Deathly Hallows 2

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41

[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:

[quote]DJHT wrote:
… I couldnt get past the first book, got about half way through and put it down. Now to be fair she may have gotten better and later the story’s may have gotten more “adult”. The first book just struck me very childish and I just could not relate. [/quote]

Exactly.

I have a well-read friend who read all her books and stated that they will one day be classics on the level of Twain, Hemingway, Tolkien, etc. I laughed at him and told him she’s barely worth a mention in the same sentence. He then admitted that he’s never read anything from those writers (apparently he only reads historical accounts, monographs, and biographies).

lol[/quote]

They may already be on that level…

42

Those of you that don’t like her style of writing, why not?

43

[quote]DJHT wrote:

[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:

[quote]imhungry wrote:

[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:
Never read any of the books (her writing style didn’t do much for me), but I’ve seen all the films… and the last one was very good. Probably the best. [/quote]

You didn’t like her “writing style”?

Ah… no colorful pictures. Gotcha.[/quote]

She’s nothing like, for example, Mark Twain. That dude told a great tale with style.
[/quote]

Actually IH I agree with ID here, I read a ton and love Sci-Fi. I couldnt get past the first book, got about half way through and put it down. Now to be fair she may have gotten better and later the story’s may have gotten more “adult”. The first book just struck me very childish and I just could not relate. [/quote]

I made a lame attempt at busting ID’s balls, that’s all :frowning: I love Science Fiction/Fantasy, myself. But, these days i’ve been buying Graphic Novels/Comic books and catching up on some older storylines from some of the X-Men titles. So, I’M the one looking at the pretty pictures in the books…

From what i’m told, each book grew a little more adult and darker as the series went on.(As the movies did, obviously.)

44

[quote]TD54 wrote:
Those of you that don’t like her style of writing, why not? [/quote]

Really?

45

JK rowling lost it around book 5. Books 1-4 are brilliant, Book 4 is a little long but whatever. The last 3 books are overly long, tedious, the plot leaves a lot to be desired (pulling magical dei ex machinae at all places) and (imo) JK choked at the end in not doing something that was pretty much spelled out

I’ve read all the books (got a 2nd edition of the philosopher’s stone way back from 1997) since I was 6 and loved them but there is a noticeable dip in quality. Not to say book 5-7 are bad but they are not as good as the first 4. And the films, unlike Peter Jackson’s LOTR, take absolutely no liberties with the text so they feel very forced and rigid. Unless the films are 6 hours stuff will have to be excised so I think a bit more creative liberty should have been in order. But that’s just me.

That said she can write characters brilliantly, just Harry turned into a major twat from book 5.

Oh JK Rowling lives 50 metres down the road from me. U mad, brahs?

46

[quote]Bambi wrote:
U mad, brahs?[/quote]

Why did you bang her in the butt?

47

[quote]DJHT wrote:

[quote]Bambi wrote:
U mad, brahs?[/quote]

Why did you bang her in the butt?[/quote]

Yup.

With his Hogwart.

48

With my whomping willow actually

49

[quote]DJHT wrote:

[quote]TD54 wrote:
Those of you that don’t like her style of writing, why not? [/quote]

Really?[/quote]

Yes really… Was that a bad question?

50

[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:

[quote]DJHT wrote:
… I couldnt get past the first book, got about half way through and put it down. Now to be fair she may have gotten better and later the story’s may have gotten more “adult”. The first book just struck me very childish and I just could not relate. [/quote]

Exactly.

I have a well-read friend who read all her books and stated that they will one day be classics on the level of Twain, Hemingway, Tolkien, etc. I laughed at him and told him she’s barely worth a mention in the same sentence. He then admitted that he’s never read anything from those writers (apparently he only reads historical accounts, monographs, and biographies).

lol[/quote]

Actually, if I may offer a counter-point to DJ, I’ll say that originally, I felt the same as you–they seemed incredibly childish. I couldn’t get past the first one. Years later, I picked them up again and read them all.

So, my counter-point is essentially that each book gets progressively more “adult.” The narrative voice really matures along with the characters, in large part because the story is told from a third person omniscient perspective (essentially, through Harry’s experiences but told by a narrator).

