Harry Potter General Discussion (Book 7 Spoilers Likely)

[DrLar]

TAG ALL SPOILERS.

I read all the books and I'm eager to read this one, I didn't catch the Walmart pre-sale, but I'm sure I'll get it as soon as I can find it..

Only 4 more days!

[Toejam]

At this point I'm about to lose it. My level of anticipation for this book is absurdly high. My family is placing bets on what we think will happen.
Saturday can't come soon enough.

[Zombie]

I'm having an argument with my friend that this is the last book? From what I've seen or could have sworn to see that this is the LAST book? He say's no? Who's right?

[The Dark Vampire]

I don't read Harry Potter but it's common knowledge that this is the last one

Fans are petitioning JK Rowling to carry on with them but she has said it’s time to end it

[The 5th Golden Girl]

There is some sort of scandal right now about scanned pages from the book on the internet. Since I don't read the books (I'm a fan of the movies, though), I happened to see one person who spoiled all the big things. I'm not going to say anything else about it, though. Heaven help a person who crosses a "Harry Potter" fan. ;)

I might have to consider reading the books now. I'm anxious to find out what really happens (I'm not sure I believe the spoilers I read) from my brother and sister when it comes out and they finish reading it.

[Skye]

I pre-ordered my copy in February. :D

The library where I work has them already, but I haven't been able to get my hands on it yet.

I do know ONE small detail about the end, though.

Overstock had better ship my book DAMN quick.

[BlakeTyner]

I'm not a Harry Potter fan, but the "leaked" scans look dubious to me. Even the greenest copyeditor would've caught a lot of the errors, and believe me, this book wasn't trusted to a green copyeditor.

I've a feeling the true ending will be safe until 00:01:30 on the day of it's release - when the internet will be swarmed with people who flipped to the epilogue and will try to spoil it for everyone else. I bet tshirthell.com has a t-shirt detailing the major death and page number by noon.

My idle prediction, with absolutely nothing to back it up, is that Hermione dies. I only say that because that's who I'd kill off, though, to be fair, I'd kill Harry too - so no other authors could ever come along and fuck with my legacy.

~Blake

[The Dark Vampire]

Rumors are there are 2 deaths of major characters and from what I read that came from JK Rowling herself.

Of course there is rumors that one of the deaths is Harry himself

[DrLar]

All are rumours until proven true, if someone will go to the last chapter first, that'll be stupid....

[The Dark Vampire]

Well we know
At least 1 person dies as that has been confirmed by JK Rowling herself in interviews but a 2nd death is just a rumor JK did hint there was 2 but only confirmed 1

[DrLar]

Yeah, but 2 main characters die and more rumors said that at least 8 total with secondary characters, more rumors also point that Sirius maybe not death, mmmm

[TheShowstoppa]

I read in the New York Times review that at least a dozen minor and major characters die and/or tortured. On top of that, Voldemort infiltrates Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic.

Being as that was the New York Times, I hold all of those spoilers in high reguards. I didn't read the whole thing because I didn't want to be too spoiled. I did read however that The Deathly Hollows area group (I forget the number...) things that when the possessor has them, they will do whatever the possessor wants. It also says that Harry doesn't know if he wants to go after the last of the Horcruxes or find the Hollows instead.

[Mutant Leprechaun]

I read in the New York Times review that at least a dozen minor and major characters die and/or tortured. On top of that, Voldemort infiltrates Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic. And/or Tortured?

Well so much for the certificate 12 on the seventh movie!

[Just Jeans]

I'm having an argument with my friend that this is the last book? From what I've seen or could have sworn to see that this is the LAST book? He say's no? Who's right?

This is definitely the last book. Rowling was recently interviewed by a British newspaper, and in the interview she said that now she's finished the Harry Potter series, she'd be willing to write that Doctor Who script that Russell T Davies asked her to do in 2004. :eek: That'd really bump the ratings.

...though, to be fair, I'd kill Harry too - so no other authors could ever come along and fuck with my legacy.

Like the death of the lead character could stop capitalistic greed. :lmao:

[The Dark Vampire]

No matter who dies it's a book about magic they could always be brought back somehow
ADDED:
I have read a list of who dies if anyone wishes me to put it up in spoiler tags I will (I'm off out now but will do it later if asked)

[Just Jeans]

Whatever the case, just no one talk about it sans spoiler tags -- I'm only about 40 pages into the first book, and if I get book seven ruined before I finish book one, I'll ban you.* :box:


*Mr. Jeans is prone to occasional bouts of over-exaggeration, hostility and psychopathic outbursts. Pay no mind.

