BS: Harry Potter: Book 6 (Half-Blood Prince)

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 07:25 AM

Regulus Black is odds on favorite for the moment (Sirius' Brother), at R.A.B. but I'm sure by the time the next book is out there will be dozens of theories.

I really do advise going back and re-reading the books before the last one comes out. It's a long-playing mystery which JK Rowling planned in great detail. I don't think she'll be handing us any red herrings at this point.

And now I'm going to back to my life... ;-D

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,Cluin
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 07:24 AM

Regulus (A.) Black?

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Torctgyd
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 06:59 AM

"Son of Potter" presuposes Harry survives: I think that is presupposing too much. I did, however, have a dream after I'd finished the book that Fawkes was a Horcrux!

Anyone worked out who R.A.B is yet, it must be in one of the earlier books; I'll have to re-read them now to see what clues are there!

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 06:35 AM

Finished it at the week end. Thought I had worked out some of the twists in the plot only to be fooled again. Still I dont think it is her best.
It certainly set up the last book to be a bit of an epic with lots of answers to be given.

I still think that Harry only survived the initial attack by Voldemort because his mother and father becoming part of him... "you do have your mothers eyes"...... "you do act just like your father"...etc and most revealing I think is the bit where Harry summons his patronos by the lake. Re read it and see what I mean!


And after the next book.. well what about "Son of Potter".

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 04:25 AM

Having now finished the book, I can understand what you meant by feeling a little disappointed, Liz. I was as well. I'm not sure why. Perhaps like many have said here, there was a lot more that could have been developed. It felt like I was reading the beginning of a summation, where Rowling was making sure all her ducks were in order for the last book, but not really spending as much time as she might have on many of the characters, or even the school year.

But like I said before, I'd be happy if each book were much much longer.

One thing I'd like to add though- I don't think children just read the Harry Potter books and then go back to watching TV and playing their video games until the next one arrives. I do think these books lead to others being read as well. There are many great children's authors out there who are benefiting from the HP books. Off the top of my head, I can think of several writers-Peter Dickenson, Robin McKinley, Diana Wynne Jones, Cornelia Funke, Phillip Pullman, Garth Nix, Phillip Reeve, Lemony Snicket(Brett Helquist) ...just to name a few-who follow in the same mode.

It's about capturing a child's imagination. From there they can go where ever they want in their reading, and I believe they will.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,Cluin
Date: 23 Jul 05 - 08:12 PM

And it was a bit much having Dumbledore drink 8 cups of Voldemort's pee.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jul 05 - 07:54 AM

Ginny Weasley was a pretty good seeker when Harry was banned from playing by Dolores Umbridge... maybe she let Dean get on with the scoring and went after the Snitch in Harry's place. Not being so anally retentive as to have read the 'Rules of Quidditch', I am unaware of any ruling that would prevent this.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Jul 05 - 06:53 AM

What I want to know is how did Gryffindor win the last Quidditch match by such a large margin without Harry their seeker and captain?"

Simple. They cheated. Probably a Confunding Spell...

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: jacqui.c
Date: 23 Jul 05 - 06:41 AM

Terry K - take a look at the threads on books - one fairly recently. I think that most 'catters have plenty to read.

Doesn't stop us wanting to find out what happened next with this one.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 23 Jul 05 - 05:34 AM

Finished it, but have to keep stum until Essex Girl has read it. The ending is a bit depressing. What I want to know is how did Gryffindor win the last Quidditch match by such a large margin without Harry their seeker and captain ?

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jul 05 - 05:27 AM

Just finished reading it this morning. I gave myself a whole week (I usually read most books in a day or two) and I wished it had been much longer.

As others have said, a lot has been left undeveloped, and if anything can be said in critisism that would be it.

But these are children's books and I think there is enough to chew on for most people.

A two year's wait for the last one is far too long, though.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Terry K
Date: 23 Jul 05 - 04:13 AM

Dianavan, you ever so slightly miss my point.

I am quite aware of the various types of reading - comics etc have always had their place as have Mills & Boon. But they have always had their context too, and been accepted for what they are.

My concern with HP is that if the phenomenon continues, children (of all ages) will see this as the standard for literature because the marketing men will not bother to release anything else. As has largely happened to the pop music business.

