Fred and George's bet, their winning, the leprechaun gold and their being paid, the explanation for much of their later odd behaviour, is all here in these three chapters. I don't really see the point of this plot line. The only reason for it that I can see is to make us think that they are the strange thing that goes on at Hogwarts. But to introduce a whole extra plot line for that...
The leprechaun gold will also be a contributing factor for the big fight between Harry and Ron later on, and I think this whole plotline is meant to underscore the poverty of the Weasleys and how that does affect them (although you have to wonder, if even a public servant doesn't make enough to live decently, when it seems widespread in the wizarding world to have stay-at-home-mums, why there isn't much more poverty). And it doesn't make much sense for Harry to give them the gold at the end if they haven't been shown beforehand to be in need of it.
True. Although it has been well established already that the Weasleys have little money. But I suppose driving it home isn't a bad idea.
I was also surprised to realise that both the mascots actually are relevant for the later story (Veela ->Fleur, and Leprechauns->Bagman's & Twins' plot).
Good point.
A few more things:
- The Trio actually stumbles upon the kobolds with their (fake) gold that they've just gotten from Bagman. By throwing the Veela's inbetween that and the Bagman meeting, Rowling obscures the connection that might otherwise have been a tad more obvious.
I noticed that.
- Percy mentions Mermish as one of the languages Crouch speaks
I did not notice that.
- First mention of the Department of Mystification, and iirc one of the guys mentioned here will be Imperiused by Voldemort in book five
I noticed that. Perkins, was it? Also, I have a nagging feeling we should know who Basil is, but I can't think of any.
- Before Crouch realizes Winky and his son are involved, he shows a little of the mentality that so abhorred Dumbledore and his sympathizers - and Harry, in the Pensieve - thirteen years before.
Yes.
- Fudge almost directly admitting that Malfoy obtained tickets for the Top Box through a generous donation to St. Mungo's, not for the last time; you have to wonder if some of those generous donations don't stick to Fudge's fingers in the process, considering how thick they are
Yes, and he doesn't even seem to realise it is problematic. Although, I suppose giving sports ticket for a major donation to a hospital is not really terribly problematic. But you are quite right that it sounds like a pattern.
- Re: sexism among Death Eaters and friends: Fudge has never met Narcissa yet? Seriously? What, does that woman ever even leave her house?
I know. It is a little odd.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
structured procrastinator
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book Four Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
16/08/2010 09:28:48 AM
- 3888 Views
Chapters 1-3: A different beginning
16/08/2010 09:30:26 AM
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Early characters
16/08/2010 09:32:12 AM
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Re: Early characters
16/08/2010 11:02:23 AM
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Early plotting.
16/08/2010 09:32:52 AM
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Re: Early plotting.
16/08/2010 11:02:09 AM
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It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 11:38:14 AM
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Re: It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 11:47:16 AM
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Re: It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 12:16:16 PM
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Re: It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 12:36:30 PM
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Re: Early plotting.
17/08/2010 01:15:43 AM
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Any other comments/observations
16/08/2010 09:33:34 AM
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Mob mentality and British euroscepticism.
16/08/2010 10:37:10 AM
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people in groups and baffling violence. And the godawful recaps
16/08/2010 11:03:09 AM
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Yeah, I agree about the recaps, they're pointless at this point. *NM*
16/08/2010 11:17:37 AM
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Good news! HP really caught on after this book and so the last books don't have a recap! *NM*
16/08/2010 03:27:24 PM
- 968 Views
Chapters 4-6 - The Weasleys
16/08/2010 09:33:57 AM
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Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 08:22:33 AM
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Re: Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 11:07:43 AM
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Re: Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 12:18:30 PM
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Re: Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 12:24:41 PM
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Also on the topic of Amos' talk of Cedric and Harry... (spoilers for end of book)
17/08/2010 12:44:19 PM
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Re: Also on the topic of Amos' talk of Cedric and Harry... (spoilers for end of book)
17/08/2010 12:47:29 PM
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Oh, I can think of a few more things that will prove relevant. But that's for tomorrow. *NM*
17/08/2010 12:51:50 PM
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And arguably another one of those fun names with a hidden meaning...
17/08/2010 07:47:43 PM
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Plotting - anything of note?
17/08/2010 08:23:53 AM
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Re: Plotting - anything of note?
17/08/2010 11:10:22 AM
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The Lovegoods? This is why reading in translation can be annoying...
