th book prior to starting this one, just because it was so dense - but I don't own any of the 1st 3 books, and I couldn't wait after buying the 5th! But now I feel as though I need to reread both the 3rd and 4th books. I figured out most of what was going on, but I would love to actually remember it all. I do love that Rowling doesn't waste time in the book going over what's happened before though!

I loved the Weasley twins' exit from school.

How about Roseanne to play Umbridge? I doubt she'd be able to pull it off without letting 'Roseanne' shine through, but I bet she would look perfect.

I can't believe I'll have to wait another 2 years (?) for the next one!!!!!!!!

guinevere

Re: HP #5

I liked the book (finished it in 2 days), but I cannot say I enjoyed it as much as I did the first 3. I think in the first few books, you get enchanted with the whole concept of this new world. Books 4 and 5 -- I don't think they are less well written, but to me they are not nearly as "Wow". (This is NOT a criticism of Rowling, this is what very often happens to fantasy series)

Re: HP #5

I agree to a certain extent, Ptichka....My fav of the 5 is "The Prisoner of Azkaban". The last two are definately darker, but I think because Harry is now older, the storylines can perhaps take on a more mature nature.......they are written a bit differently than the first three....42

Re: HP #5

I finally finished the book last night, and I have to say this one was actually my favorite of the 5. It seemed to be more thought out (it did take Rowling 3 years to write!), and I really liked how everything was explained towards the end, (Harry and Neville..., ect) I was happy to see more attention turned on Harry getting older and wiser, as opposed to just ignoring the growing up stage.
Laura

Re: HP #5

I finished it yesterday. I had read a very unfavorable review of it, but I liked it a lot better than #4. Azkahban is my favorite, though.

Obviously this one didn't finish on a very final note.
1. Now that Cho is history, is Harry going to notice Hermione? If so, what happens with him and Victor Krumm?
2. Loony heard voices behind the curtain. Is Sirius going to be resurrected either as a person or a ghost?
So far, we are accepting that he is completely dead.
3. And the question I hoped would be answered in this book after Petunia's howler arrived. Are any of the Dursley's ever going to be revealed as people, rather than cartoons?
4. It was hardly news that at some point either Harry kills Voldemort or Voldemort kills Harry.

dpp

Re: HP #5

Doris, I read somewhere that Rowling cried when she wrote of Sirius's death......I have a feeling he's gone for good.....42

Re: HP #5

Actually Doris...Ron and Hermione are meant to be together.
Hermione likes Ron, but is angry at the fact that Ron hasn't realized her feelings for him. Ron likes Hermione, but doesnt' get Hermione's signals and fears rejection.

I love how JK Rowling is slowly unweaving this relationship, so it can be more than just teenagers with overactive hormones. Notice that Hermione is always craving attention with her constant talking, and Ron is always the one to answer her or give her comeback, and Hermione always comes back for more.
I love this one line from the book:
Ron yawns and says something like " So, Hermione, how did you do on your Rune O.W.L.s?"
Hermione replies "Well, I mistranslated ezhrig. I got it mixed-up with ezhrieg. It means "partnership" not "defense"."
That sums up the way Ron and Hermione are...they keep fighting each other when they should be together.

I don't think we've seen the last of Cho. I dunno...the way JK slowly introduced Cho to us and the way it just ended didn't see right. I doubt Cho and Harry will be romantically involved, but I really do think Cho and Harry will resolved what happened to them in Book 6. Cho obviously still has feelings for him. I think both really need to talk about Cedric desperately. Cho needs closure, and it is evident that she doesn't have control over her emotions. Harry needs to stop trying to ignore the problem that Cedric's death caused, and he needs to come to terms with it (which he hasn't, otherwise he would be able to talk about it with Cho.).

I felt such empathy for Cho. She really thought speaking about Cedric would make her and Harry closer together, but Harry isn't ready to do that yet. That makes her look like an emotional train wreck, and makes Harry look really insensitive to those who can't read his mind like we do. I'm happy that Hermione understands Cho.
All I know is, I hope whoever plays Cho Chang will be able to make her sympathetic to the audience, considering all the ppl who hated her after this book. I think she will be more sympathetic on screen, since we have a sort of seperation from Harry's thoughts.

I really really loved this book.

I think the reason why a lot of ppl don't like this one as much was b/c it wasn't as fun or enjoyable, but it wasn't supposed to be. Book 5 was just to prepare us for the dark tones of the Magical World. Book 6 and 7 will probably go right into it.
I know a lot of ppl thought Sirius's death was weak and too sudden, but I disagree completely. Death isn't always dramatic, many times it's sudden and feels like it doesn't happen. Sirius's death, to me, represents how fast ppl can come and go in a battle, and Harry's reaction to it (looking for answers to see if he can come back) represents that well.

Although I think Prisoner of Azkaban was the most enjoyable to read, I think Order of the Phoenix is the best written one so far. Can't wait for Book 6 and 7.