Harry Potter : conversation with my daughter about bullying. My favourite Harry Potter characters

[alexandral]

I am still listening to Harry Potter, although I have almost stopped in the book 5 “Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix” to wait for my daughter to finish her reading. “The Order of Phoenix” is my least favourite book and the least favourite film: too long, nothing happens, etc

Comments

[charlie_bz]

I agree with your favorite characters. I have to add that Neville is really wonderful. Order of the Phoenix was my least favorite of the books but we do get Luna and I think that's a good thing.

I was really surprised that James Potter was a bully in school. I don't mind that Rowling gave a little balance to the saint thing. I sometimes wish she could write adult books (not explicit but not geared to kids) about James, Lily, Sirius, and the other guy whose name I have embarrassingly completely forgotten. The werewolf guy. Sirius in particular intrigues me. I would love to know what he did in the wizard world.

[alexandral]

I don't mind the balance given for James' character too, it is just the way the story is written in the book gives me an impression of Rowling excusing his behavior (or may be not thinking that this is something important enough to give more explanation to the story). I would love more explanation, may be see how James changed under Lily's influence. As it stands in the books, his behaviour is just "swept aside" under the blanket of his awesomeness.

[charlie_bz]

Yes, you're right. There's so much more to those early stories than the little glimpses we got. James' behavior was bad. Really bad. I was surprised she went that way with him. I like to think that not only was it Lily's influence but he realized what a total jerk he was and didn't want to be that kind of person. Maybe he met Vernon Dursley and it scared him straight!

Have you seen all the movies? Not sure what would count as spoilers so I don't want to say too much.

[alexandral]

Oh, yes, I have watched all the films! i have also read all the books, but in rather fast manner (I didn't like them as much the first time round).

And yes - I want that little scene from Harry's father POV. I wish it was there, otherwise it feels like the author "excuses" James. I don't think she meant to, it is just one smaller thing.

[geeklee]

James' behavior was bad. Really bad. I was surprised she went that way with him. I like to think that not only was it Lily's influence but he realized what a total jerk he was and didn't want to be that kind of person.

i'm not sure that james ever stopped being a jerk. he was killed at the age of 19/20, right? when we see snape's memory, they look like they're about 16. that's a lot of growing in such a few years. i actually don't think rowling meant for us to think james was a saint. it's harry that thinks he is.

i think this situation is mirrored in james and lily. in the beginning lily thinks he's a jerk and all of a sudden they're going out. none of this is explained. and sadly, it is seen again with ron and hermione although at least there is the implication of opposites attracting.