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You hit the nail on the head. Seriana Sedai Send a noteboard - 13/07/2010 12:20:19 AM
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.

Not subtle, but highly effective. I couldn't think of the right words, but you did. It is great for the first book because we are instantly familiar but there is room for them to develop. Sometimes characters like that feel forced, but I don't feel that about any of the characters in Harry Potter.
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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 3024 Views
Chapters 1-3: Introducing Harry Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:28:49 AM 1602 Views
Characterisation *NM* Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:29:02 AM 899 Views
My thoughts, such as they are. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 04:09:55 PM 1652 Views
Agree. She gave us enough to make it interesting. StormCrow - 12/07/2010 06:45:46 PM 1625 Views
Re: My thoughts, such as they are. *spoilers* Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:43:49 PM 1613 Views
You hit the nail on the head. Seriana Sedai - 13/07/2010 12:20:19 AM 1538 Views
Re: You hit the nail on the head. Camilla - 13/07/2010 08:51:45 AM 1457 Views
Writing style *NM* Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:29:18 AM 884 Views
A couple of points. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 04:10:20 PM 1485 Views
It is very clear it is a children's book at this time Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:18:14 PM 1669 Views
True. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:36:49 PM 1593 Views
Re: It is very clear it is a children's book at this time Tor - 12/07/2010 09:31:11 PM 1719 Views
Re: It is very clear it is a children's book at this time Camilla - 12/07/2010 09:51:23 PM 1415 Views
Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. Darth_Katie - 13/07/2010 04:03:26 AM 1637 Views
Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. Camilla - 13/07/2010 08:54:40 AM 1593 Views
Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. Darth_Katie - 13/07/2010 01:14:01 PM 1657 Views
Indeed. Camilla - 13/07/2010 01:15:23 PM 1433 Views
Early themes *NM* Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:29:37 AM 902 Views
Strong vs weak *spoilers* Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:23:45 PM 1435 Views
Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:43:27 PM 1467 Views
Re: Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:44:56 PM 1421 Views
Chapters 4-10: Making Friends at Hogwarts *NM* Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:29:58 AM 831 Views
Impressions: thoughts about the school, the teachers, the enemies and the friends. *NM* Rebekah - 14/07/2010 08:29:38 AM 873 Views
I'd forgotten how annoying Hermione was Deadsy - 14/07/2010 01:48:13 PM 1510 Views
Me too. nossy - 14/07/2010 04:30:13 PM 1465 Views
Yep. I like seeing her transformation in this story though. StormCrow - 14/07/2010 04:58:04 PM 1515 Views
Re: Yep. I like seeing her transformation in this story though. Camilla - 14/07/2010 06:13:13 PM 1510 Views
Yes and, I think, this may be another candidate for early themes (from above) StormCrow - 14/07/2010 07:43:14 PM 1620 Views
Re: Impressions: thoughts about the school, the teachers, the enemies and the friends. aria - 14/07/2010 04:22:54 PM 1652 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 1779 Views
Some thoughts before I run off to the library again Camilla - 14/07/2010 06:11:45 PM 1645 Views
Good points aria - 14/07/2010 08:45:56 PM 1572 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 1730 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 1391 Views