So the delights of "real" literature will be lost because there's no money to be made in it. Like folk music.

I see a number of posters regretting that they will have nothing to read until the next HP comes out in two years time - as if to say there's nothing else worth reading, at the same time claiming HP has "literary merit" - surely that's the proof they've read little else of consequence!

cheers, Terry

(tongue heading towards cheek at the end)

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,Cluin
Date: 23 Jul 05 - 02:08 AM

Oh, and if you found the teenaged hormonal Harry a bit annoying in the last few books, Ron and Hermione are doubly so in this last one, but for different reasons.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,Cluin
Date: 23 Jul 05 - 02:01 AM

Gotta admit I was disappointed in this last HP book, ending-wise.

Too many loose ends.

Things were going along well, after a long slow start, but ended too quickly with too many questions unanswered, IMO as well as a disappointing climax (the "shocker" notwithstanding). There was no feeling of events of this book being wrapped up and ready to move on, as with the others.

The other books were good complete adventures which, though obviously part of a series, could stand alone more or less. This one definitely felt incomplete and a come-on to leave people panting for the final book, which everybody who has come this far was going to be in for anyway.

Still, great books, all of them; good reads. Have to suspend final judgement till the last one comes out in what is going to feel like a very long wait now. Poor kids.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jul 05 - 01:45 AM

Can't believe she killed off Spock.
Or was it Scotty?

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: dianavan
Date: 23 Jul 05 - 12:41 AM

Terry K. - I don't think literature can be 'dumbed down', it stands on its own merit. Books, however, have been dumbed down for a very long time. Remember comics? Romance novels? Mysteries?

Music was dumbed down by video. Theater was dumbed down by movies and movies were dumbed down by t.v.

I guess a good rule of thumb might be whether or not a book stands the test of time.

As far as literary merit, Harry Potter is rated highly when compared to everything else out there. Children are a big market. At least someone cared enough to produce something of value and something that could compete with Pokemon, Dora and Transformers. Now that is crap with no literary value!

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Janie
Date: 22 Jul 05 - 10:54 PM

Finished it early this evening. My 11 y.o. got it about lunchtime on Saturday and was finished before supper on Sunday. The little twerp (God love 'im!) could not help but tell me who died by whose hand. I was glad to see some of the fun come back into it.... And I thought it more hopeful than the previous two of the series.

We will probably also get it on audio to listen to on trips. My son and I have enjoyed repeated playings of the other books on our travels.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: emjay
Date: 22 Jul 05 - 09:45 PM

Why all the discussion about the quality of the writing? Who is to decide and what does it matter?
It seems like really good writing to me, and age appropriate to anyone who wants to read it. I just wish I had been as smart as Ellenpoly and read the preceding two before each of the more recent ones came out. Oh well, I have them all to reread and I will.
I thought the newest one was terrific, maybe the best yet, ends with a real cliffhanger -- and I have to wait two years for the next one! And then they'll be over?
Please Ms. Rowling, what will you do next?
While I was waiting in line to pick up my prepaid copy, I picked up a copy in Irish. Well, I could read a few words, agus and some others. fun! Quick work!
We will get the audio version read by Jim Dale who is wonderful.
I have heard so many stories of reading this one by other addicts, almost like the "Where were you when...?" stories we all share after a major event.
While I recognize there are some who don't like them, don't want to read them, you are allowed but I am sorry for you.
Maybe some Mudcatter will write a song about Harry and all, maybe Marion Parsons could write one like her song about Anne with an E.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Jul 05 - 07:36 PM

Well I read it in a little under 8 hours..... it's good , well written and twisty...there were a few tears too... but on the whole, I am left feeling slightly disappointed with something... can't put my finger on it...

