Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

[antbach]

I just reread the last four or five chapters and they were better the second time (amazing how many tiny things you miss the first time, even though you had read carefully); which is leading me to start from page one again, though I may just start from book one again instead and read the entire series straight through for the 4th time (did not start reading them until after book 4 was out, then reread the series before the book 5 and 6 releases; skipped and did 5 and 6 before this one came out). It is most definitely worth reading the entire series, like it was noted, it\'s an easy read, and very entertaining. And I personally must thank Rowling for her efforts, without the Harry Potter series I would not have started reading for pleasure again (used to read alot when I was a kid, but stopped and became a couch potato).

[boombox]

Tried reading the first book and got bored after 5, or maybe it was 4, chapters. Thought she wanted to be Roald Dahl or CS Lewis, but wasn\'t up to it.

However, I have seen the first three films on TV and thought they weren\'t bad stories - ie the classic family good vs evil type thing. But to be honest, my only reason for watching the films is the supporting cast, who number amongst the cream of British actors.

People keep telling me the later books are better written, but if I want intelligent fantasy, give me Pratchet over Potter anytime.

[kindm's]

Tried reading the first book and got bored after 5, or maybe it was 4, chapters. Thought she wanted to be Roald Dahl or CS Lewis, but wasn\'t up to it.

However, I have seen the first three films on TV and thought they weren\'t bad stories - ie the classic family good vs evil type thing. But to be honest, my only reason for watching the films is the supporting cast, who number amongst the cream of British actors.

People keep telling me the later books are better written, but if I want intelligent fantasy, give me Pratchet over Potter anytime.

We think your spot on about the 1st book. They definitely get better and IMHO more exciting as the kids age and start to tackle more mature themes. The most recent movie Order of the Phoenix (book 5) is probably where the potter series really starts to shine IMO. The earlier books are great but there is something about the difference in style between book 4 and book 5. This book had more tension than most movies I have seen but perhaps it was the past investment in those characters which created that feeling

[Yoda]

I really have to send out a big FU to Opie and Anthony.  I turned on the radio to hear some of their lackies throwing out spoilers to the people on line to get the book at midnight friday night.  Although I\'m still excited to read the book, and I hope that they were wrong about what they said, they have definitely taken a little wind out of the sails.  It\'s just my opinion, but Rowland should not have mentioned that 2 main characters die, that just sets the rumor mills in motion.  People just can\'t leave well enough alone.

[antbach]

I will not say if the spoilers are/were true or not, but am interested in what Opie and Anthony had said they were if you care to share.

[Yoda]

Ant - sent you a PM, didn\'t want to put those spoilers out and potential ruin the book for others.

[Me!]

I picked it up at a midnight opening in my town (yes uber dork) but am only ~350pgs in.  but I\'m sure I will finish it on my jaunt to Camp barefoot.  Very tense in the early stages and then kinda pitters out a little, but I can tell it\'s picking up.  I\'m partly taking it so slow cause I just don\'t want it to end.

[Spacey]

Figured some of you Potter-Heads would enjoy this.

LONDON - Teenage film star Daniel Radcliffe threw off Harry Potter\'s invisibility cloak on Tuesday to appear naked on a London stage in the psychological thriller "Equus."

Radcliffe, who found fame as the young wizard in the Potter films, plays a troubled stable boy who ritualistically blinds horses in a production that has caused a flurry of excitement among his hordes of teenage fans.

Radcliffe confessed afterwards to first night nerves but said he had no qualms about baring all after two weeks of doing the play in previews.

"After the first couple of previews, I didn\'t really care anymore," he told Reuters Television.

Asked about all the publicity over his nude scenes, he said "It all seemed to imply the nudity was gratuitous which it isn\'t at all."

He won a standing ovation on opening night at London\'s Gielgud Theater and fellow actors who came to watch were full of praise for his courage in taking on such a gruelling role.

"I am so impressed with his choice of play and the career Daniel Radcliffe is having," Hollywood star Christian Slater told Reuters.

