Book-It 'o15! Book #10
Mar. 6th, 2015 01:08 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alivemagdoleneThe Fifty Books Challenge, year six! (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014) This was a personal loan.
Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling
Details: Copyright 1998, Scholastic Press
Synopsis (By Way of Publisher's Info):
"Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That's because he's being raised by his miserable aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he's really a wizard, just as his parents were. But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards, and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright. From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny."
Why I Wanted to Read It: Don't come after me! But I've never read the Harry Potter books before. I haven't seen the movies, either.
Okay, so maybe I owe a bit of an explanation.
I registered Harry Potter when it first came out and my mother enjoyed it very much. I tried but couldn't really get into it, and I had plenty of other things to read.
I watched the spiraling success of the other books and then the films. I got to know people that respect the stories like religion. I got to know people who would never think of getting any kind of tattoo, but got their Hogwarts house colors. When I studied with a coven, the high priestess was a through and through devotee who adored the books and movies.
I observed all of this with a kind of sad, outsider air. After all, I'd tried to get into them, and I couldn't. I wasn't about to see the movies without reading the books, of course.
But a couple years ago, my mother was gathering books to send to my old uncle, who reads to escape, and I remembered something I'd read about troops in war loving Harry Potter (escape!) and maybe my uncle would like them as well for the same reason, so my mother eagerly tracked down all the books (secondhand) to send to my uncle.
Flash forward to this past Christmas, when I found myself watching part of the first movie with my mother, who all but gave me a director's commentary about the film.
So eventually, I realized that given the level of scrutiny and the fact there's currently a long range of days inside (snow storm!), why not just try to read the damn things again.
I've talked before about doing a super popular book for this challenge, and I realize that a book review of a book so popular that's meant so much to so many is tricky, but I've tried to do this justice.
How I Liked It: When you have a book with a movie adaption that's as successful as this franchise, it's almost surprising to make out the story (and character appearances) for yourself. I've only seen part of the first movie and I couldn't help comparing the two versions.
However, I'm not unused to the art (if you want to call it that) of separating a book from a movie or TV series. It's why I can find the Tim Burton version of the story of Willie Wonka to be far more accurate to the source material (nostalgia bedamned) and how I learned the stories of Ramona Quimby were far richer in text than they were in the TV series. And it's not necessarily that books are always better, it's that each version of the story is different and can coexist. As I found myself complaining when the Oz prequel came out a couple years ago, the Oz stories had been out for several generations before the Judy Garland movie was made, which many fans at the time felt betrayed the spirit of the books.
So in that spirit, I was trying not to remember what I'd seen/heard about the movie and only focus on the book.
What surprised me the most was probably the Roald Dahl quality that I felt a lot of the writing had, versus, say, how I've generally seen Harry Potter depicted, which leans more toward an at times aggressively noble coming of age fable. There's nobility and there's coming of age in this first book, of course, but the quirky, crass charm by which the author depicts them punctures the pomposity and makes the stories far more human and likable.
I'm hesitant to comment too much about the character of Hermione, the only girl student given much face time in this book. I realize that her character evolves and grows throughout the series, and this is just the first glimpse really. So I'm forgiving of Hermione falling into the know-it-all "bossy" little girl policing the boys' fun, which annoys me. I'm well aware that such dynamics exist, but it's frustrating to see in one of the only female characters. Like I said, I know this book isn't the be-all of her character.
I had to remind myself that although these books are enjoyed extensively by adults, this is still primarily a young adult book, written at that audience, thus something like the monolog twist at the end (where the villain is revealed and lists at length how they misled you) isn't that formulaic.
It's not just that the book was enjoyable to read, it's also that it has frequent moments of utter brilliance that call to mind other giants of this genre.
I'm very glad I gave this series a second chance and get to enjoy it.
Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling
Details: Copyright 1998, Scholastic Press
Synopsis (By Way of Publisher's Info):
"Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That's because he's being raised by his miserable aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he's really a wizard, just as his parents were. But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards, and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright. From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny."
Why I Wanted to Read It: Don't come after me! But I've never read the Harry Potter books before. I haven't seen the movies, either.
Okay, so maybe I owe a bit of an explanation.
I registered Harry Potter when it first came out and my mother enjoyed it very much. I tried but couldn't really get into it, and I had plenty of other things to read.
I watched the spiraling success of the other books and then the films. I got to know people that respect the stories like religion. I got to know people who would never think of getting any kind of tattoo, but got their Hogwarts house colors. When I studied with a coven, the high priestess was a through and through devotee who adored the books and movies.
