while we're about it

[extemporanea]

When hopelessly submerged in Harry Potter, go with the flow. More (spoiler-free) musings. Or, if you've read it or don't intend to, an extremely scathing and amusing blow-by-blow reviewOne of Rowling's major problems in constructing the Harry stories is the way in which she goes about isolating her child heroes from adult contribution or oversight

Comments

[strawberryfrog]

not looking at it, will read later

[anonymous]

I love reading your journal!

[extemporanea]

Good lord. Random Monday morning validation never a bad thing, although tending to drive me slightly mad wondering why, and who you are, and whether you're simply a particularly Zen spambot. Thank you, anyway.

[anonymous]

Breeding very small horses, eh?
Have you been watching the Spinal Tap update?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxSvF8iNEPg

scroob

[extemporanea]

I have not been watching the Spinal Tap update, I have been dreaming about breeding very small horses :>. Quite elegant, black horses in miniature, not the stubby Shetland pony archetype. Not sure what the horsey connection is with Spinal Tap, as my Cherished Institution will not allow me to watch YouTube videos at work. Hiss, spit.

Tiny ho ho's!

[first_fallen]

Like these: http://pacificpintos.com ? Or possibly this: http://www.theminiaturehorse.com ? Or maybe this one: http://www.minihorseworld.com ? I bet it's these: http://www.unicornerfarm.com ?

[anonymous]

You've hit the nail on the head of what irks me about the HP books. I keep getting stuck in the middle of #2, and finally I examined why, and it's exactly what you're describing. Someday I'll sit down and read all the books, but for now, I'm enjoying the movies just fine (for some reason, the problems aren't as glaring on screen).

Cheers, Dayle

[extemporanea]

Well, a lot of the problems with Rowling's writing come down to a lack of elegance - she tacks on ideas and motivations instead of allowing them to arise inevitably from a firm underlying structure, and they often feel extraneous and clunky. The films, when well scripted, ruthlessly prune all the add-ons, thereby cutting out a lot of the stuff that doesn't quite gel.

I'm glad my wurblings find some kind of resonance with your reading experience. One of these days I'll work out why the glaring, limping lamenesses of Rowling's writing don't actually prevent me from enjoying the series. Too weird.

Dammit, I need a HP icon.

[tngr_spacecadet]

hello!

i will read HP7 when i get my hands on it, which basically means as soon as i can borrow a copy.

i haven't read the books you mention, but i am reading Philip Pullman's "Northern Lights" aka "the Golden Compass". it is absolutely charming, more so because i have the second book of the trilogy handy for when i finish it.

[bumpycat]

Yes! That was one trilogy that stuck out in this discussion - in this case, it quite deftly builds the isolation of the children into the story.