BOOK DISCUSSION: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

[cmere]

“I’ll understand, of course, if you want to stay with your aunt and uncle,” said Sirius. “But…well…think about it. Once my name’s cleared…if you wanted a…a different home…”

Some sort of explosion took place in the pit of Harry’s stomach.Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was published in 1999-fifteen years ago! Book Three left many of us

Comments

[cmere]

Share your thoughts on the newly introduced characters in Book Three or development of established characters.

[pauraque]

This book was when I really got hooked on the series, and a large reason for that was the introduction of Remus, his strange and uneasy rivalry with Snape, and that as a window into the whole backstory of Harry's parents' generation. I'd been wondering since Philosopher's Stone what was going on with Snape and why he was the way he was, and PoA provided the first real glimpses of answers.

When I came to the fandom the first thing I wanted was Snape/Lupin, or even gen that explored their relationship. I also wanted to know what Harry's parents were really like (was Snape's judgement of James accurate?) and why Peter betrayed his friends. It was those questions that first ignited that "I need to know more" hunger in me and guaranteed I'd read and write fic.

[woldy]

This book was when I really got hooked on the series Me too. Like you I love Remus, but what hooked me in was the revelations about Harry's parents - POA introduced this Greek tragedy vibe of James Potter's hubris and resulting downfall, and the lingering impact for his son, so the dynamics between Harry and Snape changed completely in that angle. It left me wanting to know more about the relationships between all of the Marauders generation.

[cherrytide]

Yes! The Marauders generation are possibly my favourite things about the books, and how we learn about them in fits and starts. Sirius, Lupin and Snape are, I think, three of the most complex and interesting characters in the books.

[gwendolyngrace]

I have to agree that while I already enjoyed the books, the third one really pulled me in, and mostly because we learn more about the generation before Harry's.

I also love the fact that this book is the turning point in Harry, Ron, and Hermione's own agency. It's the first book in which they become acutely aware that their actions have an impact on the entire wizarding world.

[philstar22]

I fell in love with Sirius as a character right from the beginning. I liked Remus a lot in POA, though that like lessened somewhat as the series progressed.

[drinkingcocoa]

Lupin is such a fascinating study in dishonesty! He will do whatever he wants, even when he knows it endangers others, even when he knows it's wrong and he hates himself for it! Amazing creation.

[cherrytide]

When I first read the books I saw Lupin as the perfect teacher - kind, caring, sensitive. Looking back now, man did he have issues. I still love him, but he's a much more flawed and complex character than I realised when I first read the books.

[drinkingcocoa]

The thing that was so brilliant about his teaching was the way he taught by having them do things. The moment he cut off the boggart lesson without letting Hermione or Harry do their boggarts was absolutely fascinating! You could really feel the difference between how refreshed the other students felt and how doubtful Harry and Hermione were. I just realized how beautifully this established a teaching model for the year Harry taught DADA in secret! OMG!

[kate34books]

Sirius because one of my favorite characters after this book because of just how complex a character introduction he got- from hating him to loving him and hoping he got to take harry away from the dursleys.

Lupin: He was the first nice/competent DADA professor, not only that he was FUN. so I definitely took a liking to him. felt beyond pissed that he got fired because of Snape (who just kept getting worse and worse)

Fudge: oh I remember how I thought he was so nice and understanding towards Harry, and just a nice guy. How that changed later on.

Marge: just when you think the dursleys couldn't get any worse, she shows up and takes the cake.

buckbeak: I liked him and felt genuinely sad when it looked like he was going to get executed because of draco malfoy

on that note I loved how this book showed that Hagrid being competent and knowledgable and not just forgetful and nice.

[moreteadk]

I thought it was great to get some backstory for Harry's parents and the people they had known. I liked Remus Lupin a lot from the beginning and was a little disappointed that we didn't get to keep him on the teaching staff.