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Re: My thoughts, such as they are. *spoilers* Camilla Send a noteboard - 12/07/2010 07:43:49 PM
Since this is a children's book, the characters are, at this stage, very black and white. The Dursley's have no redeeming features at all, and Harry is very obviously written to garner sympathy. That said, I don't find that offputting. There's enough humour in her descriptions to prevent the characterisation from becoming heavy handed.


Indeed. They are mere sketches at this point, but she shades them later on.

Love that she uses the same things to appeal to boys and girls. Best example of this is Harry's room under the stairs. He's used to spiders, which would make the girls pity him because they think spiders are horrible, and pity's a great way to get little girls to like Harry. Whereas the boys will love that he's not scared of the spiders, which makes up for the fact that he's a dinky little wimpy thing. That lack of fear of the horrible hairy things will help boys to respect him.


Ick, the spiders. *shudder*

And before you tell me off for thinking in such glaring steroetypes: that really is how little girls and boys are. I know. I have loads of cousins around the target age of these books when they came out. That's pretty much how they react to things like that. ;)


I wasn't going to tell you off. That is definitely how I reacted to that scene.

I like also that Rowling gives something to the adults as well. The Dursleys are such social climbers, proper unpleasant middle class, and that would make a lot of grown ups chuckle a wee bit. Underneath it, though, you can see that Aunt Petunia at least does properly love her son, revolting ball of lard that he is. There's a little shade of grey there for older readers to appreciate.


Yes. I love the description of the Dursleys. It is wonderful how their middle-classness (using that as short-hand for all their traits here -- it is a stereotype which she makes the most of) makes them almost as off-putting as the Death-Eaters who kill hordes of people.

As for the wizarding types: Dumbledore's very quickly set as an eccentric with his love of sweets, but we're also introduced to his wisdom. McGonagall is clearly defined as the strong, steady, somewhat tartarish teacher, and Hagrid is the loveable scruff. Simple but effective.


