I like how sympathetic magic is a great part of Rowling's universe. Like mandrakes for petrification and bobotuber pus for acne. I cannot think of other examples right now, but I am sure there are some.
I love how the Mandrakes go through all the stages of human development. Particularly the puberty is brilliant. Rowling's really had fun with some of those plants.
Indeed. She is very good at that sort of things when she goes for it.
When it says that Snape really wants the dark arts job and has ``failed to get it for the fourth year running'' that is a bit of an understatement, isn't it? I had the impression Snape had worked at the school for years and years, and surely he has been after the DA job all that time.
That whole DADA job thing doesn't seem entirely plausible. We're not told in HBP how long ago it is exactly that Voldemort showed up asking for the job, but it seems safe to say twenty years earlier at the very least - at least a number of years before Voldemort's downfall, and more likely ten or fifteen years before that. If the streak has been going for that long, surely it would be something widely known - something the current students' parents could tell them from their own experience, and something that every student except perhaps first years would know beforehand: DADA teachers only ever stay a year.
It would also be a sort of magic we've never seen anywhere else, quite powerful magic one has to say, if Voldemort has indeed literally cursed the job. And if he has, surely Dumbledore should know a way to counter it. But if he hasn't and it's just a superstitious jinx, then what are the odds?
Well, Voldemort is a very cunning and powerful wizard. And Dumbledore is not all-powerful. But yes. It stretches credulity a little. Then again, we ARE reading a series about magic and centaurs and house-elves and flying broom sticks
I also wonder *why* Snape wants that DADA job so bad. Surely he's better at Potions than he is at DADA, and since he's not *really* a Death Eater, it can't be to sabotage students' education either (which he really doesn't in any case).
I don't know. Perhaps it is just a matter of keeping up pretences. He is supposed to want the job. We don't know that he actually wants it. Do we?
Another question: can't Sirius apparate? Why is him travelling a problem. Surely he can pop from place to place in a moment.
It's not entirely clear to me at how long distances apparating works. Or perhaps there are limitations about crossing water or oceans or so.
Ah, yes. The water thing. I hadn't thought of that. If it is a problem for the Knight Bus, I imagine it may be a problem in apparating as well. And Britain IS an island.
I was surprised that Beaubaxtons was a mixed school. Curse the films for messing with my memory.
Yeah. It makes sense, though, if it's the only or main school in France/Francophone Europe.
Yes. Durmstrang seems to be all boys, though.
*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
- 3902 Views
Chapters 1-3: A different beginning
16/08/2010 09:30:26 AM
- 1676 Views
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
- 1846 Views
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
- 1747 Views
Re: Early plotting.
17/08/2010 01:15:43 AM
- 1716 Views
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
- 1940 Views
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
- 1003 Views
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
- 974 Views
Chapters 4-6 - The Weasleys
16/08/2010 09:33:57 AM
- 1721 Views
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
- 1770 Views
Re: Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 12:24:41 PM
- 1755 Views
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
- 1795 Views
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
- 917 Views
Any other comments/observations.
17/08/2010 08:24:20 AM
- 1803 Views
Chapters 7-9 - The Quidditch World Cup and Death Eaters
16/08/2010 09:34:26 AM
- 1648 Views
Characters: Ministers, Mothers, other important people.
18/08/2010 12:44:16 AM
- 1751 Views
Plotting
18/08/2010 12:44:48 AM
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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
- 1738 Views
Any other comments, observations or revelations? *NM*
19/08/2010 11:23:48 AM
- 935 Views
There was that Durmstrang reference I was waiting for.
19/08/2010 04:23:16 PM
- 1850 Views
Re: There was that Durmstrang reference I was waiting for.
19/08/2010 05:41:04 PM
- 1823 Views
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
- 1907 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:20:22 PM
- 1895 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:33:04 PM
- 1706 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:36:50 PM
- 1680 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
20/08/2010 11:51:43 AM
- 928 Views
Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 01:04:01 PM
- 1723 Views
Re: Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 01:55:29 PM
- 1868 Views
Re: Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 02:04:07 PM
- 1967 Views
Anything else to add? *NM*
20/08/2010 11:52:05 AM
- 820 Views
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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Re: Yes. Five things, actually.
20/08/2010 01:27:27 PM
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Re: Yes. Five things, actually.
20/08/2010 01:35:12 PM
- 1681 Views
Trelawney, or how one can be a Seer and not even know it.
20/08/2010 01:46:09 PM
- 1755 Views
Chapters 16-18: The Tri-Wizard Tournament begins *NM*
16/08/2010 09:35:31 AM
- 948 Views
Characters: The Champions, Hagrid, Karkarov, and of course Rita Skeeter in person *NM*
21/08/2010 01:10:53 PM
- 939 Views
Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 01:50:12 PM
- 1748 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 04:24:02 PM
- 1725 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 04:40:39 PM
- 1696 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 05:06:43 PM
- 1976 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 05:10:53 PM
- 1729 Views
Oh, you're right, it is then. I thought you meant she said it to Harry.
