intro to list

[zora_djevojka at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 13978

Hello,

I've decided to introduce myself to the list before the March 12. events 
(publishing, not the list admin) overtake us all. I've become a Harry 
Potter fan over the last couple of months. I was at first reluctant to read 
the books because, as someone whose teenage years (I'm 25 now) were 
influenced by Tolkien, I sometimes tend to be vary of other fantasy genre 
works. Needless to say, my fears were unfounded, and I greatly enjoyed all 
four books.

I've read most of the book reviews I cold find (do I sound like Hermione 
now?) and my favorite one is the "Harry Potter's Magic" by Alan Jacobs. I 
especially liked the way he linked the approach to magic to the problem of 
technology in our world. I would greatly appreciate if anyone can send me 
more links to similar thought provoking reviews (off list is fine).
My favorite book to date remains PoA. In many ways I found it more 
emotionally engaging than any other book. Because of the themes of betrayal 
and loss (Harry coming so close to having a family, only to have this dream 
taken from him again) I found it even "darker" than GoF, although 
undoubtedly less graphic.

My second favorite is CoS. Many issues and complexities that trouble the 
wizarding world are first introduced here (Mudbloods and Rumours), only to 
be further developed (with examples!) in GoF. Additionally, Voldemort as 
Tom Riddle just seems so much more disturbing a villain than Voldemort in 
his snakelike incarnation, even though I understand that this (partial) 
loss of human form is a result of the quest for power and immortality. But 
the loss of humanity came first, as Harry finds out during the 
confrontation in the chamber.

I'm very grateful to JK Rowling for introducing the veela (vila) reference 
in the GoF. It brought back memories (albeit muddled ones) of my 
grandfather telling me stories about them. I have since reread the tales 
inspired by local folklore (I live in Croatia) that were forgotten since 
childhood, and I am now looking for more.

I've made this post longer than intended, so I'll just finish by saying 
that I'm really looking forward to taking part in discussions (time 
permitting) especially since it seems that there is so much to talk about.

Vlatka


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