Indeed. It is part of what I mean by her having the technique, if not the strength in wording. She knows how to characterise. And she keeps this up throughout the books. They are not necessarily terribly subtle sketches, but they are swift and highly effective.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
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Harry Potter Re-read: The Philosopher's Stone - Final section underway! (& next book plans) Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:27:51 AM 3103 Views
Chapters 1-3: Introducing Harry Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:28:49 AM 1677 Views
Characterisation *NM* Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:29:02 AM 935 Views
My thoughts, such as they are. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 04:09:55 PM 1729 Views
Agree. She gave us enough to make it interesting. StormCrow - 12/07/2010 06:45:46 PM 1694 Views
Re: My thoughts, such as they are. *spoilers* Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:43:49 PM 1669 Views
You hit the nail on the head. Seriana Sedai - 13/07/2010 12:20:19 AM 1628 Views
Re: You hit the nail on the head. Camilla - 13/07/2010 08:51:45 AM 1542 Views
Writing style *NM* Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:29:18 AM 922 Views
A couple of points. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 04:10:20 PM 1559 Views
It is very clear it is a children's book at this time Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:18:14 PM 1750 Views
True. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:36:49 PM 1674 Views
Re: It is very clear it is a children's book at this time Tor - 12/07/2010 09:31:11 PM 1796 Views
Re: It is very clear it is a children's book at this time Camilla - 12/07/2010 09:51:23 PM 1499 Views
Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. Darth_Katie - 13/07/2010 04:03:26 AM 1725 Views
Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. Camilla - 13/07/2010 08:54:40 AM 1678 Views
Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. Darth_Katie - 13/07/2010 01:14:01 PM 1734 Views
Indeed. Camilla - 13/07/2010 01:15:23 PM 1504 Views
Early themes *NM* Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:29:37 AM 941 Views
Strong vs weak *spoilers* Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:23:45 PM 1519 Views
Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:43:27 PM 1554 Views
Re: Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:44:56 PM 1499 Views
Chapters 4-10: Making Friends at Hogwarts *NM* Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:29:58 AM 864 Views
Impressions: thoughts about the school, the teachers, the enemies and the friends. *NM* Rebekah - 14/07/2010 08:29:38 AM 908 Views
I'd forgotten how annoying Hermione was Deadsy - 14/07/2010 01:48:13 PM 1597 Views
Me too. nossy - 14/07/2010 04:30:13 PM 1533 Views
Yep. I like seeing her transformation in this story though. StormCrow - 14/07/2010 04:58:04 PM 1589 Views
Re: Yep. I like seeing her transformation in this story though. Camilla - 14/07/2010 06:13:13 PM 1597 Views
Yes and, I think, this may be another candidate for early themes (from above) StormCrow - 14/07/2010 07:43:14 PM 1692 Views
Re: Impressions: thoughts about the school, the teachers, the enemies and the friends. aria - 14/07/2010 04:22:54 PM 1732 Views
Agree. I loved the instant tension between Harry and Malfoy and with Harry and Snape too. StormCrow - 14/07/2010 05:03:20 PM 1863 Views
Some thoughts before I run off to the library again Camilla - 14/07/2010 06:11:45 PM 1719 Views
Good points aria - 14/07/2010 08:45:56 PM 1660 Views
It's interesting to look at the beginning of the story from Draco's point of view. Legolas - 26/07/2010 03:08:38 PM 1824 Views
Re: It's interesting to look at the beginning of the story from Draco's point of view. Camilla - 26/07/2010 03:18:02 PM 1475 Views
What about the magic? Rebekah - 14/07/2010 08:58:51 AM 1594 Views
The magic wasnt really developed at this point Dark Knight - 14/07/2010 02:13:41 PM 1527 Views
Re: The magic wasnt really developed at this point Camilla - 14/07/2010 08:53:08 PM 1760 Views
There was one powerful protection Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 01:29:49 AM 1700 Views
I agree aria - 15/07/2010 04:51:05 AM 1657 Views
Re: I agree Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 05:44:41 AM 1531 Views
Re: There was one powerful protection Camilla - 15/07/2010 08:12:40 AM 1805 Views
I think nossy - 14/07/2010 04:34:30 PM 1525 Views
Diagon Alley - Olivander's Foreshadowing StormCrow - 14/07/2010 05:11:40 PM 1813 Views
Re: Diagon Alley - Olivander's Foreshadowing aria - 14/07/2010 08:51:06 PM 1511 Views
Agreed. StormCrow - 14/07/2010 08:57:55 PM 1560 Views
I really need a remembrall. Camilla - 14/07/2010 08:57:10 PM 1670 Views
I felt bad for Neville. StormCrow - 14/07/2010 09:03:49 PM 1677 Views