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Wesley S
Date: 22 Jul 05 - 01:42 PM

The audio version is already out. We have it. My wife bought her copy on Sunday or Monday if I'm not mistaken. Jim Dale is the guy who reads it and does a great job with all of the voices. He's read all the Potter books - at least here in the US. I'm not familar with the Stephen Frye versions.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 22 Jul 05 - 12:04 PM

Potter rhymes with a lot of things

harry Potter
Well known rotter
nasty specs
like a train spotter.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 04:56 PM

If you want an audio version, I'm sure you've got the technology available. But it does take time reading a book that way. That isn't a bad thing. Someone gave me a copy of the Order of the Phoenix on umpteen cassettes by Stephen Fry, and it kept me company as I was driving around for ages.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 01:44 PM

according to various news sources there is an "unofficial" (read pirate) audio track available via the web. That's quick work!

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 04:34 AM

I finished it last night - Excelent indeed but left me depressed:-( Dunno if was the events or because I have finished it though. Never mind - I think I will start from the Philosphers Stone when I get home:-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Terry K
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 04:23 AM

I'm just glad that people are now seeing the books as what they really are, good yarns for kids of all ages. When the first one came out we had all these people telling us that the books "could be read at several levels" and were really for adults, and were so well written etc etc. At least all that nonsensical pretence seems to have dissipated and the whole phenomenon seems to be back in its correct context as "pop literature".

I'm all in favour of anything that gets people reading but let's not forget that reading only stuff that has little literary merit is a bit like teenyboppers listening to crappy pop music. Let's hope they graduate to something better, or literature will become dumbed down as much as music and television.

cheers, Terry

I just re-read that and OK, maybe it does sound just a teensy bit pompous, but I'm sure you know what I mean!

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 03:01 AM

Wonder how long it will be before the audio version hits the shelves....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Jul 05 - 06:04 PM

Apparently this is the first time a novel has been simultaneously published in ordinary print along with a large-print version and a braille edition. I suspect this was done at the insistance of J.K.Roweling.

There was a quote in one of the papers from a ten year old boy saying how he was looking forward to being able to read it at the same time as his sighted friends this time, instead of waiting till his mother had finished reading it to him, which took a couple of months, and made life awkward, trying to avoid hearing what was going to happen.

And he was going to be able to read the braille version in bed in the dark, which was more than his sighted friends would be able to do.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Jul 05 - 05:42 PM

Oh, and I claim 100!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Jul 05 - 05:41 PM

Is the larger type in both versions or just the Childrens cover?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 20 Jul 05 - 01:06 PM

Friday night, 12:01 AMhere in Kansas America, there were a number of Draco Malfoys, Harry Potters, and even a couple of adult Dumbledores--and one creaky old lady running a 102-degree fever (which I didn't know until I got back home) standing in line at the Borders store to pick up our reserved copies. My line-up numbers were 343 and 344. I got my two books at somewhere around 2:00AM.

And I hope I never "grow up" if that means giving up that kind of fun--what a kick to see all the kids, wide-eyed and excited, waiting to find out what happens to their favorite characters next! I had a lovely chat with the 12-year-old and his mother in front of me who had been there all evening (since 9PM) enjoying the party. He was doing his best to talk her into buying two books, so they could both read it right away. But he did not take at all to my suggestion that maybe his mother could read the book to him -- oh, no! He wanted his very own copy and he wanted to read it his very own self.

More power to your pen, Ms. Rowling!!!! Great stuff, but sad in spots; a lot like real life.

And by the way, the first book (before movies or any giant hype) was so successful that Scholastic Books, heretofore a small publishing company, nearly went under trying to meet the demand. So if they want to hype the plot and keep secrets, they've earned it as far as I'm concerned!

Lin

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Jul 05 - 11:37 AM

So I'll be over for it tonight Khatt!!!

I was supposed to be going to work tomorrow......

: )

At our concert rehearsal Saturday, the Tenor soloist could barely raise his head out of it to sing his piece.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 20 Jul 05 - 11:09 AM

half way through. I was late back to work today as I HAD to finish the chapter.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 20 Jul 05 - 09:30 AM

definately worth a re-read. I thought the characterizations were back "on-track" - - though I really think this needed a couple ()okay - lots) more chapters or to be split into two books. There were a lot of things that were glossed over that could have been done in MUCH more detail. Among other things - Tonks.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: jacqui.c
Date: 19 Jul 05 - 06:08 PM

Finished it today - wish I hadn't! Excellent book but it nearly had me in tears toward the end.

