Post by: Patchkid15 on July 20, 2007, 01:34:58 PM
Post by: ShyGuy on July 20, 2007, 01:43:36 PM
Post by: Patchkid15 on July 20, 2007, 01:48:02 PM
that havnt read the spoilers
I have less then 4 hours till i get it
Which i am very happy about
Post by: S-U-P-E-R on July 20, 2007, 05:56:26 PM
Post by: that Baby guy on July 20, 2007, 06:43:58 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: S-U-P-E-R
dumbledore comes back from the dead and kills hermoine
QFT.
You also forgot that Draco kills Ron, but is then eaten by the Basilisk. He isn't petrified because Voldemort blinds him for not killing Dumbledore.
Post by: Patchkid15 on July 21, 2007, 02:29:23 AM
Post by: UncleBob on July 21, 2007, 02:39:06 AM
Post by: that Baby guy on July 21, 2007, 04:04:04 AM
Post by: Mashiro on July 21, 2007, 04:49:00 AM
Yawn.
Post by: Ceric on July 21, 2007, 05:27:20 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: S-U-P-E-R
dumbledore comes back from the dead and kills hermoine
... with his "magic" wand. Much like a Solar Surfer (I may not have the term totally correct but points for people who can still place the referenced series)
Post by: Svevan on July 21, 2007, 08:42:03 AM
Post by: UncleBob on July 21, 2007, 08:56:18 AM
Post by: Svevan on July 21, 2007, 09:25:27 AM
Post by: Ceric on July 21, 2007, 09:31:08 AM
Post by: Svevan on July 21, 2007, 01:34:14 PM
Post by: Shecky on July 21, 2007, 01:41:35 PM
A friend of mine goes to Boarders at 12m, gets a wristband, goes back at 2am to get the book, reads till morning, gets a few hours of sleep and then goes back to reading. I think the compulsion is more in part due to the known spoilers running around than the quality of the book (although spoilers are rude to throw at someone trying to enjoy a book)
Edit: Question: If you had shouted the spoiler out to the folks standing in line at Boarders would you be killed?
Post by: stevey on July 21, 2007, 02:09:20 PM
Quote
Edit: Question: If you had shouted the spoiler out to the folks standing in line at Boarders would you be killed?
No, but they would case your car for a few miles
Post by: Svevan on July 21, 2007, 04:46:57 PM
Quote
I find it hard to believe these books are leaps and bounds better than other novels...
They're not, but they are good. I believe there is too much hype and too much marketing for the whole thing, but at least something that has quality is being enjoyed by many many people. That is a good thing.
The reason Potter Fans like to read the books so fast is because they are so addictive - Rowling has always set up more mysteries in each book than she solves, and always makes sure the trickle of information starts very slowly in the first chapter, and speeds up as you read. They are fun to read because the characters are half realistic, half mythological archetypes, and there is a beautiful mix between modernism and ancient history that makes the story feel pertinent and timeless simultaneously. We can identify with the three main characters in some way, but we also can see that they are part of an overarching history that is unfolding before us. Like Tolkien, the world is bigger than the material, and we get only small glimpses into it.
Edit: I suppose what I'm trying to say is that Potter is good in the way Star Wars is (for the most part) good: both tap into so many universal ideas that they can't help but become hugely popular. If that makes them perhaps lacking in specificity, or having such a broad scope that nothing truly "original" is said, so be it. We need myths, modern and ancient, and narratives that remind us that we are a part of something bigger than just our own lives. That is what Harry Potter is about: a world larger than Harry Potter. I don't think it makes the books bland. And I don't think being "likable" or "popular" is bad. I do think we have an instance of marketing overload and hype machine run wild, but so long as the books are good (and they have never faltered in quality) we have no worries. The hype machine will one day die, and only the books will remain.
The great works of literature can be both subversive and traditional (sometimes at the same time). Potter lands in the traditional camp. We don't have a lot of stomach for subversive books, films, music, etc, but that is a problem that Rowling is only responsible to solve inasmuch as she desires to do so. We, as readers, should not reject Potter just because the great subversive works aren't getting as much play. We should just balance tradition with subversion; the French would hate to hear me say that, but it's true, at least in our diverse days.
