July 18, 2007

The First Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Review!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows hasn't been made available to the press yet, but the Baltimore Sun obtained a copy and has posted a review (link not necessarily spoiler-free) (SPOILER-FREE QUOTE!):

Readers could enjoy Rowling's temporary, folksy fix for chasing away the blues (eat chocolate) while applauding the more permanent balm she offers: Concentrate with all your might on the events and people that have made you happy.

Book seven is no less penetrating, but it lacks much of the charm and humor that distinguished the earlier novels. Even the writing is more prosaic, less fanciful.

But, how could it be otherwise?

By book seven, Rowling is no longer inventing her magical world. Here, characters are accustomed to it, so it holds few surprises for them -- and by extension, for us.

In addition, Harry and his friends are no longer children. The early books, in particular, were enchanting because we could watch Harry and his friends struggling with exceptional powers, which they had not yet mastered. So a young witch or wizard would mount a broomstick for the first time and promptly be bucked off. It wasn't unlike watching real boys and girls take their first steps or learn to read -- skills every bit as magical and mysterious as casting a Summoning Spell.

By the end of the article, she does give away some minor spoilers, so read the whole thing at your own risk.

Spoiler stuff below the fold for the brave amongst you!

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July 22, 2007

Emerging from my Harry Potter Haze...

Of course, I was done with HP7 on Thursday night, courtesy of the dude who photographed the "carpet" book. Thanks, bud. You rawk.

We did go out yesterday morning and get 2 copies, and I finished it with DH yesterday evening (we were reading aloud).

To make up for it, we set ourselves up for some more serious house work, and this morning we nearly finished the front room.

But this evening I am going to snuggle back up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione and re-read a few favorite moments.

So, what did you love? What did you NOT love? Spoilers sure to abound in the comments, if you're a slow reader.....

My own thoughts in the extended:

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July 23, 2007

Questions for J.K. Rowling

Not that she'd ever even find my humble little site, but I know we all have burning, unanswered questions about things in the Hogwarts Universe. Let's discuss, shall we?

Mine below the fold, and spoiler-iffic discussion (hopefully) in the comments!

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July 26, 2007

Best HP7 review comment yet

Courtesy of Nightfly, of course.

Below the fold for the 3 of you who haven't read the book

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August 09, 2007

So which House are you?

The Grand Poobah of Harry Potter Goodness, aka SarahK (finish the darned review already!) has a quick and dirty quiz to help you choose a house at Hogwarts without benefit of the Sorting Hat.

My answers in the extended.

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August 18, 2007

Tell me this is more than just a rumor!

JK Rowling may have picked up her pen again.....

J.K. Rowling has been spotted at cafes in Scotland working on a detective novel, a British newspaper reported Saturday.

The Sunday Times newspaper quoted Ian Rankin, a fellow author and neighbor of Rowling's, as saying the creator of the "Harry Potter" books is turning to crime fiction.

"My wife spotted her writing her Edinburgh criminal detective novel," the newspaper, which was available late Saturday, quoted Rankin as telling a reporter at an Edinburgh literary festival.

"It is great that she has not abandoned writing or Edinburgh cafes," said Rankin, who is known for his own police novels set in the historic Scottish city.

I love Scottish detective novels! And I love JKR, too. This ought to be AWESOME!

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December 14, 2007

And the name is...

...Alastor!

As in: Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody.

Thanks to everyone for chiming in (especially wRitErsbLock for posting the name)! It was a really hard decision to make, since it's a little close to our resident cat's name (Arthur), but sometimes that's just the way it goes.

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