I observed all of this with a kind of sad, outsider air. After all, I'd tried to get into them, and I couldn't. I wasn't about to see the movies without reading the books, of course.
But a couple years ago, my mother was gathering books to send to my old uncle, who reads to escape, and I remembered something I'd read about troops in war loving Harry Potter (escape!) and maybe my uncle would like them as well for the same reason, so my mother eagerly tracked down all the books (secondhand) to send to my uncle.
Flash forward to this past Christmas, when I found myself watching part of the first movie with my mother, who all but gave me a director's commentary about the film.
So eventually, I realized that given the level of scrutiny and the fact there's currently a long range of days inside (snow storm!), why not just try to read the damn things again.
I've talked before about doing a super popular book for this challenge, and I realize that a book review of a book so popular that's meant so much to so many is tricky, but I've tried to do this justice.
How I Liked It: When you have a book with a movie adaption that's as successful as this franchise, it's almost surprising to make out the story (and character appearances) for yourself. I've only seen part of the first movie and I couldn't help comparing the two versions.
However, I'm not unused to the art (if you want to call it that) of separating a book from a movie or TV series. It's why I can find the Tim Burton version of the story of Willie Wonka to be far more accurate to the source material (nostalgia bedamned) and how I learned the stories of Ramona Quimby were far richer in text than they were in the TV series. And it's not necessarily that books are always better, it's that each version of the story is different and can coexist. As I found myself complaining when the Oz prequel came out a couple years ago, the Oz stories had been out for several generations before the Judy Garland movie was made, which many fans at the time felt betrayed the spirit of the books.
So in that spirit, I was trying not to remember what I'd seen/heard about the movie and only focus on the book.
What surprised me the most was probably the Roald Dahl quality that I felt a lot of the writing had, versus, say, how I've generally seen Harry Potter depicted, which leans more toward an at times aggressively noble coming of age fable. There's nobility and there's coming of age in this first book, of course, but the quirky, crass charm by which the author depicts them punctures the pomposity and makes the stories far more human and likable.
I'm hesitant to comment too much about the character of Hermione, the only girl student given much face time in this book. I realize that her character evolves and grows throughout the series, and this is just the first glimpse really. So I'm forgiving of Hermione falling into the know-it-all "bossy" little girl policing the boys' fun, which annoys me. I'm well aware that such dynamics exist, but it's frustrating to see in one of the only female characters. Like I said, I know this book isn't the be-all of her character.
I had to remind myself that although these books are enjoyed extensively by adults, this is still primarily a young adult book, written at that audience, thus something like the monolog twist at the end (where the villain is revealed and lists at length how they misled you) isn't that formulaic.
It's not just that the book was enjoyable to read, it's also that it has frequent moments of utter brilliance that call to mind other giants of this genre.
I'm very glad I gave this series a second chance and get to enjoy it.
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no subject
Date: 2015-03-08 06:33 am (UTC)I've read the books as an adult again and was surprised that the writing held up for the most part, though being an adult and on the internet very good criticisms have come up of certain elements of the book.
You're spot on about Hermione in the 1st book, but she's a surprising character. You'll see how off the hook smart she is and other stuff I won't spoil (further).
So...
WHAT HOUSE DO YOU THINK YOU'D BE IN? DON'T YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT YOUR WAND WOULD LOOK LIKE? OF COURSE YOU'D HAVE A BLACK CAT AT SCHOOL BUT OWLS ARE RAD TOO
no subject
Date: 2015-03-09 05:58 am (UTC)I'd heard many of the valid criticisms (lack of diversity, racial stereotypes) that had been leveled and I have to say after reading the first book I thought in the movie Hermione should've been Black (wasn't there a post that an artist made awhile ago of book!Hermione versus movie!Hermione and book!Hermione was depicted as Black and JK Rowling liked and favorited that artist's work so people kinda confirmed it as cannon?). As someone pointed out (and what's always a good reminder in these situations), a book can be well-written and still have really problematic elements that are worth noting/criticizing.
LOL, I'm in a difficult situation with this since I actually have a wand (when I bought from the occult bookstore that went out, sob sob, at the time my mother told me about the scene in the book) and although I don't use it often (not as often as my broom or my athame) it does kinda look like the ones of the series. I should take a picture.
I took several quizzes and apparently I'm either Hufflepuff or Gryffindor (I'm leaning towards Hufflepuff because anything that tells you you belong with the main characters I'm skeptical).