[jayTL]

I read the "spoilers" (the plot details) on Wiki...I never liked the books, but I was interested in the story. Can someone who read the book verify that later on?

[BlakeTyner]

The wiki spoilers are accurate.

[Just Jeans]

I'm 150 pages into the first book. My sister came in and started waving the last book under my nose. I beat her up and sent her away. Nooj.

[BlakeTyner]

Jeans,

Don't let the first book be any indication of the rest of them...it's the one I read (which led me to have no interest in any of the others) and the girl I know that's big into Harry Potter says that the first book was more of a kid's book, but the rest are much more adult-focused. So if you find that you dislike it, as I did, go ahead and get into book 2 and you may find yourself really into it.

I just didn't get invested in the characters at all, so that's why I'm uninterested in the rest.

~Blake

[Just Jeans]

Yeah, Lacy told me the same thing. The first book is really a bit of fluff -- I'm a slow reader, particularly without glasses, yet I could finish it tonight if I wanted -- but I've been assured the focus is different from the second book on.

So I'm going to power through it. :box:

[FinalBeyond]

What's funny is that because of my reading progress, the first two books took me longer to read than the big epic ones. :p

I actually finished Deathly Hallows in around 4 hours. I might have a more detailed read later on to connect plot points and so on.
I don't believe a news report on someone who 'read' it in 47 minutes. It's practically impossible.

[Just Jeans]

My sister read the book before this one -- which is MASSIVE -- in a little over two hours.

You fast readers disturb me. It takes me several days -- or closer to a week -- of dedicated reading to finish a 380 page novel. That's part of the reason I tend not to read epics or serials, because I'm just so slow.

I really wish I could get new glasses. :misery: It would help immensely.

[BlakeTyner]

Well, I think there are several different ways of reading. Some people let their eyes hit every. single. word. Me, I read every word, but I don't really let my eyes linger on any one of them. Thus, I tend to be a pretty fast reader. It's tough to explain - it's not speedreading - but I don't treat reading like I treat listening/speaking, which a lot of people do. They read a word and "hear" it spoken inside their heads...I don't do that.

~Blake

[Zombie]

I'm not going to ever read the books, so can someone "spoil" me and tell me if Harry dies or lives? I keep reading some sites but not getting the answer I'm looking for and that's all I'm wanting to know lol

[Just Jeans]

I read the words, I hear them inside my head, and if I come across words I'm not sure my head-voice is pronouncing correctly (whether they be fictional or real) I get hung on them.

I'm reading a Doctor Who novel right now that's set in medieval France. I've been reading it for two weeks and I'm 50 pages in. My pronunciation of medieval French names and French terminology is absolutely shockingly awful. It's making me feel rather dumb, and it's taking me far longer to read this book than it should. Thank Christ I know how to pronounce a lot of names/terms in Harry Potter.

The fact that I've been in need of glasses since 2000, and that not having them has made my eyes so bad I can't get my license renewed because I can't pass the eye exam (I can't read line five... or four... I can hardly read line 3)... well, it makes reading a chore rather than a joy. :misery:

I also have trouble focusing on what I'm reading these days. My mind drifts. I'll keep reading, but I'll start thinking about something else and I'll end up having to backtrack and re-read what I've just been reading. I can't help it. I just can't focus like I once could.

...can someone "spoil" me and tell me if Harry dies or lives?

There are spoilers on Wikipedia's entry for the book that are on the level. Apparently.

[BlakeTyner]

Spoilers - verified with a hard copy:

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all live. In the epilogue, which is set 19 years after the events in the novel, Hermione and Ron are married. Harry and Ginny are married. They're at the station sending their children off to Hogwarts for the first time. Harry's scar hasn't bothered him in 19 years, since killing Voldemort. The last words are: All was well.

[The Dark Vampire]

Spoilers - verified with a hard copy:

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all live. In the epilogue, which is set 19 years after the events in the novel, Hermione and Ron are married. Harry and Ginny are married. They're at the station sending their children off to Hogwarts for the first time. Harry's scar hasn't bothered him in 19 years, since killing Voldemort. The last words are: All was well.

Which makes me wonder if when she said the Harry Potter books we over she was only half telling the truth and she now plans on writing son/daughter of Harry Potter books

[TheShowstoppa]

It took me all day and night to finish this (I kept getting distracted by various things, and a new puppy hasn't helped when she needs to go potty! More importantly, that's why I haven't been online for the last two days.) and all I can say is wow. It was an amazing journey. It's hard for me to believe it is over.

