I lovelovelove Lupin. Ahem. Oh, clear and rational analysis and discussion, you say? Right.
First Scabbers. Not so much an observation as a question, really. If Pettigrew lives as a rat, in the body of a rat, and he never returns to human form, should he not age as a rat, and be very weak and die soon?
Dunno. How long do rats live? Couldn't magical ratty pets be longlived?
I don't know. The reason I brought it up was that the man in the pet shop said something about the common garden rat and living 3 years or so.
The Twins: I love how Fred and George tried to shut Percy in a pyramid. And their mocking parody of him greeting Harry had me giggling out loud. But then they are perfectly subtle and tactful about cheering Harry up about the dementors and Malfoy at the feast. They become many-faceted, not just clowns or funny happy guys. They are actually able to deal sensibly with a younger kid being bullied. I am impressed.
The twins are really well written characters. I believe everything about them. That's one of Rowling's talents, I think, creating multi-faceted personalities to inhabit her books.
Indeed. Or, she suggests, creates the forms, and then allows us to fill in all the rest. It is an astonishing talent, and one many of my favourite authors possesses. I prefer that to people who paint their characters in great detail and attempt to control my understanding of them. I suspect this is the reason why Roh and I have had so many heated debates over the various Rowling characters -- we each imbued them with different traits. This is possible because they are not two-dimensional. You can put a lot of stuff in a box; it is more difficult to put anything in sheet of paper.
I like Mr and Mrs Weasley's discussion on whether to tell Harry. It is nice to see they love him. And how Mr Weasley would be willing to go back on his word to Fudge because he feels Harry needs to know what is going on. Of course, this reflects on Fudge again, feeling it is better to just keep everyone in the dark.
So lovely. Fudge is the perfect government man. It's kind of reassuring that even the Magical World has such useless leaders.
Reassuring? Really?
And Crookshanks is perfectly lovely. I don't see what Ron is on about. It sounds like the world's best cat. Although it isn't a cat, is it. It's a something else, the name of which escapes me.
Cats drool.
Not as much as dogs.
But Crookshanks is funny. Reminds me of Greebo.
That hadn't occurred to me, but you are right. At least partially. Less ... insane?
But LupinLupinLupin! Ah, one of my major literary crushes. And it is not just the fact that he offers free chocolate (always a plus). He is asleep, then, as soon as the dementors are there he protects the kids and then he offers them chocolate. Lovely. Perfect. He makes everything feel safe and good.
I bet he's pretty huggable as well.
I am sure he is. I have never quite forgiven Harry for not giving him a hug when he left.
Malfoy is his usual self. Clearly mocking Harry's reaction to the dementors to cover up his own fear of them. And then getting suitably punished for his disrespect by Buckbeak.
~nods~ Slimy little twerp. I do feel sorry for him, though. What with his father and all.
Yes. Still, that excuse only goes so far. He is getting to a point where it is getting a little worn.
Sir Cadogan is a little annoying. Or quite annoying. But he never reaches anywhere near the levels of annoyance reached in the last book.
~nods~
Trelawny. Is lovely in an annoying sort of way. I fully intend to start walking up to random strangers and say "You know that thing you are dreading? It will happen on [random date]". It is genius. And I really like how some of her "predictions" turn out to be real, but not in the way she interprets them. For example, the ``around Easter, one of our number will leave us forever''. And she does seem to have a good ability to read human nature, as when she identifies Neville as the one most likely to break a cup if prodded in the right way. She is a problematic character, though. Very morally grey in the way she abuses the credibility of students by making them think one of them is going to die, for example. And I wonder whether she got the twins mixed up when she told Parvati to beware of red-haired men, as her sister is the one who has a miserable time with Ron at the Yule Ball.
Trelawny is great. I like that Rowling remembers to have useless established teachers as well as the replacements the kids have suffered over the past two years. Makes Quirrell and Lockhart seem much less anomalous.
True.
And Emma Thompson was the perfect pick for Trelawney.
