I see people, children and adults, all the time on the train reading Harry Potter books, and obviously this forum is booming so you all must love it. The author is writing more and more books and they are planning more and more movies so she can make more and more money. So obviously it is popular and doing well, but I just don't see it.
I read an extract of I think the first book in a magazine or something and I have picked up and flicked through other books but I just don't "get" it.
It still seems a bit kiddy-book to me, and even though I loved the Hobbit and LOTR Books and generally like sci-fi/ fantasy books about witches and things like that I just can't get into the Harry Potter phenomenom.
Did I just miss the boat? Should I have started reading when everyone else did? Is there something I am missing in the whole deal? What is it that appeals to you (adults) all so much about what was intended to be a kids book? Do you read Roald Dahl and Dr Suess and stuff too or is this the only kiddy book you read?
I just feel maybe like I am left out. Should I read the books? Or should I see the movies? Will the book ruin the movie for me and vice versa?
Hmm... well, for a lot of people, I think the appeal of the story is the mystery surrounding it all. Not only is there a small mystery in each of the books that the kids try and work out, but the on-going mystery about what exactly happened when (and before) Harry's parents died leaves every body scratching their heads.
Also, the aspect of the average hero comes in. Harry Potter is 11 in the first books and is mis-treated by his uncle and aunt... so, what happens? He finds out he's not only a wizard, but the most famous who ever lived... I guess it's exciting for some people to think "wooooow! That could have been me"
I guess you'll need to read the books to get it. I'd suggest to read them before seeing the movies, but if you can't be bothered reading the books, then just see the movies, and if you can't be bothered with that... then... don't
PS. I read Roald Dahl sometimes, but not Dr. Seuss. I do like L. Frank Baum, Lewis Carroll and CS Lewis though (and Tolkien).
Jump in the boat... go get the first book. It won't cost much. Or, go to the library, and check out the book.
It's worth at least saying that you TRIED, right? What have you go to lose?
It's too bad that you've already got an impression on the book, schmiggens, not by reading it, but just by listening to people talking about it. Now you have some expectations about the book and if not everything you expected is there, you'll be dissapointed. You should try to read the book pretending you've never heard of it. Don't know if it will work. But, you can try, you've got nothing to lose, like KJ said.
Emma, read the first book. Don't expect it to be Tolkien because there was only one J.R.R. Tolkien. What you need to keep in mind is that the books get more complex as you go along. There are a ton of mythological references in the books. Ms. Rowling has created her own universe where we have to make choices about our own destiny. I was given the first 4 books as a Christmas present. I read the first one, it was cute. Read the second one, it was better. Third one I had Harry Potter mania.
Well there is new library opening across the road from me in two or three weeks. So I will make it a priority to go and get the books out. I guess I should give it a chance. I see and hear so many people raving about it as well, so it must be something good.
Emma... just check out one book at a time. Don't feel rushed.
Have an open mind as you read it... because it isn't a kids book.
It's an book for all ages... and it's so good!
No no no sch, when you read it, expect it to be ridiculous, crazy, childish, unfunny, not exciting and entirely not mysterious
That way you will be totally and utterly surprised
And back to what Sherry said, read all the books before seeing the movies... that way you may have forgotten all the events of books 1 - 3 and will be surprised when everything happens and scared!!!
Well I am kind of mixed, half of me expects it to be bad, the other half thinks it should be good becasue everyone else seems to think so, but I will try and keep an open mind. Once I finish the book I am reading now, I will seek out Harry Potter and see what all the fuss is about.
I'll agree that the first book is somewhat child-oriented, but its themes are accessible enough to get you hooked. From then on, the books become darker, funnier, and show just how deep a universe Rowling has actually created. New characters are always interesting and never 2-dimensional, and the growth of the main trio throughout the series is not only credible, but fun to read as well. Whilst the films are fun as well, they sadly can't quite capture the wealth of detail and complexity that the books boast. There are also so many hidden clues to future plot twists that even if you're reading the books for the tenth time, you're bound to spot something that you didn't realise was of such significance on your first reading.
The games are alright, but they'll give you no idea on the books/movies themselves. You'll just run around and go to wizard classes and play Quiddich... They're kind of aimed at kids, but they're fun none-the-less. I think Kris said she didn't like the Quiddich World Cup game, but I only played that a few times, so I can't say much about it.