Zombie - To sum it up in a nut shell and answer your question: Both. He is hit with the killing spell again, but survives because he sacraficed himself for everyone else.


And to be frank- I was partially right about the Hollows.

Jeans - I found I really enjoyed the first book when I went back to read it. (I started reading the books at 3 because I had seen the first two movies.) The fourth and 6th still stand as my favorite two books. I will go back and read the series from beginning to end now that is all said and done. You'll find you tend to read fast once you get into them. Pay close attention to the details that are in the books - because most of them will unravel around the 5 - 7th books. More you will also find in those books that will unravel themselves again.

As for the series' ending There is truly no way that the series can continue no matter what. There's nothing for anyone to be worried about now that Voldemort is dead. What Jo Rowling could answer is what occupations Ginny, Harry, Hermione and Ron have. It could also be good to know if Harry became the Auror like he wanted to or does he need to? It was funny for Ron to try and explain everyone looking at Harry away as that he was really famous. I imagine Harry will tell them in due time if they aren't taught it in school...

[Just Jeans]

You'll find you tend to read fast once you get into them.

I'm sure I'll find no such thing, unfortunately. :misery: I was totally into The Dark Tower cycle by the time I hit book three, and it still took me over a year to read all the way through book seven. I really do read that slowly. :scared:

I'm going to try and finish book 1 tonight, but there's no guarantee on that.
ADDED:
Incidentally, “GOT YOUR CONK!” is a phrase that should be barred from children’s literature. Every time I read it, I misread it. :shock:

[Zombie]

Show & Blake -

That's what I was meaning. On the Wiki site in the list it said he died and was killed by Voldermot but then the Epilouge said he was happily married? So I was lost and confused.

Now I'll just wait for the movies. I should have seen the new HP movie instead of Transformers but oh well. I've pretty much seen all the HP movies when they've come on DVD. I'm going to need to watch them from the beginning again cause I'm already kinda lost in the story.

[Toejam]

I just finished the book, LOVED it.

[Just Jeans]

I’ve just spent an hour and a half reading the first Harry Potter book. I read Chapters Eight through Eleven; page 131 to 180. I might be proud if Harry Potter wasn’t the kind of book that has so few words per page. I’m sure book two will probably stomp my ass.

I wonder how the Mountain Troll looks in the first film? The whole time I was reading the scene with the Mountain Troll, I kept seeing the Boss Troll from Dragon Quest VIII in my mind’s eye.

http://www.woodus.com/den/gallery/graphics/dq8ps2/monster/boss_troll.png

Some of the little Americanizations made by Scholastic rub me wrong as well. I'm thinking about ordering The Philosopher's Stone from Amazon.co.uk.

[Linderman]

I can't believe it's all over :cry: 14 hours of reading and my favorite series as of late is gone.


I was amazed at the amount of death in this book, not done in shock but it seemed to move the story, so I won't complain too much.

I was hoping for the final duel to be more than it was, but I guess it ended the way it needed to.

Dumbledore's talk with Harry was amazing and hearing his plan through Snape's memories was cool too. I enjoyed Ron much more in this book than I did before.

I'll quit rambling, just kind of exciting.

[Jason's Storm]

I read the wiki on it, but I can't tell who of any importance bit it. Oh well I didn't care much anyways.:)

~JS

[BluTsbunny]

:D:D:D LOVED this book!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had to wait until late Saturday afternoon to get it...and then had to wait to read the damn thing! Argggghhhh! I live with my boyfriend and he wanted a lot of attention that day. Finally when I was released from his embrace, I scooted off to read the new book. I finished it after a couple hours.

I was so shocked by the whole thing! JK did an excellent job!

[TheShowstoppa]

For those of you who have read it - Here's what an interview with Rowling said about the actual ending of the book.

Rowling said her original epilogue was “a lot more detailed,” including the name of every child born to the Weasley clan in the past 19 years. (Victoire, who was snogging Teddy — Lupin and Tonks’ son — is Bill and Fleur’s eldest.)

“But it didn’t work very well as a piece of writing,” Rowling said. “It felt very much that I had crowbarred in every bit of information I could … In a novel you have to resist the urge to tell everything.”

But now that the seventh and final novel is in the hands of her adoring public, Rowling no longer has to hold back any information about Harry Potter from her fans. And when 14 fans crowded around her in Edinburgh Castle in Scotland earlier this week as part of TODAY’s interview, Rowling was more than willing to share her thoughts about what Harry and his friends are up to now.