After having read them all a few times, I always find that one of the most charming things about the books is the way they matured with the characters, and more specifically, the audience; and, I have to say, I feel it was probably challenging to pull off as a writer, and I think Rowling deserves a nod for it. As for reading the books, while I did’t read the books until I was in my 20s, I think that growing up alongside Harry, Ron, and Hermione must have been a singular experience, and it’s one I hope readers from that generation will cherish.

Regarding your statement, ID – I agree, that in many regards, Rowling is not in the same league as Tolkien, Twain, or Tolstoy. However, I am an avid reader, and I think that Rowling’s work will stand the test of Time–that years from now, generations even, Harry, Ron and Hermione will have a place on the shelf next to Frodo and Sam, Tom and Huck, Beowulf and Grendel, Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

I think she is a fine story teller, who had a very nice story to tell. Not all of the classics are equally impressive, and HP will seem lackluster compared to some but stand up next to others.

51

[quote]John Romaniello wrote:

stuff

[[/quote]

Agreed, well said. I’m a voracious reader too and have read all the classics. Wouldn’t say the HP series is quite up there in the highest order, but it’s damn close.

52

[quote]John Romaniello wrote:

[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:

[quote]DJHT wrote:
… I couldnt get past the first book, got about half way through and put it down. Now to be fair she may have gotten better and later the story’s may have gotten more “adult”. The first book just struck me very childish and I just could not relate. [/quote]

Exactly.

I have a well-read friend who read all her books and stated that they will one day be classics on the level of Twain, Hemingway, Tolkien, etc. I laughed at him and told him she’s barely worth a mention in the same sentence. He then admitted that he’s never read anything from those writers (apparently he only reads historical accounts, monographs, and biographies).

lol[/quote]

Actually, if I may offer a counter-point to DJ, I’ll say that originally, I felt the same as you–they seemed incredibly childish. I couldn’t get past the first one. Years later, I picked them up again and read them all.

So, my counter-point is essentially that each book gets progressively more “adult.” The narrative voice really matures along with the characters, in large part because the story is told from a third person omniscient perspective (essentially, through Harry’s experiences but told by a narrator).

After having read them all a few times, I always find that one of the most charming things about the books is the way they matured with the characters, and more specifically, the audience; and, I have to say, I feel it was probably challenging to pull off as a writer, and I think Rowling deserves a nod for it. As for reading the books, while I did’t read the books until I was in my 20s, I think that growing up alongside Harry, Ron, and Hermione must have been a singular experience, and it’s one I hope readers from that generation will cherish.

Regarding your statement, ID – I agree, that in many regards, Rowling is not in the same league as Tolkien, Twain, or Tolstoy. However, I am an avid reader, and I think that Rowling’s work will stand the test of Time–that years from now, generations even, Harry, Ron and Hermione will have a place on the shelf next to Frodo and Sam, Tom and Huck, Beowulf and Grendel, Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

I think she is a fine story teller, who had a very nice story to tell. Not all of the classics are equally impressive, and HP will seem lackluster compared to some but stand up next to others.[/quote]

Very well put.

53

[quote]TD54 wrote:

[quote]DJHT wrote:

[quote]TD54 wrote:
Those of you that don’t like her style of writing, why not? [/quote]

Really?[/quote]

Yes really… Was that a bad question?[/quote]

Not being a dick man but the quote right before yours, you know the one you actually quote me. I pretty much tell why.

54

[quote]DixiesFinest wrote:

[quote]John Romaniello wrote:

[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:

[quote]DJHT wrote:
… I couldnt get past the first book, got about half way through and put it down. Now to be fair she may have gotten better and later the story’s may have gotten more “adult”. The first book just struck me very childish and I just could not relate. [/quote]

Exactly.

I have a well-read friend who read all her books and stated that they will one day be classics on the level of Twain, Hemingway, Tolkien, etc. I laughed at him and told him she’s barely worth a mention in the same sentence. He then admitted that he’s never read anything from those writers (apparently he only reads historical accounts, monographs, and biographies).

lol[/quote]

Actually, if I may offer a counter-point to DJ, I’ll say that originally, I felt the same as you–they seemed incredibly childish. I couldn’t get past the first one. Years later, I picked them up again and read them all.