17/08/2010 12:29:50 PM
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Re: The Lovegoods? This is why reading in translation can be annoying...
17/08/2010 12:38:09 PM
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I thought that might be it. Yeah, different names in the Dutch translation then. *NM*
17/08/2010 12:40:45 PM
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Any other comments/observations.
17/08/2010 08:24:20 AM
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Chapters 7-9 - The Quidditch World Cup and Death Eaters
16/08/2010 09:34:26 AM
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Characters: Ministers, Mothers, other important people.
18/08/2010 12:44:16 AM
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Plotting
18/08/2010 12:44:48 AM
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Re: Plotting
18/08/2010 09:41:56 AM
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A few more...
18/08/2010 02:00:17 PM
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Re: A few more...
18/08/2010 02:13:25 PM
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Other stuff.
18/08/2010 12:45:13 AM
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Krum Catching the Snitch
18/08/2010 02:28:58 AM
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It makes a certain amount of sense, I think...
18/08/2010 01:23:46 PM
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Clothes and other schools
18/08/2010 09:44:02 AM
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There's a first mention of Beauxbatons in chapter nine.
18/08/2010 01:37:14 PM
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Re: There's a first mention of Beauxbatons in chapter nine.
18/08/2010 01:45:58 PM
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Chapters 10-12: Back to Hogwarts and the Tri-Wizard Tournament. *NM*
16/08/2010 09:34:48 AM
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Characters: introducing Rita Skeeter and Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. *NM*
19/08/2010 11:21:29 AM
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Re: Characters: introducing Rita Skeeter and Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody.
19/08/2010 05:23:11 PM
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Any other comments, observations or revelations? *NM*
19/08/2010 11:23:48 AM
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There was that Durmstrang reference I was waiting for.
19/08/2010 04:23:16 PM
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Re: There was that Durmstrang reference I was waiting for.
19/08/2010 05:41:04 PM
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Chapters 13-15: First lessons, and the arrival of the foreign guests *NM*
16/08/2010 09:35:09 AM
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Characters: The Trio, Neville, Moody, first impressions of Karkarov and Maxime *NM*
20/08/2010 11:49:04 AM
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Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 12:59:41 PM
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Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:10:03 PM
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Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:20:22 PM
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Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:33:04 PM
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Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:36:50 PM
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Plotting and writing. *NM*
20/08/2010 11:51:43 AM
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Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 01:04:01 PM
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Re: Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 01:55:29 PM
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Re: Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 02:04:07 PM
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Anything else to add? *NM*
20/08/2010 11:52:05 AM
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Yes. Five things, actually. Magic, Snape, idiocy, apparating while presumed guilty aaand evil films.
20/08/2010 01:05:06 PM
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Trelawney, or how one can be a Seer and not even know it.
20/08/2010 01:46:09 PM
- 1747 Views
Chapters 16-18: The Tri-Wizard Tournament begins *NM*
16/08/2010 09:35:31 AM
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Characters: The Champions, Hagrid, Karkarov, and of course Rita Skeeter in person *NM*
21/08/2010 01:10:53 PM
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Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 01:50:12 PM
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Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 04:24:02 PM
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Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 04:40:39 PM
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Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 05:06:43 PM
- 1968 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 05:10:53 PM
- 1722 Views
Oh, you're right, it is then. I thought you meant she said it to Harry.
21/08/2010 05:31:49 PM
- 1870 Views
Re: Oh, you're right, it is then. I thought you meant she said it to Harry.
21/08/2010 05:41:44 PM
- 1790 Views
The teeth comment was by far the best Snape one liner in the series.
23/08/2010 09:20:18 PM
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Re: The teeth comment was by far the best Snape one liner in the series.
23/08/2010 09:22:26 PM
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Definitely true
23/08/2010 10:02:46 PM
- 1933 Views
Re: Definitely true
24/08/2010 06:20:53 PM
- 1987 Views
Plotting and writing.
21/08/2010 01:12:24 PM
- 1984 Views
plotting both for the book alone and the series as a whole
21/08/2010 01:39:10 PM
- 1736 Views
Other comments, small details you noticed,...? *NM*
21/08/2010 01:12:53 PM
- 926 Views
House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 01:35:38 PM
- 2011 Views
Re: House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 04:55:10 PM
- 1835 Views
Re: House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 04:59:55 PM
- 1932 Views
I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:02:47 PM
- 1908 Views
Re: I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:08:40 PM
- 1952 Views
I associate blancmange more with Britain than with anywhere else...