I am not procrastinating. I am going to get the book, but my b/f got a PS2 for his b/day and we've been hiring a lot of games and I saw the HP game there and I just wondered if it might be any good. So I asked.
What do you mean Pip belongs in Ravenclaw? I thought only clever people got in there. But really you're our spy in disguise, aren't you Pip, if you're making them lose points! Yay!
Oliphaunt said this in post #38 : What do you mean Pip belongs in Ravenclaw? I thought only clever people got in there. But really you're our spy in disguise, aren't you Pip, if you're making them lose points! Yay!
Burn! Oh she is either your best friend in the world, or someone you really cheesed off Pip.
Oh I was guessing someone pip cheesed off Mainly because I get people following me around telling me I'm not intelligent too (shhh... but they may be watching us right now... speak very very very quietly)
She's not horrible really- well, most of the time she's not. And she did get me at school - she rugby tackled me and I flew in the air and rolled down the slope. Well, something like that anyway...
As Grant said, I didn't read the book yet. I was going to get a copy to take on Holiday with me but I didn't. BUT .... it wasn't my fault.
I was going to borrow a copy of my friends daughter, but she had taken the book to her mum's house and lost it so I couldn't get it off him and they are the only people I know who own the books.
So, I have to go back to Plan A which was to wait for the local Library to open up. Which unfortunately, they have pushed back four weeks due to bad weather. But as soon as it's open, I promise I will get it out and be in here blabbering about it one way or another.
I have finally ordered a copy of the first book from a book club (only $10.00 - Bargain) so I will soon be in here and be ten years behind all you guys.
But the movie of the first book is on on Saturday. Should I watch it or will it ruin the book for me?
Don't watch it! It's not very good anyway. But if you want to see it then just record it or rent it out later on. But yes, it would ruin the book for you.
schmiggens said this in post #54 : I GOT THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Be on the look out for me posting stupid idiot questions that you guys have all figured the answers out to years and years ago.
Cool! Once you get past the silliness and get into the plot you won't be able to put them down. Be on the lookout for the little things. The series is one big mystery.
Happy reading!
Nasty Nasty Muggles, not telling Harry Potter he was a wizard I know what a Muggle is!
Yeah, reading Harry Potter. It's quite good. Sort of what I expected, maybe slightly better than I expected.
Wondering ... will joining up for your RPG ruin the surprises in the next books? I notice that the introduction says that Voldemort has returned (I assume he returns at some point in the books then?) so will there be other spoilers?
I doubt it, the only character that has really made an appearance in the RPG is Dumbledore, as well as a little mention of the Malfoys... I can't really think of anything that'd be spoilt at least.
Glad you're enjoying it it does get a lot better though, so keep going once you're done with this one!
Finsihed the first book. Ordered book two and three as you guys suggested. The first one was OK, a little bit kiddy-ish, but that's what you said it would be, so I'll will reserve final judgement for after these two books.
That is what that freak calls himself. Lord Voldemort, The Dark Lord. And who are we kidding, he has plans of World domination. No wonder he calls himself Lord Voldemort.
You will know the source of his name in the second book.
M.
p.s. The books become more mature as the series progresses.
Although we don't know much about his ancestry (except a certain fact of paramount importance), I doubt he is 'officially' a Lord. Muggles don't normally make Lords out of freaky looking barely human wizards.
it's never too late to get into the HP books, trust me.
three years ago, I was completely against everything about the books. I'd read the first one (and secretly liked it) but still wrote them off as "juvenille" (and this was when I was 13!). Then one day while I was really bored, I stumbled across the second book, started reading it and could. not. put. it. down. Within the week, I had read books 2, 3 and 4, and was addicted.
why do I like them so much? The first book gave me a really warm, satisfied feeling. I'm not sure how to describe it. And all the other books really suck you in. Once you start reading them, you can't wait to find out what happens to the characters next. Rowling does a really good job of making you care about the characters - there've been many times throughout the series where I've had to stop to yell or kick something or to cry. And Harry's world just feels so....I don't know, perfect that you want to be there. The books mature along with Harry, so don't judge the whole series by the first one.
sorry
What have you go to lose?
and scared!!! 
err.... 
errr.... 
That is it. If she ever reads the books, she goes into Slytherin. 