She was indeed. There has been some very good casting in the movies. Trelawny, Lockhart, Snape, McGonnagall, Mr & Mrs Weasley, the Twins, Wood, ...
Also: I've often wondered whether the teenage girl readers are supposed to think that the thing Lavender is dreading is her period. Might make young girls feel a bit better about the fact they're worried about it. I like to think of Rowling as being caring like that.
Huh. That never occurred to me.
McGonnagall, as usual, the voice of clear-cutting no-nonsense reason, knowing the perfect way to dispell Trelawny's mumbo-jumbo.
I had a teacher like McGonagall. She was wonderful. Strict but fair.
I am envious.
*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
- 2727 Views
Chapters 1-3. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:01:10 PM
- 928 Views
Characters.
28/07/2010 12:03:36 PM
- 1559 Views
Aunt Marge
28/07/2010 01:13:34 PM
- 1473 Views
She's an interesting combination of tropes, one might say...
28/07/2010 01:40:37 PM
- 1818 Views
Re: She's an interesting combination of tropes, one might say...
28/07/2010 02:15:24 PM
- 1638 Views
Stan Shunpike.
28/07/2010 02:01:46 PM
- 1619 Views
Re: Stan Shunpike.
28/07/2010 02:19:41 PM
- 1524 Views
True, I forgot Mundungus. And, arguably, Snape.
28/07/2010 02:46:38 PM
- 1500 Views
Re: True, I forgot Mundungus. And, arguably, Snape.
07/08/2010 02:53:43 PM
- 1725 Views
I think, maybe, it's comparing with other wizarding schools in the world.
08/08/2010 11:35:31 AM
- 1614 Views
Colin Creevey is working class.
28/07/2010 06:32:45 PM
- 1515 Views
Correct me if I'm wrong
28/07/2010 06:38:20 PM
- 1463 Views
Themes, if we can discern any already this early in the book. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:04:47 PM
- 870 Views
First impressions on the news of Sirius Black's escape. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:05:26 PM
- 870 Views
Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 01:21:32 PM
- 1609 Views
Re: Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 01:44:50 PM
- 1599 Views
Re: Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 02:22:17 PM
- 1384 Views
Writing style.
28/07/2010 12:07:24 PM
- 1627 Views
It is a better book.
28/07/2010 02:00:54 PM
- 1485 Views
Its much more mature writing style I think
28/07/2010 02:09:33 PM
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Re: Its much more mature writing style I think
28/07/2010 02:23:03 PM
- 1606 Views
Foreshadowings, details that turn out to be important, etc. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:08:07 PM
- 808 Views
That is very well done in this book, I thought.
28/07/2010 02:08:21 PM
- 1442 Views
Dont foget the most important foreshadowing!
28/07/2010 02:15:35 PM
- 1399 Views
Chapters 4-6. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:11:45 PM
- 788 Views
Characters.
29/07/2010 10:23:28 AM
- 1454 Views
LupinLupinLupinLupinLupinLupin!
29/07/2010 11:48:55 AM
- 1569 Views
Hmmm I'm wondering...is Lupin one of your fav characters? *NM*
29/07/2010 02:36:20 PM
- 755 Views
Could be, could be.
29/07/2010 02:37:41 PM
- 1439 Views
Well it was subtle so I don't think many people will catch it *NM*
29/07/2010 02:41:38 PM
- 768 Views
He is so lovely.
03/08/2010 06:00:26 PM
- 1540 Views
Re: He is so lovely.
03/08/2010 06:10:34 PM
- 1491 Views
Is it premature to argue Harry's starting to get alienated from Ron and Hermione here?
30/07/2010 01:48:06 PM
- 1447 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
- 1337 Views
Writing style.
