Are we having fun?

[susanbones2003]

No: HPFGUIDX 80594

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Wanda Sherratt" 
<wsherratt3338 at r...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Potterfanme" <fc26det at a...> 
> wrote:
> > Now Susan:
> > 
> > Wanda, a few days ago I read a post that you did where you said 
> that 
> > you have not and will not reread OOP because it was so dark and 
> > disappointing for you that you didn't feel you could.  (if I 
> > misunderstood please forgive me.)  I felt the same way when I 
> first 
> > finished with it.  I was so wrapped up with who was going to die, 
> and 
> > what DD was going to finally tell Harry that I read it so quickly 
> to 
> > get to these areas that I missed a lot.  I felt like someone was 
> > sitting on my chest when I finished the book.  I was angry with 
> JKR 
> > for having killed off Sirius (who at that time was my favorite 
> > character) and I was confused with the sudden change in the 
*feel* 
> of 
> > the Harry Potter world.
> > 
> reread her books and find something you 
> > missed each time. (SNIP) 
> > 
> > I am asking you to reread OOP cover to cover.  I am hoping that 
> you 
> > will find that OOP is not as dark and bleak as it was the first 
> time 
> > you read it.  Personally, I think the story is growing with Harry 
> at 
> > an appropriate level.  Life is that way.  As we age we acquire 
> more 
> > responsibility and have to deal with what comes.  Sometimes this 
> is 
> > good and sometimes this is bad.  Part of growing is dealing with 
> the 
> > bad and conquering it on our own.
> > 
> > Susan--who for some reason was touched by Wanda's feelings about 
> OOP.
> 
> Well, thank you - that's a very kind and sensitive post!  But you 
> know, it's not like I've resolved never to read OotP again.  Every 
> few days I think to myself "I guess I should reread OotP again," 
but 
> it's sort of the way kids talk about homework at the end of a long 
> holiday.  (Glumly) "Well, I guess I'd better get started on that 
> math..." (deep sigh)  That's how I feel about it - reluctant and 
> almost repulsed.  Then I think to myself, "No. I'm a grownup, 
mother 
> of three children - I don't have to do homework anymore.  I don't 
> have to read a book I don't like."  And I don't think it's my 
fault, 
> either.  Maybe I'll give it a try someday, or maybe I'll just wait 
> until the next book comes out and see if the magic works again.  
> 
> Wanda

Wanda,
A suggestion. I, too, found OOP rough going many times. But, alas, 
Harry is sort of running in my blood. Can't shake him. So, here's 
what I did to make OOP more accessible. I listen to it. Jim Dale is 
great to listen to, and I hear the English version with Stephen Fry 
is fabulous too. You are too right, you never have to read OOP again 
and nor should you if it's a chore, but listening helps me get 
perspective. Maybe you'd like it too.
Jennifer