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Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. Darth_Katie Send a noteboard - 13/07/2010 01:14:01 PM
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


Yes, I keep being amased that he has kept that while being continually put down and locked in a cupboard. To still be answering back 11 years later when that life is all you can remember is quite a feat.


It really is amazing he turns out as well as he does. Of course, a broken and abused Harry would be a much more depressing hero ... :(
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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 3785 Views
Chapters 1-3: Introducing Harry - 12/07/2010 08:28:49 AM 2013 Views
Characterisation *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:02 AM 1157 Views
My thoughts, such as they are. - 12/07/2010 04:09:55 PM 2113 Views
Agree. She gave us enough to make it interesting. - 12/07/2010 06:45:46 PM 2047 Views
Re: My thoughts, such as they are. *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:43:49 PM 2072 Views
You hit the nail on the head. - 13/07/2010 12:20:19 AM 1958 Views
Re: You hit the nail on the head. - 13/07/2010 08:51:45 AM 1905 Views
Writing style *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:18 AM 1134 Views
A couple of points. - 12/07/2010 04:10:20 PM 1892 Views
It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 07:18:14 PM 2102 Views
True. - 12/07/2010 07:36:49 PM 2042 Views
Re: It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 09:31:11 PM 2251 Views
Re: It is very clear it is a children's book at this time - 12/07/2010 09:51:23 PM 1836 Views
Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. - 13/07/2010 04:03:26 AM 2094 Views
Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. - 13/07/2010 08:54:40 AM 2042 Views
Re: Vernon's slow descent into madness is great. - 13/07/2010 01:14:01 PM 2094 Views
Indeed. - 13/07/2010 01:15:23 PM 1891 Views
Early themes *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:37 AM 1226 Views
Strong vs weak *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:23:45 PM 1855 Views
- 12/07/2010 07:43:27 PM 1905 Views
Re: - 12/07/2010 07:44:56 PM 1877 Views
Chapters 4-10: Making Friends at Hogwarts *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:29:58 AM 1071 Views
Impressions: thoughts about the school, the teachers, the enemies and the friends. *NM* - 14/07/2010 08:29:38 AM 1112 Views
I'd forgotten how annoying Hermione was - 14/07/2010 01:48:13 PM 1958 Views
Me too. - 14/07/2010 04:30:13 PM 1869 Views
Yep. I like seeing her transformation in this story though. - 14/07/2010 04:58:04 PM 1899 Views
Some thoughts before I run off to the library again - 14/07/2010 06:11:45 PM 2141 Views
Good points - 14/07/2010 08:45:56 PM 2032 Views
What about the magic? - 14/07/2010 08:58:51 AM 1915 Views
The magic wasnt really developed at this point - 14/07/2010 02:13:41 PM 1849 Views
Re: The magic wasnt really developed at this point - 14/07/2010 08:53:08 PM 2089 Views
There was one powerful protection - 15/07/2010 01:29:49 AM 2026 Views
I agree - 15/07/2010 04:51:05 AM 2023 Views
Re: I agree - 15/07/2010 05:44:41 AM 1888 Views
Re: There was one powerful protection - 15/07/2010 08:12:40 AM 2183 Views
I think - 14/07/2010 04:34:30 PM 1853 Views
Diagon Alley - Olivander's Foreshadowing - 14/07/2010 05:11:40 PM 2148 Views
