I lovelovelove Lupin. Ahem. Oh, clear and rational analysis and discussion, you say? Right.

First Scabbers. Not so much an observation as a question, really. If Pettigrew lives as a rat, in the body of a rat, and he never returns to human form, should he not age as a rat, and be very weak and die soon?
Dunno. How long do rats live? Couldn't magical ratty pets be longlived?
I don't know. The reason I brought it up was that the man in the pet shop said something about the common garden rat and living 3 years or so.
The Twins: I love how Fred and George tried to shut Percy in a pyramid. And their mocking parody of him greeting Harry had me giggling out loud. But then they are perfectly subtle and tactful about cheering Harry up about the dementors and Malfoy at the feast. They become many-faceted, not just clowns or funny happy guys. They are actually able to deal sensibly with a younger kid being bullied. I am impressed.
The twins are really well written characters. I believe everything about them. That's one of Rowling's talents, I think, creating multi-faceted personalities to inhabit her books.
Indeed. Or, she suggests, creates the forms, and then allows us to fill in all the rest. It is an astonishing talent, and one many of my favourite authors possesses. I prefer that to people who paint their characters in great detail and attempt to control my understanding of them. I suspect this is the reason why Roh and I have had so many heated debates over the various Rowling characters -- we each imbued them with different traits. This is possible because they are not two-dimensional. You can put a lot of stuff in a box; it is more difficult to put anything in sheet of paper.
I like Mr and Mrs Weasley's discussion on whether to tell Harry. It is nice to see they love him. And how Mr Weasley would be willing to go back on his word to Fudge because he feels Harry needs to know what is going on. Of course, this reflects on Fudge again, feeling it is better to just keep everyone in the dark.
So lovely. Fudge is the perfect government man. It's kind of reassuring that even the Magical World has such useless leaders. 