21/08/2010 05:26:17 PM
- 1789 Views
Re: I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:12:54 PM
- 1661 Views
No, no, the pudding and the bouillabaisse are two different things.
21/08/2010 05:24:50 PM
- 1624 Views
Re: No, no, the pudding and the bouillabaisse are two different things.
21/08/2010 05:39:06 PM
- 2004 Views
Hermione really comes into her own in this book.
27/08/2010 11:30:38 PM
- 1572 Views
Agreed, but spending really all her time with those two boys does make it easier...
27/08/2010 11:36:20 PM
- 1714 Views
Re: Agreed, but spending really all her time with those two boys does make it easier...
27/08/2010 11:48:19 PM
- 1754 Views
Chapters 19-21: The first task and House-Elves at Hogwarts *NM*
16/08/2010 09:35:53 AM
- 928 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Champions, Moody, Dobby and Winky,...
23/08/2010 10:40:21 AM
- 1706 Views
The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:07:50 AM
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Re: The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:35:56 AM
- 1799 Views
Re: The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:44:08 AM
- 1985 Views
Ron and Harry, Winky, various other thoughts.
23/08/2010 11:19:21 AM
- 1631 Views
Re: Ron and Harry, Winky, various other thoughts.
23/08/2010 11:56:37 AM
- 1791 Views
Plotting and writing: the first task and other events *NM*
23/08/2010 10:41:20 AM
- 937 Views
Good plotting in this section
23/08/2010 11:08:50 AM
- 1794 Views
Anything else you want to comment on? *NM*
23/08/2010 10:41:39 AM
- 898 Views
I love that there is a book called Men Who Love Dragons Too Much. *NM*
23/08/2010 11:09:15 AM
- 827 Views
Chapters 22-24: The - rather eventful - Yule Ball *NM*
16/08/2010 09:36:30 AM
- 813 Views
Characters: The Trio, Champions and their dates, Karkarov, Hagrid and Olympe,...
24/08/2010 11:09:33 AM
- 1896 Views
Ron and Hermione, mainly.
24/08/2010 11:47:49 AM
- 1961 Views
Makes sense.
24/08/2010 01:15:37 PM
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Re: Makes sense.
24/08/2010 03:53:20 PM
- 1683 Views
Re: Makes sense.
24/08/2010 05:00:59 PM
- 1783 Views
Plotting and writing: a bit of a lull in the tension, perhaps, but there's still a lot going on. *NM*
24/08/2010 11:11:49 AM
- 988 Views
Yule Ball, preparation and aftermath
24/08/2010 11:48:30 AM
- 1875 Views
Re: Yule Ball, preparation and aftermath
24/08/2010 02:18:04 PM
- 1694 Views
Whatever else you want to say about these three chapters. *NM*
24/08/2010 11:12:33 AM
- 983 Views
Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 11:49:16 AM
- 1864 Views
Re: Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 02:27:51 PM
- 1746 Views
Re: Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 04:15:15 PM
- 1815 Views
Ron's lasso comment is brilliant. Absolute genius.
24/08/2010 02:23:37 PM
- 1749 Views
Lasso comment?
24/08/2010 04:20:35 PM
- 1759 Views
When discussing methods to separate girls from their gang.
24/08/2010 04:27:47 PM
- 1758 Views
Ah. Hehe. Yes.
24/08/2010 04:30:34 PM
- 1843 Views
It's not really a humourous pun, just a nice find by the translator.
24/08/2010 04:45:34 PM
- 1906 Views
Re: It's not really a humourous pun, just a nice find by the translator.
24/08/2010 04:48:50 PM
- 1786 Views
Holy crap.
25/08/2010 02:44:57 PM
- 1705 Views
Yeah, I don't know if the Google pictures are entirely representative...
25/08/2010 03:06:25 PM
- 1839 Views
Chapters 25-27: The second task and Padfoot's return
16/08/2010 09:36:55 AM
- 1738 Views
Characters: The Trio, Krum, Fleur, Sirius,... *NM*
25/08/2010 11:18:49 AM
- 879 Views
Snape, Percy, Hermione, Ron, Mrs Weasley and Sirius.
25/08/2010 05:31:18 PM
- 1666 Views
I'm a bit worried about people's reactions to Snape during these discussions
25/08/2010 05:41:43 PM
- 1897 Views
Re: I'm a bit worried about people's reactions to Snape during these discussions
25/08/2010 05:45:30 PM
- 1692 Views
Agreed. Snape is one of the most fascinating characters I have ever read
25/08/2010 05:57:12 PM
- 1772 Views
Fleur shows that, when push comes to shove, she has her priorities straight.
