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Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. Darth_Katie Send a noteboard - 13/07/2010 04:03:26 AM
While her technique isn't bad (look at how she describes Dursley's day in the first chapter, for example -- when she mentions what he doesn't see), her language is at this point very naivistic, almost too simple. It does not flow naturally, and she repeats words too often. This is something that suggests a children's book to me. There are also a couple of phrases, like "he looked simply too big to be allowed" which ring like a child's language (or a grown-up talking to a child, at any rate).

But because she uses this language to point out things that normal children's books wouldn't, it appeals to us as well. The early description of Petunia, for example, is gold. As is Vernon's slow descent into madness.


I forgot how funny it was, the little details about him spreading marmalade on the newspaper and jumping at small noises. And Harry is quite the smartass, I forgot that too. :D
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Harry Potter Re-read: The Philosopher's Stone - Final section underway! (& next book plans) - 12/07/2010 08:27:51 AM 2939 Views
Chapters 1-3: Introducing Harry - 12/07/2010 08:28:49 AM 1514 Views
Characterisation *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:02 AM 862 Views
My thoughts, such as they are. - 12/07/2010 04:09:55 PM 1561 Views
Agree. She gave us enough to make it interesting. - 12/07/2010 06:45:46 PM 1541 Views
Re: My thoughts, such as they are. *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:43:49 PM 1525 Views
You hit the nail on the head. - 13/07/2010 12:20:19 AM 1447 Views
Re: You hit the nail on the head. - 13/07/2010 08:51:45 AM 1373 Views
Writing style *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:18 AM 839 Views
A couple of points. - 12/07/2010 04:10:20 PM 1406 Views
It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 07:18:14 PM 1574 Views
True. - 12/07/2010 07:36:49 PM 1509 Views
Re: It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 09:31:11 PM 1635 Views
Re: It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 09:51:23 PM 1334 Views
Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. - 13/07/2010 04:03:26 AM 1558 Views
Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. - 13/07/2010 08:54:40 AM 1502 Views
Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. - 13/07/2010 01:14:01 PM 1570 Views
Indeed. - 13/07/2010 01:15:23 PM 1352 Views
Early themes *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:37 AM 866 Views
Strong vs weak *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:23:45 PM 1353 Views
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Re: - 12/07/2010 07:44:56 PM 1338 Views
Chapters 4-10: Making Friends at Hogwarts *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:58 AM 794 Views
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I'd forgotten how annoying Hermione was - 14/07/2010 01:48:13 PM 1429 Views
Me too. - 14/07/2010 04:30:13 PM 1387 Views
Yep. I like seeing her transformation in this story though. - 14/07/2010 04:58:04 PM 1432 Views
Some thoughts before I run off to the library again - 14/07/2010 06:11:45 PM 1568 Views
Good points - 14/07/2010 08:45:56 PM 1483 Views
What about the magic? - 14/07/2010 08:58:51 AM 1440 Views
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Re: The magic wasnt really developed at this point - 14/07/2010 08:53:08 PM 1592 Views
There was one powerful protection - 15/07/2010 01:29:49 AM 1535 Views