Reassuring? Really?
And Crookshanks is perfectly lovely. I don't see what Ron is on about. It sounds like the world's best cat. Although it isn't a cat, is it. It's a something else, the name of which escapes me.
Cats drool.
Not as much as dogs.
But Crookshanks is funny. Reminds me of Greebo.
That hadn't occurred to me, but you are right. At least partially. Less ... insane?
But LupinLupinLupin! Ah, one of my major literary crushes. And it is not just the fact that he offers free chocolate (always a plus). He is asleep, then, as soon as the dementors are there he protects the kids and then he offers them chocolate. Lovely. Perfect. He makes everything feel safe and good.
I bet he's pretty huggable as well.
I am sure he is. I have never quite forgiven Harry for not giving him a hug when he left.
Malfoy is his usual self. Clearly mocking Harry's reaction to the dementors to cover up his own fear of them. And then getting suitably punished for his disrespect by Buckbeak.
~nods~ Slimy little twerp. I do feel sorry for him, though. What with his father and all.
Yes. Still, that excuse only goes so far. He is getting to a point where it is getting a little worn.
Sir Cadogan is a little annoying. Or quite annoying. But he never reaches anywhere near the levels of annoyance reached in the last book.
~nods~
Trelawny. Is lovely in an annoying sort of way. I fully intend to start walking up to random strangers and say "You know that thing you are dreading? It will happen on [random date]". It is genius. And I really like how some of her "predictions" turn out to be real, but not in the way she interprets them. For example, the ``around Easter, one of our number will leave us forever''. And she does seem to have a good ability to read human nature, as when she identifies Neville as the one most likely to break a cup if prodded in the right way. She is a problematic character, though. Very morally grey in the way she abuses the credibility of students by making them think one of them is going to die, for example. And I wonder whether she got the twins mixed up when she told Parvati to beware of red-haired men, as her sister is the one who has a miserable time with Ron at the Yule Ball.
Trelawny is great. I like that Rowling remembers to have useless established teachers as well as the replacements the kids have suffered over the past two years. Makes Quirrell and Lockhart seem much less anomalous.
True.
And Emma Thompson was the perfect pick for Trelawney.
She was indeed. There has been some very good casting in the movies. Trelawny, Lockhart, Snape, McGonnagall, Mr & Mrs Weasley, the Twins, Wood, ...
Also: I've often wondered whether the teenage girl readers are supposed to think that the thing Lavender is dreading is her period. Might make young girls feel a bit better about the fact they're worried about it. I like to think of Rowling as being caring like that.
Huh. That never occurred to me.
McGonnagall, as usual, the voice of clear-cutting no-nonsense reason, knowing the perfect way to dispell Trelawny's mumbo-jumbo.
I had a teacher like McGonagall. She was wonderful. Strict but fair.
I am envious.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
structured procrastinator
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
28/07/2010 12:00:14 PM
- 2865 Views
Chapters 1-3. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:01:10 PM
- 987 Views
Characters.
28/07/2010 12:03:36 PM
- 1681 Views
Aunt Marge
28/07/2010 01:13:34 PM
- 1597 Views
She's an interesting combination of tropes, one might say...
28/07/2010 01:40:37 PM
- 1943 Views
Re: She's an interesting combination of tropes, one might say...
28/07/2010 02:15:24 PM
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Stan Shunpike.
28/07/2010 02:01:46 PM
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Re: Stan Shunpike.
28/07/2010 02:19:41 PM
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True, I forgot Mundungus. And, arguably, Snape.
28/07/2010 02:46:38 PM
- 1620 Views
Re: True, I forgot Mundungus. And, arguably, Snape.
07/08/2010 02:53:43 PM
- 1854 Views
I think, maybe, it's comparing with other wizarding schools in the world.
08/08/2010 11:35:31 AM
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Colin Creevey is working class.
28/07/2010 06:32:45 PM
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Correct me if I'm wrong
28/07/2010 06:38:20 PM
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Themes, if we can discern any already this early in the book. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:04:47 PM
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First impressions on the news of Sirius Black's escape. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:05:26 PM
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Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 01:21:32 PM
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Re: Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 01:44:50 PM
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Re: Aaaah, Sirius.
28/07/2010 02:22:17 PM
- 1499 Views
Writing style.
28/07/2010 12:07:24 PM
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It is a better book.
28/07/2010 02:00:54 PM
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Its much more mature writing style I think
28/07/2010 02:09:33 PM
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Re: Its much more mature writing style I think
28/07/2010 02:23:03 PM
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Foreshadowings, details that turn out to be important, etc. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:08:07 PM
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That is very well done in this book, I thought.
28/07/2010 02:08:21 PM
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Dont foget the most important foreshadowing!
28/07/2010 02:15:35 PM
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Chapters 4-6. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:11:45 PM
- 848 Views
Characters.
29/07/2010 10:23:28 AM
- 1567 Views
LupinLupinLupinLupinLupinLupin!
29/07/2010 11:48:55 AM
- 1689 Views
Hmmm I'm wondering...is Lupin one of your fav characters?
*NM*
29/07/2010 02:36:20 PM
- 824 Views

Could be, could be.
29/07/2010 02:37:41 PM
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Well it was subtle so I don't think many people will catch it *NM*
29/07/2010 02:41:38 PM
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He is so lovely.
03/08/2010 06:00:26 PM
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Re: He is so lovely.
03/08/2010 06:10:34 PM
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Is it premature to argue Harry's starting to get alienated from Ron and Hermione here?
30/07/2010 01:48:06 PM
- 1560 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
- 1455 Views
Writing style.
29/07/2010 10:26:07 AM
- 1593 Views
"Plotting" might be a more interesting discussion point
29/07/2010 11:57:20 AM
- 1649 Views
Introduction of the Dementors. *NM*
29/07/2010 10:26:59 AM
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They are Rowling's most terrifying creation
29/07/2010 12:00:34 PM
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Without his knowledge or consent of course *NM*
29/07/2010 02:31:47 PM
- 796 Views
Yes
29/07/2010 02:34:01 PM
- 1677 Views
I thinking something thats a little off topic
29/07/2010 02:40:36 PM
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Re: I thinking something thats a little off topic
29/07/2010 02:42:09 PM
- 1520 Views
Ooo I didn't think of that! I like you. We can be friends
29/07/2010 02:47:31 PM
- 1497 Views