29/07/2010 10:26:07 AM
- 1492 Views
"Plotting" might be a more interesting discussion point
29/07/2010 11:57:20 AM
- 1523 Views
Introduction of the Dementors. *NM*
29/07/2010 10:26:59 AM
- 778 Views
They are Rowling's most terrifying creation
29/07/2010 12:00:34 PM
- 1422 Views
Without his knowledge or consent of course *NM*
29/07/2010 02:31:47 PM
- 748 Views
Yes
29/07/2010 02:34:01 PM
- 1545 Views
I thinking something thats a little off topic
29/07/2010 02:40:36 PM
- 1397 Views
Re: I thinking something thats a little off topic
29/07/2010 02:42:09 PM
- 1384 Views
Ooo I didn't think of that! I like you. We can be friends
29/07/2010 02:47:31 PM
- 1392 Views
Re: "He's at Hogwarts."
04/08/2010 11:51:05 PM
- 1370 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
- 1403 Views
Chapters 7-9. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:11:59 PM
- 907 Views
Characters.
30/07/2010 02:07:20 PM
- 1357 Views
Re: Characters.
30/07/2010 02:50:07 PM
- 1302 Views
Lupin vs. Snape
30/07/2010 06:10:07 PM
- 1378 Views
Re: Lupin vs. Snape
30/07/2010 06:12:06 PM
- 1462 Views
Other things you want to comment on. *NM*
30/07/2010 02:13:36 PM
- 776 Views
30/07/2010 02:51:13 PM
- 1384 Views
Good spell and great scene with the Bogart.
30/07/2010 06:19:16 PM
- 1412 Views
Chapters 10-12. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:12:18 PM
- 690 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
02/08/2010 12:50:56 PM
- 651 Views
Re: Plotting and writing.
02/08/2010 01:36:49 PM
- 1617 Views
I caught that too.
02/08/2010 02:50:03 PM
- 1295 Views
Re: I caught that too.
02/08/2010 02:53:48 PM
- 1425 Views
I suspect....
03/08/2010 03:17:32 PM
- 1566 Views
Other things - the Marauder's Map, background story on Sirius and the Potters,... *NM*
02/08/2010 12:52:30 PM
- 777 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
- 1510 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
- 1429 Views
I think she did a good job of getting the map out of Harry's hands
02/08/2010 02:44:13 PM
- 1424 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
- 1580 Views
It's not that the map was wrong - on the contrary (book 4 spoilers).
02/08/2010 02:47:55 PM
- 1336 Views
Re: It's not that the map was wrong - on the contrary (book 4 spoilers).
02/08/2010 02:57:55 PM
- 1480 Views
No, you and Aria seem to be right - only Harry himself is depicted in miniature.
02/08/2010 03:28:11 PM
- 1421 Views
Re: No, you and Aria seem to be right - only Harry himself is depicted in miniature.
02/08/2010 03:31:14 PM
- 1351 Views
Agree about the Twins and my take on Harry's impression of James.
02/08/2010 02:50:11 PM
- 1400 Views
Re: Other things - the Marauder's Map, background story on Sirius and the Potters,...
02/08/2010 01:36:56 PM
- 1344 Views
Chapters 13-15. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:12:57 PM
- 777 Views
Characters.
03/08/2010 05:25:47 PM
- 1388 Views
Re: Characters.
03/08/2010 05:29:32 PM
- 1488 Views
OK. I don't like how one-sided the Slytherins are.
08/08/2010 02:30:22 PM
- 1482 Views
Agreed.
08/08/2010 02:37:18 PM
- 1412 Views
Re: Agreed.
08/08/2010 02:45:30 PM
- 1401 Views
There are only three named girls in his year in Gryffindor, that I'm aware of.
08/08/2010 03:08:51 PM
- 1404 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
- 1408 Views
But the Sorting Hat decides, and they can't refuse students that I'm aware of...
08/08/2010 03:06:53 PM
- 1602 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
- 1416 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
03/08/2010 05:26:12 PM
- 749 Views
Crookshanks.
08/08/2010 02:22:36 PM
- 1415 Views
I knew I saw this somewhere.
09/08/2010 08:16:01 PM
- 1321 Views
Re: I knew I saw this somewhere.
09/08/2010 09:01:18 PM
- 1467 Views
Did they come out and explain Crookshanks?
