I am a little annoyed at her first chapter recap of earlier events. In fact, she
does it every so often throughout the first few whenever something "new" is introduced. It seems unnecessary. I don't know whether it is a failed attempt at reflecting Harry's thoughts (it doesn't read like it), or an indication that she has absolutely no faith in the memory of her readers.
I particularly noticed that I am more emotionally involved in this book than I am in the two preceeding. I noticed it first in the buildup of the Harry/Marge fight. The tension builds and builds, and when it is released it is very effective.
Other than that, I don't know that Rowling's writing is that much improved. Her dialogue, in the first few chapters, is still rudimentary and a little over the top. She is perhaps more visual here than she was in the earlier books?
does it every so often throughout the first few whenever something "new" is introduced. It seems unnecessary. I don't know whether it is a failed attempt at reflecting Harry's thoughts (it doesn't read like it), or an indication that she has absolutely no faith in the memory of her readers.
I particularly noticed that I am more emotionally involved in this book than I am in the two preceeding. I noticed it first in the buildup of the Harry/Marge fight. The tension builds and builds, and when it is released it is very effective.
Other than that, I don't know that Rowling's writing is that much improved. Her dialogue, in the first few chapters, is still rudimentary and a little over the top. She is perhaps more visual here than she was in the earlier books?
As Harry ages the books take on a much more mature feel. This is the first book where I thought it wasn't a book for children. Harry's memories of hearing his mom plead for her life and Sirius and Lupin's desire to kill their friend illustrates this point
Formerly Mat Bloody Cauthon on Wotmania, blessed be its name
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
28/07/2010 12:00:14 PM
- 3082 Views
Chapters 1-3. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:01:10 PM
- 1067 Views
Characters.
28/07/2010 12:03:36 PM
- 1776 Views
Aunt Marge
28/07/2010 01:13:34 PM
- 1683 Views
She's an interesting combination of tropes, one might say...
28/07/2010 01:40:37 PM
- 2030 Views
Re: She's an interesting combination of tropes, one might say...
28/07/2010 02:15:24 PM
- 1852 Views
Stan Shunpike.
28/07/2010 02:01:46 PM
- 1824 Views
Re: Stan Shunpike.
28/07/2010 02:19:41 PM
- 1740 Views
True, I forgot Mundungus. And, arguably, Snape.
28/07/2010 02:46:38 PM
- 1712 Views
Re: True, I forgot Mundungus. And, arguably, Snape.
07/08/2010 02:53:43 PM
- 2062 Views
I think, maybe, it's comparing with other wizarding schools in the world.
08/08/2010 11:35:31 AM
- 1813 Views
Colin Creevey is working class.
28/07/2010 06:32:45 PM
- 1726 Views
Correct me if I'm wrong
28/07/2010 06:38:20 PM
- 1676 Views
Themes, if we can discern any already this early in the book. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:04:47 PM
- 1007 Views
First impressions on the news of Sirius Black's escape. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:05:26 PM
- 1004 Views
Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 01:21:32 PM
- 1824 Views
Re: Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 01:44:50 PM
- 1821 Views
Re: Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 02:22:17 PM
- 1594 Views
Writing style.
28/07/2010 12:07:24 PM
- 1829 Views
It is a better book.
28/07/2010 02:00:54 PM
- 1682 Views
Its much more mature writing style I think
28/07/2010 02:09:33 PM
- 1905 Views
Re: Its much more mature writing style I think
28/07/2010 02:23:03 PM
- 1824 Views
Foreshadowings, details that turn out to be important, etc. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:08:07 PM
- 938 Views
That is very well done in this book, I thought.
28/07/2010 02:08:21 PM
- 1656 Views
Dont foget the most important foreshadowing!
28/07/2010 02:15:35 PM
- 1616 Views
Chapters 4-6. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:11:45 PM
- 924 Views
Characters.
29/07/2010 10:23:28 AM
- 1656 Views
LupinLupinLupinLupinLupinLupin!
29/07/2010 11:48:55 AM
- 1773 Views
Hmmm I'm wondering...is Lupin one of your fav characters?
*NM*
29/07/2010 02:36:20 PM
- 899 Views