What about the magic? Rebekah - 14/07/2010 08:58:51 AM 1514 Views
The magic wasnt really developed at this point Dark Knight - 14/07/2010 02:13:41 PM 1440 Views
Re: The magic wasnt really developed at this point Camilla - 14/07/2010 08:53:08 PM 1684 Views
There was one powerful protection Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 01:29:49 AM 1616 Views
I agree aria - 15/07/2010 04:51:05 AM 1569 Views
Re: I agree Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 05:44:41 AM 1454 Views
Re: There was one powerful protection Camilla - 15/07/2010 08:12:40 AM 1719 Views
I think nossy - 14/07/2010 04:34:30 PM 1444 Views
Diagon Alley - Olivander's Foreshadowing StormCrow - 14/07/2010 05:11:40 PM 1729 Views
Re: Diagon Alley - Olivander's Foreshadowing aria - 14/07/2010 08:51:06 PM 1436 Views
Agreed. StormCrow - 14/07/2010 08:57:55 PM 1484 Views
I really need a remembrall. Camilla - 14/07/2010 08:57:10 PM 1588 Views
I felt bad for Neville. StormCrow - 14/07/2010 09:03:49 PM 1597 Views
Indeed. Camilla - 14/07/2010 09:05:40 PM 1468 Views
But it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten! nossy - 15/07/2010 02:51:47 AM 1726 Views
I know, right! Seriana Sedai - 15/07/2010 06:41:01 AM 1443 Views
Exactly. nossy - 15/07/2010 03:22:18 PM 1356 Views
Re: But it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten! Camilla - 15/07/2010 08:15:55 AM 1440 Views
Ah, see nossy - 15/07/2010 03:23:49 PM 1416 Views
Chapters 11-17: Harry the Hero *NM* Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:30:29 AM 845 Views
What'd you think of the ending? *NM* Rebekah - 15/07/2010 05:21:38 PM 811 Views
Loved it. StormCrow - 15/07/2010 05:56:06 PM 1488 Views
Two separate things: nossy - 15/07/2010 07:14:08 PM 1483 Views
I hear you Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 08:22:05 PM 1513 Views
Re: Two separate things: Camilla - 15/07/2010 08:48:21 PM 1503 Views
I can clarify some stuff for you Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 09:14:07 PM 1521 Views
One of the most sublime, wonderful moments of any book Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 08:18:29 PM 1355 Views
Yes! Seriana Sedai - 15/07/2010 10:39:11 PM 1537 Views
Lovely Camilla - 15/07/2010 09:00:11 PM 1568 Views
Haha Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 09:16:16 PM 1653 Views
Re: Haha Camilla - 15/07/2010 09:24:06 PM 1539 Views
But I thought all girls were made of sugar and spice and everything nice? Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 09:26:53 PM 1441 Views
Oh, we are. Camilla - 15/07/2010 09:35:17 PM 1347 Views
Ah like vodka vs. wine coolers? *NM* Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 09:48:26 PM 800 Views
Gin Camilla - 15/07/2010 09:49:33 PM 1466 Views
I was 16. Rebekah - 15/07/2010 10:49:33 PM 1341 Views
So was I Camilla - 15/07/2010 10:54:24 PM 1387 Views
Honestly, dumbledore is a bit of an ass... jh - 15/07/2010 10:48:32 PM 1346 Views
Heresy! Camilla - 15/07/2010 10:55:28 PM 1396 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 784 Views
Not really. I am looking at it from a school perspective. jh - 16/07/2010 12:54:46 PM 1313 Views
As I indicated below, I had some issues. Nate - 16/07/2010 03:05:05 AM 1656 Views
Re: As I indicated below, I had some issues. Camilla - 16/07/2010 11:14:56 AM 1552 Views
In fairness, it's Hogwarts itself that is all but impregnable. Legolas - 26/07/2010 03:55:02 PM 1458 Views
A funny thing I noticed Camilla - 15/07/2010 09:00:42 PM 1569 Views
nossy - 15/07/2010 09:18:08 PM 1423 Views
Overall thoughts for the book Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:31:37 AM 1528 Views