Indeed. Camilla - 14/07/2010 09:05:40 PM 1541 Views
But it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten! nossy - 15/07/2010 02:51:47 AM 1805 Views
I know, right! Seriana Sedai - 15/07/2010 06:41:01 AM 1520 Views
Exactly. nossy - 15/07/2010 03:22:18 PM 1428 Views
Re: But it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten! Camilla - 15/07/2010 08:15:55 AM 1529 Views
Ah, see nossy - 15/07/2010 03:23:49 PM 1491 Views
Chapters 11-17: Harry the Hero *NM* Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:30:29 AM 885 Views
What'd you think of the ending? *NM* Rebekah - 15/07/2010 05:21:38 PM 844 Views
Loved it. StormCrow - 15/07/2010 05:56:06 PM 1579 Views
Two separate things: nossy - 15/07/2010 07:14:08 PM 1574 Views
I hear you Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 08:22:05 PM 1591 Views
Re: Two separate things: Camilla - 15/07/2010 08:48:21 PM 1571 Views
I can clarify some stuff for you Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 09:14:07 PM 1599 Views
One of the most sublime, wonderful moments of any book Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 08:18:29 PM 1435 Views
Yes! Seriana Sedai - 15/07/2010 10:39:11 PM 1613 Views
Lovely Camilla - 15/07/2010 09:00:11 PM 1636 Views
Haha Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 09:16:16 PM 1735 Views
Re: Haha Camilla - 15/07/2010 09:24:06 PM 1615 Views
But I thought all girls were made of sugar and spice and everything nice? Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 09:26:53 PM 1525 Views
Oh, we are. Camilla - 15/07/2010 09:35:17 PM 1419 Views
Ah like vodka vs. wine coolers? *NM* Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 09:48:26 PM 835 Views
Gin Camilla - 15/07/2010 09:49:33 PM 1537 Views
I was 16. Rebekah - 15/07/2010 10:49:33 PM 1427 Views
So was I Camilla - 15/07/2010 10:54:24 PM 1470 Views
Honestly, dumbledore is a bit of an ass... jh - 15/07/2010 10:48:32 PM 1433 Views
Heresy! Camilla - 15/07/2010 10:55:28 PM 1470 Views
The decades of manipulation of a child doesn't bother you, but the House Cup does? *NM* Ghavrel - 15/07/2010 11:37:54 PM 820 Views
Not really. I am looking at it from a school perspective. jh - 16/07/2010 12:54:46 PM 1388 Views
As I indicated below, I had some issues. Nate - 16/07/2010 03:05:05 AM 1730 Views
Re: As I indicated below, I had some issues. Camilla - 16/07/2010 11:14:56 AM 1607 Views
In fairness, it's Hogwarts itself that is all but impregnable. Legolas - 26/07/2010 03:55:02 PM 1551 Views
A funny thing I noticed Camilla - 15/07/2010 09:00:42 PM 1654 Views
nossy - 15/07/2010 09:18:08 PM 1506 Views
Overall thoughts for the book Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:31:37 AM 1610 Views
Foreshadowing and setting up the future Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:32:10 AM 1518 Views
Harry's anger management issues? StormCrow - 12/07/2010 07:14:58 PM 1579 Views
Heh. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:40:40 PM 1620 Views
Nah, not deliberate. StormCrow - 12/07/2010 09:14:20 PM 1680 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. Camilla - 12/07/2010 09:55:32 PM 1593 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. StormCrow - 13/07/2010 03:02:59 PM 1533 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. Camilla - 13/07/2010 03:04:42 PM 1658 Views
I noticed a lot of this. Nate - 12/07/2010 07:22:54 PM 1704 Views
Re: I noticed a lot of this. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:39:25 PM 1643 Views
Re: I noticed a lot of this. Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:45:32 PM 1624 Views
~smug~ Elaine - 13/07/2010 02:09:15 PM 1597 Views
Indeed. Camilla - 13/07/2010 02:10:41 PM 1833 Views
This response implies the experience of being both?? StormCrow - 13/07/2010 03:23:29 PM 1571 Views
On Ginny: Kronin al'Sulc - 12/07/2010 10:36:47 PM 1650 Views
This was my interpretation too and why I didn't pay much attention to it at the time. *NM* StormCrow - 13/07/2010 02:53:08 PM 776 Views
I've noticed a lot of the same things, probably because I've reread this book so many times... Cockatiel of Doom - 13/07/2010 04:45:28 AM 1847 Views
Re: I've noticed a lot of the same things, probably because I've reread this book so many times... Camilla - 13/07/2010 08:58:10 AM 1597 Views
So much (chapters 1-3) *spoilers* Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:35:57 PM 1813 Views
Hm. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:38:05 PM 1630 Views
Re: Hm. Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:39:08 PM 1689 Views
Re: Hm. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:39:53 PM 1491 Views
Re: Hm. Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:44:16 PM 1395 Views
Re: Hm. Cockatiel of Doom - 13/07/2010 04:41:12 AM 1508 Views
Re: Hm. Camilla - 13/07/2010 08:55:09 AM 1478 Views
