I am going to go against the grain and say book 5 (OOTP). For me the book is very emotional. Although Harry is very crabby in it, the end of the book--fight at the ministry, dumbledore v riddle, and dumbledore's discussion with Harry, make it my favorite. Perhaps my favorite moment is when Harry is waiting for Dumbledore in Dumbledore's office, and the picture of the fat headmaster witht he red nose tells Harry how fond Dumbledore is of Harry. 3rd party complement.
I finished the last book (is that 5) this past summer. I loved it. I reread book 4 to get ready for 5 and I appreciated it as well. I think the author is a fine writer who does a very good job of developing characters that have some complexity. I have often wondered, how can she create another character to fill the position of Teacher of the Dark Arts? She does, however, and they are always different and carry a unique part in unraveling the story of Harry, his parents and Voldemort. I too love the end of the last book. Dad pointed out some interesting aspects of the fight between Dumbledore and Snape. Dad does not think Dumbledore is dead....He believes Snape is to be trusted as Dumbledore has insisted. Dad listened to the tapes and as we listened together, he was able to point out how Dumbledore is purposely moving toward his wand as he slides down....that Harry was immobilized so that he could not interfere with the things that Snape HAD to do...the things that Hagrid had overheard Dumbledore and Snape arguing about in the woods. I really like the continuing saga....the foreshadowing and the guessing and speculation that follows the reading of the book. I have grown more and more fond of each character. I love Hermoine and I love her more than Ginny, so I am rooting for an unexpected turn of events that puts Harry and Hermoine together. However, I don't know how we would tie up Ron's love life...He is too bonkers over Hermoine...who knows. The other things that Dad and I have discussed are the locket and the other thing from the other house at Hogwarts. These are important clues for Harry. Dad thinks that Harry has what he and Dumbledore went to get at the end of the book and he (and we [except for me and Dad] ) don't know it yet. I also very much like the growth in Harry in each book. I like the feeling of tenderness she engenders for Harry. More and more, I think she shows what a burden Harry carries relative to the other students. I loved how Dumbledore expresses his fondness for Harry. How he hated to burden Harry's childhood with the prophecy of Harry's part in Voldemort's demise. I think she had done a superb job of mixing that burden with the happy and laid back nature of Harry. I like what I see as Harry begins to grow into this destiny. It really is quite well done. Anyway....a jolly good series of books....I have thoroughly enjoyed them and I am not a fantasy nut...but these are well done and the characters and plot really do draw me in. I think she has gotten better with each book, but I truly have enjoyed each one at each reading.
Snogging was a problem for me as well. I don't want there to be some greater break down of values in the next book. Rowling and I obviously do not regard teen age romance in the same light, so I do worry a little about this aspect of the book. The scene with Ginny at the end where he talks about how the past few months have been so important to them...the two (16 year olds) gazing into one another's eyes, understanding the deepest needs of one another. That does worry me and it will really hurt this series for me if she delves futher into this aspect of the hormonal teen years.
I'm with John and Wendy, and I'm saying book 5! Especially after the second time through. Book 5 really gets started on the fight against V. and you really see D. power. We get to see all the characters again, and it is by far Fred and George's funniest book.
here's my order 5, 4, 3, 6, 1, 2
I've got to go to class, but I'll be back into this conversation!
Mine is also five and also because of the great fight scene at the end where you really get to see Dumbledore's skill overpower everyone else..and I think Dumbledore has great style when he does it. Also, I have to say, I think Fred and George are HI-larious in Book Five. (Although I am with John in that Harry's crabbiness in the first half does get on my nerves.)
Ron and Cho...interesting idea. John and Wendy--what makes you think that it's still Harry and Hermione? I'm with mom and like Hermione better than Ginny. But, as mom says, what about Ron, and as much as I want to bet on Harry and Hermione, I think that Hermione and Ron are going to end up together in the end.
11 comments:
I am going to go against the grain and say book 5 (OOTP). For me the book is very emotional. Although Harry is very crabby in it, the end of the book--fight at the ministry, dumbledore v riddle, and dumbledore's discussion with Harry, make it my favorite. Perhaps my favorite moment is when Harry is waiting for Dumbledore in Dumbledore's office, and the picture of the fat headmaster witht he red nose tells Harry how fond Dumbledore is of Harry. 3rd party complement.
