Active Users:468 Time:13/12/2025 04:37:35 PM
Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. Darth_Katie Send a noteboard - 13/07/2010 01:14:01 PM
While her technique isn't bad (look at how she describes Dursley's day in the first chapter, for example -- when she mentions what he doesn't see), her language is at this point very naivistic, almost too simple. It does not flow naturally, and she repeats words too often. This is something that suggests a children's book to me. There are also a couple of phrases, like "he looked simply too big to be allowed" which ring like a child's language (or a grown-up talking to a child, at any rate).

But because she uses this language to point out things that normal children's books wouldn't, it appeals to us as well. The early description of Petunia, for example, is gold. As is Vernon's slow descent into madness.

I forgot how funny it was, the little details about him spreading marmalade on the newspaper and jumping at small noises. And Harry is quite the smartass, I forgot that too. :D


Yes, I keep being amased that he has kept that while being continually put down and locked in a cupboard. To still be answering back 11 years later when that life is all you can remember is quite a feat.


It really is amazing he turns out as well as he does. Of course, a broken and abused Harry would be a much more depressing hero ... :(
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Harry Potter Re-read: The Philosopher's Stone - Final section underway! (& next book plans) - 12/07/2010 08:27:51 AM 3680 Views
Chapters 1-3: Introducing Harry - 12/07/2010 08:28:49 AM 1911 Views
Characterisation *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:02 AM 1105 Views
My thoughts, such as they are. - 12/07/2010 04:09:55 PM 2019 Views
Agree. She gave us enough to make it interesting. - 12/07/2010 06:45:46 PM 1942 Views
Re: My thoughts, such as they are. *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:43:49 PM 1939 Views
You hit the nail on the head. - 13/07/2010 12:20:19 AM 1865 Views
Re: You hit the nail on the head. - 13/07/2010 08:51:45 AM 1793 Views
Writing style *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:18 AM 1081 Views
A couple of points. - 12/07/2010 04:10:20 PM 1792 Views
It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 07:18:14 PM 1994 Views
True. - 12/07/2010 07:36:49 PM 1924 Views
Re: It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 09:31:11 PM 2160 Views
Re: It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 09:51:23 PM 1721 Views
Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. - 13/07/2010 04:03:26 AM 1962 Views
Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. - 13/07/2010 08:54:40 AM 1924 Views
Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. - 13/07/2010 01:14:01 PM 1991 Views
Indeed. - 13/07/2010 01:15:23 PM 1764 Views
Early themes *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:37 AM 1174 Views
Strong vs weak *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:23:45 PM 1744 Views
- 12/07/2010 07:43:27 PM 1798 Views
Re: - 12/07/2010 07:44:56 PM 1755 Views
Chapters 4-10: Making Friends at Hogwarts *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:58 AM 1028 Views
Impressions: thoughts about the school, the teachers, the enemies and the friends. *NM* - 14/07/2010 08:29:38 AM 1061 Views
I'd forgotten how annoying Hermione was - 14/07/2010 01:48:13 PM 1841 Views
Me too. - 14/07/2010 04:30:13 PM 1766 Views
Yep. I like seeing her transformation in this story though. - 14/07/2010 04:58:04 PM 1815 Views
Some thoughts before I run off to the library again - 14/07/2010 06:11:45 PM 2020 Views
Good points - 14/07/2010 08:45:56 PM 1915 Views
