Thoughts, feelings, etc.
It seems to me that one of Rowling's strengths as a writer is in writing characters for us to be annoyed by. The Dursleys are constant throughout, obviously, Dobby, as mentioned above, and now the cheese-fest and hack Gilderoy Lockhart. There's at least one in every installment.
It is entertaining to read the different reactions to him, from the young male perspective (Harry and Ron's incredulity) vs. Mrs. Weasley, Hermoine, and the sighing that ensues.
The confrontation between Lucious Malfoy and Arthur Weasley in Florish and Blotts is amusing as well. Stepping in to diffuse the situation and actually getting into a "muggle duel," made for a good laugh.
Almost forgot! A wild Ford Anglia? There were some good humor moments in these few chapters. Ron and Harry getting ejected from the car and it running off into the woods to get away from them was a great scene. Poor Hedwig!
Lockheart is a great character. I love reading his stuff, because I enjoy what a terrible wizard he is and how arrogant he is despite ample proof that he is not that great. Someone already said it but I will reiterate, his fame chasing against Harry trying to just be normal provides a nice contrast.
I was always surprised Hermione didn't see through him sooner, but she is only 12.
The car bit is brilliant, I agree.
The Great Harry Potter re-read: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
19/07/2010 09:32:22 AM
- 2273 Views
Chapters 1-3
19/07/2010 09:32:52 AM
- 1500 Views
Dobby
19/07/2010 02:39:06 PM
- 1482 Views
I hate Dobby.
20/07/2010 11:32:58 AM
- 1602 Views
Stuff
20/07/2010 05:54:26 PM
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The Dursleys.
23/07/2010 11:35:31 PM
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Chapters 4-6
19/07/2010 09:33:18 AM
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Another character we love to hate! Gilderoy Lockhart. Plus Weasley vs Malfoy.
20/07/2010 03:29:39 PM
- 1505 Views
I can't remember how much I hated him the first read
21/07/2010 03:44:15 AM
- 1606 Views
You're right. It's not as bad the second (or third) time around with him.
21/07/2010 01:54:01 PM
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My problems with Dobby are very different from my problems with Lockhart
21/07/2010 07:02:55 AM
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More stuff
21/07/2010 07:00:04 AM
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This section really brought home to me how well Rowling writes about love and relationships.
21/07/2010 07:22:43 PM
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That last remark made me check out the names in the French translation...
26/07/2010 05:18:36 PM
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Don't get me started on the Norwegian translation.
26/07/2010 09:52:09 PM
- 1489 Views
That is indeed genuinely awesome.
27/07/2010 12:24:07 AM
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Re: That is indeed genuinely awesome.
27/07/2010 09:07:35 AM
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McSnurf? MCSNURF?? WTH? *NM*
27/07/2010 08:47:55 PM
- 903 Views
Chapters 7-9
19/07/2010 09:33:44 AM
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Colin Creevey.
22/07/2010 06:55:17 PM
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Re: Colin Creevey.
23/07/2010 10:13:33 PM
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Even more stuff
23/07/2010 10:10:39 PM
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Chapters 10-12
19/07/2010 09:34:13 AM
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Three good chapters
22/07/2010 02:28:20 PM
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Yup.
23/07/2010 11:32:03 PM
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I agree. And plain jealousy that Harry's hogging the spotlight time and again.
26/07/2010 05:28:09 PM
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Chapters 13-15
19/07/2010 09:34:50 AM
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Heh. I'd forgotten how near the end of the book the spiders are.
23/07/2010 11:26:43 PM
- 1307 Views
"Goodbye friends of Hagrid..."
26/07/2010 01:58:25 PM
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Chapters 16-18
19/07/2010 09:35:20 AM
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Overall thoughts
19/07/2010 09:36:06 AM
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Thoughts on the movie quality
21/07/2010 04:15:20 AM
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I always felt that the first two movies were the best, and the others bungled the atmosphere. *NM*
21/07/2010 03:08:29 PM
- 822 Views
I wonder if Rowling ever looks back and wishes she could change some stuff
21/07/2010 06:44:41 PM
- 1326 Views
Suggestions for the re-read?
19/07/2010 09:37:32 AM
- 1296 Views
Do we want a wee break before the next book?
24/07/2010 10:47:07 AM
- 1280 Views
we need an impatient smiley that taps its foot while looking grumpy. *NM*
27/07/2010 08:51:30 PM
- 790 Views
It's not Wednesday yet! *NM*
27/07/2010 09:26:21 PM
- 722 Views
But it was a question:
27/07/2010 10:25:27 PM
- 1300 Views
Yes, but the two possibilities in Rebekah's post were either Wednesday or next Monday.
27/07/2010 10:33:10 PM
- 1638 Views