Could be, could be.
29/07/2010 02:37:41 PM
- 1655 Views
Well it was subtle so I don't think many people will catch it *NM*
29/07/2010 02:41:38 PM
- 902 Views
Is it premature to argue Harry's starting to get alienated from Ron and Hermione here?
30/07/2010 01:48:06 PM
- 1646 Views
Re: Is it premature to argue Harry's starting to get alienated from Ron and Hermione here?
08/08/2010 11:05:02 AM
- 1542 Views
Writing style.
29/07/2010 10:26:07 AM
- 1679 Views
"Plotting" might be a more interesting discussion point
29/07/2010 11:57:20 AM
- 1736 Views
Introduction of the Dementors. *NM*
29/07/2010 10:26:59 AM
- 905 Views
They are Rowling's most terrifying creation
29/07/2010 12:00:34 PM
- 1633 Views
Without his knowledge or consent of course *NM*
29/07/2010 02:31:47 PM
- 875 Views
Yes
29/07/2010 02:34:01 PM
- 1761 Views
I thinking something thats a little off topic
29/07/2010 02:40:36 PM
- 1600 Views
Re: I thinking something thats a little off topic
29/07/2010 02:42:09 PM
- 1604 Views
Ooo I didn't think of that! I like you. We can be friends
29/07/2010 02:47:31 PM
- 1582 Views

Re: "He's at Hogwarts."
04/08/2010 11:51:05 PM
- 1572 Views
I don't know the answer, but a good place to look would be... (book 4 spoilers)
05/08/2010 12:33:20 AM
- 1626 Views
Chapters 7-9. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:11:59 PM
- 1045 Views
Characters.
30/07/2010 02:07:20 PM
- 1554 Views
Re: Characters.
30/07/2010 02:50:07 PM
- 1498 Views
Lupin vs. Snape
30/07/2010 06:10:07 PM
- 1590 Views
Re: Lupin vs. Snape
30/07/2010 06:12:06 PM
- 1687 Views
Other things you want to comment on.
*NM*
30/07/2010 02:13:36 PM
- 919 Views
30/07/2010 02:51:13 PM
- 1576 Views


Good spell and great scene with the Bogart.
30/07/2010 06:19:16 PM
- 1636 Views
Chapters 10-12. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:12:18 PM
- 828 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
02/08/2010 12:50:56 PM
- 776 Views
Re: Plotting and writing.
02/08/2010 01:36:49 PM
- 1820 Views
I caught that too.
02/08/2010 02:50:03 PM
- 1494 Views
Re: I caught that too.
02/08/2010 02:53:48 PM
- 1624 Views
I suspect....
03/08/2010 03:17:32 PM
- 1771 Views
Other things - the Marauder's Map, background story on Sirius and the Potters,... *NM*
02/08/2010 12:52:30 PM
- 909 Views
The Marauder's Map seems to be able to do more on this first view than later on...
02/08/2010 01:23:19 PM
- 1720 Views
Re: The Marauder's Map seems to be able to do more on this first view than later on...
02/08/2010 01:40:47 PM
- 1645 Views
I think she did a good job of getting the map out of Harry's hands
02/08/2010 02:44:13 PM
- 1623 Views
Re: I think she did a good job of getting the map out of Harry's hands
02/08/2010 02:46:38 PM
- 1778 Views
It's not that the map was wrong - on the contrary (book 4 spoilers).
02/08/2010 02:47:55 PM
- 1546 Views
Re: It's not that the map was wrong - on the contrary (book 4 spoilers).
02/08/2010 02:57:55 PM
- 1687 Views
No, you and Aria seem to be right - only Harry himself is depicted in miniature.
02/08/2010 03:28:11 PM
- 1645 Views
Re: No, you and Aria seem to be right - only Harry himself is depicted in miniature.
02/08/2010 03:31:14 PM
- 1550 Views
Agree about the Twins and my take on Harry's impression of James.
02/08/2010 02:50:11 PM
- 1598 Views
Re: Other things - the Marauder's Map, background story on Sirius and the Potters,...
02/08/2010 01:36:56 PM
- 1557 Views
Chapters 13-15. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:12:57 PM
- 913 Views
Characters.
03/08/2010 05:25:47 PM
- 1610 Views
Re: Characters.
03/08/2010 05:29:32 PM
- 1704 Views
OK. I don't like how one-sided the Slytherins are.
08/08/2010 02:30:22 PM
- 1678 Views
Agreed.
08/08/2010 02:37:18 PM
- 1628 Views
Re: Agreed.
08/08/2010 02:45:30 PM
- 1613 Views
There are only three named girls in his year in Gryffindor, that I'm aware of.
08/08/2010 03:08:51 PM
- 1615 Views
Re: There are only three named girls in his year in Gryffindor, that I'm aware of.
08/08/2010 03:12:23 PM
- 1611 Views
But the Sorting Hat decides, and they can't refuse students that I'm aware of...
08/08/2010 03:06:53 PM
- 1829 Views
Re: But the Sorting Hat decides, and they can't refuse students that I'm aware of...
08/08/2010 03:10:28 PM
- 1618 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
03/08/2010 05:26:12 PM
- 876 Views
Crookshanks.
08/08/2010 02:22:36 PM
- 1618 Views
I knew I saw this somewhere.
09/08/2010 08:16:01 PM
- 1541 Views
Re: I knew I saw this somewhere.
09/08/2010 09:01:18 PM
- 1674 Views
Did they come out and explain Crookshanks?
11/08/2010 04:20:18 PM
- 1715 Views
Re: Did they come out and explain Crookshanks?
11/08/2010 04:21:37 PM
- 1523 Views
Thanks, thought I was loosing it... well, maybe I am, but I can still read.
11/08/2010 04:26:31 PM
- 1760 Views