Foreshadowing and setting up the future Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:32:10 AM 1433 Views
Harry's anger management issues? StormCrow - 12/07/2010 07:14:58 PM 1505 Views
Heh. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:40:40 PM 1545 Views
Nah, not deliberate. StormCrow - 12/07/2010 09:14:20 PM 1599 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. Camilla - 12/07/2010 09:55:32 PM 1508 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. StormCrow - 13/07/2010 03:02:59 PM 1444 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. Camilla - 13/07/2010 03:04:42 PM 1574 Views
I noticed a lot of this. Nate - 12/07/2010 07:22:54 PM 1627 Views
Re: I noticed a lot of this. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:39:25 PM 1555 Views
Re: I noticed a lot of this. Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:45:32 PM 1544 Views
~smug~ Elaine - 13/07/2010 02:09:15 PM 1519 Views
Indeed. Camilla - 13/07/2010 02:10:41 PM 1753 Views
This response implies the experience of being both?? StormCrow - 13/07/2010 03:23:29 PM 1497 Views
On Ginny: Kronin al'Sulc - 12/07/2010 10:36:47 PM 1572 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 744 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 1771 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 1513 Views
So much (chapters 1-3) *spoilers* Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:35:57 PM 1730 Views
Hm. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:38:05 PM 1538 Views
Re: Hm. Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:39:08 PM 1610 Views
Re: Hm. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:39:53 PM 1414 Views
Re: Hm. Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:44:16 PM 1318 Views
Re: Hm. Cockatiel of Doom - 13/07/2010 04:41:12 AM 1433 Views
Re: Hm. Camilla - 13/07/2010 08:55:09 AM 1400 Views
I missed the school roof thing this time around too! Good catch there. *NM* StormCrow - 12/07/2010 09:22:21 PM 822 Views
The thing that tipped me off Camilla - 12/07/2010 09:53:01 PM 1501 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 813 Views
You have to wonder why Hagrid and Dumbledore didn't suspect the truth about Sirius. Legolas - 26/07/2010 04:04:05 PM 1434 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 1575 Views
Some stuff (chapters 4-11) Camilla - 14/07/2010 09:18:35 PM 1703 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) Deadsy - 14/07/2010 10:30:23 PM 1521 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) Camilla - 14/07/2010 10:55:01 PM 1468 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) Deadsy - 14/07/2010 11:05:59 PM 1494 Views
I can answer your consistency question! Cockatiel of Doom - 15/07/2010 02:35:42 AM 1628 Views
You are a clever cookie. Camilla - 15/07/2010 08:14:25 AM 1500 Views
Yes nossy - 15/07/2010 03:30:36 PM 1355 Views
Ooh, yes. Cockatiel of Doom - 16/07/2010 12:19:13 AM 1327 Views
More stuff (chapters 12-17) Camilla - 15/07/2010 08:55:34 PM 1383 Views
Re: More stuff (chapters 12-17) Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 09:19:13 PM 1454 Views
Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 Cockatiel of Doom - 17/07/2010 04:23:15 PM 1615 Views
Re: Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 Camilla - 17/07/2010 04:28:04 PM 1494 Views
Re: Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 aria - 17/07/2010 07:12:39 PM 1743 Views
I like it. Thank you. Cockatiel of Doom - 20/07/2010 12:53:37 AM 1661 Views
What made this book (and the rest of the series) such a success? Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:33:00 AM 1598 Views
I have no idea *spoilers* Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:47:58 PM 1654 Views
I agree... StormCrow - 12/07/2010 09:19:59 PM 1687 Views