Harry, Ron and Hermione
We know that Harry marries Ginny and has three kids, essentially, as Rowling explains, creating the family and the peace and calm he never had as a child.

As for his occupation, Harry, along with Ron, is working at the Auror Department at the Ministry of Magic. After all these years, Harry is now the department head.

“Harry and Ron utterly revolutionized the Auror Department,” Rowling said. “They are now the experts. It doesn’t matter how old they are or what else they’ve done.”

Meanwhile, Hermione, Ron’s wife, is “pretty high up” in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, despite laughing at the idea of becoming a lawyer in “Deathly Hallows.”

“I would imagine that her brainpower and her knowledge of how the Dark Arts operate would really give her a sound grounding,” Rowling said.

Harry, Ron and Hermione don’t join the same Ministry of Magic they had been at odds with for years; they revolutionize it and the ministry evolves into a “really good place to be.”

“They made a new world,” Rowling said.

The wizarding naturalist
Luna Lovegood, the eccentric Ravenclaw who was fascinated with Crumple-Horned Snorkacks and Umgubular Slashkilters, continues to march to the beat of her own drum.

“I think that Luna is now traveling the world looking for various mad creatures,” Rowling said. “She’s a naturalist, whatever the wizarding equivalent of that is.”

Luna comes to see the truth about her father, eventually acknowledging there are some creatures that don’t exist.

“But I do think that she’s so open-minded and just an incredible person that she probably would be uncovering things that no one’s ever seen before,” Rowling said.

Luna and Neville Longbottom?
It’s possible Luna has also found love with another member of the D.A.

When she was first asked about the possibility of Luna hooking up with Neville Longbottom several years ago, Rowling’s response was “Definitely not.” But as time passed and she watched her characters mature, Rowling started to “feel a bit of a pull” between the unlikely pair.

Ultimately, Rowling left the question of their relationship open at the end of the book because doing otherwise “felt too neat.”

Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom: “The damage is done.”

There is no chance, however, that Neville’s parents, who were tortured into madness by Bellatrix Lestrange, ever left St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies.

“I know people really wanted some hope for that, and I can quite see why because, in a way, what happens to Neville’s parents is even worse than what happened to Harry’s parents,” Rowling said. “The damage that is done, in some cases with very dark magic, is done permanently.”
Rowling said Neville finds happiness in his grandmother’s acceptance of him as a gifted wizard and as the new herbology professor at Hogwarts.

The fate of Hogwarts
Nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts, the school for witchcraft and wizardry is led by an entirely new headmaster (“McGonagall was really getting on a bit”) as well as a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. That position is now as safe as the other teaching posts at Hogwarts, since Voldemort’s death broke the jinx that kept a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor from remaining for more than a year.

While Rowling didn’t clarify whether Harry, Ron and Hermione ever return to school to finish their seventh year, she did say she could see Harry popping up every now and again to give the “odd talk” on Defense Against the Dark Arts.

More details to come?
Rowling said she may eventually reveal more details in a Harry Potter encyclopedia, but even then, it will never be enough to satisfy the most ardent of her fans.

“I’m dealing with a level of obsession in some of my fans that will not rest until they know the middle names of Harry’s great-great-grandparents,” she said. Not that she’s discouraging the Potter devotion!

“I love it,” she said. “I’m all for that
- Source: The Today Show Website

The thing I'm most excited about will be the Harry Potter Encyclopedia. I can't wait to get that to see a lot of the things we missed about characters we either hardly knew or did know, but didn't know a lot about their pasts.

[The 5th Golden Girl]

Now that the series is complete, I thought it would be wise to open a "Harry Potter" General Discussion thread. Here you can discuss any and/or all of the books, the storylines, positive and negative reviews you have, the films in comparison to the books, questions you may have about the series, etc.

I have only read one "Harry Potter" book, and it was "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." I loved the book, but it turned out to be my least favorite movie. Since I'm more a fan of the "Harry Potter" movies than the books, I decided not to read any more "Harry Potter" books as I felt it would leave me open to being disappointed in the remaining films. As it turns out, I ended up loving the fourth movie, and I'm excited to see the 5th movie this weekend.

A general comment - I remember my Mom trying to read the first "Harry Potter" book to my brother shortly before the series blew up into the phenomina its become. She got the book because she had heard it was written in a way that dislexic people could understand it. I have no idea if that's true or not, but that's what she thought.

A question - do they teach non-magical subjects at Hogwarts? I find it hard to believe that there would be a school that doesn't teach history, English, math, science, etc.

