Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
Camilla Send a noteboard - 05/08/2010 03:13:21 PM
Dumbledore is not infallible, but it really is a little out of character for him not to have thought to search the shack. Even if he did not know Sirius knew about it. He did know the story of Sirius tricking Snape into following Lupin there, so it should not have been too much of a leap. Could Dumbledore have suspected Sirus' innocence? Then again, that would be a little strange. I'd imagine he'd have spoken up about it.
Dumbledore is irresponsible through all of the first four books, honestly. He lets Harry and other students get into mortal danger rather a lot, and only rarely do we get the feeling he's really in control of the situation. Only after Voldemort's return is confirmed does he start looking out properly.
I have a feeling he avoids shielding them too much because he knows Harry must learn a lot in order to have any chance against Voldemort, who Dumbledore knows will return. I always had a feeling he was following things closely ready to intervene if it got too far. But then again, there is no way he would have the time if things got out of hand (and he doesn't intervene when Lupin becomes a werewolf, for example). I suppose I may have to conclude that that is just wishful thinking on my part.
Snape is thoroughly deranged. It is delightful. He really has snapped. Compared to the earlier books it is a little out of character, but I think that is because we have only seen him in conflict with children (where he is the one in power, indisputably), and disagreeing with Dumbledore, where he must submit. This is Snape faced with old enemies from school, people who are on a more or less level playing field, but who had a higher status than him then -- and he has clearly looked forward to enjoying the reversal in status (he is professor, Sirius is prisoner on the run). When this is taken away, or at least not accepted as readily as he would have liked…. I suppose it is also compounded by his having looked forward to saving Harry, thereby getting "revenge" on James, and here too his ideal set-up is thwarted. It is rather well written.
See my post - the Lily factor is what makes for the acting deranged instead of cool ruthless sarcasm. The other factors contribute, but she is the key.
Oh, yes. I agree entirely. As I said in my reply to your post. It is obvious when you mention it. And it brings more loveliness to the scene. It really is one of my absolute favourite ones.
Hermione's reaction to attacking a teacher is very in character. She has been on a bit of a rule-breaking high, I think, but this seems to take her down a little.
Attacking a teacher is indeed a rather different category from their usual rulebreaking, though.
Yes. There is a sense of "oh, shit. Did we got too far this time?"
Harry… God, I wish Harry would stop shouting. And I know it is a bit early to get fed up with that particular part of his personality (and I know I said I liked it in the beginning of this book), but seriously. I am never having children if they could grow up to become teenagers with issues.
Yeah. It's amazing how he is all raging teenager one moment, and then has to be the mature adult authority figure when Sirius and Remus get carried away and want to kill Peter. Especially since he was going to kill Sirius himself in the previous chapter (I was really wondering how he intended to do that, incidentally).
Perhaps turn him into a tea pot and break him?
On that topic, the things we learn later on about Avada Kedavra and Horcruxes make it clear how important Harry's intervention here is, and how important it is that Sirius and Remus don't become murderers.
Yes. That was what I was getting at in my post on killing. It is an early insight into one of her major themes.
Peter is predictably an unpleasant lump of unpleasantness. But of course that only serves to highlight how wonderfully cool both Lupin and Sirius are (sorry, if I can't go all fangirl at these scenes, when can I?). Lupin silences him with a look, Sirius' contempt is overpowering. I would like to have known what made Sirius think Lupin (rather than Peter) was the spy. I know I am terribly influenced by the Shoebox Project when it gets to this, but it always did seem odd.
But yes. They are both lovely. "Then you should have died" and "What is to be gained" is also very good, I love heroes with integrity and a history. And I suppose it is emblematic of the good vs evil. Good guys don't ask what's in it for them. And as Sirius replies "only innocent lives"… Definite good guy. It is a very clear distinction. Lupin's "Goodbye, Peter" is also very good. Very menacing.
I can't agree about Lupin and Sirius, actually. Harry has to stop them from doing stupid things, and as I remember mentioning elsewhere (one of the previous discussions, I'm fairly sure, though I'm not sure how it could've been relevant to those...), I really rather doubt Sirius' claim that he'd have died for Peter just like that.