I missed the school roof thing this time around too! Good catch there. *NM* StormCrow - 12/07/2010 09:22:21 PM 857 Views
The thing that tipped me off Camilla - 12/07/2010 09:53:01 PM 1588 Views
Imagine how easy his test would have been if he remembered he'd done it as a child! *NM* StormCrow - 13/07/2010 03:20:27 PM 843 Views
You have to wonder why Hagrid and Dumbledore didn't suspect the truth about Sirius. Legolas - 26/07/2010 04:04:05 PM 1519 Views
I re-read a couple weeks ago, and I was highly amused by all the little things she worked in nossy - 14/07/2010 04:09:19 AM 1656 Views
Some stuff (chapters 4-11) Camilla - 14/07/2010 09:18:35 PM 1779 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) Deadsy - 14/07/2010 10:30:23 PM 1599 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) Camilla - 14/07/2010 10:55:01 PM 1552 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) Deadsy - 14/07/2010 11:05:59 PM 1574 Views
I can answer your consistency question! Cockatiel of Doom - 15/07/2010 02:35:42 AM 1710 Views
You are a clever cookie. Camilla - 15/07/2010 08:14:25 AM 1579 Views
Yes nossy - 15/07/2010 03:30:36 PM 1430 Views
Ooh, yes. Cockatiel of Doom - 16/07/2010 12:19:13 AM 1403 Views
More stuff (chapters 12-17) Camilla - 15/07/2010 08:55:34 PM 1470 Views
Re: More stuff (chapters 12-17) Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 09:19:13 PM 1529 Views
Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 Cockatiel of Doom - 17/07/2010 04:23:15 PM 1662 Views
Re: Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 Camilla - 17/07/2010 04:28:04 PM 1573 Views
Re: Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 aria - 17/07/2010 07:12:39 PM 1824 Views
I like it. Thank you. Cockatiel of Doom - 20/07/2010 12:53:37 AM 1733 Views
What made this book (and the rest of the series) such a success? Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:33:00 AM 1682 Views
I have no idea *spoilers* Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:47:58 PM 1737 Views
I agree... StormCrow - 12/07/2010 09:19:59 PM 1763 Views
I think it was mostly because it was a simple narrative with an identifiable protagnonist. Chas - 13/07/2010 11:59:06 PM 1677 Views
It has tons of things in it that every kid dreams of doing Deadsy - 14/07/2010 01:56:05 PM 1685 Views
Kid? Camilla - 14/07/2010 02:01:30 PM 1699 Views
so do I. I was just trying to act mature *NM* Deadsy - 14/07/2010 02:08:01 PM 1041 Views
Not even just the super stuff Deadsy mentions. nossy - 14/07/2010 04:38:46 PM 1822 Views
It's a simple, well-done little book. Nate - 12/07/2010 07:46:48 PM 1670 Views
you don't read instructions, do you? Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:49:24 PM 1736 Views
Heh. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:50:23 PM 1657 Views
Re: Heh. Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:51:40 PM 1670 Views
Awwww! Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:52:19 PM 1567 Views
Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:52:52 PM 1692 Views
Wha? Nate - 12/07/2010 07:50:44 PM 1714 Views
Re: Wha? Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:52:21 PM 1702 Views
Pff. Nate - 12/07/2010 07:54:54 PM 1685 Views
*NM* Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:56:03 PM 1043 Views
When did you pick up this book? Dark Knight - 12/07/2010 11:30:46 PM 1609 Views
I was 10. Darth_Katie - 13/07/2010 04:13:44 AM 1760 Views
Ah book orders...man you just brought back nostalgic memories. I miss being a kid Dark Knight - 13/07/2010 04:42:12 AM 1816 Views
I was 16. Rebekah - 13/07/2010 08:24:02 AM 1689 Views
1999 Camilla - 13/07/2010 09:03:03 AM 1676 Views
What do you mean by adult version? aria - 13/07/2010 02:15:40 PM 1798 Views
Re: What do you mean by adult version? Camilla - 13/07/2010 02:17:40 PM 1666 Views
They started publishing copies with 'adult' covers so people wouldn't be caught out reading Chas - 13/07/2010 11:53:46 PM 1736 Views
Just before the first movie came out aria - 13/07/2010 02:17:42 PM 1835 Views
When Prisoner of Azkaban was a hardback. Elaine - 13/07/2010 02:23:57 PM 1683 Views
Got a boxed set for Christmas when Order of the Phoenix came out in hardback. StormCrow - 13/07/2010 03:06:42 PM 1723 Views
Just after Goblet of Fire was published. Chas - 13/07/2010 11:50:38 PM 1747 Views
Just before Goblet of Fire came out. nossy - 14/07/2010 04:04:21 AM 1711 Views
The first five were out, waited for HBP. Seriana Sedai - 14/07/2010 06:20:39 AM 1833 Views
You're making me want to talk about toadface Deadsy - 14/07/2010 02:06:25 PM 1726 Views
Sorry! Seriana Sedai - 15/07/2010 06:36:11 AM 1759 Views
Very early. Beginning of 1999, so it had just come out in the States. *NM* Ghavrel - 14/07/2010 08:54:06 AM 1042 Views
I held out quite awhile because I don't like "fads" Deadsy - 14/07/2010 02:04:37 PM 1641 Views
Lol! aria - 14/07/2010 08:54:47 PM 1761 Views
