OOTP: the book (book 21)
For the 50-book challenge, I usually post five books at a time, but I wanted to post one last reflection on OOTP before I saw the movie this weekend (and many thanks to those of you who have clearly identified and cut-tagged your reviews of said film).
I think this book has officially surpassed #3 as my new favorite (I've noticed that I like the odds, and am not so keen on the evens, so maybe there's hope for #7 after all). It's tough, and not in the least because my favorite character of the series, one of my top favorite literary characters of all time, bites the big one. Still, the book is phenomenal. As I said in my earlier reflection on Goblet of Fire, OOTP starts out the strongest of any of the books, and Harry is, I believe, most expertly written throughout. We're deeply immersed in his p.o.v., to the point that our confusion and conviction mirrors his. We don't think to ask Ginny what it's like to be possessed by Voldemort until she reminds us-- well, Harry. The insights into other characters, Neville especially, are breathtaking, more so because they are Harry's insights into other people as he comes to empathize with them. There is a maturity and coming of age in this book. And the scene following Sirius' death is one of the most emotionally powerful ever. Dumbledore blows the doors off the place. Only one other scene in all of literature still makes me bawl on the fiftieth re-read: "The Choices of Master Samwise" at the conclusion of The Two Towers.
Also, I know some of you grow tired of hearing me say this, but the romantic subtext of the book is priceless. I don't care what Rowling said, whether she planned it or not, whether she chickened out and wrote her way out of it in book six. Remus and Sirius have a definite relationship of some sort that Harry does not realize but that lies there, embedded in the canon for all to read. I'm telling you, man, they are crazy for each other. They give joint Christmas presents! Don't look at me like that! Joint Christmas presents! Remus sleeps at Grimauld place, but has no bedroom; I don't think he's cuddling up to Buckbeak where there's some angsty post-Azkaban-hungry Sirius flesh in the house. That's all I'm saying.
I can't wait to see how this is brought to the screen, although of course it's obvious that I am waiting. Isn't it funny how age and distance (and being a parent) make one adjust priorities? I couldn't run out to a midnight showing on Tuesday night; Praeceptor had training in the morning and I have Vacation Bible School all week, no to mention the toddler who needs watching. Anyway, I am pretty hopeful that the movie is good, and have gathered that people are generally pleased with it. I really liked what they did with "Goblet of Fire;" it gave me hope that there are some people out there who can adapt books to screenplays without destroying or obliterating key plot points (as in "Azkaban," where we never get sufficient backstory to appreciate why Snape hates Sirius et all, or what significance lies in the shape of Harry's Patronus). And the actors, even the young'uns, just keep getting better. As always, it'll be the adults who carry the drama, and while I don't harbor--or even really fathom-- the rampant Snape-lust out there, Rickman plays that role so flawlessly, and has so much to work with in OOTP. It should be spectacular.
I'm almost finished with HBP, so that reflection will be forthcoming, as well as thoughts on the end of the series. For now, I have simply this strange observation: I am more excited and hopeful about the movie than about the Deathly Hallows release. The movies have been overall good experiences, while Rowling has recently given me substantial reason to distrust her ability to put forth an excellent novel.
Intermixed with all of this, I am neck-deep in church stuff, running an ecumenical Vacation Bible School, that church activity which most closely approaches the outer circles of hell.
I think this book has officially surpassed #3 as my new favorite (I've noticed that I like the odds, and am not so keen on the evens, so maybe there's hope for #7 after all). It's tough, and not in the least because my favorite character of the series, one of my top favorite literary characters of all time, bites the big one. Still, the book is phenomenal. As I said in my earlier reflection on Goblet of Fire, OOTP starts out the strongest of any of the books, and Harry is, I believe, most expertly written throughout. We're deeply immersed in his p.o.v., to the point that our confusion and conviction mirrors his. We don't think to ask Ginny what it's like to be possessed by Voldemort until she reminds us-- well, Harry. The insights into other characters, Neville especially, are breathtaking, more so because they are Harry's insights into other people as he comes to empathize with them. There is a maturity and coming of age in this book. And the scene following Sirius' death is one of the most emotionally powerful ever. Dumbledore blows the doors off the place. Only one other scene in all of literature still makes me bawl on the fiftieth re-read: "The Choices of Master Samwise" at the conclusion of The Two Towers.
Also, I know some of you grow tired of hearing me say this, but the romantic subtext of the book is priceless. I don't care what Rowling said, whether she planned it or not, whether she chickened out and wrote her way out of it in book six. Remus and Sirius have a definite relationship of some sort that Harry does not realize but that lies there, embedded in the canon for all to read. I'm telling you, man, they are crazy for each other. They give joint Christmas presents! Don't look at me like that! Joint Christmas presents! Remus sleeps at Grimauld place, but has no bedroom; I don't think he's cuddling up to Buckbeak where there's some angsty post-Azkaban-hungry Sirius flesh in the house. That's all I'm saying.
I can't wait to see how this is brought to the screen, although of course it's obvious that I am waiting. Isn't it funny how age and distance (and being a parent) make one adjust priorities? I couldn't run out to a midnight showing on Tuesday night; Praeceptor had training in the morning and I have Vacation Bible School all week, no to mention the toddler who needs watching. Anyway, I am pretty hopeful that the movie is good, and have gathered that people are generally pleased with it. I really liked what they did with "Goblet of Fire;" it gave me hope that there are some people out there who can adapt books to screenplays without destroying or obliterating key plot points (as in "Azkaban," where we never get sufficient backstory to appreciate why Snape hates Sirius et all, or what significance lies in the shape of Harry's Patronus). And the actors, even the young'uns, just keep getting better. As always, it'll be the adults who carry the drama, and while I don't harbor--or even really fathom-- the rampant Snape-lust out there, Rickman plays that role so flawlessly, and has so much to work with in OOTP. It should be spectacular.
I'm almost finished with HBP, so that reflection will be forthcoming, as well as thoughts on the end of the series. For now, I have simply this strange observation: I am more excited and hopeful about the movie than about the Deathly Hallows release. The movies have been overall good experiences, while Rowling has recently given me substantial reason to distrust her ability to put forth an excellent novel.
Intermixed with all of this, I am neck-deep in church stuff, running an ecumenical Vacation Bible School, that church activity which most closely approaches the outer circles of hell.