Why Harry Potter?
-
I've read them all, and I'm 40, and enjoyed them thoroughly (except Order of the Phoenix was lacking something. It's like the blade has been dulled, or something like that.) Why do I like it? Well.... I like SF and Fantasy, and it sort of fits in that genre. It's something I can read to fill the gaps of time (like sitting on the potty :laugh: ) but I mainly find it interesting because it uses children (a metaphor for innocence) to combat darkness/evil (the metaphor for real life). For the same reason, I totally enjoy the Chronicles Of Narnia and Ender's Game. These books remind me that it looking at life from a child's perspective is important. A lot of times as adults we forget to ask "why?". As for being attractive to children--well, because especially at the 9-13 year old age, every child dreams of (I hate using the term) super-powers, daring rescues, overcoming adversity, and challenging authority, and being the hero. You find the same motifs in fairy tales. HP is just a "modern" fairy tale that's missing most of the spiritual elements found in true fairy tales. Marc Every line of code is a liability - Taka Muraoka
A doable project is one that is small enough to be done quickly and big enough to be interesting - Ken Orr
CPP Script Framework Design Page Latest AAL ArticleI love the Potter books also but I haven't read the last one yet. Marc Clifton wrote: For the same reason, I totally enjoy the Chronicles Of Narnia Excellent books. Did you know they were based on Bible stories? C.S. Lewis was an athiest turned Christian who wrote several things like that.
Jason Henderson
"If you are going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
-
I love the Potter books also but I haven't read the last one yet. Marc Clifton wrote: For the same reason, I totally enjoy the Chronicles Of Narnia Excellent books. Did you know they were based on Bible stories? C.S. Lewis was an athiest turned Christian who wrote several things like that.
Jason Henderson
"If you are going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
Jason Henderson wrote: C.S. Lewis was an athiest turned Christian who wrote several things like that. Yes, C.S. Lewis was a very interesting person. I once listened to the only audio recording of him, giving a talk on the four types of love. Highly recommended. I didn't realize that Narnia was a Christian myth until my teens. It's interesting how, every couple of years I'll re-read them and learn something new. Rather timeless, like another book, eh? :-D Marc Every line of code is a liability - Taka Muraoka
A doable project is one that is small enough to be done quickly and big enough to be interesting - Ken Orr
CPP Script Framework Design Page Latest AAL Article -
Jason Henderson wrote: C.S. Lewis was an athiest turned Christian who wrote several things like that. Yes, C.S. Lewis was a very interesting person. I once listened to the only audio recording of him, giving a talk on the four types of love. Highly recommended. I didn't realize that Narnia was a Christian myth until my teens. It's interesting how, every couple of years I'll re-read them and learn something new. Rather timeless, like another book, eh? :-D Marc Every line of code is a liability - Taka Muraoka
A doable project is one that is small enough to be done quickly and big enough to be interesting - Ken Orr
CPP Script Framework Design Page Latest AAL ArticleMarc Clifton wrote: Rather timeless, like another book, eh? LOTR? CheeseWeasle
-
I love the Potter books also but I haven't read the last one yet. Marc Clifton wrote: For the same reason, I totally enjoy the Chronicles Of Narnia Excellent books. Did you know they were based on Bible stories? C.S. Lewis was an athiest turned Christian who wrote several things like that.
Jason Henderson
"If you are going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
Jason Henderson wrote: Did you know they were based on Bible stories? Yes, in fact my Sr year in High School we read them in my Christianity class. Those along with The Silent Planet series, which shows earth in different phases (the regualr world, a perfect world with no sin, and a world where sin is about to be introduced).
