[HPforGrownups] Re: Why to Like and Not Like OoP

[Anne Robotti]

No: HPFGUIDX 70564

 > Yes, but what it does tell me I don't like. When I saw Harry bullying 
 > his cousin in the first chapter, I was appalled and disgusted, it 
 > didn't make me want to read more about him.  
 
With you totally up to here, Doriane, but at that point I still thought that
what we were seeing was the beginning of some intense build-up of emotional
insight where Harry was goign to come to terms with what had happened to
Cedric. Wishing the bullies would come over to the swings - I wished it too!
But you're right, when it turned out to be just the beginning of more
pissiness and obnoxious behavior I got turned off pretty quickly.
 
 > > 2. It tells you some of Snape's and James et al's backstory, so you 
 > > can enjoy the other books more deeply.

 > Yep. I'd been feeling before OoP that it might be interesting to 
 > rewrite HP1-4 from Snape's POV. But now there isn't even any need for 
 > it anymore : it's clear to me why Snape hates Harry so much. He looks 
 > like his dad, and he almost acts like his dad (not as evil, but sure 
 > as arrogant sometimes).
 
 Plus, this information left me feeling pretty much like it left Harry
feeling - that I didn't think much of James Potter at all! I don't think
it's going to make me enjoy the other books more, just maybe understand them
more.
 
> >  Which HP fans can't stand OoP, then?
> 
>  > 1. Those who are so irked by the *lack* of realism in Harry's 
>  > character that they can't emotionally invest in his new persona.

 > Like me.
 
It would be going far to say that I couldn't stand it, but I certainly did
notice that it was a book and not real life much more this time.
 
Anne 



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