21/08/2010 05:31:49 PM
- 1878 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
- 1800 Views
The teeth comment was by far the best Snape one liner in the series.
23/08/2010 09:20:18 PM
- 1689 Views
Re: The teeth comment was by far the best Snape one liner in the series.
23/08/2010 09:22:26 PM
- 1875 Views
Definitely true
23/08/2010 10:02:46 PM
- 1944 Views
Re: Definitely true
24/08/2010 06:20:53 PM
- 1994 Views
Plotting and writing.
21/08/2010 01:12:24 PM
- 1995 Views
plotting both for the book alone and the series as a whole
21/08/2010 01:39:10 PM
- 1743 Views
Other comments, small details you noticed,...? *NM*
21/08/2010 01:12:53 PM
- 931 Views
House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 01:35:38 PM
- 2024 Views
Re: House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 04:55:10 PM
- 1840 Views
Re: House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 04:59:55 PM
- 1944 Views
I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:02:47 PM
- 1916 Views
Re: I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:08:40 PM
- 1961 Views
I associate blancmange more with Britain than with anywhere else...
21/08/2010 05:26:17 PM
- 1798 Views
Re: I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:12:54 PM
- 1666 Views
No, no, the pudding and the bouillabaisse are two different things.
21/08/2010 05:24:50 PM
- 1633 Views
Re: No, no, the pudding and the bouillabaisse are two different things.
21/08/2010 05:39:06 PM
- 2013 Views
Hermione really comes into her own in this book.
27/08/2010 11:30:38 PM
- 1581 Views
Agreed, but spending really all her time with those two boys does make it easier...
27/08/2010 11:36:20 PM
- 1723 Views
Re: Agreed, but spending really all her time with those two boys does make it easier...
27/08/2010 11:48:19 PM
- 1764 Views
Chapters 19-21: The first task and House-Elves at Hogwarts *NM*
16/08/2010 09:35:53 AM
- 931 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Champions, Moody, Dobby and Winky,...
23/08/2010 10:40:21 AM
- 1715 Views
The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:07:50 AM
- 1711 Views
Re: The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:35:56 AM
- 1808 Views
Re: The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:44:08 AM
- 1993 Views
Ron and Harry, Winky, various other thoughts.
23/08/2010 11:19:21 AM
- 1639 Views
Re: Ron and Harry, Winky, various other thoughts.
23/08/2010 11:56:37 AM
- 1797 Views
Plotting and writing: the first task and other events *NM*
23/08/2010 10:41:20 AM
- 942 Views
Good plotting in this section
23/08/2010 11:08:50 AM
- 1802 Views
Anything else you want to comment on? *NM*
23/08/2010 10:41:39 AM
- 902 Views
I love that there is a book called Men Who Love Dragons Too Much. *NM*
23/08/2010 11:09:15 AM
- 833 Views
Chapters 22-24: The - rather eventful - Yule Ball *NM*
16/08/2010 09:36:30 AM
- 817 Views
Characters: The Trio, Champions and their dates, Karkarov, Hagrid and Olympe,...
24/08/2010 11:09:33 AM
- 1904 Views
Ron and Hermione, mainly.
24/08/2010 11:47:49 AM
- 1971 Views
Makes sense.
24/08/2010 01:15:37 PM
- 1699 Views
Re: Makes sense.
24/08/2010 03:53:20 PM
- 1691 Views
Re: Makes sense.
24/08/2010 05:00:59 PM
- 1791 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
- 991 Views
Yule Ball, preparation and aftermath
24/08/2010 11:48:30 AM
- 1886 Views
Re: Yule Ball, preparation and aftermath
24/08/2010 02:18:04 PM
- 1701 Views
Whatever else you want to say about these three chapters. *NM*
24/08/2010 11:12:33 AM
- 989 Views
Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 11:49:16 AM
- 1873 Views
Re: Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 02:27:51 PM
- 1755 Views
Re: Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 04:15:15 PM
- 1822 Views
Ron's lasso comment is brilliant. Absolute genius.
24/08/2010 02:23:37 PM
- 1758 Views
Lasso comment?
24/08/2010 04:20:35 PM
- 1766 Views
When discussing methods to separate girls from their gang.
24/08/2010 04:27:47 PM
- 1768 Views
Ah. Hehe. Yes.
24/08/2010 04:30:34 PM
- 1850 Views
It's not really a humourous pun, just a nice find by the translator.
24/08/2010 04:45:34 PM
- 1914 Views
Re: It's not really a humourous pun, just a nice find by the translator.
24/08/2010 04:48:50 PM
- 1794 Views
Holy crap.
25/08/2010 02:44:57 PM
- 1714 Views
Yeah, I don't know if the Google pictures are entirely representative...