You don't think Sirius and Lupin have integrity? Or that they aren't good guys? I don't see en inherent opposition between either and doing stupid things. In fact, Rowling's heroes seem to thrive on doing stupid.
I wouldn't stake my life on their willingness to sacrifice themselves for Peter, but I wouldn't rule it out, either. It would be like Harry sacrificing his life for Neville (at this point in the books) -- I could see it happen.
I also like how Sirius bumps Snape's head against the roof. I said I like my heroes with integrity and history, but I also like when they occasionally get petty and childish because of that history. People who are too perfect are never really interesting.
Hehe. True, that.
*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
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Chapters 1-3. *NM*
28/07/2010 12:01:10 PM
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Characters.
28/07/2010 12:03:36 PM
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Aunt Marge
28/07/2010 01:13:34 PM
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She's an interesting combination of tropes, one might say...
28/07/2010 01:40:37 PM
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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
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Re: True, I forgot Mundungus. And, arguably, Snape.
07/08/2010 02:53:43 PM
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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
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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
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Characters.
29/07/2010 10:23:28 AM
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LupinLupinLupinLupinLupinLupin!
29/07/2010 11:48:55 AM
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Hmmm I'm wondering...is Lupin one of your fav characters? *NM*
29/07/2010 02:36:20 PM
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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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Is it premature to argue Harry's starting to get alienated from Ron and Hermione here?
30/07/2010 01:48:06 PM
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Re: Is it premature to argue Harry's starting to get alienated from Ron and Hermione here?
08/08/2010 11:05:02 AM
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Writing style.
29/07/2010 10:26:07 AM
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"Plotting" might be a more interesting discussion point
29/07/2010 11:57:20 AM
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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
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Yes
29/07/2010 02:34:01 PM
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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
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Ooo I didn't think of that! I like you. We can be friends
29/07/2010 02:47:31 PM
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Re: "He's at Hogwarts."
04/08/2010 11:51:05 PM
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I don't know the answer, but a good place to look would be... (book 4 spoilers)
05/08/2010 12:33:20 AM
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Chapters 7-9. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:11:59 PM
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Characters.
30/07/2010 02:07:20 PM
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Re: Characters.
30/07/2010 02:50:07 PM
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Lupin vs. Snape
30/07/2010 06:10:07 PM
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Re: Lupin vs. Snape
30/07/2010 06:12:06 PM
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Other things you want to comment on. *NM*
30/07/2010 02:13:36 PM
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30/07/2010 02:51:13 PM
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Good spell and great scene with the Bogart.
30/07/2010 06:19:16 PM
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Chapters 10-12. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:12:18 PM
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Plotting and writing. *NM*
02/08/2010 12:50:56 PM
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Re: Plotting and writing.
02/08/2010 01:36:49 PM
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I caught that too.
02/08/2010 02:50:03 PM
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Re: I caught that too.
02/08/2010 02:53:48 PM
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I suspect....
03/08/2010 03:17:32 PM
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Other things - the Marauder's Map, background story on Sirius and the Potters,... *NM*
02/08/2010 12:52:30 PM
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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
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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
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I think she did a good job of getting the map out of Harry's hands
02/08/2010 02:44:13 PM
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Re: I think she did a good job of getting the map out of Harry's hands
02/08/2010 02:46:38 PM
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It's not that the map was wrong - on the contrary (book 4 spoilers).
02/08/2010 02:47:55 PM
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Re: It's not that the map was wrong - on the contrary (book 4 spoilers).
02/08/2010 02:57:55 PM
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No, you and Aria seem to be right - only Harry himself is depicted in miniature.
02/08/2010 03:28:11 PM
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Re: No, you and Aria seem to be right - only Harry himself is depicted in miniature.
02/08/2010 03:31:14 PM
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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
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Chapters 13-15. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:12:57 PM
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Characters.
03/08/2010 05:25:47 PM
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Re: Characters.
03/08/2010 05:29:32 PM
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OK. I don't like how one-sided the Slytherins are.