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Re: I agree - 15/07/2010 05:44:41 AM 1367 Views
Re: There was one powerful protection - 15/07/2010 08:12:40 AM 1632 Views
I think - 14/07/2010 04:34:30 PM 1358 Views
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Re: Diagon Alley - Olivander's Foreshadowing - 14/07/2010 08:51:06 PM 1348 Views
Agreed. - 14/07/2010 08:57:55 PM 1404 Views
I really need a remembrall. - 14/07/2010 08:57:10 PM 1465 Views
I felt bad for Neville. - 14/07/2010 09:03:49 PM 1513 Views
Indeed. - 14/07/2010 09:05:40 PM 1381 Views
But it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten! - 15/07/2010 02:51:47 AM 1635 Views
I know, right! - 15/07/2010 06:41:01 AM 1351 Views
Exactly. - 15/07/2010 03:22:18 PM 1280 Views
Re: But it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten! - 15/07/2010 08:15:55 AM 1351 Views
Ah, see - 15/07/2010 03:23:49 PM 1340 Views
Chapters 11-17: Harry the Hero *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:30:29 AM 807 Views
What'd you think of the ending? *NM* - 15/07/2010 05:21:38 PM 774 Views
Loved it. - 15/07/2010 05:56:06 PM 1400 Views
Two separate things: - 15/07/2010 07:14:08 PM 1402 Views
I hear you - 15/07/2010 08:22:05 PM 1426 Views
Re: Two separate things: - 15/07/2010 08:48:21 PM 1418 Views
I can clarify some stuff for you - 15/07/2010 09:14:07 PM 1443 Views
One of the most sublime, wonderful moments of any book - 15/07/2010 08:18:29 PM 1277 Views
Yes! - 15/07/2010 10:39:11 PM 1460 Views
Lovely - 15/07/2010 09:00:11 PM 1484 Views
Haha - 15/07/2010 09:16:16 PM 1573 Views
Re: Haha - 15/07/2010 09:24:06 PM 1462 Views
But I thought all girls were made of sugar and spice and everything nice? - 15/07/2010 09:26:53 PM 1367 Views
Oh, we are. - 15/07/2010 09:35:17 PM 1271 Views
Ah like vodka vs. wine coolers? *NM* - 15/07/2010 09:48:26 PM 772 Views
Gin - 15/07/2010 09:49:33 PM 1396 Views
I was 16. - 15/07/2010 10:49:33 PM 1272 Views
So was I - 15/07/2010 10:54:24 PM 1316 Views
Honestly, dumbledore is a bit of an ass... - 15/07/2010 10:48:32 PM 1272 Views
Heresy! - 15/07/2010 10:55:28 PM 1324 Views
As I indicated below, I had some issues. - 16/07/2010 03:05:05 AM 1581 Views
Re: As I indicated below, I had some issues. - 16/07/2010 11:14:56 AM 1473 Views
In fairness, it's Hogwarts itself that is all but impregnable. - 26/07/2010 03:55:02 PM 1389 Views
A funny thing I noticed - 15/07/2010 09:00:42 PM 1492 Views
- 15/07/2010 09:18:08 PM 1347 Views
Overall thoughts for the book - 12/07/2010 08:31:37 AM 1435 Views
Foreshadowing and setting up the future - 12/07/2010 08:32:10 AM 1358 Views
Harry's anger management issues? - 12/07/2010 07:14:58 PM 1427 Views
Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:40:40 PM 1473 Views
Nah, not deliberate. - 12/07/2010 09:14:20 PM 1526 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 12/07/2010 09:55:32 PM 1436 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 13/07/2010 03:02:59 PM 1371 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 13/07/2010 03:04:42 PM 1500 Views
I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:22:54 PM 1547 Views
Re: I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:39:25 PM 1481 Views
Re: I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:45:32 PM 1469 Views
~smug~ - 13/07/2010 02:09:15 PM 1443 Views
Indeed. - 13/07/2010 02:10:41 PM 1678 Views
This response implies the experience of being both?? - 13/07/2010 03:23:29 PM 1415 Views
On Ginny: - 12/07/2010 10:36:47 PM 1494 Views
So much (chapters 1-3) *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:35:57 PM 1643 Views
Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:38:05 PM 1467 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:39:08 PM 1537 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:39:53 PM 1352 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:44:16 PM 1252 Views
Re: Hm. - 13/07/2010 04:41:12 AM 1364 Views
Re: Hm. - 13/07/2010 08:55:09 AM 1320 Views
I missed the school roof thing this time around too! Good catch there. *NM* - 12/07/2010 09:22:21 PM 791 Views
The thing that tipped me off - 12/07/2010 09:53:01 PM 1426 Views
Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 09:18:35 PM 1620 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 10:30:23 PM 1423 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 10:55:01 PM 1387 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 11:05:59 PM 1419 Views
I can answer your consistency question! - 15/07/2010 02:35:42 AM 1551 Views
You are a clever cookie. - 15/07/2010 08:14:25 AM 1426 Views
Yes - 15/07/2010 03:30:36 PM 1279 Views
Ooh, yes. - 16/07/2010 12:19:13 AM 1253 Views
More stuff (chapters 12-17) - 15/07/2010 08:55:34 PM 1304 Views
Re: More stuff (chapters 12-17) - 15/07/2010 09:19:13 PM 1385 Views
Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 04:23:15 PM 1540 Views
Re: Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 04:28:04 PM 1416 Views
Re: Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 07:12:39 PM 1672 Views
I like it. Thank you. - 20/07/2010 12:53:37 AM 1584 Views
What made this book (and the rest of the series) such a success? - 12/07/2010 08:33:00 AM 1518 Views
I have no idea *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:47:58 PM 1582 Views
I agree... - 12/07/2010 09:19:59 PM 1611 Views
It has tons of things in it that every kid dreams of doing - 14/07/2010 01:56:05 PM 1531 Views
Kid? - 14/07/2010 02:01:30 PM 1547 Views
so do I. I was just trying to act mature *NM* - 14/07/2010 02:08:01 PM 981 Views
Not even just the super stuff Deadsy mentions. - 14/07/2010 04:38:46 PM 1653 Views
It's a simple, well-done little book. - 12/07/2010 07:46:48 PM 1528 Views
you don't read instructions, do you? - 12/07/2010 07:49:24 PM 1558 Views
Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:50:23 PM 1512 Views
Re: Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:51:40 PM 1517 Views
Awwww! - 12/07/2010 07:52:19 PM 1406 Views
- 12/07/2010 07:52:52 PM 1535 Views
Wha? - 12/07/2010 07:50:44 PM 1549 Views
Re: Wha? - 12/07/2010 07:52:21 PM 1556 Views
Pff. - 12/07/2010 07:54:54 PM 1539 Views
*NM* - 12/07/2010 07:56:03 PM 985 Views
When did you pick up this book? - 12/07/2010 11:30:46 PM 1452 Views
I was 10. - 13/07/2010 04:13:44 AM 1607 Views
I was 16. - 13/07/2010 08:24:02 AM 1531 Views
1999 - 13/07/2010 09:03:03 AM 1528 Views
What do you mean by adult version? - 13/07/2010 02:15:40 PM 1630 Views
Re: What do you mean by adult version? - 13/07/2010 02:17:40 PM 1509 Views
Just before the first movie came out - 13/07/2010 02:17:42 PM 1675 Views
When Prisoner of Azkaban was a hardback. - 13/07/2010 02:23:57 PM 1525 Views
Just after Goblet of Fire was published. - 13/07/2010 11:50:38 PM 1589 Views
Just before Goblet of Fire came out. - 14/07/2010 04:04:21 AM 1558 Views
The first five were out, waited for HBP. - 14/07/2010 06:20:39 AM 1651 Views
You're making me want to talk about toadface - 14/07/2010 02:06:25 PM 1581 Views
Sorry! - 15/07/2010 06:36:11 AM 1601 Views
I held out quite awhile because I don't like "fads" - 14/07/2010 02:04:37 PM 1500 Views
Lol! - 14/07/2010 08:54:47 PM 1607 Views