Re: Diagon Alley - Olivander's Foreshadowing - 14/07/2010 08:51:06 PM 1844 Views
Agreed. - 14/07/2010 08:57:55 PM 1880 Views
I really need a remembrall. - 14/07/2010 08:57:10 PM 2044 Views
I felt bad for Neville. - 14/07/2010 09:03:49 PM 1991 Views
Indeed. - 14/07/2010 09:05:40 PM 1865 Views
But it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten! - 15/07/2010 02:51:47 AM 2148 Views
I know, right! - 15/07/2010 06:41:01 AM 1864 Views
Exactly. - 15/07/2010 03:22:18 PM 1806 Views
Re: But it doesn't tell you what you've forgotten! - 15/07/2010 08:15:55 AM 1919 Views
Ah, see - 15/07/2010 03:23:49 PM 1830 Views
Chapters 11-17: Harry the Hero *NM* - 12/07/2010 08:30:29 AM 1096 Views
What'd you think of the ending? *NM* - 15/07/2010 05:21:38 PM 1054 Views
Loved it. - 15/07/2010 05:56:06 PM 1916 Views
Two separate things: - 15/07/2010 07:14:08 PM 1905 Views
I hear you - 15/07/2010 08:22:05 PM 1949 Views
Re: Two separate things: - 15/07/2010 08:48:21 PM 1912 Views
I can clarify some stuff for you - 15/07/2010 09:14:07 PM 2013 Views
One of the most sublime, wonderful moments of any book - 15/07/2010 08:18:29 PM 1774 Views
Yes! - 15/07/2010 10:39:11 PM 1942 Views
Lovely - 15/07/2010 09:00:11 PM 2022 Views
Haha - 15/07/2010 09:16:16 PM 2091 Views
Re: Haha - 15/07/2010 09:24:06 PM 1992 Views
But I thought all girls were made of sugar and spice and everything nice? - 15/07/2010 09:26:53 PM 1842 Views
Oh, we are. - 15/07/2010 09:35:17 PM 1760 Views
Ah like vodka vs. wine coolers? *NM* - 15/07/2010 09:48:26 PM 1039 Views
Gin - 15/07/2010 09:49:33 PM 1878 Views
I was 16. - 15/07/2010 10:49:33 PM 1768 Views
So was I - 15/07/2010 10:54:24 PM 1804 Views
Honestly, dumbledore is a bit of an ass... - 15/07/2010 10:48:32 PM 1775 Views
Heresy! - 15/07/2010 10:55:28 PM 1801 Views
As I indicated below, I had some issues. - 16/07/2010 03:05:05 AM 2101 Views
Re: As I indicated below, I had some issues. - 16/07/2010 11:14:56 AM 1965 Views
In fairness, it's Hogwarts itself that is all but impregnable. - 26/07/2010 03:55:02 PM 1890 Views
A funny thing I noticed - 15/07/2010 09:00:42 PM 1998 Views
- 15/07/2010 09:18:08 PM 1851 Views
Overall thoughts for the book - 12/07/2010 08:31:37 AM 1913 Views
Foreshadowing and setting up the future - 12/07/2010 08:32:10 AM 1836 Views
Harry's anger management issues? - 12/07/2010 07:14:58 PM 1915 Views
Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:40:40 PM 1939 Views
Nah, not deliberate. - 12/07/2010 09:14:20 PM 2004 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 12/07/2010 09:55:32 PM 1927 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 13/07/2010 03:02:59 PM 1869 Views
Re: Nah, not deliberate. - 13/07/2010 03:04:42 PM 1972 Views
I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:22:54 PM 2034 Views
Re: I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:39:25 PM 1957 Views
Re: I noticed a lot of this. - 12/07/2010 07:45:32 PM 1947 Views
~smug~ - 13/07/2010 02:09:15 PM 1918 Views
Indeed. - 13/07/2010 02:10:41 PM 2177 Views
This response implies the experience of being both?? - 13/07/2010 03:23:29 PM 1918 Views
On Ginny: - 12/07/2010 10:36:47 PM 2045 Views
So much (chapters 1-3) *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:35:57 PM 2163 Views
Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:38:05 PM 1985 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:39:08 PM 1999 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:39:53 PM 1806 Views
