Harry Pottering

Subject: Harry Pottering
From: Peter T.
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 04:44 PM

Given that this is the biggest thing in the book universe at the moment, thought it might be interesting what the always literate Mudcat crowd thinks. Certainly it is cheery having people going nuts over a book that is not the Bible or the Koran or The Valley of the Dolls for that matter. Personally, having gone to a boy's school exactly like Potter (without the magic, but with the houses, ties, and Lord of the Flies type wars), I enjoy them, but am not lost in them -- but then I am not 12 years old. They are certainly very dark, which is interesting. They certainly show the power of suspended story lines -- shades of people on docks waiting for the lastest segment of a Dickens novel!! The movies are sort of dull: nicely cast though.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: okthen
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 05:04 PM

Interesting BBC2 interview with JK Rowling tonight, apparently this is the biggest 1st print run ever (200 million I think)750 pages.There are 250,000 words which makes it longer than the new testament, "Oh great" said JKR, that will give the (religous group)something else to criticise me for, "more verbose than God".
I'm hoping my copy arrives 1st post Saturday.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 06:13 PM

I'm waiting for the paperback version.... it's a bloody thick and heavy book!!

Interview was good though, I liked her comment regarding a letter sent to her by a mother requesting that the books be safe and sensible so that her children could 'escape there from all hurt, fears and harm'..... The poor boy goes through more each term than your average paratrooper does in a lifetime!

JK quite rightly said so and put this paranoid and delusional mother in her place.

LTS

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: alanabit
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 06:34 PM

I am looking forward to it. Apparently one of the characters gets killed off - and I can't wait to see who it is.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 06:36 PM

Got my book on order just waiting for it to be delivered...hopefully it will arrive on Saturday!!!

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 06:54 PM

Here is a link to a transcript of that interview with JK Rowling the BBC broadcast earlier this evening.

A very likeable lady. Mind, when it comes to magic, including Wizard School, or sheer writing ability she ain't in the same league as Ursula Leguin, with her Earthsea books. But it's great to see a book getting published being seen as a major event - big signs up on our local all-night supermarket saying "Harry Potter - 12.01 am Saturday".

I reckon it'll be Hagrid for the chop, on the basis that JK Rowling says she got really upset at having to do it.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 06:56 PM

I'm not too worried about one of the charecters dying. Just look at Gandolf in LOTR. It's a world of magic remember - they can always come back in some shape or form.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 07:03 PM

Hmmmm. One of these times I'll have to get hold of a Potter book and discover what the hubbub is. I remember years ago I resisted for the longest time readig the Tolkien books- and of course, was enthralled.

I haven't read any of the Rowlings books but a few weeks ago I did pick up a video at the market of one of them. I watched. Nice special effects. The story of course was definitely tailored for the preteen crowd- and that's OK. I'm going to give the video to some kid who hasn't got that one.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: GUEST,Lord Voldemort
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 08:04 PM

So, you want to know who dies, do you? Well, it's not that oaf Hagrid. It's the weasel, Ron! He gets splattered by trying to deflect a bludger in his first and last game as Keeper for Gryffindor!

Nayahahahahaha!!

(Say, ain't it nifty neat how JKR works in all that stuff from medieval bestiaries as well as her degree in languages? Take my own name: vol de mort. She's one tee-rrific lookin' woman, too! Sure want to work the old spells on her!!!!)

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: LadyJean
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 11:24 PM

Am I the only person who noticed that Harry Potter is J.K. Rowling's take on the British class system. We have the old wizarding families, who can get away with murder, more or less, and then we have lesser types like Ron and Hermione, or dear old Hagrid. I hope J.K. Rowling didn't turn her latest into a "coming of age" novel. The school librarian used to wish those attrocities on me, and I kept trading them in for Sabatini and Dumas.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 11:40 PM

Actually, I figured it was either Hermoine or the friendly female teacher--I forget her name. Is it really Ron or are you having us on?

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: diesel
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 03:05 AM

Let's not get too carried away with the 'Who' bit. Sure how would anyone know? the books not released yet.

I think Sorcha lord Voldemort is winding you up.

Diesel - can't wait till the book comes out and drops in price.....

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: okthen
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 04:00 AM

Got my email from amazon today, the book is in the post so it should be here Saturday or Monday or in a fortnight depending on whether the kids find out if it's been delivered!

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 04:04 AM

Yip - waiting patiently for ours to arrive. Tesco have confirmed they have been depatched. Had to order 3 because of the arguments about who is reading it first! And I will not get a chance to see any of them for at least a week even though it has cost me 23 quid:-(

The interview last night was rather good. I like JKR - she seems very clever but down to earth at the same time. Just like me...;-)

Cheers

Dave the House Elf

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 05:34 AM

Got my email form amazon this morning hoefully the book will arrive in tomorrows post!!! Diesel....if you order through amazon the book only cost £11 including p&p

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: diesel
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 06:22 AM

Just heard from home - Tesco's in Athlone (Ireland) are selling the book as we speak - for 18 Euro. I thought there was a ban on selling it before midnight tonight ??