..........Zack.......... Developer Extraordinaire && Full Time Geek
Think different, think beige "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups." - George Carlin GCS\P\SS d- s-:- a-- C++$ U--- P--- L- E- W++ N o K-? w+++ O++ !M-- V PS+ PE Y+ PGP t+ 5+ X+ R++ tv++ b++ DI++ D+++ G+>G++++ e* h- r++ y+
-
4th grade ? 9 or 10 I guess. My 9yr old is an addict to HP and has read all the books repeatedly. Though this latest one he is reading slowly, because he gets too excited through it, and starts jumping around agitated at what is gonna happen next. I think you need to put yourself in the mind of a 9yr old in the yr 2003, and not when you were 9. The stories are competing with and complimenting all the other merchandise about. Alo they are what kids want to read. JK Rowling has definitly created a cult following by kids which I think helps to futher the fire for more sales. On a brighter note my Son also found my old LOTR trilogy set which I have purposefully left lying around. :-) Regardz Colin J Davies
*** WARNING *
This could be addictive
**The minion's version of "Catch :bob: "It's a real shame that people as stupid as you can work out how to use a computer. said by Christian Graus in the Soapbox
Colin Davies wrote: I think you need to put yourself in the mind of a 9yr old in the yr 2003, and not when you were 9. That's it! I was trying to remember what I liked when I was 9 year old. ;)
-
I've read them all, and I'm 40, and enjoyed them thoroughly (except Order of the Phoenix was lacking something. It's like the blade has been dulled, or something like that.) Why do I like it? Well.... I like SF and Fantasy, and it sort of fits in that genre. It's something I can read to fill the gaps of time (like sitting on the potty :laugh: ) but I mainly find it interesting because it uses children (a metaphor for innocence) to combat darkness/evil (the metaphor for real life). For the same reason, I totally enjoy the Chronicles Of Narnia and Ender's Game. These books remind me that it looking at life from a child's perspective is important. A lot of times as adults we forget to ask "why?". As for being attractive to children--well, because especially at the 9-13 year old age, every child dreams of (I hate using the term) super-powers, daring rescues, overcoming adversity, and challenging authority, and being the hero. You find the same motifs in fairy tales. HP is just a "modern" fairy tale that's missing most of the spiritual elements found in true fairy tales. Marc Every line of code is a liability - Taka Muraoka
A doable project is one that is small enough to be done quickly and big enough to be interesting - Ken Orr
CPP Script Framework Design Page Latest AAL ArticleMarc Clifton wrote: every child dreams of (I hate using the term) super-powers Adults are no exception either. :)
-
Marc Clifton wrote: Rather timeless, like another book, eh? LOTR? CheeseWeasle
Chris Losinger wrote: LOTR? Yes, that one too. :-D Marc Every line of code is a liability - Taka Muraoka
A doable project is one that is small enough to be done quickly and big enough to be interesting - Ken Orr
CPP Script Framework Design Page Latest AAL Article -
Marc Clifton wrote: I've read them all, and I'm 40, and enjoyed them thoroughly (except Order of the Phoenix was lacking something. It's like the blade has been dulled, or something like that.) I agree. I haven't read the first 2 yet (having seen the movies). When the 5th one came out I borrowed books 3, 4 and 5 from a friend last Monday. I finished this weekend. I have to say, I enjoyed 3 and 4 a lot more than 5. 5 had the anger in it that the author had said she'd put there, but to me it just made it less comfortable to read. BTW - could you please email me the person who entered Harry in the Triwizard competition in book 4? I read that bit over the weekend, then couldn't remember. I've searched and searched both the ends of book 4 and 5, but can't come across it again :(( Thanks - reason for email request - it wouldn't be fair to spoil it for other CPians :)
Look at the world about you and trust to your own convictions. - Ansel Adams
-
It was Barty Crouch Jr. impersonating as Mad-Eye Moony using the Polyjuice Potion. And I know it because.....errr....my kid brother told me ??;P Nick Seng (the programmer formerly known as Notorious SMC)
God, I pity me! - Phoncible P. Bone
Thanks Nick - you're err... kid brother knows his stuff :-D
Look at the world about you and trust to your own convictions. - Ansel Adams
-
Marc Clifton wrote: I've read them all, and I'm 40, and enjoyed them thoroughly (except Order of the Phoenix was lacking something. It's like the blade has been dulled, or something like that.) I agree. I haven't read the first 2 yet (having seen the movies). When the 5th one came out I borrowed books 3, 4 and 5 from a friend last Monday. I finished this weekend. I have to say, I enjoyed 3 and 4 a lot more than 5. 5 had the anger in it that the author had said she'd put there, but to me it just made it less comfortable to read. BTW - could you please email me the person who entered Harry in the Triwizard competition in book 4? I read that bit over the weekend, then couldn't remember. I've searched and searched both the ends of book 4 and 5, but can't come across it again :(( Thanks - reason for email request - it wouldn't be fair to spoil it for other CPians :)
Look at the world about you and trust to your own convictions. - Ansel Adams
-
Megan Forbes wrote: I haven't read the first 2 yet (having seen the movies). Then you missed something (as usual, the movie does not stand comparison with the books) ... ~RaGE();
I'll probably get around to reading 1 and 2 now :)
Look at the world about you and trust to your own convictions. - Ansel Adams
-
I am glad to spend the $19 for my 4th grade son (he finished it in 3 days) but I don't understand why it is so attactive to young children. I would never like such a book. What do you think?
I begun to read the first one last year, one week before my exams. That was the worst thing to do. I simply could not do anything else but read. This story is amazing. Fortunately, I read fast enough, and managed to read the first 4 in 5 days, leaving two days for preapring my exams :rolleyes:. So to answer your What do you think ?, I'd say, if you have a little bit of time :), try and read the first one. ~RaGE();
-
My uhhh....kid brother....uh, that's it. Kid brother likes it for the same reason he liked Lord of the Rings. Nuff' said. ;) Nick Seng (the programmer formerly known as Notorious SMC)
God, I pity me! - Phoncible P. Bone
-
Yeah, but HarryPo is kid brother good-vs-evil stuff, LOT has more serious background.