I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 06:39:16 AM 1593 Views
Re: I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 10:01:04 AM 1779 Views
Re: I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 05:44:28 PM 1651 Views
I would have, if I had known there was hype. I know I would have. - 15/07/2010 03:28:50 PM 1615 Views
- 15/07/2010 05:47:01 PM 1675 Views
I think I was first! - 23/07/2010 07:05:08 PM 1615 Views
Aged 13 or 14 - a while before the first movie (which was Christmas 2001). *NM* - 26/07/2010 04:13:55 PM 953 Views
Jesus Christ. - 26/07/2010 05:04:46 PM 1626 Views
^That was me. *NM* - 26/07/2010 09:55:49 PM 946 Views
I was going to ask if it was. *NM* - 26/07/2010 10:04:59 PM 932 Views
Suggestions for the Re-read - 12/07/2010 08:33:25 AM 1556 Views
I like it so far - 13/07/2010 10:16:49 AM 1562 Views
I can try that for the next book. - 13/07/2010 11:21:01 PM 1545 Views
Can we get chapter discussions everyday? *NM* - 15/07/2010 06:40:30 PM 921 Views
Inconsistencies Re: the Potter's death... - 15/07/2010 05:16:45 AM 1879 Views
Because they were tricked? They considered Peter and Sirius to be brothers. - 15/07/2010 07:05:27 AM 1536 Views
That's nonsense.. - 16/07/2010 01:08:40 AM 1450 Views
Take it up with Rowling, since you don't believe me. *NM* - 16/07/2010 08:19:58 AM 868 Views
What's there to believe? - 18/07/2010 06:03:13 AM 1548 Views
Re: That's nonsense.. - 16/07/2010 09:37:59 AM 1667 Views
Also - 16/07/2010 11:17:51 AM 1895 Views
You are correct! There is no inconsistency - 17/07/2010 04:17:35 AM 1578 Views
Huh? - 18/07/2010 05:57:58 AM 1467 Views
But Camilla explained it! - 18/07/2010 09:27:55 AM 1776 Views
Correction - 18/07/2010 10:58:59 AM 1570 Views
I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 05:42:18 PM 1478 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 05:51:36 PM 1496 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 06:17:04 PM 1796 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 06:28:27 PM 1495 Views
That bothers me too. - 18/07/2010 07:17:14 PM 1562 Views
Re: That bothers me too. - 18/07/2010 07:20:44 PM 1411 Views
Yet... - 18/07/2010 07:47:56 PM 1485 Views
Re: Yet... - 18/07/2010 08:02:31 PM 1538 Views
To quote Dumbledore... - 19/07/2010 05:57:23 AM 1438 Views
Again... - 18/07/2010 07:35:10 PM 1724 Views
Re: Again... - 18/07/2010 08:00:55 PM 1518 Views
Re: Again... - 19/07/2010 06:33:13 AM 1716 Views
Re: Again... - 20/07/2010 04:45:16 PM 1524 Views
Yet another load of bosh. - 21/07/2010 01:00:14 AM 1519 Views
Then let's leave it. - 21/07/2010 06:48:45 AM 1613 Views
Re: Then let's leave it. - 21/07/2010 04:19:35 PM 1534 Views
My two cents - 19/07/2010 06:11:30 AM 1584 Views
It was just the sort of things these two daredevils would do... - 14/09/2010 12:11:20 AM 1967 Views
Re: It was just the sort of things these two daredevils would do... - 14/09/2010 09:20:46 AM 1424 Views
You have to wonder if that's actually true. - 26/07/2010 04:23:31 PM 1508 Views
Re: You have to wonder if that's actually true. - 26/07/2010 05:06:43 PM 1609 Views
I don't know that I'd call it "see through Pettigrew"... - 26/07/2010 06:22:19 PM 1522 Views
^That was me, too. Oh, dear. - 26/07/2010 09:56:43 PM 1700 Views
Since Lily and James were unable to leave the house - 18/07/2010 07:14:21 PM 1473 Views
Re: Since Lily and James were unable to leave the house - 26/07/2010 05:07:48 PM 1814 Views
^ And this, too, was me. - 26/07/2010 09:58:07 PM 1537 Views
Re: ^ And this, too, was me. - 26/07/2010 10:05:41 PM 1467 Views
- 26/07/2010 10:07:36 PM 1348 Views

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