[Jack Bauer]

I finished the book just a day ago and I loved it. But I think hands down the best line in the book is: NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!

[DrLar]

Hold on, I'm on chapter 33 yet, I'm a "regular" reader, not those fast ones that read 1000 pages in 2 hours... besides I like the book to entertain me, so in a trip or lazy afternoon I read several chapters, the most I've read in a single sitting is 5 chapters.

I also one of those that like to re-read a chapter, kind of rewinding a move a cahpter to get more insight on an event.

So far I'm very excited, but I wonder why they went back to view Snape's chiidhood and that he loved Lily and that stuff, and Snape was almost the one that made Harry's victory, then Harry don't seeing Snape when he branded the resurrection stone, I thougth he would, but oh well, I guess recently departed won't have spirits nearby yet?

[Melissa's Necklace]

Did anyone else hear today that JK Rowling announced Dumbledore is gay?

There's some minor spoilers in the following link.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7053982.stm

[Michellemabelle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtvDSqgcmWo
The new trailer!!!!

[JVM]

I like the books but I think everything else about Potter is BS. Since I saw Goblet, the films have been nothing but a string of dissapointments for me. I understand things need to be cut, but I think it's hypocritical to cut things then add shit. Plus, I hate the rules they made for cutting stuff. Newman's stated he cut out anything that didn't have to do with Harry and his journey. Total BS. I hate it when people turn movies based on books into whorefests for the main character and ignore any subplots not involving them. I was a huge Potter fan when the first movie was out, I even got the enormous LEGO Hogwarts Castle, which sadly was lost, and many pieces ended up getting chewed by my autistic little brother. To this day, of every Potter thing I've had, it's the one I most wish I had back. I went through Hell to track the Dobby figure back in 02, and I still haven't gotten it, sadly. It's worth too much now. We even had a store owner watch her store for a year. Never turned up.

Nowadays, to me, Harry Potter is a book series and everything else is just an attempt to cash in on it.

[FallOutGirl]

I wish they'd bring out book-related merch again. Like those frogs, and every flavored beans. No hint of movie-ness on those things.

I hated the latest book the first time I read it but then I re-read it and it wasn't as bad as I remembered.

[BluTsbunny]

I wish they'd bring out book-related merch again. Like those frogs, and every flavored beans. No hint of movie-ness on those things.

I hated the latest book the first time I read it but then I re-read it and it wasn't as bad as I remembered.


Yeah, I wish they'd bring out more of that stuff. I love the chocolate frogs! I'm not too crazy about the every flavored beans. Too icky. Although the bacon-flavored one is pretty good. They should do the licorish wands next or the Droobles gum.

[Michellemabelle]

They have Droobles.

http://imgg1.store.pchome.com.tw/~prod/M00416075_big.jpg

[JVM]

I remember when the first movie was out a lot of merch, even the legoes, were based more on the novels than the films.

[TheShowstoppa]

Merged this with the original Book 7 thread since there was a lot of general discussion in that thread.

I have to agree that the movies have been starting to be a sort of disappointment. The books are so amazing and so were the first two movies because it was almost like seeing the book on the screen. 3 is where it started going downhill.

I've heard rumors that since the 6th movie was nowhere near like the 6th book (they changed a ton of plot details, how Dumbledore dies, etc) in the screenings and the fans backlashed that the whole reason they're doing this "waiting until next summer" thing to do reshoots to make it more like the book.

[Skye]

Wait, so the movie isn't coming out November 16th?

[TheShowstoppa]

No. Warner decided to release over the same weekend they released The Dark Knight in hopes that it would bring in a boat load of money based on the weekend it is. Dumb... but still.

[Scarecrow]

Madness. The first two films were souless, cheap and pandeirng to the books, having no identity of their opwn. part 3 onwards is where they start to get good and BE films. Films and books are different mediums with different requirments and they understand this. Goble of Fire is by far the best but order of the Phoenix cuts so much of the books fat, making it superior to what is the weakest book. IMO.


- Scarecrow

[FallOutGirl]

I remember when the first movie was out a lot of merch, even the legoes, were based more on the novels than the films.

They should do this again.

Kinda sucks they've moved the latest movie. It's my favourite book so I' really interested to see them mess it up onscreen.

Emma Watson................:shifty: needs to go.

[Just Jeans]

Haven't read too much in this thread because I'm on my first read-through of the novels.