26/08/2010 10:54:11 AM
- 1599 Views
Re: Fleur shows that, when push comes to shove, she has her priorities straight.
26/08/2010 11:21:59 AM
- 1720 Views
Plotting and writing: clues, red herrings and recapitulation *NM*
25/08/2010 11:19:47 AM
- 922 Views
Merpeople and the second task.
25/08/2010 11:34:40 AM
- 1783 Views
And something else I never understood about the second task
25/08/2010 02:32:51 PM
- 1780 Views
That's a good point, yeah...
25/08/2010 03:07:30 PM
- 1668 Views
Maybe they should have had a magical big screen projection of what was going on in the lake lol
25/08/2010 03:57:48 PM
- 1723 Views
Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
25/08/2010 05:23:30 PM
- 1729 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
25/08/2010 05:40:39 PM
- 1776 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
25/08/2010 05:42:52 PM
- 1672 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
26/08/2010 11:09:20 AM
- 1685 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
26/08/2010 11:17:36 AM
- 1833 Views
Marauder's Map.
05/09/2010 05:27:17 AM
- 1726 Views
Other comments. *NM*
25/08/2010 11:20:11 AM
- 903 Views
Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:24:26 PM
- 1789 Views
Re: Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:36:29 PM
- 1745 Views
Re: Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:42:20 PM
- 1878 Views
Chapters 28-30: Moving towards the climax *NM*
16/08/2010 09:37:22 AM
- 855 Views
Characters: The Trio, Krum, Karkarov, the Crouch family,... *NM*
26/08/2010 12:15:59 PM
- 942 Views
Madame Maxime, Crouch, Snape, Twins, Fudge and Neville
26/08/2010 02:48:04 PM
- 1747 Views
Plotting and writing: increasing signs of danger, and revelations about the past. *NM*
26/08/2010 12:16:50 PM
- 903 Views
Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 02:50:29 PM
- 1756 Views
Re: Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 03:38:53 PM
- 1960 Views
Re: Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 03:51:32 PM
- 1791 Views
Chapters 31-33: The third task
16/08/2010 09:38:01 AM
- 1683 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Champions, Voldemort, Wormtail,,... *NM*
27/08/2010 01:32:11 PM
- 947 Views
Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 03:50:03 PM
- 1649 Views
Re: Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 05:09:48 PM
- 1632 Views
Re: Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 05:23:14 PM
- 1703 Views
Plotting and writing: thrilling action, but also a fair bit of infodump/flashback. *NM*
27/08/2010 01:34:13 PM
- 910 Views
Stuff happens.
27/08/2010 03:50:33 PM
- 1688 Views
Riddle Family.
05/09/2010 05:39:29 AM
- 1700 Views
Anything else to add? *NM*
27/08/2010 01:34:39 PM
- 893 Views
Chapters 34-37: The climax and the aftermath *NM*
16/08/2010 09:38:22 AM
- 893 Views
Characters: Well, pretty much all of them, I guess. *NM*
28/08/2010 11:04:41 AM
- 906 Views
Voldemort, Harry, Dumbledore, Snape, Ron and Hermione
28/08/2010 11:57:25 AM
- 1768 Views
Plotting and writing: tying up, explanations and setting up the future books. *NM*
28/08/2010 11:05:33 AM
- 891 Views
Revelations and then some
28/08/2010 12:02:36 PM
- 1720 Views
Any other thoughts? *NM*
28/08/2010 11:06:03 AM
- 924 Views
Two questions and one other thing.
28/08/2010 12:03:14 PM
- 1835 Views
The book as a whole: overall thoughts, comments and obversations
16/08/2010 09:39:24 AM
- 1752 Views
What do/did you think of Rowling's writing in this book?
16/08/2010 09:40:03 AM
- 1769 Views
I think she has more room to display her talent in this book.
28/08/2010 11:27:20 AM
- 1831 Views
Suggestions for the re-read.
16/08/2010 09:41:01 AM
- 1893 Views
Is it possible / easy to make the post an Announcement while it's ongoing?
17/08/2010 03:08:31 PM
- 1731 Views
When should we start the next book? And at which pace?
28/08/2010 11:09:07 AM
- 1993 Views
Re: When should we start the next book? And at which pace?
28/08/2010 12:05:31 PM
- 1973 Views