I like how the entrance to Hogsmeade (or the Shrieking Shack) via the Whomping Willow is slipped past us and instantly buried as unfeasible. And how we are told it was planted the year Lupin came to Hogwarts.
The scene in the pub was full of interesting tidbits.
And we are told that a spy for Dumbledore tipped him off that Voldemort was after the Potters. This will play a part in later books.
Regarding the earlier discussion (in the first book), of what type of Fidelius Charm was used to hide the Potters, Flitwick's words here seem to contradict the possibility that the house was hidden:
You-Know-Who could search the village where Lily and James were staying for years and never find them, not even if he had his nose pressed against their sitting-room window! (p 153 in my edition)
This could of course be Flitwick slipping up or him not knowing how the Fidelius Charm was applied in this particular case, but it would seem to suggest that Rowling, at least at this point in her writing, thought of it as hiding the people rather than the house.
But Trelawny's predictions are still holding true. She says Lupin will not be "with us" for very long, and he leaves at the end of the book. Not what she meant, of course, but it follows a trend -- I like how much Rowling depends on double meanings of words or phrases in this book.
Hermione was of course right about Sirius sending the Firebolt. Just yet another instance of the value (wrong word, I know, but I still think it is a good one) of an incident changing entirely based on the misreading of Sirius as a character.
The revelation that Lupin was friends with James at school should of course cement him as a good guy, but because we have just been introduced to the story of Sirius the betrayer of friends, this is not as unequivocal as it might have been (to the first time reader, that is). And the reaction of Lupin to the name of Sirius after the Patronus Lesson is very ambiguous (which is one of the things I consider part of setting him up as a false red herring). I never doubted Lupin for a moment, of course
In part because all his other unexplained actions are accounted for by the information that he was James' friend.
I also like how the book keeps alternating between "all is well" and oh-no-oh-no-oh-no scenarios. The scene that prompted this is when Harry has mastered a (granted, flimsy) patronus, he gets the Firebolt, all is happy, they are reconciled with Hermione, and then WHAM, Scabbers has faked his own death again. Later on there is a similar moment as they leave the Shrieking Shack.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
structured procrastinator
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
28/07/2010 12:00:14 PM
- 2758 Views
Chapters 1-3. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:01:10 PM
- 939 Views
Characters.
28/07/2010 12:03:36 PM
- 1591 Views
Aunt Marge
28/07/2010 01:13:34 PM
- 1500 Views
She's an interesting combination of tropes, one might say...
28/07/2010 01:40:37 PM
- 1843 Views
Re: She's an interesting combination of tropes, one might say...
28/07/2010 02:15:24 PM
- 1664 Views
Stan Shunpike.
28/07/2010 02:01:46 PM
- 1650 Views
Re: Stan Shunpike.
28/07/2010 02:19:41 PM
- 1553 Views
True, I forgot Mundungus. And, arguably, Snape.
28/07/2010 02:46:38 PM
- 1523 Views
Re: True, I forgot Mundungus. And, arguably, Snape.
07/08/2010 02:53:43 PM
- 1750 Views
I think, maybe, it's comparing with other wizarding schools in the world.
08/08/2010 11:35:31 AM
- 1635 Views
Colin Creevey is working class.
28/07/2010 06:32:45 PM
- 1538 Views
Correct me if I'm wrong
28/07/2010 06:38:20 PM
- 1491 Views
Themes, if we can discern any already this early in the book. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:04:47 PM
- 883 Views
First impressions on the news of Sirius Black's escape. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:05:26 PM
- 883 Views
Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 01:21:32 PM
- 1635 Views
Re: Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 01:44:50 PM
- 1626 Views
Re: Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 02:22:17 PM
- 1406 Views
Writing style.
28/07/2010 12:07:24 PM
- 1650 Views
It is a better book.
28/07/2010 02:00:54 PM
- 1504 Views
Its much more mature writing style I think
28/07/2010 02:09:33 PM
- 1715 Views
Re: Its much more mature writing style I think
28/07/2010 02:23:03 PM
- 1637 Views
Foreshadowings, details that turn out to be important, etc. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:08:07 PM
- 819 Views
That is very well done in this book, I thought.
28/07/2010 02:08:21 PM
- 1467 Views
Dont foget the most important foreshadowing!
28/07/2010 02:15:35 PM
- 1428 Views
Chapters 4-6. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:11:45 PM
- 799 Views
Characters.
29/07/2010 10:23:28 AM
- 1479 Views
LupinLupinLupinLupinLupinLupin!
29/07/2010 11:48:55 AM
- 1589 Views
Hmmm I'm wondering...is Lupin one of your fav characters? *NM*
29/07/2010 02:36:20 PM
- 775 Views
Could be, could be.
29/07/2010 02:37:41 PM
- 1472 Views
Well it was subtle so I don't think many people will catch it *NM*
29/07/2010 02:41:38 PM
- 780 Views
Is it premature to argue Harry's starting to get alienated from Ron and Hermione here?