The Quidditch Cup, and anything else you want to discuss. *NM*
03/08/2010 05:26:37 PM
- 901 Views
Re: The Quidditch Cup, and anything else you want to discuss.
03/08/2010 05:36:35 PM
- 1679 Views
I really enjoyed the first quidditch match.
03/08/2010 05:40:37 PM
- 1540 Views
Chapters 16-18. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:11 PM
- 928 Views
Characters.
04/08/2010 04:16:39 PM
- 1723 Views
Plotting and writing.
04/08/2010 04:18:52 PM
- 1529 Views
Other thoughts. *NM*
04/08/2010 04:19:15 PM
- 1025 Views
Re: Other thoughts.
04/08/2010 05:19:45 PM
- 1544 Views
Re: Other thoughts.
08/08/2010 03:09:23 PM
- 1700 Views
Re: Other thoughts.
08/08/2010 03:11:43 PM
- 1662 Views
Chapters 19-20. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:27 PM
- 884 Views
Characters.
05/08/2010 02:40:22 PM
- 1443 Views
Re: Characters.
05/08/2010 02:45:53 PM
- 1889 Views
See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:04:24 PM
- 1977 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:13:21 PM
- 1709 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:54:31 PM
- 2075 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 05:01:52 PM
- 1901 Views
Something I've only just realized about Snape... (massive book six and seven spoilers)
05/08/2010 02:53:15 PM
- 1702 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
05/08/2010 02:40:42 PM
- 782 Views
Re: Plotting and writing.
05/08/2010 02:48:02 PM
- 1793 Views
I think it's a good thing she explains her clues.
05/08/2010 03:09:59 PM
- 1643 Views
Other thoughts. *NM*
05/08/2010 02:41:01 PM
- 839 Views
killing
05/08/2010 02:48:33 PM
- 1527 Views
Chapters 21-22. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:42 PM
- 854 Views
Plotting and writing.
06/08/2010 05:04:14 PM
- 1448 Views
And everything else you noticed and want to comment on. *NM*
06/08/2010 05:04:46 PM
- 936 Views
Overall thoughts. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:14:03 PM
- 891 Views
Overarching plot and themes. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:18:27 PM
- 839 Views
How good a book is this - compared to the rest of the series, and compared to YA books in general? *NM*
28/07/2010 01:19:06 PM
- 915 Views
More of a question, really
01/08/2010 10:40:23 PM
- 1584 Views
I think this is situational and a sad commentary on his home life.
02/08/2010 03:01:49 PM
- 1429 Views
Well, but the question still remains
02/08/2010 03:04:01 PM
- 1536 Views
I suppose this is more or less the right place for this.
04/08/2010 11:59:45 PM
- 1664 Views
I had totally forgotten about that choir and the Ray Bradbury reference.
05/08/2010 12:37:09 AM
- 1495 Views
Okay, so possibly a Shakespeare reference also used by Bradbury. Whatever.
*NM*
05/08/2010 12:37:56 AM
- 835 Views

Since I'm being scolded, I'll try to focus.
09/08/2010 06:46:26 PM
- 1510 Views
Re: Since I'm being scolded, I'll try to focus.
09/08/2010 07:16:37 PM
- 1726 Views
Suggestions for the re-read.
28/07/2010 06:14:49 PM
- 1713 Views
I knew I was gonna forget something.
28/07/2010 06:55:50 PM
- 1683 Views

Perhaps
29/07/2010 09:29:53 AM
- 1605 Views
I considered that, but it seemed overly non-trusting, and nobody has posted in them yet? *NM*
29/07/2010 10:12:23 AM
- 741 Views
<Tattoos "Poor Impulse Control" on your forehead>
29/07/2010 11:00:07 AM
- 1681 Views
I think a little break might be a good idea. Give people a chance to catch up.
02/08/2010 11:46:13 PM
- 1625 Views
Re: I think a little break might be a good idea. Give people a chance to catch up.
02/08/2010 11:59:20 PM
- 1593 Views
I think I should make clear, just in case, that I don't mean immediately.
03/08/2010 05:11:26 PM
- 1551 Views
Yes
03/08/2010 05:13:10 PM
- 1554 Views