Newbie Ramblings

[becky prose lovins]

No: HPFGUIDX 9957

Hi All,

I have had a blast reading the digests from this group. This is the first
time in two weeks I'm actually caught up on reading (the digests anyway)
and thought I'd post my HP history and some ramblings I've been mulling
over.

I first heard about HP a couple of years ago when CNN did a story about
kids having to wait outside the classroom while the teacher read HP to the
class because it was EVIL. I grew up in a house where censorship was a
four-letter word and was immediately intrigued. When the story went on to
talk about wizard school, I knew I'd better pick these up for my future
children's library (because *I* wouldn't be interested in reading them
myself.) So I bought the first one and let it set on the shelf for a few
months, loaned it to my nephew to read, got it back six months later, let
it sit another few months while I finished The Lord of The Rings again.
Finally, after the birth of my first child this past July, I decided it was
time to go ahead and read the first one (you know, just to make sure it
would be ok for my son to read later on.)

You know the rest. I was hooked. Read the first one in 3 days, went to
Walmart, go the only copy of CoS I could find (paperback) and read it in
one night while sitting up with my newborn who had a cold. Ordered the last
two of Amazon and read them both within the week. Since I've joined this
group, i've started reading them again and am partway through PoA.

Here are some of the things I'd like to comment on:

Goblet of Fire: I've read a few people on the list and a couple of articles
about the portkey being a contrived ending for this book. It woulda been so
much easier to enchant the dinner plate, etc. Sure, it would have been, but
it would have been an awfully boring year at Hogwarts wouldn't it? Ariel
could have written Prince Eric a note those days she didn't have her voice,
but it would have made the movie a lot shorter. I do like some of the more
recently posted theories about Voldemort's timing and reasons for doing it
his way. I was surprised when the poll showed that only 12 percent of us
like GoF best. It's by far my favorite book.

The Movie: I can't wait for it! I wish it could be ten hours long and film
every scene written, but I love the idea of seeing the characters on screen
and with special effects the way they are today, I'm sure that WB do
Hogwarts and the magical world justice. I did like someone's idea to have
Patrick Doyle score the movie. He's one of my personal favorites. (I also
have a great Patrick Doyle story. If anyone's interested, email me and I'll
tell it to you.)

Ohio: I voted in the geographic poll and I put myself down as "midwest." Of
course, I'm from Southern Ohio and that's a world away from Northern Ohio
in every sense of the phrase.

Fanfic: I'm a huge fan of Star Trek, Bab 5, Star Wars, LoTR, and lots of
other sci-fi fantasy entertainment. In general, I do not read fiction
written about these universes or characters unless it is the "real" stuff.
I did read Timothy Zahn's (sp?) Star Wars books, but didn't really care for
them because I knew that they weren't *really* how things were to turn out
if George Lucas were to write them. I haven't and probably won't read any
HP fanfic for this reason. The Star Trek novels are different to me because
they are officially sanctioned by Paramount and since Star Trek has been
written by billions of writers over the years, it doesn't hurt my
appreciation for the television series or movies.

Other British Literature: Has anyone out there read Ghormenghast (sp?)? My
husband and I caught the BBC production of it and fell in love. I've been
thinking of picking them up, but they look like a huge undertaking and I
don't know anyone who's read them.

HP #5: I can wait as long as it takes to get that book. Here's why: As soon
as this one comes out, there are only 2 more left, then one and then it's
over. The sooner it comes out, the closer we are to being done with the
series and I am not looking forward to that day. I also hope that by JKR
taking her time, maybe the next book will top 1,000 pages which will take
me longer to read and enjoy it.

I think I've about run my mouth long enough. I do eventually get around to
reading the posts and will reply if anyone wants to respond, just be
patient if you don't see me back very often.

becky l.
minford, Ohio