What about the magic? - 14/07/2010 08:58:51 AM 1831 Views
The magic wasnt really developed at this point - 14/07/2010 02:13:41 PM 1754 Views
Re: The magic wasnt really developed at this point - 14/07/2010 08:53:08 PM 1993 Views
There was one powerful protection - 15/07/2010 01:29:49 AM 1928 Views
I agree - 15/07/2010 04:51:05 AM 1913 Views
Re: I agree - 15/07/2010 05:44:41 AM 1788 Views
Re: There was one powerful protection - 15/07/2010 08:12:40 AM 2072 Views
I think - 14/07/2010 04:34:30 PM 1760 Views
Diagon Alley - Olivander's Foreshadowing - 14/07/2010 05:11:40 PM 2044 Views
Re: Diagon Alley - Olivander's Foreshadowing - 14/07/2010 08:51:06 PM 1751 Views
Agreed. - 14/07/2010 08:57:55 PM 1789 Views
I really need a remembrall. - 14/07/2010 08:57:10 PM 1944 Views
I felt bad for Neville. - 14/07/2010 09:03:49 PM 1891 Views
Indeed. - 14/07/2010 09:05:40 PM 1779 Views
But it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten! - 15/07/2010 02:51:47 AM 2053 Views
I know, right! - 15/07/2010 06:41:01 AM 1747 Views
Exactly. - 15/07/2010 03:22:18 PM 1681 Views
Re: But it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten! - 15/07/2010 08:15:55 AM 1804 Views
Ah, see - 15/07/2010 03:23:49 PM 1723 Views
Chapters 11-17: Harry the Hero *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:30:29 AM 1042 Views
What'd you think of the ending? *NM* - 15/07/2010 05:21:38 PM 1004 Views
Loved it. - 15/07/2010 05:56:06 PM 1814 Views
Two separate things: - 15/07/2010 07:14:08 PM 1806 Views
I hear you - 15/07/2010 08:22:05 PM 1826 Views
Re: Two separate things: - 15/07/2010 08:48:21 PM 1819 Views
I can clarify some stuff for you - 15/07/2010 09:14:07 PM 1895 Views
One of the most sublime, wonderful moments of any book - 15/07/2010 08:18:29 PM 1658 Views
Yes! - 15/07/2010 10:39:11 PM 1838 Views
Lovely - 15/07/2010 09:00:11 PM 1908 Views
Haha - 15/07/2010 09:16:16 PM 1970 Views
Re: Haha - 15/07/2010 09:24:06 PM 1885 Views
But I thought all girls were made of sugar and spice and everything nice? - 15/07/2010 09:26:53 PM 1743 Views
Oh, we are. - 15/07/2010 09:35:17 PM 1651 Views
Ah like vodka vs. wine coolers? *NM* - 15/07/2010 09:48:26 PM 986 Views
Gin - 15/07/2010 09:49:33 PM 1772 Views
I was 16. - 15/07/2010 10:49:33 PM 1655 Views
So was I - 15/07/2010 10:54:24 PM 1694 Views
Honestly, dumbledore is a bit of an ass... - 15/07/2010 10:48:32 PM 1662 Views
Heresy! - 15/07/2010 10:55:28 PM 1691 Views
As I indicated below, I had some issues. - 16/07/2010 03:05:05 AM 1988 Views
Re: As I indicated below, I had some issues. - 16/07/2010 11:14:56 AM 1844 Views
In fairness, it's Hogwarts itself that is all but impregnable. - 26/07/2010 03:55:02 PM 1790 Views
A funny thing I noticed - 15/07/2010 09:00:42 PM 1885 Views
- 15/07/2010 09:18:08 PM 1746 Views
Overall thoughts for the book - 12/07/2010 08:31:37 AM 1816 Views
Foreshadowing and setting up the future - 12/07/2010 08:32:10 AM 1746 Views
Harry's anger management issues? - 12/07/2010 07:14:58 PM 1815 Views
Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:40:40 PM 1844 Views
Nah, not deliberate. - 12/07/2010 09:14:20 PM 1902 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 12/07/2010 09:55:32 PM 1824 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 13/07/2010 03:02:59 PM 1766 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 13/07/2010 03:04:42 PM 1867 Views
I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:22:54 PM 1935 Views
Re: I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:39:25 PM 1857 Views
Re: I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:45:32 PM 1843 Views
~smug~ - 13/07/2010 02:09:15 PM 1831 Views
Indeed. - 13/07/2010 02:10:41 PM 2067 Views