So, my counter-point is essentially that each book gets progressively more “adult.” The narrative voice really matures along with the characters, in large part because the story is told from a third person omniscient perspective (essentially, through Harry’s experiences but told by a narrator).

After having read them all a few times, I always find that one of the most charming things about the books is the way they matured with the characters, and more specifically, the audience; and, I have to say, I feel it was probably challenging to pull off as a writer, and I think Rowling deserves a nod for it. As for reading the books, while I did’t read the books until I was in my 20s, I think that growing up alongside Harry, Ron, and Hermione must have been a singular experience, and it’s one I hope readers from that generation will cherish.

Regarding your statement, ID – I agree, that in many regards, Rowling is not in the same league as Tolkien, Twain, or Tolstoy. However, I am an avid reader, and I think that Rowling’s work will stand the test of Time–that years from now, generations even, Harry, Ron and Hermione will have a place on the shelf next to Frodo and Sam, Tom and Huck, Beowulf and Grendel, Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

I think she is a fine story teller, who had a very nice story to tell. Not all of the classics are equally impressive, and HP will seem lackluster compared to some but stand up next to others.[/quote]

Very well put.[/quote]

X 2 and thanks John like you this is what I did. However never picked back up, but as a father of 5 I have actually watched all the movies. Now you have me tempted to go back and watch.

ID sorry man to busy at work to read the metamorphosis but I will.

55

Years ago I read the first book and hated it. About 2 years ago, I was telling my buddy I had no idea why he liked the books so much and explained that I hated the first book. He was like, yeah, skip the first four and pick 'em up around 5, you’ll be happy you did. I was.

So for those of you who read the first and hated it (like I did), just pick up book 5 and read that and see what you think. They get better after that too, IMO.

56

[quote]DJHT wrote:

[quote]TD54 wrote:

[quote]DJHT wrote:

[quote]TD54 wrote:
Those of you that don’t like her style of writing, why not? [/quote]

Really?[/quote]

Yes really… Was that a bad question?[/quote]

Not being a dick man but the quote right before yours, you know the one you actually quote me. I pretty much tell why.[/quote]

Honestly you didn’t… Unless i’m missing something. You just said it was childish? Thought there was something more specific about how she tells the story, develops characters, or structures her sentences etc…

57

I was a bit confused on how Harry came back from the dead - can anyone explain this (and that festering baby under the bench)? I’ve looked up some summaries online but it still doesn’t make much sense.

58

[quote]thogue wrote:
I was a bit confused on how Harry came back from the dead - can anyone explain this (and that festering baby under the bench)? I’ve looked up some summaries online but it still doesn’t make much sense.[/quote]

The festering baby is the death of one of Voldemort’s horcruxes (I guess or a part of him) after he casts the death curse.

As for Harry resurrecting…well…that’s magic… :smiley:

59

[quote]polo77j wrote:
AND his background is just as dark, if not darker than, Harry’s is. His fuckin’ parents went insane from Belatrix torturing them.

So, in conclusion, I argue Neville’s the REAL hero of the story, not Harry.[/quote]

Classic Neville.

Gillyweed!

Hermione: I’ve read about those. When the smoke turns red, it means you’ve forgotten something.
Neville: The only problem is I can’t remember what I’ve forgotten.

I had actually hoped Neville would get revenge on Bellatrix for what she did to his parents.

To see Ron Weasley’s mum wave a wand came as a surprise because IIRC she never picks up a wand for the first 6 films!

60

[quote]thogue wrote:
I was a bit confused on how Harry came back from the dead - can anyone explain this (and that festering baby under the bench)? I’ve looked up some summaries online but it still doesn’t make much sense.[/quote]

When Voldemort returned to life in the 4th book, he used Harry’s blood to do it, thinking to steal/nullify the protection Harry’s mom’s sacrifice gave him. It worked, kind of, but it also tethered Harry and Voldemort together. As long as Voldemort couldnt die (due to his horcruxes), Harry couldnt die.

The festering baby is the dying piece of Voldemorts soul in Harry.