11/08/2010 04:20:18 PM
- 1492 Views
Re: Did they come out and explain Crookshanks?
11/08/2010 04:21:37 PM
- 1315 Views
Thanks, thought I was loosing it... well, maybe I am, but I can still read.
11/08/2010 04:26:31 PM
- 1562 Views
The Quidditch Cup, and anything else you want to discuss. *NM*
03/08/2010 05:26:37 PM
- 775 Views
Re: The Quidditch Cup, and anything else you want to discuss.
03/08/2010 05:36:35 PM
- 1482 Views
I really enjoyed the first quidditch match.
03/08/2010 05:40:37 PM
- 1343 Views
Chapters 16-18. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:11 PM
- 790 Views
Characters.
04/08/2010 04:16:39 PM
- 1453 Views
Plotting and writing.
04/08/2010 04:18:52 PM
- 1323 Views
Other thoughts. *NM*
04/08/2010 04:19:15 PM
- 890 Views
Re: Other thoughts.
04/08/2010 05:19:45 PM
- 1346 Views
Re: Other thoughts.
08/08/2010 03:09:23 PM
- 1498 Views
Re: Other thoughts.
08/08/2010 03:11:43 PM
- 1448 Views
Chapters 19-20. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:27 PM
- 751 Views
Characters.
05/08/2010 02:40:22 PM
- 1218 Views
Re: Characters.
05/08/2010 02:45:53 PM
- 1694 Views
See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:04:24 PM
- 1769 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:13:21 PM
- 1496 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:54:31 PM
- 1880 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 05:01:52 PM
- 1698 Views
Something I've only just realized about Snape... (massive book six and seven spoilers)
05/08/2010 02:53:15 PM
- 1489 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
05/08/2010 02:40:42 PM
- 640 Views
Re: Plotting and writing.
05/08/2010 02:48:02 PM
- 1565 Views
I think it's a good thing she explains her clues.
05/08/2010 03:09:59 PM
- 1436 Views
Other thoughts. *NM*
05/08/2010 02:41:01 PM
- 709 Views
killing
05/08/2010 02:48:33 PM
- 1317 Views
Chapters 21-22. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:42 PM
- 718 Views
Plotting and writing.
06/08/2010 05:04:14 PM
- 1243 Views
And everything else you noticed and want to comment on. *NM*
06/08/2010 05:04:46 PM
- 806 Views
Overall thoughts. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:14:03 PM
- 759 Views
Overarching plot and themes. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:18:27 PM
- 714 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
- 770 Views
More of a question, really
01/08/2010 10:40:23 PM
- 1382 Views
I think this is situational and a sad commentary on his home life.
02/08/2010 03:01:49 PM
- 1216 Views
Well, but the question still remains
02/08/2010 03:04:01 PM
- 1332 Views
I suppose this is more or less the right place for this.
04/08/2010 11:59:45 PM
- 1449 Views
I had totally forgotten about that choir and the Ray Bradbury reference.
05/08/2010 12:37:09 AM
- 1283 Views
Okay, so possibly a Shakespeare reference also used by Bradbury. Whatever. *NM*
05/08/2010 12:37:56 AM
- 689 Views
Since I'm being scolded, I'll try to focus.
09/08/2010 06:46:26 PM
- 1304 Views
Re: Since I'm being scolded, I'll try to focus.
09/08/2010 07:16:37 PM
- 1511 Views
Suggestions for the re-read.
28/07/2010 06:14:49 PM
- 1500 Views
I knew I was gonna forget something.
28/07/2010 06:55:50 PM
- 1481 Views
Perhaps
29/07/2010 09:29:53 AM
- 1400 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
- 602 Views
<Tattoos "Poor Impulse Control" on your forehead>
29/07/2010 11:00:07 AM
- 1487 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
- 1416 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
- 1393 Views
I think I should make clear, just in case, that I don't mean immediately.
03/08/2010 05:11:26 PM
- 1327 Views
Yes
03/08/2010 05:13:10 PM
- 1359 Views