However, I did read enough to see that I'm not the only one who has been disappointed by the films. I think the first two were really good, but when I watched the third film, I was really disappointed by the deviations from the novel. There was some important stuff missing (particularly in the scene where we find out the true history of the Shrieking Shack and of the characters who are in the scene), and to be honest I'm surprised some of the stuff going on even makes sense to people who haven't read the novels.

When I log off from here, I'm going to go finish reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I'll probably start on The Order of the Phoenix as soon as I finish, despite wanting to read Stephen King's new book of short stories (I'm already reading another book, and I don't like reading more than two at once). I have to say that The Goblet of Fire has been my favorite book so far -- they just get better and better with each novel. However, I've been asking my sister a steady string of questions about the differences between novel and film (I don't watch the movie until I've read the book), and I think I'm going to be intensely disappointed with the film version of The Goblet of Fire. Too many things have been altered (the trial of Barty Crouch Jr) or dropped entirely (Dobby, Winky, and the enslavement of house elves subplot). I wish Rowling would reign the film folks in a little more, I know she has some clout to do so.

[TheShowstoppa]

Jeans, You are going to be disappointed by the movie. That movie and Order of the Phoenix are the two worst movies of the series, but I got them due to continuity reasons. Goblet of Fire was my favorite HP book at one point in time and now I don't think I want anything to do with the movie, except for the ending.

I know you said they keep getting better and better, but Order of the Phoenix is a very low point in the series. It's slow and boring at times. Well, that's my opinion anyway.

When you get to it, and if you feel as I do, keep this in mind - It gets a lot better in Half-Blood Prince. Believe me. I still can't decide if that book or book 4 is my favorite because they're both amazingly good.

[Just Jeans]

I thought Goblet of Fire, for what it was, was a pretty good film. Too much important stuff missing -- and I'm not just talking about things that could obviously go for time reasons -- but, other than that, it was a good film. It was exciting and had the best special effects so far, with the best set pieces as well. My biggest complaint is the characterization of Dumbledore. I don't know what the filmmakers were thinking -- perhaps they weren't thinking at all -- but the man running Hogwarts in the fourth film is but a pale shadow of the man in the novel.

As I write this, I'm a nearly 500 pages into Order of the Phoenix. I'm not really enjoying it at all. It's not because of the length and it's not because it feels padded or boring; it's because it's an absolutely miserable novel. The joy of the previous four novels is missing entirely. I don't mind the series "growing up", but it's been one nasty occurrence after another. It lacks what drew me to the franchise in the first place, that sense of fun mischief and adventure. Even Goblet of Fire, with its darker themes, managed to maintain that.

I'm seriously fed up with seeing Harry, Ron and Hermione constantly at each others necks, and moments that should be really exquisite for Harry and friends -- and for the reader -- are depressing as hell (I'm thinking Harry's first kiss with Cho, or Ron's first game of Quiddich).

The only real plus side thus far is that characters like Ginny and Neville have had a lot more print time. It's nice to see them fleshed out a little bit.

I plan to finish the book over the next couple of nights. I hope The Half Blood Prince is a less miserable read, because I'm not sure I can stand another 800 pages of miserableness.

[TheShowstoppa]

Half Blood Prince is either at a tie as my favorite novel in the series, or a very close second. I'm going to tell you, though that since Voldemort is back at the end of the 4th Novel, things will never be the same afterward. The same happy-go-lucky(ish) storylines from the first 4 novels will not likely be back, but HBP is definitely more light-hearted than OotP.

After hearing the outrage over the "first cut" of the movie, I'm afraid as hell to see the movie when it comes out this summer.

[Just Jeans]

I'm right in the home stretch of Order of the Phoenix. I probably would have finished it early in the day, but I didn't really get to read last night at all. Was too sick. I think I'm going to wait to read The Half Blood Prince until I'm feeling better. I think the last two weeks of illness have tainted my enjoyment of Order of the Phoenix a little bit (although I stand by my assertion that it's the most miserable book in the franchise so far).

I've been reading about some of the changes between the book and film version of Order of the Phoenix. This book really got butchered, didn't it? I mean, they made Cho the D.A. snitch? What the fuck, man? :duh:

[DouglasJ]

I despise the OOTP film. I hated it the first time I saw it in the cinema, and gave it a second chance. Still hated it. I've never watched the DVD someone gave me for Christmas. Even though the book is pretty weak, the film is even worse. Just my opinion.

[TheShowstoppa]

That's because the movie IS downright horrible. So... Basically, if they fuck up this movie (probably the most pivitol of the series) I quit. It's stupid for them to do that many damn changes to a movie that are unwarranted or because they want a fun series of special effects.

