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how does PS compare with other books of the series?, funnier? worse? what?

shantih View Member Profile	Jan 8 2007, 04:58 AM Post #1
Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher Posts: 189 Joined: 12:34pm June 28, 2006 Location: hiding behind the cupboard	(If this topic is already being discussed somewhere, mods feel free to redirect this post there... ) I have always thought that PS is very different from the other books. It's clearly written more for kids than the other books; e.g. the whole Dursley-part is just stupid, in my opinion. Who would keep a boy in a closet and REALLY act like they act? Vernon's manoeuvres trying to prevent Harry getting the letter are just beyond idiocy! I think JKR really went astray there... I mean, the rest of the books are somehow more realistic (I know this is a weird word to use whan talking of magic etc.) and plausible, when PS is more just a children's story with comic exaggeration. Also there are a lot of errors, which are being discussed in another thread. Naturally this is all because PS was the first book, and the whole saga was then only taking its final form - when writing PS JKR didn't even know it would be published. Later on she found her style which was a bit different than the one used in PS. That's why I, for one, really got hooked on to the series when I read the next books. PS wasn't "it" for me... but it makes fun reading afterwards, when you know more about what's going to happen. -------------------- It's not easy being green.

luna_sparkle View Member Profile	Jan 8 2007, 08:29 AM Post #2
Gringott's Security Goblin Posts: 3,781 Joined: 3:19pm November 27, 2006 Location: UK	PS is also my least favourite. I liked the way she constructed the characters but she took too long at the start, I felt. I prefer the others because I know the characters better and I think it moves at a faster pace. But I always enjoy looking back on Harry's first impressions of Ron and Hermione and seeing how they've developed over the years. -------------------- The signature pic is credit to theonlysong and given to me by Ioli.

blue_dreamer View Member Profile	Jan 8 2007, 08:38 AM Post #3
Junk Shop Organizer Posts: 2,618 Joined: 8:53am April 20, 2006 Location: Prifysgol Bangor Univeristy, Bangor, Cymru	I have two favourite books, Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix, but I can not say what is my least favourite. I have yet to meet someone who actually liked those first two chapters of Philosopher's Stone, they were not Jo's best bits of writing. Her description is wonderful though, and we see it throughout this book. I really quite like Philosopher's Stone, becuase it was first; the first time we knew about Jo and analysed her as an authour. There has to be a magical (no pun intended) element in someone's first book to set of a craze like this, and we must have liked it otherwize we would not have read the rest of the series. If you made me choose a least favourite now, I would say Chamber of Secrets, for no other reason other than that I like all the others more! -------------------- No regrets" - Cameron Duncan, 1986 - 2003 Evanna Lynch Online .cym Jessie Cave.net THE WEAPON WE HAVE IS LOVE

rowena r View Member Profile	Jan 8 2007, 09:49 AM Post #4
Dumbledore's Personal Secretary Posts: 3,438 Joined: 10:28am December 31, 2006 Location: In a bowling alley with my boss.	In my opinion, Philosopher's Stone was a bit different from the others because of these reasons :- 1. J K R had no idea it would be such a hit, 2. She hadn't polished her writing style (it was good to begin with but of course it got better), 3. As an introductory book it had to give a lot of background information regarding the Dursleys, the magical world, the latter's opinion of the former, etc. Although it seems a bit boring, I think it was necessary. In all fairness, we find it a little dreary only now that we have read the others, isn't it ? --------------------

Velse View Member Profile	Jan 8 2007, 10:21 AM Post #5
Eeylops Owl Cage Cleaner Posts: 235 Joined: 12:36pm October 25, 2006 Location: New Jersey	A actually enjoyed the first two chapters very much; they're in line with classic children's literature (Cinderella story) and the exaggeration helps to lighten what would otherwise be a very dark situation. I am sorry shantih, but keeping a child in a closet is mild compared to how unwanted children are treated every day; at least they fed Harry! That part was not an exaggeration, I'm afraid. Vernon's behavior, of course, is pretty exaggerated. But that doesn't bother me. I don't seem to need as much realism, I guess... it's more important to me to have an emotional connection. I'm just glad that Harry got out of there when he did. -------------------- How will you learn if you don't read Scribbulus? Emily and Nina

shantih View Member Profile	Jan 8 2007, 10:43 AM Post #6
Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher Posts: 189 Joined: 12:34pm June 28, 2006 Location: hiding behind the cupboard	QUOTE(Velse @ Jan 8 2007, 05:21 PM) [snapback]1057520[/snapback] A actually enjoyed the first two chapters very much; they're in line with classic children's literature (Cinderella story) and the exaggeration helps to lighten what would otherwise be a very dark situation. I am sorry shantih, but keeping a child in a closet is mild compared to how unwanted children are treated every day; at least they fed Harry! That part was not an exaggeration, I'm afraid. Really? I hope not; that would be awful. Maybe I'm just living a sheltered life... I just can't imagine that happening for real. QUOTE 3. As an introductory book it had to give a lot of background information regarding the Dursleys, the magical world, the latter's opinion of the former, etc. Although it seems a bit boring, I think it was necessary. In all fairness, we find it a little dreary only now that we have read the others, isn't it ? Actually, I found the introductory part the best, and it just keeps getting better with every new book and every new bit of information. I just love reading the older books again for hints... am I a weirdo? -------------------- It's not easy being green.

Velse View Member Profile	Jan 8 2007, 10:45 AM Post #7
Eeylops Owl Cage Cleaner Posts: 235 Joined: 12:36pm October 25, 2006 Location: New Jersey	QUOTE am I a weirdo? Not unless I am! I think the explication is very entertaining! -------------------- How will you learn if you don't read Scribbulus? Emily and Nina

Bittersweeet View Member Profile	Jan 8 2007, 10:57 AM Post #8
Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher Posts: 153 Joined: 6:28am January 7, 2007 Location: Breaking out of Azkaban	I also like the intudruction in PS very much. I think the intruduction is one of the best parts in the book. -------------------- Snape is good, I swear! "Spiders! They want me to tapdance! I don't want to tapdance!" "Well, tell that spider, Ron" 2% teens have NEVER tried smoking. I am proud to be one of them. If you are one of them, copy and paste this on your signature

luna_sparkle View Member Profile	Jan 8 2007, 12:01 PM Post #9
Gringott's Security Goblin Posts: 3,781 Joined: 3:19pm November 27, 2006 Location: UK	Bludreamer, my favourite ones are 'Prisoner of Azkaban' and 'Order of the Pheonix' too! So..which character do you think was constructed best? -------------------- The signature pic is credit to theonlysong and given to me by Ioli.

blue_dreamer View Member Profile	Jan 8 2007, 12:10 PM Post #10
Junk Shop Organizer Posts: 2,618 Joined: 8:53am April 20, 2006 Location: Prifysgol Bangor Univeristy, Bangor, Cymru	QUOTE(luna_sparkle @ Jan 8 2007, 05:01 PM) [snapback]1057661[/snapback] Bludreamer, my favourite ones are 'Prisoner of Azkaban' and 'Order of the Pheonix' too! So..which character do you think was constructed best? Ohh, luna_sparkle, you made me stop and use my brain there! I have to say most of the major ones are. I think basing Hermione on herself gave Jo a lot of background and personality to add into the character becuase it had 'happened' in life form. I also really like Luna (I just love her). Hagrid was very good, and so was Ron and Professor McGonagall. This post has been edited by blue_dreamer: Jan 8 2007, 01:10 PM -------------------- No regrets" - Cameron Duncan, 1986 - 2003 Evanna Lynch Online .cym Jessie Cave.net THE WEAPON WE HAVE IS LOVE