Re: Hm. - 12/07/2010 07:44:16 PM 1717 Views
Re: Hm. - 13/07/2010 04:41:12 AM 1811 Views
Re: Hm. - 13/07/2010 08:55:09 AM 1874 Views
I missed the school roof thing this time around too! Good catch there. *NM* - 12/07/2010 09:22:21 PM 1082 Views
The thing that tipped me off - 12/07/2010 09:53:01 PM 1907 Views
Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 09:18:35 PM 2117 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 10:30:23 PM 1947 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 10:55:01 PM 1895 Views
Re: Some stuff (chapters 4-11) - 14/07/2010 11:05:59 PM 1916 Views
I can answer your consistency question! - 15/07/2010 02:35:42 AM 2064 Views
You are a clever cookie. - 15/07/2010 08:14:25 AM 1916 Views
Yes - 15/07/2010 03:30:36 PM 1742 Views
Ooh, yes. - 16/07/2010 12:19:13 AM 1762 Views
More stuff (chapters 12-17) - 15/07/2010 08:55:34 PM 1787 Views
Re: More stuff (chapters 12-17) - 15/07/2010 09:19:13 PM 1907 Views
Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 04:23:15 PM 1996 Views
Re: Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 04:28:04 PM 1891 Views
Re: Tiny tiny inconsistency (?) in Ch. 12 - 17/07/2010 07:12:39 PM 2152 Views
I like it. Thank you. - 20/07/2010 12:53:37 AM 2104 Views
What made this book (and the rest of the series) such a success? - 12/07/2010 08:33:00 AM 2024 Views
I have no idea *spoilers* - 12/07/2010 07:47:58 PM 2104 Views
I agree... - 12/07/2010 09:19:59 PM 2089 Views
It has tons of things in it that every kid dreams of doing - 14/07/2010 01:56:05 PM 2017 Views
Kid? - 14/07/2010 02:01:30 PM 2008 Views
so do I. I was just trying to act mature *NM* - 14/07/2010 02:08:01 PM 1228 Views
Not even just the super stuff Deadsy mentions. - 14/07/2010 04:38:46 PM 2136 Views
It's a simple, well-done little book. - 12/07/2010 07:46:48 PM 2034 Views
you don't read instructions, do you? - 12/07/2010 07:49:24 PM 2062 Views
Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:50:23 PM 1993 Views
Re: Heh. - 12/07/2010 07:51:40 PM 1986 Views
Awwww! - 12/07/2010 07:52:19 PM 1937 Views
- 12/07/2010 07:52:52 PM 2036 Views
Wha? - 12/07/2010 07:50:44 PM 2054 Views
Re: Wha? - 12/07/2010 07:52:21 PM 2012 Views
Pff. - 12/07/2010 07:54:54 PM 2007 Views
*NM* - 12/07/2010 07:56:03 PM 1236 Views
When did you pick up this book? - 12/07/2010 11:30:46 PM 1944 Views
I was 10. - 13/07/2010 04:13:44 AM 2079 Views
I was 16. - 13/07/2010 08:24:02 AM 2008 Views
1999 - 13/07/2010 09:03:03 AM 2000 Views
What do you mean by adult version? - 13/07/2010 02:15:40 PM 2119 Views
Re: What do you mean by adult version? - 13/07/2010 02:17:40 PM 2006 Views
Just before the first movie came out - 13/07/2010 02:17:42 PM 2164 Views
When Prisoner of Azkaban was a hardback. - 13/07/2010 02:23:57 PM 2028 Views
Just after Goblet of Fire was published. - 13/07/2010 11:50:38 PM 2094 Views
Just before Goblet of Fire came out. - 14/07/2010 04:04:21 AM 2035 Views
The first five were out, waited for HBP. - 14/07/2010 06:20:39 AM 2162 Views
You're making me want to talk about toadface - 14/07/2010 02:06:25 PM 2044 Views
Sorry! - 15/07/2010 06:36:11 AM 2121 Views
I held out quite awhile because I don't like "fads" - 14/07/2010 02:04:37 PM 1993 Views
Lol! - 14/07/2010 08:54:47 PM 2090 Views
I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 06:39:16 AM 2101 Views
Re: I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 10:01:04 AM 2259 Views
Re: I did the same thing. - 15/07/2010 05:44:28 PM 2169 Views