[FinalBeyond]

I didn't mind the OOTP film. Somehow, it felt like it had less important stuff cut out than the POA film. Can't comment on GOF, as even with David Tennant, I hated the third film enough to miss it. Only went to OOTP because a friend needed someone to go with.

Seriously, who decided that leaving out the fact that Harry's dad was one of the ones who created the Marauder's Map was acceptable? I always felt that was a significant aspect of the book. (Spoilered in case someone STILL hasn't read it. :p) And yet, they were able to fit in a 10 minute sequence of stupid stuff happening on the bus. Ugh.

[Just Jeans]

Just watched Order of the Phoenix.

Despite some perplexing and frustrating changes, I really enjoyed it. Of course, considering it was my least favorite book thus far, I'm probably a little biased. I was glad that the film felt more warm than the novel, and the utterly miserable tone that made the book such a chore to read was toned down but not entirely removed. It's still the darkest film in the series, but you get to see some genuine joy, too.

Still not keen on Cho being the snitch, even if it was yanked out of her via truth telling serum.

[TheShowstoppa]

Jeans, buddy... Lemme know when you get about half way through Half-Blood Prince. I want you opinion of it as you go.

[Just Jeans]

I'm already over half way done with it. Harry and Dumbledore are about to view (what Dumbledore claims are) the final two memories, one of which was extracted from a house elf. I would have finished it by now, but I left town. I brought it with me, but it's still packed up.

I'm enjoying this much more than the previous novel. Been a while since I've torn through a book as fast as I was getting through The Half Blood Prince.

[TheShowstoppa]

I finished the whole series in a week one time. I'm disgusting like that.

I haven't read the actual novel in about a year or more, but I will say it is very enjoyable and the ending was phenominal. I'm glad you're liking it thus far. Be prepared, the 7th isn't all fun and games, and it is slow at times.

[Just Jeans]

I'm fine if it isn't all fun and game -- I do like a bit of drama, after all -- so long as it isn't as drop dead depressing as Order of the Phoenix (i.e: as long as Delores Umbridge isn't a lead character).

Anyhoo, I finished reading The Half-Blood Prince just now. Great book. 100% better than Order of the Phoenix. Pity about the way the film appears to have been hacked up (take a look at the "list of differences" on the Wikipedia article -- there are things cut out that blow my mind. Like the ending. I've no clue how the film is going to end.)

Going to start reading The Deathly Hollows later today. I'm quite curious to find out how Snape goes from being Harry's most hated person to earning the distinction of Harry naming his son in part after Snape.

[TheShowstoppa]

Through reading those changes, I no longer want to see the movie. I don't care. (Jeans, don't read this spoiler until you're done with book 7. The rest are okay to read.) Dumbledore's tomb plays an intricate part in the 7th book. Not only that, but Yates said he didn't want a battle in the astronomy tower because he said he didn't want it to be too repitive? Seriously? From what I have heard, Harry doesn't even see Snape kill Dumbledore in the movie, which serves NO FUCKING PURPOSE to be removed from the film. That's SO KEY too. Not to mention they're leaving out 2 key memories? Ugh. This is stupid. The movie is ruined and I don't really fuckin' care to see it anymore. Period.

I understand that certain things or scenes need to be omitted for time, but when you change the course of a whole movie, you kill the source and make it a completely different film altogether. That makes me angry. The NEW Minister of Magic also doesn't appear?! Why? What purpose does that serve? I can agree with not seeing the very beginning of the book with the Muggle Minister, but not introducing the new one is dumb. There are so many things wrong with this movie, I'm not even going to begin. Fuck it.

I'll stick to the books. They're far better. The first two movies will always be the best, and if WB had any sense, they would put Chris Columbus back in charge of production so he could oversee a fitting ending to the movie series, since they're raping us for 2 movies out of it.

[Just Jeans]

In fairness, some of this cut material is liable to end up in The Deathly Hollows Part 1. I mean, turning the final novel into two films means the beginning of film 7 may well encapsulate some of the details dropped from film 6 (same thing happened with Order of the Phoenix).

As for Harry not seeing Snape kill Dumbledore, I'm pretty sure he does. The theatrical trailer has Harry demanding that Snape stop being a coward and fight him, which is lifted directly from the novel, and is driven by Harry witnessing Dumbledore's murder.

[DouglasJ]

Och, I've no faith in the movie franchise anymore. After the mess of OOTP, I've given up on it. I'll see the next one, but only cause it'll be free.

