CoS Is The Least Favorite HP Book. Why?

[Evilonewon at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 27403

In a message dated 10/09/2001 12:59:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com writes:


> According to the HP Grownups polls, CoS is unquestionably the least 
> favorite of the four books among people on this list.  Out of 400 
> responses, only 5% picked CoS as their favorite out of the HP series 
> (58% picked PoA).  Out of 251 votes for least favorite book, CoS was 
> chosen as least favorite by 70%.
> 

I'd have to say that I greatly disliked CoS, I'll go into why in a minute, 
but I've only read it twice, as opposed to PoA, which is most definitely my 
favourite, which I've read over 10 times.  

> Let's talk about this.  What exactly is it that causes so many people 
> not to like CoS?  Is it the characterization, the ending, the plot, 
> something else?  Can anyone put their finger on it?  And if you can 
> identify a gripe about CoS, can you think of a way to fix it?
> 

I disliked a lot of the characterization, especially Lockhart.  He kept 
misinterpreting what was going on and didn't pay attention when people tried 
to correct him, and no one ever actually corrected him.  And the Whomping 
Willow seemed pointless.  I understand the need to introduce it, but I 
disliked that Harry and Ron decided to be idiots and break the law, when it 
would have been safer, not to mention legal, for them to wait for Mr. and 
Mrs. Weasley to come back and take them to Hogwarts.  I couldn't understand 
why they would fly the car to Hogwarts.  Of course that could be just because 
I am a faithful rule follower, but still, JK, why?  It also seemed like the 
Basilisk wasn't introduced soon enough, there wasn't as much foreshadowing, 
it just explained it at the end, instead of all the readers going "Dear Lord, 
how did we miss it, it was right there, and there and there."  I would have 
preferred less annoying characters and more foreshadowing.  I think that sums 
it up.  

> Laura (who owns 2 dog-eared copies each of PoA, GoF, PS/SS, but only 
> one practically new copy of CoS)
> 
> 
> 
> 

Sadly, it looks like I'm going to have to get a new copy of PoA, mine is 
starting to fall apart.

Corinne Cassandra Valard
Ravenclaw 5th Year
105% obsessed and loving it!




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