I think it was mostly because it was a simple narrative with an identifiable protagnonist. Chas - 13/07/2010 11:59:06 PM 1606 Views
It has tons of things in it that every kid dreams of doing Deadsy - 14/07/2010 01:56:05 PM 1606 Views
Kid? Camilla - 14/07/2010 02:01:30 PM 1620 Views
so do I. I was just trying to act mature *NM* Deadsy - 14/07/2010 02:08:01 PM 1014 Views
Not even just the super stuff Deadsy mentions. nossy - 14/07/2010 04:38:46 PM 1730 Views
It's a simple, well-done little book. Nate - 12/07/2010 07:46:48 PM 1592 Views
you don't read instructions, do you? Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:49:24 PM 1642 Views
Heh. Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:50:23 PM 1584 Views
Re: Heh. Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:51:40 PM 1593 Views
Awwww! Rebekah - 12/07/2010 07:52:19 PM 1491 Views
Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:52:52 PM 1615 Views
Wha? Nate - 12/07/2010 07:50:44 PM 1630 Views
Re: Wha? Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:52:21 PM 1617 Views
Pff. Nate - 12/07/2010 07:54:54 PM 1613 Views
*NM* Camilla - 12/07/2010 07:56:03 PM 1016 Views
When did you pick up this book? Dark Knight - 12/07/2010 11:30:46 PM 1536 Views
I was 10. Darth_Katie - 13/07/2010 04:13:44 AM 1685 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 1730 Views
I was 16. Rebekah - 13/07/2010 08:24:02 AM 1608 Views
1999 Camilla - 13/07/2010 09:03:03 AM 1599 Views
What do you mean by adult version? aria - 13/07/2010 02:15:40 PM 1710 Views
Re: What do you mean by adult version? Camilla - 13/07/2010 02:17:40 PM 1586 Views
They started publishing copies with 'adult' covers so people wouldn't be caught out reading Chas - 13/07/2010 11:53:46 PM 1660 Views
Just before the first movie came out aria - 13/07/2010 02:17:42 PM 1757 Views
When Prisoner of Azkaban was a hardback. Elaine - 13/07/2010 02:23:57 PM 1600 Views
Got a boxed set for Christmas when Order of the Phoenix came out in hardback. StormCrow - 13/07/2010 03:06:42 PM 1652 Views
Just after Goblet of Fire was published. Chas - 13/07/2010 11:50:38 PM 1663 Views
Just before Goblet of Fire came out. nossy - 14/07/2010 04:04:21 AM 1636 Views
The first five were out, waited for HBP. Seriana Sedai - 14/07/2010 06:20:39 AM 1733 Views
You're making me want to talk about toadface Deadsy - 14/07/2010 02:06:25 PM 1650 Views
Sorry! Seriana Sedai - 15/07/2010 06:36:11 AM 1685 Views
Very early. Beginning of 1999, so it had just come out in the States. *NM* Ghavrel - 14/07/2010 08:54:06 AM 1005 Views
I held out quite awhile because I don't like "fads" Deadsy - 14/07/2010 02:04:37 PM 1565 Views
Lol! aria - 14/07/2010 08:54:47 PM 1684 Views
I did the same thing. Seriana Sedai - 15/07/2010 06:39:16 AM 1670 Views
Re: I did the same thing. Deadsy - 15/07/2010 10:01:04 AM 1857 Views
Re: I did the same thing. Seriana Sedai - 15/07/2010 05:44:28 PM 1727 Views
I would have, if I had known there was hype. I know I would have. nossy - 15/07/2010 03:28:50 PM 1692 Views
Seriana Sedai - 15/07/2010 05:47:01 PM 1747 Views
I think I was first! Monkey - 23/07/2010 07:05:08 PM 1695 Views
Aged 13 or 14 - a while before the first movie (which was Christmas 2001). *NM* Legolas - 26/07/2010 04:13:55 PM 984 Views
Jesus Christ. Tor - 26/07/2010 05:04:46 PM 1705 Views
^That was me. *NM* Camilla - 26/07/2010 09:55:49 PM 981 Views
I was going to ask if it was. *NM* Rebekah - 26/07/2010 10:04:59 PM 965 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 1001 Views
Besides, you've met me, you should know how old I am. *NM* Legolas - 27/07/2010 12:16:23 AM 1043 Views
I am very bad at guessing age when I meet people in person Camilla - 27/07/2010 09:05:35 AM 2202 Views