08/08/2010 02:30:22 PM
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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
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But the Sorting Hat decides, and they can't refuse students that I'm aware of...
08/08/2010 03:06:53 PM
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Re: But the Sorting Hat decides, and they can't refuse students that I'm aware of...
08/08/2010 03:10:28 PM
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Plotting and writing. *NM*
03/08/2010 05:26:12 PM
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Crookshanks.
08/08/2010 02:22:36 PM
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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
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Did they come out and explain Crookshanks?
11/08/2010 04:20:18 PM
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Re: Did they come out and explain Crookshanks?
11/08/2010 04:21:37 PM
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Thanks, thought I was loosing it... well, maybe I am, but I can still read.
11/08/2010 04:26:31 PM
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The Quidditch Cup, and anything else you want to discuss. *NM*
03/08/2010 05:26:37 PM
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Re: The Quidditch Cup, and anything else you want to discuss.
03/08/2010 05:36:35 PM
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I really enjoyed the first quidditch match.
03/08/2010 05:40:37 PM
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Chapters 16-18. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:11 PM
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Characters.
04/08/2010 04:16:39 PM
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Plotting and writing.
04/08/2010 04:18:52 PM
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Other thoughts. *NM*
04/08/2010 04:19:15 PM
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Re: Other thoughts.
04/08/2010 05:19:45 PM
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Re: Other thoughts.
08/08/2010 03:09:23 PM
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Re: Other thoughts.
08/08/2010 03:11:43 PM
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Chapters 19-20. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:27 PM
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Characters.
05/08/2010 02:40:22 PM
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Re: Characters.
05/08/2010 02:45:53 PM
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See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:04:24 PM
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Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:13:21 PM
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Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 03:54:31 PM
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Re: See my sudden realizations on Snape... (spoilers books 4, 6 & 7)
05/08/2010 05:01:52 PM
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Something I've only just realized about Snape... (massive book six and seven spoilers)
05/08/2010 02:53:15 PM
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Plotting and writing. *NM*
05/08/2010 02:40:42 PM
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Re: Plotting and writing.
05/08/2010 02:48:02 PM
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I think it's a good thing she explains her clues.
05/08/2010 03:09:59 PM
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Other thoughts. *NM*
05/08/2010 02:41:01 PM
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killing
05/08/2010 02:48:33 PM
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Chapters 21-22. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:13:42 PM
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Plotting and writing.
06/08/2010 05:04:14 PM
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And everything else you noticed and want to comment on. *NM*
06/08/2010 05:04:46 PM
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Overall thoughts. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:14:03 PM
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Overarching plot and themes. *NM*
28/07/2010 01:18:27 PM
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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
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More of a question, really
01/08/2010 10:40:23 PM
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I think this is situational and a sad commentary on his home life.
02/08/2010 03:01:49 PM
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Well, but the question still remains
02/08/2010 03:04:01 PM
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I suppose this is more or less the right place for this.
04/08/2010 11:59:45 PM
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I had totally forgotten about that choir and the Ray Bradbury reference.
05/08/2010 12:37:09 AM
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Okay, so possibly a Shakespeare reference also used by Bradbury. Whatever. *NM*
05/08/2010 12:37:56 AM
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Since I'm being scolded, I'll try to focus.
09/08/2010 06:46:26 PM
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Re: Since I'm being scolded, I'll try to focus.
09/08/2010 07:16:37 PM
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Suggestions for the re-read.
28/07/2010 06:14:49 PM
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I knew I was gonna forget something.
28/07/2010 06:55:50 PM
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Perhaps
29/07/2010 09:29:53 AM
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I considered that, but it seemed overly non-trusting, and nobody has posted in them yet? *NM*
29/07/2010 10:12:23 AM
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<Tattoos "Poor Impulse Control" on your forehead>
29/07/2010 11:00:07 AM
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I think a little break might be a good idea. Give people a chance to catch up.
02/08/2010 11:46:13 PM
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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
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I think I should make clear, just in case, that I don't mean immediately.
03/08/2010 05:11:26 PM
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Yes
03/08/2010 05:13:10 PM
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