I did the same thing. Seriana Sedai - 15/07/2010 06:39:16 AM 1754 Views
Re: I did the same thing. Deadsy - 15/07/2010 10:01:04 AM 1933 Views
Re: I did the same thing. Seriana Sedai - 15/07/2010 05:44:28 PM 1812 Views
I would have, if I had known there was hype. I know I would have. nossy - 15/07/2010 03:28:50 PM 1772 Views
Seriana Sedai - 15/07/2010 05:47:01 PM 1822 Views
I think I was first! Monkey - 23/07/2010 07:05:08 PM 1774 Views
Aged 13 or 14 - a while before the first movie (which was Christmas 2001). *NM* Legolas - 26/07/2010 04:13:55 PM 1018 Views
Jesus Christ. Tor - 26/07/2010 05:04:46 PM 1782 Views
^That was me. *NM* Camilla - 26/07/2010 09:55:49 PM 1014 Views
I was going to ask if it was. *NM* Rebekah - 26/07/2010 10:04:59 PM 1002 Views
Aw. I was just feeling flattered as I didn't think Tor had read that many of my posts. *NM* Legolas - 27/07/2010 12:15:52 AM 1034 Views
Besides, you've met me, you should know how old I am. *NM* Legolas - 27/07/2010 12:16:23 AM 1073 Views
I am very bad at guessing age when I meet people in person Camilla - 27/07/2010 09:05:35 AM 2293 Views
Suggestions for the Re-read Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:33:25 AM 1711 Views
I like it so far Camilla - 13/07/2010 10:16:49 AM 1721 Views
I can try that for the next book. Rebekah - 13/07/2010 11:21:01 PM 1695 Views
This is my first official time participating and its been fun so far! StormCrow - 14/07/2010 05:16:48 PM 1653 Views
Unfortunately, no. (Silly me, pretending someone's still going to read all my posts... ) *NM* Legolas - 26/07/2010 04:20:35 PM 1038 Views
Can we get chapter discussions everyday? *NM* Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 06:40:30 PM 984 Views
Inconsistencies Re: the Potter's death... fionwe1987 - 15/07/2010 05:16:45 AM 2033 Views
Because they were tricked? They considered Peter and Sirius to be brothers. Ghavrel - 15/07/2010 07:05:27 AM 1688 Views
That's nonsense.. fionwe1987 - 16/07/2010 01:08:40 AM 1609 Views
Take it up with Rowling, since you don't believe me. *NM* Ghavrel - 16/07/2010 08:19:58 AM 933 Views
What's there to believe? fionwe1987 - 18/07/2010 06:03:13 AM 1698 Views
Peter + Sirius = family. I don't know how to explain it more simply. *NM* Ghavrel - 18/07/2010 08:58:20 AM 1055 Views
Re: That's nonsense.. eucatastrophe - 16/07/2010 09:37:59 AM 1827 Views
Also Camilla - 16/07/2010 11:17:51 AM 2042 Views
You are correct! There is no inconsistency eucatastrophe - 17/07/2010 04:17:35 AM 1739 Views
Huh? fionwe1987 - 18/07/2010 05:57:58 AM 1618 Views
But Camilla explained it! eucatastrophe - 18/07/2010 09:27:55 AM 1943 Views
Correction Camilla - 18/07/2010 10:58:59 AM 1729 Views
I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... fionwe1987 - 18/07/2010 05:42:18 PM 1634 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... Camilla - 18/07/2010 05:51:36 PM 1647 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... fionwe1987 - 18/07/2010 06:17:04 PM 1948 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... Camilla - 18/07/2010 06:28:27 PM 1640 Views
That bothers me too. aria - 18/07/2010 07:17:14 PM 1717 Views
Re: That bothers me too. Camilla - 18/07/2010 07:20:44 PM 1577 Views
Yet... fionwe1987 - 18/07/2010 07:47:56 PM 1654 Views
Re: Yet... Camilla - 18/07/2010 08:02:31 PM 1698 Views
To quote Dumbledore... fionwe1987 - 19/07/2010 05:57:23 AM 1587 Views
Again... fionwe1987 - 18/07/2010 07:35:10 PM 1890 Views
Re: Again... Camilla - 18/07/2010 08:00:55 PM 1674 Views
Re: Again... fionwe1987 - 19/07/2010 06:33:13 AM 1876 Views
Re: Again... Camilla - 20/07/2010 04:45:16 PM 1691 Views
Yet another load of bosh. fionwe1987 - 21/07/2010 01:00:14 AM 1669 Views
Then let's leave it. Camilla - 21/07/2010 06:48:45 AM 1778 Views
Re: Then let's leave it. fionwe1987 - 21/07/2010 04:19:35 PM 1693 Views
My two cents Seriana Sedai - 19/07/2010 06:11:30 AM 1750 Views
It was just the sort of things these two daredevils would do... DomA - 14/09/2010 12:11:20 AM 2124 Views
Re: It was just the sort of things these two daredevils would do... Camilla - 14/09/2010 09:20:46 AM 1584 Views
You have to wonder if that's actually true. Legolas - 26/07/2010 04:23:31 PM 1655 Views
Re: You have to wonder if that's actually true. Tor - 26/07/2010 05:06:43 PM 1762 Views
I don't know that I'd call it "see through Pettigrew"... Legolas - 26/07/2010 06:22:19 PM 1675 Views
^That was me, too. Oh, dear. Camilla - 26/07/2010 09:56:43 PM 1840 Views
Since Lily and James were unable to leave the house aria - 18/07/2010 07:14:21 PM 1635 Views
Re: Since Lily and James were unable to leave the house Tor - 26/07/2010 05:07:48 PM 1957 Views
^ And this, too, was me. Camilla - 26/07/2010 09:58:07 PM 1684 Views
Re: ^ And this, too, was me. Rebekah - 26/07/2010 10:05:41 PM 1613 Views
Camilla - 26/07/2010 10:07:36 PM 1498 Views
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