Post by: Svevan on July 21, 2007, 10:08:05 PM
Post by: Kairon on July 21, 2007, 10:31:15 PM
About 5 books later I have to say that J.K. Rowling has done a good job upping tha ante with each book and not squandering her opportunity. Sure, Harry hasn't done drugs and gotten laid like I'd have liked him to (by the end of the series, he'll be 18), but Ginny HAS turned into a totally manipulative man-eating harry-potter-seducing vamp/femme, so I'm quite excited to see how that's realized in the 6th movie... it's gonna be hot.
Post by: Patchkid15 on July 22, 2007, 01:25:25 AM
Post by: vudu on July 22, 2007, 01:21:37 PM
QuoteAre you even allowed to read Harry Potter, what with all the heresy and whatnot?
Originally posted by: Svevan
After church and lunch, I'll finish the last 250 pages.
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on July 22, 2007, 02:57:55 PM
Post by: Mashiro on July 22, 2007, 02:59:08 PM
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on July 22, 2007, 03:04:47 PM
Post by: Mashiro on July 22, 2007, 03:33:02 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
What I appreciate most about the HP books is that unlike other"children's literature" it doesn't sugar coat things.
Yeah I personally think it is a great disservice to the youthful generation of any era to dumb down and sugar coat things.
The popular pieces of work that transcend age barriers (even though targeted for younger audiences) are usually those that don't dumb down things for kids.
Post by: Kairon on July 22, 2007, 03:38:09 PM
Post by: Svevan on July 22, 2007, 08:12:55 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: vuduQuoteAre you even allowed to read Harry Potter, what with all the heresy and whatnot?
Originally posted by: Svevan
After church and lunch, I'll finish the last 250 pages.
There's no blatant heresy in Harry Potter. Also, as human beings, we are surrounded by and have within us heresy of all kinds - no person is perfect, and every person believes mistruths of some kind and acts upon those beliefs.
Those who accuse Harry Potter of being "devilish" or "witchcraft" are missing the point. The series is filled with mythological symbols, Christian and others. The story is about morality, about standing up for what is right, and rebelling when necessary. It is about the breakdown of racism and hatred. Despite what many people say about Christianity today, that's what Christ taught as well.
Some people get stuck on particulars without looking at the whole: witchcraft or not, the purpose of the books must be taken into consideration. And knowing that the books are about struggles, growing up, dealing with adults, hatred, and various social and political issues, and that all of this is tied to a spiritual core, should I think cause Christians to endorse the material, rather than denounce it. But oh well, it's a minor war. Most of the Christians I know love Harry Potter, or have no opinion since they haven't read the books.
In other less controversial news, I finally finished the damn thing. I loved it, of course, thought the end bits were a little anti-climactic, and some of the plot strands were actually not tied up, but oh well. I'll probably write a blog about the whole experience soon. In the meantime, I'm a bit upset on the whole that this was the last Harry Potter book. Having started the books in the year 2000, I really have been on a seven year journey (corny as that may sound) and I'll really miss the allure and mystery, the constant guessing, and all of it. I feel privileged to live in the time of Harry Potter, that is, to get to be in the midst of it and know that there were still more books coming. If I ever have children, I look forward to treating them to these books.
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on July 22, 2007, 08:53:51 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: SvevanQuote
Originally posted by: vuduQuoteAre you even allowed to read Harry Potter, what with all the heresy and whatnot?
Originally posted by: Svevan
After church and lunch, I'll finish the last 250 pages.
There's no blatant heresy in Harry Potter. Also, as human beings, we are surrounded by and have within us heresy of all kinds - no person is perfect, and every person believes mistruths of some kind and acts upon those beliefs.
Those who accuse Harry Potter of being "devilish" or "witchcraft" are missing the point. The series is filled with mythological symbols, Christian and others. The story is about morality, about standing up for what is right, and rebelling when necessary. It is about the breakdown of racism and hatred. Despite what many people say about Christianity today, that's what Christ taught as well.
