Harry Christmas
So, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is set to arrive in stores on July 16, 2005. Pre-orders started today. What do you guys think? Will it be as much of a success as it was in the past?
I have to admit, I've read all the books and I'm marginally hooked on them, although the ever-growing size of the tomes has been sort of getting to me. The fifth book had entire passages that I thought a good editor could have knocked off (given the idea that reading that book was sort of like dealing with 10-pound weights). There were some passages that seemed extraneous. At times it dragged. And of course, I was none too happy with who that major character was who died.
But, no matter. I'm still hooked and I do expect to read the sixth book. I'm just wondering if anyone thinks the fervor might die down. Aftr all, this book doesn't have the hook of "a major character" kicking the bucket to buoy it quite so much. There's also Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell to contend with.
Thought I'd throw it out there. Do we think the rather insane frenzy (kids up past bedtimes, launch parties, costume events) will continue? Will it ever die down? Maybe not.
Thanks for reading,
LLB
I have to admit, I've read all the books and I'm marginally hooked on them, although the ever-growing size of the tomes has been sort of getting to me. The fifth book had entire passages that I thought a good editor could have knocked off (given the idea that reading that book was sort of like dealing with 10-pound weights). There were some passages that seemed extraneous. At times it dragged. And of course, I was none too happy with who that major character was who died.
But, no matter. I'm still hooked and I do expect to read the sixth book. I'm just wondering if anyone thinks the fervor might die down. Aftr all, this book doesn't have the hook of "a major character" kicking the bucket to buoy it quite so much. There's also Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell to contend with.
Thought I'd throw it out there. Do we think the rather insane frenzy (kids up past bedtimes, launch parties, costume events) will continue? Will it ever die down? Maybe not.
Thanks for reading,
LLB
posted by LadyLitBlitzin at 7:21 PM
12 Comments:
While I am not a Harry Potter fan, I hope the fervour doesn`t die down. I wish people would always get that excited about books.
I really must read that fifth book. I am dying to know who dies. Thank you for not telling us. :)
Hee hee. I won't tell. (Phew! Thank God I didn't!)
Hebdomeros also blogged about the book -- he said, and Anonymous L posted a comment over there too, about how great it is that it gets kids reading and I do whole-heartedly agree with that. True enough, kids generally don't want to read to save their lives and the Harry Potter books have definitely changed that.
Hi, it's Anon L. Maybe one of these days I'll actually start up a blog so I can get a name, but alas, I'm not as dedicated as you and Hebdomeros are. Anyway, not going into another big rant (as I left a whole second one on H's blog), but I don't think the fury is going to pass anytime soon. This is the penultimate book, and I think she did say that someone was going to die in this one too (isn't that macabre? getting all excited over death in a kid's book? hehe). She also said that it was going to be less pages than the last 800+. Granted, don't know if that means it'll still be like 600+ or more, but hopefully, our biceps won't be aching as much ;)
Anyway, for those who are for HP, great, and for those who aren't, well, at least it's less pervasive than tv crap :) And I do believe it has bolstered sales of Lemony Snicket and Artemis Fowl and other kids' series, so yay! (Haven't read either, but I had college friends who were crazy over LS's Series of Unfortunate Events...)
-L
While the fifth book was super logn it was the fourth book that made me think she needed to tighten things up a bit.
I don't think the fever will die down as now there are the books and the movies comign out within a year of each other and the gaps are more fostering than killing.
Also as was mentioned earlier, you have the books recommending other books, and expanding reading all around.
I don't think the fervor will die down. With six months to promote it in every way possible, everyone who read the other books will buy it. Those who haven't read them will be encouraged to buy and read the other five before #6 comes out. Prepare to see HP on the cover of every magazine and newspaper imaginable.
I've only read two of them. Perhaps someday I'll check the rest out from the library.
Speaking of fervor, have ever you seen Harry Potter Parking Lot? It's one in a series of short documentaries by local DC guy Jeff Krulik, which started with the cult classic Heavy Metal Parking Lot. They now have a show on the Trio channel based on these. Basically, they go to events (most often concerts) and talk to fans outside the venue. The results are usually hillarious. Harry Potter Parking Lot, which was filmed in DC outside of Politics & Prose, is not nearly as powerful as the original but is worth seeing if you're a fan and if you like spastic little kids.
Oh, lookee here:
watch Harry Potter Parking Lotwatch Heavy Metal Parking Lot
I'm not trying to be contrary, but I think the whole Harry Potter shebang will start to die down. People will still get excited, sleep at bookstores, etc .. but not as many this time. And fewer the next.
And one day J.K. Rowling will find herself on Hollywood Squares, wondering where it all went wrong.
Well, it won't come to that but as the parent of a 6 and 8 year old, I can say that the Harry Potter fever has just about played itself out.
This is in no way a comment on the quality of the books, I haven't read them, but only on the phenomenon. Most of which last about three years, after which all good celebs and fictional personalities need to take a vacation.
Harry Potter parking lot. Hee hee. Too funny.
Also funny, the thought of J.K. Rowling being on Hollywood Squares. I did read today that 5 million books published is now the "magic number" in publishing. And that giants like Stephen King and Grisham have not made that number, while J.K. Rowling has. Interesting.
Well, I happen to have read all five books. (No, I do not camp out, dress up, pre order, or any of that.) I most highly recommend the third book, The Prisoner of Azkaban. The magic died out a little for me, personally, with the next two books. But it's not like I'm a coolhunter or anything. ;)
Good God - I`ve been reading Count Olaf`s blog for a while now, thinking this guy's so into himself it's hilarious!. Today I found out, via my librarian friend, that he's a fictional character! I am soooo behind the times...
Well, I'm so behind the times I don't know who Count Olaf is!!!
From Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. Jim Carrey is playing him in the movie version.
-L
Ah, thanks L! I didn't realize that Jim Carrey was Count Olaf... I thought he was Lemony Snicket! See, I am really, truly behind the times on the whole Lemony Snicket thing!
Hope you had a merry Christmas!
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