[TheShowstoppa]

They said something to the extent of Harry is at the bottom of the Astronomy Tower and Dumbledore's body lands in front of him. Upon looking up, he sees Snape fleeing with the Death Eaters and he chases after them. That why that part in the trailer supposedly translates from the book to the movie. If that's the way it happened, I'll be pissed, because Harry and the rest of us need to see 2 things: (Warning Jeans.) Malfoy disarm Dumbledore and Snape Kill Dumbledore. You'll find out why in the 7th Book.

How far are you into the 7th Book, by the way, Jeans?

[Just Jeans]

Just started "The Seven Potters" chapter. I'm not making as much headway as I'd like, but when I return home on Saturday/Sunday, I'll probably really start plowing through it.

[TheShowstoppa]

Oh... you're relatively early on in the book then. The end of that chapter is also sad. The whole book is sad. There are parts that I am glad certain things happened, and I'll explain after you've read them, but I think that certain revelations could have been withstood.

[TheShowstoppa]

How's the book reading going, sir? I'm interested in your thoughts of it thus far.

[Just Jeans]

I'm just a little over half way through (Dobby is dead, Harry has asked the injured goblin to help him break into Gringotts Wizarding Bank, Voldemort has broken into Dumbledore's tomb to steal the Elder Wand). I'd have finished by now, but my brother's been in town and it's hard to find time to read when he's crammed in the same room with me.

It's been a slow read. When things pick up they really pick up, but there's a lot of page space wasted on Harry and the others doing a whole lot of nothing, except bickering with one another. And I was beginning to wonder if the book actually had anything to do with its title. It was halfway through the book before "The Deathly Hollows" are even mentioned.

I do wonder how they plan on turning this book into two films. It feels like it'd make a good two-and-a-half hour film, but not two hour-and-forty-five minute films. It seems to me they'll have to incorporate a lot of things left missing from previous books to flesh this out into two films (Dumbledore's funeral is probably a given). I'm watching the net to see if any details about The Deathly Hollows films might slip through -- they started filming a couple of weeks ago, I think -- but thus far there's been not much.

[Just Jeans]

So I finished The Deathly Hollows tonight.

Over all, I really enjoyed it. The book felt slightly padded, particularly near the beginning and the middle, but once Harry returned to Hogwarts, it moved at just about the perfect clip. I reached that section tonight and read all the way through to the end, it was that good.

I think the most disappointing thing is probably the lack of information in the Epilogue. Considering how large the supporting cast is, I would have liked to know more about what happened to everyone else. I had to refer to this section (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter_and_the_Deathly_Hallows#Rowling.27s_c ommentary_and_supplement) of Wikipedia to find out (glad Rowling addressed some of this after the fact. It's better than nothing.)

I wasn't pleased with it being left unclear on whether or not Lavender Brown died from Fenrir Greyback's attack. She was barely alive when last we see her, just after the attack, but her body is never mentioned, nor are we told if she's tended to by Madam Pomfrey.

I'm also not extremely happy with the off-the-cuff killing of Lupin and Tonks. We don't get to see them fight for their lives, and doing a little reading up it turns out Rowling decided to kill them rather than following through with the intended death of Mr. Weasley. And I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I got a bit teary eyed when Fred died.

Over all a really good series. I was never much of a Harry Potter fan, and I'll probably never be as into it as I am other things, but I'll probably revisit the books a couple of years down the road.

And despite the changes, I'm certainly looking forward to the next three films.

[CountProphet]

Madness. The first two films were souless, cheap and pandeirng to the books, having no identity of their opwn. part 3 onwards is where they start to get good and BE films. Films and books are different mediums with different requirments and they understand this. Goble of Fire is by far the best but order of the Phoenix cuts so much of the books fat, making it superior to what is the weakest book. IMO.



I know I'm responding to a almost 1 year post but, here I go....

Shouldn't a movie adaptation of a novel should relate what happens in the novel? Yeah, I agree PoA managed to alter things but still keep it interesting. GoF was just a series scenes with no real connection. OotP was better in that regard, but left out too much out (especially DoM fight). HBP... every scene they added that wasn't in the book was pure crap. Even the highly hyped opening part with the bridge collapsing was lame; a pedestrian bridge, really? Despite all the darkness they kept talking about, no one died except for Dumbledore, and that's only because you can't have DH without Dumbledore dead.

OotP book had its moments (re: Department of Mysteries). There was a little too much meanderingness in the middle, but otherwise it was definitely readable .