We just finished book 3 on Tuesday. It is a great book. The closing Harry-Dumbledore dialog is superb.
I enjoyed the insights into Dumbledore from the last book. The end was great and Dumbledore's kindness and wisdom were powerful.
A couple of bugs from the last book:
1. Snogging
2. Hermione and Harry seem even less likely :(
DB
OOTP = Order of the Phoenix (A play on our SW acronyms)
I agree that Harry and Ginny could wind up together, BUT it is a mistate. Having just re-read Book 3, Harry and Hermione are meant for each other.
JBB
I finished the last book (is that 5) this past summer. I loved it. I reread book 4 to get ready for 5 and I appreciated it as well. I think the author is a fine writer who does a very good job of developing characters that have some complexity. I have often wondered, how can she create another character to fill the position of Teacher of the Dark Arts? She does, however, and they are always different and carry a unique part in unraveling the story of Harry, his parents and Voldemort. I too love the end of the last book. Dad pointed out some interesting aspects of the fight between Dumbledore and Snape. Dad does not think Dumbledore is dead....He believes Snape is to be trusted as Dumbledore has insisted. Dad listened to the tapes and as we listened together, he was able to point out how Dumbledore is purposely moving toward his wand as he slides down....that Harry was immobilized so that he could not interfere with the things that Snape HAD to do...the things that Hagrid had overheard Dumbledore and Snape arguing about in the woods. I really like the continuing saga....the foreshadowing and the guessing and speculation that follows the reading of the book. I have grown more and more fond of each character. I love Hermoine and I love her more than Ginny, so I am rooting for an unexpected turn of events that puts Harry and Hermoine together. However, I don't know how we would tie up Ron's love life...He is too bonkers over Hermoine...who knows.
The other things that Dad and I have discussed are the locket and the other thing from the other house at Hogwarts. These are important clues for Harry. Dad thinks that Harry has what he and Dumbledore went to get at the end of the book and he (and we [except for me and Dad] ) don't know it yet.
I also very much like the growth in Harry in each book. I like the feeling of tenderness she engenders for Harry. More and more, I think she shows what a burden Harry carries relative to the other students. I loved how Dumbledore expresses his fondness for Harry. How he hated to burden Harry's childhood with the prophecy of Harry's part in Voldemort's demise. I think she had done a superb job of mixing that burden with the happy and laid back nature of Harry. I like what I see as Harry begins to grow into this destiny. It really is quite well done.
Anyway....a jolly good series of books....I have thoroughly enjoyed them and I am not a fantasy nut...but these are well done and the characters and plot really do draw me in. I think she has gotten better with each book, but I truly have enjoyed each one at each reading.
Snogging was a problem for me as well. I don't want there to be some greater break down of values in the next book. Rowling and I obviously do not regard teen age romance in the same light, so I do worry a little about this aspect of the book. The scene with Ginny at the end where he talks about how the past few months have been so important to them...the two (16 year olds) gazing into one another's eyes, understanding the deepest needs of one another. That does worry me and it will really hurt this series for me if she delves futher into this aspect of the hormonal teen years.
MOM
I'm with John and Wendy, and I'm saying book 5! Especially after the second time through. Book 5 really gets started on the fight against V. and you really see D. power. We get to see all the characters again, and it is by far Fred and George's funniest book.
here's my order
5, 4, 3, 6, 1, 2
I've got to go to class, but I'll be back into this conversation!
Who's seeing HP4 tomorrow!!!
Really quick before I go--Dad's assessment (sp?) of 6 is fun. If you haven't heard it give him a call!
I move that Rowling put Ron and Cho together.
JBB
Two mediocre Quidditch players made for each other. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Mine is also five and also because of the great fight scene at the end where you really get to see Dumbledore's skill overpower everyone else..and I think Dumbledore has great style when he does it. Also, I have to say, I think Fred and George are HI-larious in Book Five. (Although I am with John in that Harry's crabbiness in the first half does get on my nerves.)
Amy
Ron and Cho...interesting idea. John and Wendy--what makes you think that it's still Harry and Hermione? I'm with mom and like Hermione better than Ginny. But, as mom says, what about Ron, and as much as I want to bet on Harry and Hermione, I think that Hermione and Ron are going to end up together in the end.
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