You could hear a pin drop in the auditorium when 17-year-old Radcliffe performed his naked scene with actress Joanna Christie, who plays his girlfriend.

"It is an incredible part for a young actor. He is taking a big risk," British actor Richard E. Grant said.

Not since Nicole Kidman bared all in "The Blue Room" in 1998 and was hailed as "pure theatrical Viagra" has so much hype greeted stage nudity in London with publicity photos of Radcliffe helping to ensure two million pounds in advance sales.

Pottermania struck at the stage door with fans clamoring for autographs at performances of Peter Shaffer\'s play, first produced in 1973.

But did fans of the clean-cut boy wizard object to their hero smoking, swearing and appearing naked on stage?

Radcliffe said: "We have had some pretty hardcore fans at the stage door and they have all been very supportive and lovely about it."

But Radcliffe, who has had voice coaching and worked out in the gym in preparation, at least has one familiar face on stage.

The role of the psychiatrist who treats the tortured boy is performed by Richard Griffiths, the portly British actor who plays Potter\'s vile Uncle Vernon in the Potter films.

Griffiths said of Radcliffe\'s performance "You keep forgetting he is only 17. He handles himself with such aplomb."

However one famous face was missing on opening night -- JK Rowling, author of the Potter books that became a global publishing phenomenon before being turned into box office hits.

But Radcliffe said "She is coming to see it at some point. I don\'t think she objected in any way. She was very happy to see me going off and doing something else.

[Me!]

didn\'t want to start a new thread so here it is....

Dumbledore gay?

J.K. Rowling Outs Hogwarts Character
By HILLEL ITALIE,AP
Posted: 2007-10-20 11:34:51
NEW YORK (Oct. 20) - Harry Potter fans, the rumors are true: Albus Dumbledore, master wizard and Headmaster of Hogwarts, is gay. J.K. Rowling, author of the mega-selling fantasy series that ended last summer, outed the beloved character Friday night while appearing before a full house at Carnegie Hall.

After reading briefly from the final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," she took questions from audience members.

She was asked by one young fan whether Dumbledore finds "true love."

"Dumbledore is gay," the author responded to gasps and applause.

She then explained that Dumbledore was smitten with rival Gellert Grindelwald, whom he defeated long ago in a battle between good and bad wizards. "Falling in love can blind us to an extent," Rowling said of Dumbledore\'s feelings, adding that Dumbledore was "horribly, terribly let down."

Dumbledore\'s love, she observed, was his "great tragedy."

"Oh, my god," Rowling concluded with a laugh, "the fan fiction."

Potter readers on fan sites and elsewhere on the Internet have speculated on the sexuality of Dumbledore, noting that he has no close relationship with women and a mysterious, troubled past. And explicit scenes with Dumbledore already have appeared in fan fiction.
Rowling told the audience that while working on the planned sixth Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ," she spotted a reference in the script to a girl who once was of interest to Dumbledore. A note was duly passed to director David Yates, revealing the truth about her character.

Rowling, finishing a brief "Open Book Tour" of the United States, her first tour here since 2000, also said that she regarded her Potter books as a "prolonged argument for tolerance" and urged her fans to "question authority."

Not everyone likes her work, Rowling said, likely referring to Christian groups that have alleged the books promote witchcraft. Her news about Dumbledore, she said, will give them one more reason.

[Spacey]

read that today.

[Klout]

finally finished the hallows tonight. best book I have ever read. hands down.  if you haven\'t ever read the series your really truly missing out in a big way. don\'t deprive yourself any longer. The first book and series starts out somewhat childish and unassuming but trust it is anything but that in the end. Overall its the best work of fiction ever created. The last two movies are gonna be really hard to pull off with as much epicness and emotion as the books bring to the table.

[jocelyn]

The best work of fiction ever created? That is a bold statement. Just because you said that I will read the series, but I think I can assume with decent confidence that I will disagree.

[Klout]

best ever status has always been subjective.

[FrankZappa]

<- still working his way through book 5.

[peaches626]

i really enjoyed this series. i avoid best ever claims except for when referring to breakfast shows.  but this series is one of my favorite works of fiction.