Re: "He's at Hogwarts."
04/08/2010 11:51:05 PM
- 1491 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
- 1535 Views
Chapters 7-9. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:11:59 PM
- 967 Views
Characters.
30/07/2010 02:07:20 PM
- 1468 Views
Re: Characters.
30/07/2010 02:50:07 PM
- 1413 Views
Lupin vs. Snape
30/07/2010 06:10:07 PM
- 1504 Views
Re: Lupin vs. Snape
30/07/2010 06:12:06 PM
- 1599 Views
Other things you want to comment on.
*NM*
30/07/2010 02:13:36 PM
- 842 Views
30/07/2010 02:51:13 PM
- 1487 Views


Good spell and great scene with the Bogart.
30/07/2010 06:19:16 PM
- 1549 Views
Chapters 10-12. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:12:18 PM
- 747 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
02/08/2010 12:50:56 PM
- 697 Views
Re: Plotting and writing.
02/08/2010 01:36:49 PM
- 1732 Views
I caught that too.
02/08/2010 02:50:03 PM
- 1405 Views
Re: I caught that too.
02/08/2010 02:53:48 PM
- 1535 Views
I suspect....
03/08/2010 03:17:32 PM
- 1682 Views
Other things - the Marauder's Map, background story on Sirius and the Potters,... *NM*
02/08/2010 12:52:30 PM
- 831 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
- 1630 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
- 1558 Views
I think she did a good job of getting the map out of Harry's hands
02/08/2010 02:44:13 PM
- 1538 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
- 1692 Views
It's not that the map was wrong - on the contrary (book 4 spoilers).
02/08/2010 02:47:55 PM
- 1459 Views
Re: It's not that the map was wrong - on the contrary (book 4 spoilers).
02/08/2010 02:57:55 PM
- 1602 Views
No, you and Aria seem to be right - only Harry himself is depicted in miniature.
02/08/2010 03:28:11 PM
- 1556 Views
Re: No, you and Aria seem to be right - only Harry himself is depicted in miniature.
02/08/2010 03:31:14 PM
- 1466 Views
Agree about the Twins and my take on Harry's impression of James.
02/08/2010 02:50:11 PM
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Re: Other things - the Marauder's Map, background story on Sirius and the Potters,...
02/08/2010 01:36:56 PM
- 1464 Views
Chapters 13-15. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:12:57 PM
- 834 Views
Characters.
03/08/2010 05:25:47 PM
- 1526 Views
Re: Characters.
03/08/2010 05:29:32 PM
- 1616 Views
OK. I don't like how one-sided the Slytherins are.
08/08/2010 02:30:22 PM
- 1593 Views
Agreed.
08/08/2010 02:37:18 PM
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Re: Agreed.
08/08/2010 02:45:30 PM
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There are only three named girls in his year in Gryffindor, that I'm aware of.
08/08/2010 03:08:51 PM
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Re: There are only three named girls in his year in Gryffindor, that I'm aware of.
08/08/2010 03:12:23 PM
- 1523 Views
But the Sorting Hat decides, and they can't refuse students that I'm aware of...
08/08/2010 03:06:53 PM
- 1738 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
- 1533 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
03/08/2010 05:26:12 PM
- 796 Views
Crookshanks.
08/08/2010 02:22:36 PM
- 1530 Views
I knew I saw this somewhere.
09/08/2010 08:16:01 PM
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Re: I knew I saw this somewhere.
09/08/2010 09:01:18 PM
- 1585 Views
Did they come out and explain Crookshanks?
11/08/2010 04:20:18 PM
- 1625 Views
Re: Did they come out and explain Crookshanks?
11/08/2010 04:21:37 PM
- 1435 Views
Thanks, thought I was loosing it... well, maybe I am, but I can still read.
11/08/2010 04:26:31 PM
- 1674 Views