Somebody was on the radio after having read the first chapters - not yet up on good/bad/indifferent bit yet....

rgds

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: John Hardly
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 07:08 AM

I've not read any of them -- I am a books-on-tape addict and I've listened to them while on the road.

Interesting -- most of my friends did the same (we all do art fairs and travel) and listened to them. When the movie came out, to a man we were all a bit let down. The actors who read the book for the books-on-tape were considerably better than the movie actors....

.....and, being creative types, our imaginations were better than the silver screen.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 08:30 AM

My money is on Hagrid for the chop in a heroic-save-harry sort of way.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 08:32 AM

John, there has been only one person doing the audios -- Jim Dale. He won the audiobook version of the Grammy for his work on HP3. All of the voices are his.

I was notified yesterday that my book has been shipped, and that my copies of the audio will be shipped Saturday.

Yes, I too listen while I drive. It helps to have something to do with that time on the long trips!

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Dani
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 09:21 AM

The bookstore next door is taking on the chains and their silly kids-up-at-midnight stuff. Her "first book" will be delivered by "Hagrid" on a 'hog at 8am, and parents are thrilled.

She's turned her corner of our little town into a set from the book: Diagon Alley, everything. Local businesses are having a ball. I'll be Madame Rosemerta (!) serving butterbeer and pumpkin fizz (and sausage biscuits and cinnamon buns to Muggles.) What a hoot!

Dani

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Hollowfox
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 09:49 AM

Dani, it must be quite a transfiguration spell if you can convince even a muggle that a sausage biscuit is butterbeer.
I preordered my copy from the local independent bookstore as soon as the ISBN came out, and they tell me it should be there tomorrow. 'Course, there's a lot of "should" in the world, but I'd rather subsidise a friend than a franchise.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: cyder_drinker
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 10:01 AM

The UK versions of the Audio booke were read by Stephen Fry. Personally, I preferred Jim Dale's readings.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: John Hardly
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 10:11 AM

John, there has been only one person doing the audios -- Jim Dale. He won the audiobook version of the Grammy for his work on HP3. All of the voices are his.

Oh yeah....
hmmmm, it's been a while. Quite a tribute to his excellent reading that I even remembered it as multiple actors, eh?

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 10:32 AM

"Hagrid" on a 'hog ???

Isn't a hog a Harley? Hagrid should be on a Triumph, surely.

Like Moses...

DtG

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 10:33 AM

oo an Ariel.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Wesley S
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 01:28 PM

Jim Dale was wonderful with all of those voices. If I'm not mistaken he does the voice of Dobie { sp? } in the movie as well.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 08:00 PM

My grandson, who is an indifferent reader, was totally enthralled when I read the first two books to him. I'm impatiently waiting for my copy to arrive at Borders tonight so I can find out what Harry's doing THIS year.

It's been a revelation to me how obsessed the fundamentalists are with these books. Of course, I live in the Buckle of the Bible Belt, so guess I should have expected it. Gahhhhhh! Nope, nothing would have prepared me for that kind of unreasoning censorship...

Lin

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 08:49 PM

Just posted this to a BBC "have your say". It's unlikely to get shown there...

Their question was:

Are you caught up in Harry Potter mania? How will you get hold of your copy this weekend? Is the book worth the wait and the build-up? What do you think of the Potter phenomenon?

I'm not caught up in "Harry Potter mania" or any other mania (I hope).

From the extracts I have read, the books are reasonable but of lesser quality than say Tolkien's works and not especially original.

The power of the media to hype things up becomes more and more frightening.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: okthen
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 03:30 AM

I got mine,boys,
I got mine.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 03:34 AM

OK then OKthen, who died?

You've had plenty of time to flick to that bit of the book, tell us who died!!!

LTS

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 04:55 AM

Yeah mine arrived in the first post this morning!!!

Happy reading everyone!!

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Mooh
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 06:37 AM

I was awakened at midnight when my wife departed for a local bookshop to make the purchase. The shop reopened then for the sole porpose of this one book sale. Much hoopla. I didn't lose much sleep and my kids will be delighted, a fair trade.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 06:42 AM

The Mudcat seems to have gone dead - guess everyone but me has their nose in a book. Anyway, in Auckland NZ they should now be well into an attempt to ser a world record - the longest non-stop readingg of a childrens book. It's estimated to take 27 hours. Even ou Prime Minister is one of the readers! I'll keep you posted.

What a MAD world we live in!

Mind you, in 196mumble I spent something like 27 hours and a flagon of whisky reading the LotR trilogy in one sitting. Still haven't caught up with this Harry bloke (or the LotR films) - maybe some time.

In the meantime, happy reading folks!

Cheers - Sam

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: okthen
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 07:15 AM

Patience,Liz, patience (and no that is not the name of the character)it only arrived 4 hours ago and am on page 77, and anyway I wouldn't dream of spoiling the surprise for everyone else.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Morticia
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 07:27 AM

Please don't, I can't afford to buy it in hardback and will have to wait forever for the paperback edition....I will have my hands firmly clasped over my ears and avoid all media til then......