Some people get stuck on particulars without looking at the whole: witchcraft or not, the purpose of the books must be taken into consideration. And knowing that the books are about struggles, growing up, dealing with adults, hatred, and various social and political issues, and that all of this is tied to a spiritual core, should I think cause Christians to endorse the material, rather than denounce it. But oh well, it's a minor war. Most of the Christians I know love Harry Potter, or have no opinion since they haven't read the books.
In other less controversial news, I finally finished the damn thing. I loved it, of course, thought the end bits were a little anti-climactic, and some of the plot strands were actually not tied up, but oh well. I'll probably write a blog about the whole experience soon. In the meantime, I'm a bit upset on the whole that this was the last Harry Potter book. Having started the books in the year 2000, I really have been on a seven year journey (corny as that may sound) and I'll really miss the allure and mystery, the constant guessing, and all of it. I feel privileged to live in the time of Harry Potter, that is, to get to be in the midst of it and know that there were still more books coming. If I ever have children, I look forward to treating them to these books.
I have to say it, I agree with EVERYTHING you said there. In regards to the witchcraft thing (I really think I am going to touch on it in my blog at some point) Harry Potter's world is a fantasy world, the magic and laws that exist there are completely fiction. Heck in the books people that have powers, are born with them, it is no different, in my mind, of any other work of fiction where special gifts come from birth. One hypocrisy that I CANNOT stand is some of my fellow Christians who attack Harry Potter but defend C.S. Lewis or Tolkien, both of which use magic and sorcery in their books. It is a double standard, I do not think it is healthy. Like Evan said the Harry Potter books are rich in morality, love, sacrifice, and above all else teach valuable lessons to live an honorable life.
Post by: Kairon on July 22, 2007, 09:07:02 PM
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on July 22, 2007, 09:10:36 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
I'm sorry GP, but after your post in the Are Games Art? thread, I don't know when you're being serious about Svevan or not.
Well I am this time!
Post by: Kairon on July 22, 2007, 09:16:44 PM
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on July 22, 2007, 09:17:30 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
But... this is the Hulkmania forum! This is the LAST place I'd expect people to be serious!
Evan started it!
Post by: ShyGuy on July 24, 2007, 01:32:23 PM
edit: And, to see if we can get the thread locked or moved, where is the line drawn between Fantasy and the Occult?
Post by: Kairon on July 24, 2007, 04:01:43 PM
Post by: that Baby guy on July 24, 2007, 05:32:19 PM
Post by: MysticGohan on July 25, 2007, 02:33:45 AM
Post by: UncleBob on July 25, 2007, 05:17:40 AM
Post by: Mysticspike on July 25, 2007, 05:48:14 AM
Post by: TrueNerd on July 25, 2007, 06:16:44 PM
QuoteSpoiler section QFT. Happy future flashes blow. I would have preferred a touching, triumphant moment with Ron and Hermione. And a make-out session with Ginny. But I loved how Harry was simply better then everyone else. The solidification of that fact is the success of the entire Harry Potter epic. It wasn't just luck, it wasn't just greatness surrounding him, it was him being the best man for the job and doing said job. THAT was the climax for me.
Originally posted by: UncleBob
Just got around to finishing my copy this morning. Good book, but I could have done without the Epilogue. It should have been titled "Fanwanking".
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on July 25, 2007, 08:02:32 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: TrueNerdQuoteSpoiler section QFT. Happy future flashes blow. I would have preferred a touching, triumphant moment with Ron and Hermione. And a make-out session with Ginny. But I loved how Harry was simply better then everyone else. The solidification of that fact is the success of the entire Harry Potter epic. It wasn't just luck, it wasn't just greatness surrounding him, it was him being the best man for the job and doing said job. THAT was the climax for me.
Originally posted by: UncleBob
Just got around to finishing my copy this morning. Good book, but I could have done without the Epilogue. It should have been titled "Fanwanking".
I got the feeling that Rowling wrote the epilogue very early on and only made minor tweaks to it. I know she said that she had the final chapter done for a LONG time and my guess is that the epilogue was that, which could explain why it was so dry