The Quidditch Cup, and anything else you want to discuss. *NM*
03/08/2010 05:26:37 PM
- 823 Views
Re: The Quidditch Cup, and anything else you want to discuss.
03/08/2010 05:36:35 PM
- 1594 Views
I really enjoyed the first quidditch match.
03/08/2010 05:40:37 PM
- 1453 Views
Chapters 16-18. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:11 PM
- 848 Views
Characters.
04/08/2010 04:16:39 PM
- 1614 Views
Plotting and writing.
04/08/2010 04:18:52 PM
- 1442 Views
Other thoughts. *NM*
04/08/2010 04:19:15 PM
- 947 Views
Re: Other thoughts.
04/08/2010 05:19:45 PM
- 1456 Views
Re: Other thoughts.
08/08/2010 03:09:23 PM
- 1614 Views
Re: Other thoughts.
08/08/2010 03:11:43 PM
- 1574 Views
Chapters 19-20. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:27 PM
- 804 Views
Characters.
05/08/2010 02:40:22 PM
- 1359 Views
Re: Characters.
05/08/2010 02:45:53 PM
- 1804 Views
See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:04:24 PM
- 1895 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:13:21 PM
- 1626 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:54:31 PM
- 1993 Views
Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 05:01:52 PM
- 1815 Views
Something I've only just realized about Snape... (massive book six and seven spoilers)
05/08/2010 02:53:15 PM
- 1614 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
05/08/2010 02:40:42 PM
- 705 Views
Re: Plotting and writing.
05/08/2010 02:48:02 PM
- 1708 Views
I think it's a good thing she explains her clues.
05/08/2010 03:09:59 PM
- 1558 Views
Other thoughts. *NM*
05/08/2010 02:41:01 PM
- 760 Views
killing
05/08/2010 02:48:33 PM
- 1443 Views
Chapters 21-22. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:42 PM
- 775 Views
Plotting and writing.
06/08/2010 05:04:14 PM
- 1362 Views
And everything else you noticed and want to comment on. *NM*
06/08/2010 05:04:46 PM
- 857 Views
Overall thoughts. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:14:03 PM
- 813 Views
Overarching plot and themes. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:18:27 PM
- 760 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
- 835 Views
More of a question, really
01/08/2010 10:40:23 PM
- 1496 Views
I think this is situational and a sad commentary on his home life.
02/08/2010 03:01:49 PM
- 1348 Views
Well, but the question still remains
02/08/2010 03:04:01 PM
- 1451 Views
I suppose this is more or less the right place for this.
04/08/2010 11:59:45 PM
- 1578 Views
I had totally forgotten about that choir and the Ray Bradbury reference.
05/08/2010 12:37:09 AM
- 1403 Views
Okay, so possibly a Shakespeare reference also used by Bradbury. Whatever.
*NM*
05/08/2010 12:37:56 AM
- 757 Views

Since I'm being scolded, I'll try to focus.
09/08/2010 06:46:26 PM
- 1428 Views
Re: Since I'm being scolded, I'll try to focus.
09/08/2010 07:16:37 PM
- 1639 Views
Suggestions for the re-read.
28/07/2010 06:14:49 PM
- 1627 Views
I knew I was gonna forget something.
28/07/2010 06:55:50 PM
- 1596 Views

Perhaps
29/07/2010 09:29:53 AM
- 1519 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
- 665 Views
<Tattoos "Poor Impulse Control" on your forehead>
29/07/2010 11:00:07 AM
- 1598 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
- 1537 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
- 1505 Views
I think I should make clear, just in case, that I don't mean immediately.
03/08/2010 05:11:26 PM
- 1463 Views
Yes
03/08/2010 05:13:10 PM
- 1466 Views