Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling

[db105]

I'm a big fan of this series. Technically it's not a classic yet, since I think we need more time to pass before we can call a series that, but I have no doubt that this will stand the test of time. It's very readable and endearing, and I like the characters. The first books have that whimsical quality that I associate with Roald Dahl's books, and the latter books are more YA in nature.

Very highly recommended.

[ShenValleyLewis]

The first books have that whimsical quality that I associate with Roald Dahl's books

I've always felt that the Dursleys were like characters from the mind of Roald Dahl. With the notable exception of Charlie and the Chocolate factory (in which the worst characters were children) his books tend to feature innocent children victimized by brutal and unthinking adults.

[missmaia]

I love Harry Potter books too.

[Katharine]

I was sorry to see that 'Hagrid' has passed away.

I felt he was a great asset to the films.

[Anita Bensoussane]

I was sorry to hear of his passing too. Robbie Coltrane was perfect as Hagrid. Apparently, J. K. Rowling had him in mind for Hagrid from the minute a Harry Potter film (or series of films) was suggested.

Robbie Coltrane was also great in the Comic Strip spoofs of the Famous Five (Five Go Mad in Dorset, etc.)

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

What would Miriam Margoles make of us?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68552815

I think I heard somewhere that she had never read HP when she got the part of Professor Sprout - much like the actors now playing the FF

[Anita Bensoussane]

C. S. Lewis said, "I am almost inclined to set it up as a canon that a children's story which is enjoyed only by children is a bad children's story. The good ones last." I agree with him.

[Katharine]

Wow, I must have missed the announcement that Miriam Margoles is a qualified expert on human behaviour!!!

I wonder what she thinks adults should do instead to relax and destress in this chaotic world of ours?

I believe she is someone who has spoken out on rights for women/civil partnerships etc., so I find it very strange that she feels it is ok to say it is wrong for adults to spend their free time as they wish. Obviously she feels freedom of choice only applies to people like her and not other groups!

After months of searching in vain for my copy of 'Goblet of Fire', I finally gave up and bought a second hand copy last week. I'm thoroughly enjoying re-reading it yet again. Now I'm wondering if I should ever have owned a copy, as the Harry Potter books weren't written until I was an adult.

Do I care what people like her think though - absolutely not! As long as my interest in Harry Potter isn't breaking the law or harming other people, then her opinion isn't worth the paper it's written on.

Rant over - now I'm going back to reading Harry Potter.

[Lucky Star]

I wonder what she'd say if she knew of our Enid Blyton interest.

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

I've just watched 2 fascinating lectures by Prof. Ronald Hutton for Gresham College

• Dragons - a history

• Were There Pagan Goddesses in Christian Europe?

https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/browse-all?see-all

My unexpected concluding thoughts, is that Blyton's fantasy fairy world is as valid as anyone else's!