25/08/2010 03:06:25 PM
- 1852 Views
Chapters 25-27: The second task and Padfoot's return
16/08/2010 09:36:55 AM
- 1747 Views
Characters: The Trio, Krum, Fleur, Sirius,... *NM*
25/08/2010 11:18:49 AM
- 883 Views
Snape, Percy, Hermione, Ron, Mrs Weasley and Sirius.
25/08/2010 05:31:18 PM
- 1674 Views
I'm a bit worried about people's reactions to Snape during these discussions
25/08/2010 05:41:43 PM
- 1911 Views
Re: I'm a bit worried about people's reactions to Snape during these discussions
25/08/2010 05:45:30 PM
- 1703 Views
Agreed. Snape is one of the most fascinating characters I have ever read
25/08/2010 05:57:12 PM
- 1782 Views
Fleur shows that, when push comes to shove, she has her priorities straight.
26/08/2010 10:54:11 AM
- 1607 Views
Re: Fleur shows that, when push comes to shove, she has her priorities straight.
26/08/2010 11:21:59 AM
- 1729 Views
Plotting and writing: clues, red herrings and recapitulation *NM*
25/08/2010 11:19:47 AM
- 925 Views
Merpeople and the second task.
25/08/2010 11:34:40 AM
- 1792 Views
And something else I never understood about the second task
25/08/2010 02:32:51 PM
- 1792 Views
That's a good point, yeah...
25/08/2010 03:07:30 PM
- 1678 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
- 1733 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
- 1738 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
- 1785 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
- 1683 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
- 1696 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
- 1842 Views
Marauder's Map.
05/09/2010 05:27:17 AM
- 1734 Views
Other comments. *NM*
25/08/2010 11:20:11 AM
- 908 Views
Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:24:26 PM
- 1800 Views
Re: Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:36:29 PM
- 1752 Views
Re: Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:42:20 PM
- 1887 Views
Chapters 28-30: Moving towards the climax *NM*
16/08/2010 09:37:22 AM
- 857 Views
Characters: The Trio, Krum, Karkarov, the Crouch family,... *NM*
26/08/2010 12:15:59 PM
- 947 Views
Madame Maxime, Crouch, Snape, Twins, Fudge and Neville
26/08/2010 02:48:04 PM
- 1754 Views
Plotting and writing: increasing signs of danger, and revelations about the past. *NM*
26/08/2010 12:16:50 PM
- 909 Views
Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 02:50:29 PM
- 1765 Views
Re: Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 03:38:53 PM
- 1970 Views
Re: Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 03:51:32 PM
- 1800 Views
Chapters 31-33: The third task
16/08/2010 09:38:01 AM
- 1695 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Champions, Voldemort, Wormtail,,... *NM*
27/08/2010 01:32:11 PM
- 952 Views
Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 03:50:03 PM
- 1659 Views
Re: Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 05:09:48 PM
- 1641 Views
Re: Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 05:23:14 PM
- 1716 Views
Plotting and writing: thrilling action, but also a fair bit of infodump/flashback. *NM*
27/08/2010 01:34:13 PM
- 916 Views
Stuff happens.
27/08/2010 03:50:33 PM
- 1699 Views
Riddle Family.
05/09/2010 05:39:29 AM
- 1709 Views
Anything else to add? *NM*
27/08/2010 01:34:39 PM
- 900 Views
Chapters 34-37: The climax and the aftermath *NM*
16/08/2010 09:38:22 AM
- 897 Views
Characters: Well, pretty much all of them, I guess. *NM*
28/08/2010 11:04:41 AM
- 912 Views
Voldemort, Harry, Dumbledore, Snape, Ron and Hermione
28/08/2010 11:57:25 AM
- 1778 Views
Plotting and writing: tying up, explanations and setting up the future books. *NM*
28/08/2010 11:05:33 AM
- 898 Views
Revelations and then some
28/08/2010 12:02:36 PM
- 1731 Views
Any other thoughts? *NM*
28/08/2010 11:06:03 AM
- 930 Views
Two questions and one other thing.
28/08/2010 12:03:14 PM
- 1842 Views
The book as a whole: overall thoughts, comments and obversations
16/08/2010 09:39:24 AM
- 1760 Views
What do/did you think of Rowling's writing in this book?
16/08/2010 09:40:03 AM
- 1778 Views
I think she has more room to display her talent in this book.
28/08/2010 11:27:20 AM
- 1843 Views
Suggestions for the re-read.
16/08/2010 09:41:01 AM
- 1902 Views
Is it possible / easy to make the post an Announcement while it's ongoing?
17/08/2010 03:08:31 PM
- 1738 Views
When should we start the next book? And at which pace?
28/08/2010 11:09:07 AM
- 2004 Views
Re: When should we start the next book? And at which pace?
28/08/2010 12:05:31 PM
- 1983 Views