I was a bit surprised by the end of this book. The passing of Dumbledore isn't something I expected Rowling to do right before the end of the series, but there it was, in black and white print. The death of Dumbledore, at the hands of Snape, in whom he declared his trust, over and over again.

Why? Admittedly, it didn't affect me as much as the death of Gandalf, who, in my opinion, is a much greater wizard by far...likely owing to the fact that he wasn't really human anyway. Still, Dumbledore dead? No, this doesn't seem right. Something just isn't right here. Maybe Rowling will explain things better in the final book.

Now, about the movies. I recently watched the film version of "Goblet of Fire," and was underwhelmed. I've become so used to the detailed nature of the later books, that the lack of detail and alterations to the story line caused me unease. Also, I'm still not used to Michael Gambon in the part of Dumbledore. I actually much preferred Richard Harris in the role. However, things being as they are (meaning, Harris died in 2002), I suppose the change was unavoidable. Still, Gambon seems to play the role with too much energy for my taste. His presence isn't as calming as Harris' was, as Dumbledore. Other than those minor flaws, however, I think the movies are fun, albeit only representations, of an otherwise detailed story line that Rowling has created. If you really want to know what's going on in the story, read the books. If you're into just flashy and fun special effects and magic, just watch the movies. If you're into both, then by all means, read the books, then see the movies.

Labels: book reviews

It is no discredit to Rowling to say that she "is no Tolkien." For Tolkien's books were thick, hard to read, highly detailed, and had in them characters as real to me as the very trees and air. So it is with not lightly that I say to you, while Rowling is "no Tolkien," she is, in her own right, one of the greatest writers of her genera, in my opinion. To be sure, she has a formula that's been easy to follow since the first book. Many of the same places and events are so set in the readers minds that simply glancing over them here and there in the book with a brief mention fills us with the images she wishes to convey. This is why my last book review of a Harry Potter book was called Harry Potter and the Latest Magic and Snacks!! It's formulaic, easy to follow. This makes it a very quick read, even for me. We know there's going to be the obligatory scene with Harry's Aunt and Uncle, to heighten our disdain of them, then the mad rush to somehow get back to Hogwarts, then Halloween, Christmas, Valentines day (new one in the latest book because of the new love interest...but still, I suspect there will be more Valentines days to come.), Easter Holidays, end of term tests, and finally, the going back to the dreaded Dursley household. What Rowling makes interesting, is all the stuff that happens in-between. These details flesh out our year at Hogwarts nicely, giving us a glimps in to Harry's past, and indeed, future.

I was told by some that this book was darker than the others. It seemed to me obvious, since the ending of Goblet of Fire has the nemesis of these books returning to bodily form, and drawing his supporters to him, and a terrified Harry narrowly avoiding death, once again. Throughout the whole of the book Order of the Phoenix, the tension was much higher than in the former books. Voldemort's return being overlooked by most of the world was, without a doubt, one of the things that drove me to keep reading, and keep thinking "when are these dorks going to finally catch on?" Then, I stopped talking to myself and remembered that this was a book, and that in real life, people don't actually act like this, right?

Anyway, without giving away too many plot points, I enjoyed the book even more than I did the others. I liked the talk that Dumbldoor had with Harry toward the end of the book, but am really unsure about where Rowling can take this story, now that everyone is back to Harry and Dumbldoor being a hero. She almost revealed too many mysteries at the end of this one, for there to possibly be too many more, though I suppose she could introduce more. I look forward to reading the next one, and then, of course, the last one. I also look forward to getting this on DVD, though the loss of Gary Oldman at the end, will be tragic on screen, to say the least. I've enjoyed him in this role.

These books are not evil. These books are not bad. These books are really just fun. They let your imagination swim in the possibility that there is a parallel world right here among us where dragons, giants, fairies, and wizards and witches, actually exist. It's escapism at it's finest. Good work J.K. Keep it up.

Labels: book reviews

Ok, so I was having trouble sleeping last night, (as usual) and decided to get up and read a bit (which didn't help as much as I thought it would). I finished the Goblet of Fire last night.

My review? It was a fun read. There are things I might have done differently were I writing the book, but still, it was a fun read. Voldemort seemed a little too talkative for my taste though, that's all. I mean, do villans really have to talk that much? C'mon, get with the killing already!

Also, I sometimes get tired of the way Rowling writes...not sure if it's right, but I call it "forced perspective." It's that thing where we only "see" and "experience" what Harry does. We only know what he does, you know? I sometimes want to know what's going on other places at the same time. Like, while Harry had gotten sucked away through the port key at the end of the tournament, what was going on back at the school? Surely they were having discussions and trying to see where he went, right? But no, we don't get to know that. Oh well.

It's easy to see why these books and movies are wildly popular, however. They are, as I've said, fun and action packed, and also full of happy magical snack times. I love happy magical snack times, doesn't everyone?

Labels: book reviews