I hope number 7 isn't too long coming.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 19 Jul 05 - 11:36 AM

SOD IT. Bought the book and on the first day I placed it done upside down and the back cover fell open revealing one of the last few pages of the book..... my eyes instantly saw who dies in the book. So no surprises for me !

So if you do no want to know who dies then do not scroll to the bottom of this note.....
































































Fooled you! You didnt think I would ruin it for you as well did you!

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 19 Jul 05 - 09:48 AM

I've never read a book so slowly! I'm half-way through and wishing I were only a tenth of the way.

JK Rowling said she thought that "Order of the Phoenix" was too long. I did to, the first time around.

TIME interview with JK Rowling

But in the re-reading, I wanted it to be even longer.

Moral of this story, I'm already prepared to mourn the end of Number 7 in two years time.

..xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 19 Jul 05 - 09:47 AM

well - in our family there was one copy advance ordered from Amazon - which has yet to arrive and so far has cost $45. the other two copies were picked up saturday morning for a TOTAL of $32 - I didn't have much time to read it last night - I'm barely up to page 300.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 05 - 09:32 AM

£4.49 at Morrissons? I thought Tesco was almost reasonable at £7.97 compared with list price of £16.99 and major bookshop price of just over a tenner. Considering a paperback of that size would have a list price between £7 and £9 I went for Tesco's offer. Plenty in stock on Saturday afternoon.

It was less turgid than Order of the Phoenix but still not a patch on the earlier novels.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From:
Date: 19 Jul 05 - 09:31 AM

I started reading my copy copy on Sunday afternoon and I finished it yesterday!...An excellent book!

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 08:14 PM

Dylan put it pretty well: "Ah, but I was older then - I'm younger than that now."

Here's An Introduction to Arithmancy , by one Hermione Granger. From the Wizarding Wireless Net - Muggle Internet Edition, which has lots of other good stuff...

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 11:35 PM

I've always been partial to this.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Amos
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 11:00 PM

Here's another link to the Naked Quidditch Game with all chapters in series; it appears there was an ownership problem of some sort...


A

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,ragdall
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 10:20 PM

In a "natural pool", at a hot spring in northern British Columbia, I saw a girl of about twelve, gingerly holding her copy of one of the older Harry Potter books well above the water as she comlplied with her parents wishes that she spend time in the pool.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 09:47 PM

I was at a barbecue today. Lashings of free food and drink, ball games, bouncy castles and music. And there was this boy of about nine, sitting on a bench, oblivious to it all, reading Harry Potter - no, not the new book, the last one, the Order of the Phoenix.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,rags
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 09:24 PM

I think it is a book for Chidren and people that have not grown up.

How true!
I ..... erm..... I ..... only read the Harry Potter books to make sure that they are suitable reading for the children entrusted to my care. -- Yeah, that's it!

This series makes young boys want to read, it's wonderful!

I watched a seven year old, his eyes glued to a Harry Potter book "hidden" in his desk during my lesson, unable to stop reading it. I pretended not to notice. If he could read Harry Potter, missing practicing reading, "Run, Lad, Run!" seemed unimportant.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: jacqui.c
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 08:52 PM

O got a copy online from Amazon. I'm about halfway through it and it's addictive. This is one of the few times that Mudcat being down didn't worry me!

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Amos
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 12:32 PM

Hahaha!! Funny stuff indeed, Sir Parsons! Thanks for the grin.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 12:21 PM

Read it (between 11.30 a.m. & 11.45 p.m. yesterday.

Definitely NOT dissapointed.

For those who are awaiting the loan of a copy, you could always read the story of Naked Quidditch
in the meantime!


Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: dianavan
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 12:16 PM

Liz - Sorry about the spelling. I have a friend by the last name of Rawlings; it was just an oversight. Big deal - I'm sure you knew who I was talking about.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 11:09 AM

Tsk, tsk, Tam. I certainly hope you're not serious. Books -- actually the recording of knowledge -- is what seperates us from the rest of the animals. We can pass on the knowledge we gain so others don't have to make the same mistakes over and over (assuming always that they're smart enough to learn). And there is a lot of good in the Potter books, if nothing else than dealing with the fears of humans.