"Der Geist des Kriegers ist erwacht / Ich hab die Macht" StS
sighist | Agile Programming | doxygen -
My uhhh....kid brother....uh, that's it. Kid brother likes it for the same reason he liked Lord of the Rings. Nuff' said. ;) Nick Seng (the programmer formerly known as Notorious SMC)
God, I pity me! - Phoncible P. Bone
Are you really comparing HP (the book not the sauce) to LOTR?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Personally, I'm seeking a red-headed, double-breasted mattress thrasher
-
Are you really comparing HP (the book not the sauce) to LOTR?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Personally, I'm seeking a red-headed, double-breasted mattress thrasher
There's a HP sauce?? I'm not sure I want to use sauces made by the same company that makes printers. :~ Paul Watson wrote: Are you really comparing HP (the book not the sauce) to LOTR? All I said was that , err.. I mean my kid....awww, who am I kidding ;P, liked the 2 series for the same reason, being : 1. They both take place in world different from ours 2. They have magic 3. They have great characters, which we can emphasize with. 4. Great story-telling method. Why? Did I hit a sore spot? :) Nick Seng (the programmer formerly known as Notorious SMC)
God, I pity me! - Phoncible P. Bone
-
There's a HP sauce?? I'm not sure I want to use sauces made by the same company that makes printers. :~ Paul Watson wrote: Are you really comparing HP (the book not the sauce) to LOTR? All I said was that , err.. I mean my kid....awww, who am I kidding ;P, liked the 2 series for the same reason, being : 1. They both take place in world different from ours 2. They have magic 3. They have great characters, which we can emphasize with. 4. Great story-telling method. Why? Did I hit a sore spot? :) Nick Seng (the programmer formerly known as Notorious SMC)
God, I pity me! - Phoncible P. Bone
Nick Seng wrote: Why? Did I hit a sore spot? LOL, no. I was just curious. You could put a Mills & Boon novel above LOTR and I would not mind because after all, it is your opinion. I would disagree (and I disagree with HP being anywhere near LOTR) but then that is my opinion. By all means HP is fun, has good values and is a good read... but in my ever so humble opinion, LOTR it is not :)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Personally, I'm seeking a red-headed, double-breasted mattress thrasher
-
Nick Seng wrote: Why? Did I hit a sore spot? LOL, no. I was just curious. You could put a Mills & Boon novel above LOTR and I would not mind because after all, it is your opinion. I would disagree (and I disagree with HP being anywhere near LOTR) but then that is my opinion. By all means HP is fun, has good values and is a good read... but in my ever so humble opinion, LOTR it is not :)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Personally, I'm seeking a red-headed, double-breasted mattress thrasher
Paul Watson wrote: but in my ever so humble opinion, LOTR it is not Never implied that it was. Just that it had the same elements.Enid Blyton, on the other hand...... ;P Nick Seng (the programmer formerly known as Notorious SMC)
God, I pity me! - Phoncible P. Bone
-
Nick Seng wrote: Why? Did I hit a sore spot? LOL, no. I was just curious. You could put a Mills & Boon novel above LOTR and I would not mind because after all, it is your opinion. I would disagree (and I disagree with HP being anywhere near LOTR) but then that is my opinion. By all means HP is fun, has good values and is a good read... but in my ever so humble opinion, LOTR it is not :)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Personally, I'm seeking a red-headed, double-breasted mattress thrasher
BTW, How'd you like the LOTR movies? I thought Peter Jackson did a really great job and personally, I can't wait for this christmas :-D My Favourite part of the whole book is in ROTK! Nick Seng (the programmer formerly known as Notorious SMC)
God, I pity me! - Phoncible P. Bone
-
BTW, How'd you like the LOTR movies? I thought Peter Jackson did a really great job and personally, I can't wait for this christmas :-D My Favourite part of the whole book is in ROTK! Nick Seng (the programmer formerly known as Notorious SMC)
God, I pity me! - Phoncible P. Bone
I am not one of those LOTR gurus that shudder at every nip and tuck Peter Jackson had to do to transfer the story from book to screen. So I really loved the movies. They are awesome. I was blown away. I think they stand on their own as great movies and I think they stand by the book as a great take on the original story. I also cannot wait for Christmas :-D (and then Star Wars EPIII finally as well!) As for Enid Blyton... I think Enid's work is fantastic. It is very different from Tolkien's and really cannot be compared, like comparing Asimov with Dick, it just is not comparable. But relating HP to LOTR because they both have magic is, well, just not on Mr. Seng. I once saw an adult film which had a magician in it, should that be compared to LOTR? ;P
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Personally, I'm seeking a red-headed, double-breasted mattress thrasher