Suggestions for the Re-read Rebekah - 12/07/2010 08:33:25 AM 1623 Views
I like it so far Camilla - 13/07/2010 10:16:49 AM 1639 Views
I can try that for the next book. Rebekah - 13/07/2010 11:21:01 PM 1616 Views
This is my first official time participating and its been fun so far! StormCrow - 14/07/2010 05:16:48 PM 1567 Views
Unfortunately, no. (Silly me, pretending someone's still going to read all my posts... ) *NM* Legolas - 26/07/2010 04:20:35 PM 1002 Views
Can we get chapter discussions everyday? *NM* Dark Knight - 15/07/2010 06:40:30 PM 952 Views
Inconsistencies Re: the Potter's death... fionwe1987 - 15/07/2010 05:16:45 AM 1959 Views
Because they were tricked? They considered Peter and Sirius to be brothers. Ghavrel - 15/07/2010 07:05:27 AM 1615 Views
That's nonsense.. fionwe1987 - 16/07/2010 01:08:40 AM 1527 Views
Take it up with Rowling, since you don't believe me. *NM* Ghavrel - 16/07/2010 08:19:58 AM 898 Views
What's there to believe? fionwe1987 - 18/07/2010 06:03:13 AM 1620 Views
Peter + Sirius = family. I don't know how to explain it more simply. *NM* Ghavrel - 18/07/2010 08:58:20 AM 1024 Views
Re: That's nonsense.. eucatastrophe - 16/07/2010 09:37:59 AM 1735 Views
Also Camilla - 16/07/2010 11:17:51 AM 1965 Views
You are correct! There is no inconsistency eucatastrophe - 17/07/2010 04:17:35 AM 1657 Views
Huh? fionwe1987 - 18/07/2010 05:57:58 AM 1539 Views
But Camilla explained it! eucatastrophe - 18/07/2010 09:27:55 AM 1858 Views
Correction Camilla - 18/07/2010 10:58:59 AM 1643 Views
I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... fionwe1987 - 18/07/2010 05:42:18 PM 1554 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... Camilla - 18/07/2010 05:51:36 PM 1567 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... fionwe1987 - 18/07/2010 06:17:04 PM 1876 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... Camilla - 18/07/2010 06:28:27 PM 1569 Views
That bothers me too. aria - 18/07/2010 07:17:14 PM 1633 Views
Re: That bothers me too. Camilla - 18/07/2010 07:20:44 PM 1488 Views
Yet... fionwe1987 - 18/07/2010 07:47:56 PM 1572 Views
Re: Yet... Camilla - 18/07/2010 08:02:31 PM 1616 Views
To quote Dumbledore... fionwe1987 - 19/07/2010 05:57:23 AM 1519 Views
Again... fionwe1987 - 18/07/2010 07:35:10 PM 1805 Views
Re: Again... Camilla - 18/07/2010 08:00:55 PM 1591 Views
Re: Again... fionwe1987 - 19/07/2010 06:33:13 AM 1786 Views
Re: Again... Camilla - 20/07/2010 04:45:16 PM 1605 Views
Yet another load of bosh. fionwe1987 - 21/07/2010 01:00:14 AM 1592 Views
Then let's leave it. Camilla - 21/07/2010 06:48:45 AM 1691 Views
Re: Then let's leave it. fionwe1987 - 21/07/2010 04:19:35 PM 1616 Views
My two cents Seriana Sedai - 19/07/2010 06:11:30 AM 1664 Views
It was just the sort of things these two daredevils would do... DomA - 14/09/2010 12:11:20 AM 2040 Views
Re: It was just the sort of things these two daredevils would do... Camilla - 14/09/2010 09:20:46 AM 1503 Views
You have to wonder if that's actually true. Legolas - 26/07/2010 04:23:31 PM 1574 Views
Re: You have to wonder if that's actually true. Tor - 26/07/2010 05:06:43 PM 1686 Views
I don't know that I'd call it "see through Pettigrew"... Legolas - 26/07/2010 06:22:19 PM 1600 Views
^That was me, too. Oh, dear. Camilla - 26/07/2010 09:56:43 PM 1768 Views
Since Lily and James were unable to leave the house aria - 18/07/2010 07:14:21 PM 1551 Views
Re: Since Lily and James were unable to leave the house Tor - 26/07/2010 05:07:48 PM 1890 Views
^ And this, too, was me. Camilla - 26/07/2010 09:58:07 PM 1605 Views
Re: ^ And this, too, was me. Rebekah - 26/07/2010 10:05:41 PM 1541 Views
Camilla - 26/07/2010 10:07:36 PM 1420 Views
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