This response implies the experience of being both?? - 13/07/2010 03:23:29 PM 1816 Views
On Ginny: - 12/07/2010 10:36:47 PM 1943 Views
So much (chapters 1-3) *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:35:57 PM 2068 Views
Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:38:05 PM 1892 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:39:08 PM 1903 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:39:53 PM 1710 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:44:16 PM 1627 Views
Re: Hm. - 13/07/2010 04:41:12 AM 1721 Views
Re: Hm. - 13/07/2010 08:55:09 AM 1751 Views
I missed the school roof thing this time around too! Good catch there. *NM* - 12/07/2010 09:22:21 PM 1013 Views
The thing that tipped me off - 12/07/2010 09:53:01 PM 1813 Views
Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 09:18:35 PM 2002 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 10:30:23 PM 1851 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 10:55:01 PM 1784 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 11:05:59 PM 1809 Views
I can answer your consistency question! - 15/07/2010 02:35:42 AM 1946 Views
You are a clever cookie. - 15/07/2010 08:14:25 AM 1798 Views
Yes - 15/07/2010 03:30:36 PM 1640 Views
Ooh, yes. - 16/07/2010 12:19:13 AM 1643 Views
More stuff (chapters 12-17) - 15/07/2010 08:55:34 PM 1683 Views
Re: More stuff (chapters 12-17) - 15/07/2010 09:19:13 PM 1774 Views
Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 04:23:15 PM 1894 Views
Re: Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 04:28:04 PM 1792 Views
Re: Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 07:12:39 PM 2048 Views
I like it. Thank you. - 20/07/2010 12:53:37 AM 1978 Views
What made this book (and the rest of the series) such a success? - 12/07/2010 08:33:00 AM 1895 Views
I have no idea *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:47:58 PM 1980 Views
I agree... - 12/07/2010 09:19:59 PM 1981 Views
It has tons of things in it that every kid dreams of doing - 14/07/2010 01:56:05 PM 1925 Views
Kid? - 14/07/2010 02:01:30 PM 1922 Views
so do I. I was just trying to act mature *NM* - 14/07/2010 02:08:01 PM 1183 Views
Not even just the super stuff Deadsy mentions. - 14/07/2010 04:38:46 PM 2036 Views
It's a simple, well-done little book. - 12/07/2010 07:46:48 PM 1900 Views
you don't read instructions, do you? - 12/07/2010 07:49:24 PM 1948 Views
Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:50:23 PM 1887 Views
Re: Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:51:40 PM 1896 Views
Awwww! - 12/07/2010 07:52:19 PM 1840 Views
- 12/07/2010 07:52:52 PM 1918 Views
Wha? - 12/07/2010 07:50:44 PM 1945 Views
Re: Wha? - 12/07/2010 07:52:21 PM 1916 Views
Pff. - 12/07/2010 07:54:54 PM 1918 Views
*NM* - 12/07/2010 07:56:03 PM 1189 Views
When did you pick up this book? - 12/07/2010 11:30:46 PM 1843 Views
I was 10. - 13/07/2010 04:13:44 AM 1987 Views
I was 16. - 13/07/2010 08:24:02 AM 1911 Views
1999 - 13/07/2010 09:03:03 AM 1907 Views
What do you mean by adult version? - 13/07/2010 02:15:40 PM 2032 Views
Re: What do you mean by adult version? - 13/07/2010 02:17:40 PM 1903 Views
Just before the first movie came out - 13/07/2010 02:17:42 PM 2064 Views
When Prisoner of Azkaban was a hardback. - 13/07/2010 02:23:57 PM 1922 Views
Just after Goblet of Fire was published. - 13/07/2010 11:50:38 PM 1992 Views
Just before Goblet of Fire came out. - 14/07/2010 04:04:21 AM 1947 Views
The first five were out, waited for HBP. - 14/07/2010 06:20:39 AM 2052 Views
You're making me want to talk about toadface - 14/07/2010 02:06:25 PM 1950 Views
Sorry! - 15/07/2010 06:36:11 AM 2012 Views
I held out quite awhile because I don't like "fads" - 14/07/2010 02:04:37 PM 1888 Views