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: artbrooks
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 08:33 AM

Daughter called this am at 6:00...got her copy at midnight and had just finished it.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Phot
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 09:06 AM

Mortica, if your down at Sidders, pop into the middle bar and I'll lend you my copy!

Chris

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: maire-aine
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 09:47 AM

Call me odd, but I want to know who dies before I read the book. If any of you noble folks want to preserve the suspense for those who don;t want to know, fine. PM me then, but somebody tell me who dies.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: GUEST,cynic
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 10:02 AM

Potty parade

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: GUEST,Peeves
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 10:14 AM

Oh Potter you rotter
What have you done?
You're killing the students
And think its good fun.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: annamill
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 12:48 PM

Oh for goodness sakes! Cabbage Patch Dolls all over again! I heard on CBS radio this morning that while they were out doing a remote broadcast by 42nd St, they heard a great roar. It turned out to be a crowd waiting for a, probably famous, bookstore to open to get Harry Potter's new book.

Well, at least they're reading again and have gotten their noses out of the Xbox, playstation, gameboys, etc. For a while anyway.

I love the Harry Potter movies, Peter. They take me out of myself and into a wonderful, if dangerous, world of magic as common place.

I haven't had time to read one. I wish I had more time....

Love Annamill

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 12:53 PM

As a librarian and a bibliophile (-maniac, some say), I'm heartily in favor of ANYTHING that will get a kid to read an 800 page book!

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: pixieofdoom
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 01:06 PM

Don't worry Morty, I've got my copy (hurrah for half price Amazon!) If you're really lucky I'll have read it by the time I see you tomorrow, wish I didn't have to go out tonight!!

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: mousethief
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 01:29 PM

Well my wife and I must be going mad. We had a houseful of kids last night and all trouped down to the local brick-and-mortar at 11:30 to cram in with all the other half-crazed loonies to get our books at midnight. Then we came back home and had a read-aloud until 3:30 am (polished off the first 4 chapters).

She definitely is growing as an author; her prose is much smoother and more inviting than in any of the first 4 books. And what little I've read so far makes me want to read the rest as soon as I can! But alas I have to go help friends move all afternoon. :(

I know who dies (I read ahead). It isn't Ron.

Alex

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Desdemona
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 01:40 PM

I have 3 sons, and we've all really enjoyed them; while they do draw on the works of many other, earlier, arguably better writers (Lewis Carroll, CS Lewis, Roald Dahl, Evelyn Nesbit, L. Frank Baum...the list goes on...), they are enormous fun, and will quite probably lead young readers to those authors by exposing them to the enormous pleasure of getting lost in an imaginary world.

My youngest is currently ploughing through "The Prisoner of Azkaban" (#3), and my 12 year old is committed to finishing his current installment of the "Mossflower" series, so when the new Harry Potter arrived at our door this morning *I* nabbed it; at 850 pps, it should keep me busy in what passes for my free time!

Has anyone read the "His Dark Materials" series by Philip Pullman? They are quite dark; I'd be interested to hear others' take on them.

D.

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: GUEST,mmm1a
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 03:46 PM

I picked my copy up at 8am sharp. My son and I have been trading back and forth, He reads a chapter then its my turn. That lasted for a little while but then we started reading more then one chapter at a time, He's reading right now as I am taking a break and doing house hold stuff. We both agreed not to peek and find out who gets killed also whoever finds out first can't tell the other.
      mmm

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Amergin
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 04:21 PM

just got mine this morning at 9....this is the first break I have had since... ;) time to find some food to read with...

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 04:36 PM

My daughter valiantly opted to get a good night's sleep and miss the local midnight party, but we picked up her copy this morning.
However, last night after her evening on-line chat time, she came sobbing up the stairs to tell me that one of her chat-room friends from the UK had read the whole thing and posted who had died in a thread that didn't hint that that was going to be the topic- in giant, bold letters. Needless to say, this "friend" has been flamed by other irate bratlings and has apologized, but my daughter feels the book is slightly spoiled for her now. Only slightly spoiled! And yes, she did tell me, but I ain't telling! Anyway, I'm third in line to read the book, after Maggie and her brother!

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 04:56 PM

We ordered fifteen print copies for the public library here, and as of today NONE had arrived. I went into work to see how things were going; they'd put a sign on the door that none of our print copies had come.

BUT....

When I go to my office I have to pass through the cataloging area, and there were THREE people standing around. Seems like a patron had bought a copy for himself and one for his sister, and since she already had a copy, he gave us his extra. I ended up cataloging it and I'm sure that it's already in circulation.

Our audios, both CDs and cassettes, came Friday. We've received daily calls for the last week from one man who is apparently going to have a party at which everyone will listen to the audio! At 26 hours, they'll be together for a while.

My own copies have not arrived....

Subject: RE: Harry Pottering
From: Ely
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 07:04 PM

I had to read _the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe_ when I was in first or second grade, and it started a craze among my schoolmates for CS Lewis. A few years later, it was _the Hobbitt_. I don't really see how Harry Potter is any different. OF course, I haven't read any of the books--I always struggled with fantasy stories; I only saw the first movie and I wasn't impressed.