[HPforGrownups] Re: POA - Book vrs movie

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 100384

Geoff wrote:
> Interestingly, my experience is rather the reverse. As I have said 
> previously, I stupidly allowed my judgment to be dictated by 
> members of my church who were anti-Potter so I didn't read the 
> books. 
> Then, at the end of 2002, when COS appeared in the cinemas, I was 
> staying with my wife in Cardiff at a friend's house. Often, if we 
> are at a loose end in an evening, the question is put "What's on in 
> Barry at the cinema?" Answer - HP2. Did I want to go and see it? 
> Shrug of shoulders - why not? So I went and enjoyed it and, a day or 
> so later, watched PS on Sky Box Office at our friend's place. I was 
> hooked. I returned to my rural retreat, purchased the books and 
> rapidly bought the other two (this is pre-OOTP of course) and the 
> rest is history. 
> That is how a pedantic, canon-obsessed, retired Computer teacher 
> arrived on HPFGU. Blame the films!



Sherry
This might sound crazy, but I had not even heard of the books till a little
before the 3rd one was released.  I don't know how I missed all the stir and
talk.  Then I was visiting a friend, and he said he had a friend who was a
school librarian, and she had recommended he read this book called HARRY
POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE.  He asked if I would like to read it with
him.  We are both blind, and he had the "talking book" version, a US Library
of Congress library program for the blind.  The books are not the same
recordings as commercial audio.  But anyway, I said something to the effect
of why would I want to read a book with a name like that!  Well, he told me
his friend highly recommended them, so somewhat reluctantly, I agreed.  The
laugh was on me, because guess who became the ardent HP fan!  I went out and
immediately bought both of the first two books on commercial audio and could
hardly wait for number three.  Suddenly, I was hearing about Harry Potter
all over.  How had I missed him before?  Now I have all five books in
braille and on commercial audio, read by Jim Dale.  i've heard raves over
the other recording, the UK version, and I'd like to get those, too!

Sherry G, who enjoys hearing how we all got hooked!