Lol! - 14/07/2010 08:54:47 PM 1983 Views
I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 06:39:16 AM 1984 Views
Re: I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 10:01:04 AM 2150 Views
Re: I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 05:44:28 PM 2056 Views
I would have, if I had known there was hype. I know I would have. - 15/07/2010 03:28:50 PM 2058 Views
- 15/07/2010 05:47:01 PM 2061 Views
I think I was first! - 23/07/2010 07:05:08 PM 1988 Views
Aged 13 or 14 - a while before the first movie (which was Christmas 2001). *NM* - 26/07/2010 04:13:55 PM 1205 Views
Jesus Christ. - 26/07/2010 05:04:46 PM 2145 Views
^That was me. *NM* - 26/07/2010 09:55:49 PM 1177 Views
I was going to ask if it was. *NM* - 26/07/2010 10:04:59 PM 1162 Views
Suggestions for the Re-read - 12/07/2010 08:33:25 AM 1943 Views
I like it so far - 13/07/2010 10:16:49 AM 1917 Views
I can try that for the next book. - 13/07/2010 11:21:01 PM 1919 Views
Can we get chapter discussions everyday? *NM* - 15/07/2010 06:40:30 PM 1136 Views
Inconsistencies Re: the Potter's death... - 15/07/2010 05:16:45 AM 2278 Views
Because they were tricked? They considered Peter and Sirius to be brothers. - 15/07/2010 07:05:27 AM 1922 Views
That's nonsense.. - 16/07/2010 01:08:40 AM 1863 Views
Take it up with Rowling, since you don't believe me. *NM* - 16/07/2010 08:19:58 AM 1080 Views
What's there to believe? - 18/07/2010 06:03:13 AM 1940 Views
Re: That's nonsense.. - 16/07/2010 09:37:59 AM 2054 Views
Also - 16/07/2010 11:17:51 AM 2278 Views
You are correct! There is no inconsistency - 17/07/2010 04:17:35 AM 1975 Views
Huh? - 18/07/2010 05:57:58 AM 1847 Views
But Camilla explained it! - 18/07/2010 09:27:55 AM 2161 Views
Correction - 18/07/2010 10:58:59 AM 1975 Views
I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 05:42:18 PM 1862 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 05:51:36 PM 1882 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 06:17:04 PM 2176 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 06:28:27 PM 1871 Views
That bothers me too. - 18/07/2010 07:17:14 PM 1953 Views
Re: That bothers me too. - 18/07/2010 07:20:44 PM 1817 Views
Yet... - 18/07/2010 07:47:56 PM 1879 Views
Re: Yet... - 18/07/2010 08:02:31 PM 1917 Views
To quote Dumbledore... - 19/07/2010 05:57:23 AM 1810 Views
Again... - 18/07/2010 07:35:10 PM 2114 Views
Re: Again... - 18/07/2010 08:00:55 PM 1909 Views
Re: Again... - 19/07/2010 06:33:13 AM 2099 Views
Re: Again... - 20/07/2010 04:45:16 PM 1921 Views
Yet another load of bosh. - 21/07/2010 01:00:14 AM 1911 Views
Then let's leave it. - 21/07/2010 06:48:45 AM 2035 Views
Re: Then let's leave it. - 21/07/2010 04:19:35 PM 1922 Views
My two cents - 19/07/2010 06:11:30 AM 1996 Views
It was just the sort of things these two daredevils would do... - 14/09/2010 12:11:20 AM 2388 Views
Re: It was just the sort of things these two daredevils would do... - 14/09/2010 09:20:46 AM 1810 Views
You have to wonder if that's actually true. - 26/07/2010 04:23:31 PM 1893 Views
Re: You have to wonder if that's actually true. - 26/07/2010 05:06:43 PM 2119 Views
I don't know that I'd call it "see through Pettigrew"... - 26/07/2010 06:22:19 PM 1879 Views
^That was me, too. Oh, dear. - 26/07/2010 09:56:43 PM 2097 Views
Since Lily and James were unable to leave the house - 18/07/2010 07:14:21 PM 1879 Views
Re: Since Lily and James were unable to leave the house - 26/07/2010 05:07:48 PM 2325 Views
^ And this, too, was me. - 26/07/2010 09:58:07 PM 1916 Views
Re: ^ And this, too, was me. - 26/07/2010 10:05:41 PM 1839 Views
- 26/07/2010 10:07:36 PM 1731 Views

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