30/07/2010 01:48:06 PM
- 1471 Views
Re: Is it premature to argue Harry's starting to get alienated from Ron and Hermione here?
08/08/2010 11:05:02 AM
- 1357 Views
Writing style.
29/07/2010 10:26:07 AM
- 1513 Views
"Plotting" might be a more interesting discussion point
29/07/2010 11:57:20 AM
- 1551 Views
Introduction of the Dementors. *NM*
29/07/2010 10:26:59 AM
- 789 Views
They are Rowling's most terrifying creation
29/07/2010 12:00:34 PM
- 1452 Views
Without his knowledge or consent of course *NM*
29/07/2010 02:31:47 PM
- 757 Views
Yes
29/07/2010 02:34:01 PM
- 1576 Views
I thinking something thats a little off topic
29/07/2010 02:40:36 PM
- 1420 Views
Re: I thinking something thats a little off topic
29/07/2010 02:42:09 PM
- 1411 Views
Ooo I didn't think of that! I like you. We can be friends
29/07/2010 02:47:31 PM
- 1409 Views
Re: "He's at Hogwarts."
04/08/2010 11:51:05 PM
- 1397 Views
I don't know the answer, but a good place to look would be... (book 4 spoilers)
05/08/2010 12:33:20 AM
- 1430 Views
Chapters 7-9. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:11:59 PM
- 924 Views
Characters.
30/07/2010 02:07:20 PM
- 1377 Views
Re: Characters.
30/07/2010 02:50:07 PM
- 1321 Views
Lupin vs. Snape
30/07/2010 06:10:07 PM
- 1405 Views
Re: Lupin vs. Snape
30/07/2010 06:12:06 PM
- 1489 Views
Other things you want to comment on. *NM*
30/07/2010 02:13:36 PM
- 795 Views
30/07/2010 02:51:13 PM
- 1407 Views
Good spell and great scene with the Bogart.
30/07/2010 06:19:16 PM
- 1438 Views
Chapters 10-12. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:12:18 PM
- 706 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
02/08/2010 12:50:56 PM
- 659 Views
Re: Plotting and writing.
02/08/2010 01:36:49 PM
- 1636 Views
I caught that too.
02/08/2010 02:50:03 PM
- 1315 Views
Re: I caught that too.
02/08/2010 02:53:48 PM
- 1445 Views
I suspect....
03/08/2010 03:17:32 PM
- 1584 Views
Other things - the Marauder's Map, background story on Sirius and the Potters,... *NM*
02/08/2010 12:52:30 PM
- 787 Views
The Marauder's Map seems to be able to do more on this first view than later on...
02/08/2010 01:23:19 PM
- 1529 Views
Re: The Marauder's Map seems to be able to do more on this first view than later on...
02/08/2010 01:40:47 PM
- 1451 Views
I think she did a good job of getting the map out of Harry's hands
02/08/2010 02:44:13 PM
- 1443 Views
Re: I think she did a good job of getting the map out of Harry's hands
02/08/2010 02:46:38 PM
- 1596 Views
It's not that the map was wrong - on the contrary (book 4 spoilers).
02/08/2010 02:47:55 PM
- 1357 Views
Re: It's not that the map was wrong - on the contrary (book 4 spoilers).
02/08/2010 02:57:55 PM
- 1505 Views
No, you and Aria seem to be right - only Harry himself is depicted in miniature.
02/08/2010 03:28:11 PM
- 1456 Views
Re: No, you and Aria seem to be right - only Harry himself is depicted in miniature.
02/08/2010 03:31:14 PM
- 1369 Views
Agree about the Twins and my take on Harry's impression of James.
02/08/2010 02:50:11 PM
- 1422 Views
Re: Other things - the Marauder's Map, background story on Sirius and the Potters,...
02/08/2010 01:36:56 PM
- 1363 Views
Chapters 13-15. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:12:57 PM
- 786 Views
Characters.
03/08/2010 05:25:47 PM
- 1413 Views
Re: Characters.
03/08/2010 05:29:32 PM
- 1517 Views
OK. I don't like how one-sided the Slytherins are.
08/08/2010 02:30:22 PM
- 1508 Views
Agreed.
08/08/2010 02:37:18 PM
- 1433 Views
Re: Agreed.
08/08/2010 02:45:30 PM
- 1425 Views
There are only three named girls in his year in Gryffindor, that I'm aware of.
08/08/2010 03:08:51 PM
- 1425 Views
Re: There are only three named girls in his year in Gryffindor, that I'm aware of.
08/08/2010 03:12:23 PM
- 1433 Views
But the Sorting Hat decides, and they can't refuse students that I'm aware of...
08/08/2010 03:06:53 PM
- 1618 Views
Re: But the Sorting Hat decides, and they can't refuse students that I'm aware of...