I would have, if I had known there was hype. I know I would have. - 15/07/2010 03:28:50 PM 2158 Views
- 15/07/2010 05:47:01 PM 2165 Views
I think I was first! - 23/07/2010 07:05:08 PM 2102 Views
Aged 13 or 14 - a while before the first movie (which was Christmas 2001). *NM* - 26/07/2010 04:13:55 PM 1253 Views
Jesus Christ. - 26/07/2010 05:04:46 PM 2235 Views
^That was me. *NM* - 26/07/2010 09:55:49 PM 1257 Views
I was going to ask if it was. *NM* - 26/07/2010 10:04:59 PM 1211 Views
Suggestions for the Re-read - 12/07/2010 08:33:25 AM 2054 Views
I like it so far - 13/07/2010 10:16:49 AM 2024 Views
I can try that for the next book. - 13/07/2010 11:21:01 PM 2011 Views
Can we get chapter discussions everyday? *NM* - 15/07/2010 06:40:30 PM 1187 Views
Inconsistencies Re: the Potter's death... - 15/07/2010 05:16:45 AM 2384 Views
Because they were tricked? They considered Peter and Sirius to be brothers. - 15/07/2010 07:05:27 AM 2019 Views
That's nonsense.. - 16/07/2010 01:08:40 AM 1965 Views
Take it up with Rowling, since you don't believe me. *NM* - 16/07/2010 08:19:58 AM 1125 Views
What's there to believe? - 18/07/2010 06:03:13 AM 2043 Views
Re: That's nonsense.. - 16/07/2010 09:37:59 AM 2157 Views
Also - 16/07/2010 11:17:51 AM 2387 Views
You are correct! There is no inconsistency - 17/07/2010 04:17:35 AM 2096 Views
Huh? - 18/07/2010 05:57:58 AM 1937 Views
But Camilla explained it! - 18/07/2010 09:27:55 AM 2270 Views
Correction - 18/07/2010 10:58:59 AM 2073 Views
I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 05:42:18 PM 1957 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 05:51:36 PM 1985 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 06:17:04 PM 2271 Views
Re: I'm fairly certain you guys have that totally wrong... - 18/07/2010 06:28:27 PM 1983 Views
That bothers me too. - 18/07/2010 07:17:14 PM 2055 Views
Re: That bothers me too. - 18/07/2010 07:20:44 PM 1925 Views
Yet... - 18/07/2010 07:47:56 PM 1999 Views
Re: Yet... - 18/07/2010 08:02:31 PM 2014 Views
To quote Dumbledore... - 19/07/2010 05:57:23 AM 1911 Views
Again... - 18/07/2010 07:35:10 PM 2224 Views
Re: Again... - 18/07/2010 08:00:55 PM 2018 Views
Re: Again... - 19/07/2010 06:33:13 AM 2211 Views
Re: Again... - 20/07/2010 04:45:16 PM 2033 Views
Yet another load of bosh. - 21/07/2010 01:00:14 AM 2017 Views
Then let's leave it. - 21/07/2010 06:48:45 AM 2143 Views
Re: Then let's leave it. - 21/07/2010 04:19:35 PM 2019 Views
My two cents - 19/07/2010 06:11:30 AM 2092 Views
It was just the sort of things these two daredevils would do... - 14/09/2010 12:11:20 AM 2496 Views
Re: It was just the sort of things these two daredevils would do... - 14/09/2010 09:20:46 AM 1902 Views
You have to wonder if that's actually true. - 26/07/2010 04:23:31 PM 2002 Views
Re: You have to wonder if that's actually true. - 26/07/2010 05:06:43 PM 2217 Views
I don't know that I'd call it "see through Pettigrew"... - 26/07/2010 06:22:19 PM 1970 Views
^That was me, too. Oh, dear. - 26/07/2010 09:56:43 PM 2214 Views
Since Lily and James were unable to leave the house - 18/07/2010 07:14:21 PM 2008 Views
Re: Since Lily and James were unable to leave the house - 26/07/2010 05:07:48 PM 2435 Views
^ And this, too, was me. - 26/07/2010 09:58:07 PM 2025 Views
Re: ^ And this, too, was me. - 26/07/2010 10:05:41 PM 1926 Views
- 26/07/2010 10:07:36 PM 1836 Views

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