I WOULD LOVE AN OWL AND A CAT. (http://magdolenelives.tumblr.com/post/42236611262/childofthefoxes-lupinelove-they-are-friends)
PS: I don't know why I haven't mentioned this, but for Christmas I was stumped on what to get my mother until I thought maybe she'd like her own letter from Hogwarts. Of course there are oodles of great templates available and I fact checked everything to make sure it was correct. After I finished it, though, I realized my graduation owl that I'd been going to use I couldn't find, so at the last minute I threw together a little stuffed owl from some flocked felt and some beads I had (with cotton balls and some other beads inside to give it some weight). It actually came out really well! Of course when researching I had to find all these people's awesome-looking Harry Potter parties (including weddings and birthdays) complete with ridiculously awesome looking feasts.
sorry for writing an essay
Date: 2015-03-09 07:57 am (UTC)I have been wondering what Wiccan aspects J.K. Rowling used in making the world, and I'm hoping you don't run into anything completely and totally misused. Picture of your wand please (HEH).
I took several quizzes and apparently I'm either Hufflepuff or Gryffindor (I'm leaning towards Hufflepuff because anything that tells you you belong with the main characters I'm skeptical).
My guilty please during Pottermore's debut was reading and seeing videos of people freaking the fuck out that they weren't sorted into Gryffindor, Harry's house obviously, or just not sorted into the House they wanted and pretty much dismissing Pottermore altogether because of it. It's a terrible past time for a terrible human being like me.
For some reason that escapes me I never really considered what House I would be in, but knew damn sure I wasn't no Gryffindor. Was very nice to be Sorted into Ravenclaw by Pottermore, though. You strike me as a Ravenclaw with your wit but I have so many Hufflepuff-Sorted friends so you're in good company! Or you can be lion. It's a cat, after all.
If/when you finish the books, I recommend Pottermore. The site is a little sparse, but you can get your own wand, pet, get "officially" Sorted, but what keeps me around is the extra information about the world and essays from J.K. Rowling herself about topics she wanted to expand on. The art is cool too. You can see my little write up about Pottermore on my ancient LJ.
If your mom doesn't like that present then there is no saving her, because that is SO cool.
NEVER BE SORRY FOR WRITING AN ESSAY!
Date: 2015-03-09 08:19 am (UTC)I have to say, I was extremely relieved so far (one book and half of the second) in, that the magic is generally highly fictionalized and not Pagan/real Witchcraft (although just for shits and giggles, my Witches' Datebook marks the day that the first movie opened, as well as the premier of BeWitched). which is one of the reasons this series (https://alivemagdolene.livejournal.com/523049.html) threw me (although I still mostly enjoyed it).
I joined Pottermore! Mostly it was because I was curious about to which house I belonged, but I've heard such nice things. And I don't think that's terrible or that you're a terrible person, because if someone is that genre-unsavvy, fuck them. :^D
I mean seriously.
Now I'm uber curious to take the actual Pottermore sorting (the sorting tests I used were just random ones; I recognized the name Pottermore and realized it could be "trusted" more than say Buzzfeed's).
I forget if I've mentioned this, but an animal patronus/power animal for which I feel a great affinity is the lion! I talk about it here (https://alivemagdolene.livejournal.com/388505.html), along with some other Witch stuff.
Thank you! ^_^ She was actually thrilled, much to my relief (not that I thought she'd hate it, but... I dunno).
RANDOM MEMORY: I'd forgotten about this, but rewatching the first movie reminded me. My high priestess in the coven read/wrote Potter fanfic, and she once linked to one she'd read because it was so good. I was slightly inexperienced at the time in reading actual fanfic (this was before I joined/belonged to any "official" communities) but goddamn, it was aged-up Harry/Snape and it was really hot. The memory of it all these years later makes me blush, particularly since Alan Rickman is kinda hot (and I love his appearance on King of the Hill and the weirdness of him being stunt-cast as Ronald fucking Reagan in The Butler).
Re: NEVER BE SORRY FOR WRITING AN ESSAY!
Date: 2015-03-09 08:57 am (UTC)Sort yourself Sort yourself! Takes screencappies too! Did you get your wand yet?
OMG THAT FIC. YOU WITCHES WILL BRING DOWN CIVILIZED SOCIETY WITH YOU
Re: NEVER BE SORRY FOR WRITING AN ESSAY!
Date: 2015-03-11 04:23 am (UTC)I'm only just finished the second book, so I'm afraid of spoilerizing anything.
Re: NEVER BE SORRY FOR WRITING AN ESSAY!
Date: 2015-03-13 07:26 am (UTC)