08/08/2010 03:10:28 PM
- 1441 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
03/08/2010 05:26:12 PM
- 758 Views
Crookshanks.
08/08/2010 02:22:36 PM
- 1436 Views
I knew I saw this somewhere.
09/08/2010 08:16:01 PM
- 1350 Views
Re: I knew I saw this somewhere.
09/08/2010 09:01:18 PM
- 1501 Views
Did they come out and explain Crookshanks?
11/08/2010 04:20:18 PM
- 1515 Views
Re: Did they come out and explain Crookshanks?
11/08/2010 04:21:37 PM
- 1336 Views
Thanks, thought I was loosing it... well, maybe I am, but I can still read.
11/08/2010 04:26:31 PM
- 1582 Views
The Quidditch Cup, and anything else you want to discuss. *NM*
03/08/2010 05:26:37 PM
- 786 Views
Re: The Quidditch Cup, and anything else you want to discuss.
03/08/2010 05:36:35 PM
- 1504 Views
I really enjoyed the first quidditch match.
03/08/2010 05:40:37 PM
- 1361 Views
Chapters 16-18. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:11 PM
- 803 Views
Characters.
04/08/2010 04:16:39 PM
- 1472 Views
Plotting and writing.
04/08/2010 04:18:52 PM
- 1343 Views
Other thoughts. *NM*
04/08/2010 04:19:15 PM
- 899 Views
Re: Other thoughts.
04/08/2010 05:19:45 PM
- 1369 Views
Re: Other thoughts.
08/08/2010 03:09:23 PM
- 1521 Views
Re: Other thoughts.
08/08/2010 03:11:43 PM
- 1469 Views
Chapters 19-20. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:27 PM
- 762 Views
Characters.
05/08/2010 02:40:22 PM
- 1250 Views
Re: Characters.
05/08/2010 02:45:53 PM
- 1719 Views
See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:04:24 PM
- 1793 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:13:21 PM
- 1526 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:54:31 PM
- 1901 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 05:01:52 PM
- 1717 Views
Something I've only just realized about Snape... (massive book six and seven spoilers)
05/08/2010 02:53:15 PM
- 1519 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
05/08/2010 02:40:42 PM
- 652 Views
Re: Plotting and writing.
05/08/2010 02:48:02 PM
- 1597 Views
I think it's a good thing she explains her clues.
05/08/2010 03:09:59 PM
- 1457 Views
Other thoughts. *NM*
05/08/2010 02:41:01 PM
- 718 Views
killing
05/08/2010 02:48:33 PM
- 1342 Views
Chapters 21-22. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:42 PM
- 735 Views
Plotting and writing.
06/08/2010 05:04:14 PM
- 1266 Views
And everything else you noticed and want to comment on. *NM*
06/08/2010 05:04:46 PM
- 816 Views
Overall thoughts. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:14:03 PM
- 772 Views
Overarching plot and themes. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:18:27 PM
- 723 Views
How good a book is this - compared to the rest of the series, and compared to YA books in general? *NM*
28/07/2010 01:19:06 PM
- 782 Views
More of a question, really
01/08/2010 10:40:23 PM
- 1401 Views
I think this is situational and a sad commentary on his home life.
02/08/2010 03:01:49 PM
- 1241 Views
Well, but the question still remains
02/08/2010 03:04:01 PM
- 1356 Views
I suppose this is more or less the right place for this.
04/08/2010 11:59:45 PM
- 1471 Views
I had totally forgotten about that choir and the Ray Bradbury reference.
05/08/2010 12:37:09 AM
- 1307 Views
Okay, so possibly a Shakespeare reference also used by Bradbury. Whatever. *NM*
05/08/2010 12:37:56 AM
- 706 Views
Since I'm being scolded, I'll try to focus.
09/08/2010 06:46:26 PM
- 1323 Views
Re: Since I'm being scolded, I'll try to focus.
09/08/2010 07:16:37 PM
- 1538 Views
Suggestions for the re-read.
28/07/2010 06:14:49 PM
- 1524 Views
I knew I was gonna forget something.
28/07/2010 06:55:50 PM
- 1506 Views
Perhaps
29/07/2010 09:29:53 AM
- 1422 Views
I considered that, but it seemed overly non-trusting, and nobody has posted in them yet? *NM*
29/07/2010 10:12:23 AM
- 619 Views
<Tattoos "Poor Impulse Control" on your forehead>
29/07/2010 11:00:07 AM
- 1509 Views
I think a little break might be a good idea. Give people a chance to catch up.
02/08/2010 11:46:13 PM
- 1450 Views
Re: I think a little break might be a good idea. Give people a chance to catch up.
02/08/2010 11:59:20 PM
- 1416 Views
I think I should make clear, just in case, that I don't mean immediately.
03/08/2010 05:11:26 PM
- 1365 Views
Yes
03/08/2010 05:13:10 PM
- 1382 Views