H.P. And The Philosopher's Stone

[poliphilo]

It turns out to be rather well-constructed too. Up until about 7/8ths of the way through you think you're just getting a series of episodes, but then everything you've learned about people, places and things is pulled together in a thrilling denouement that works a lot better on the page than it does in the film. 

In the film Voldemort seems sort of tacked on. You''ve got this metaphysical terror lurking at the edges of what is basically a spiffing school adventure. In the book he's more integral. I think it's got something to do with pacing and the way- in CGI movies- story gets bowed down under the weight of the special effects. 

So I'm going to carry right on with The Chamber of Secrets. I'm warned I may start to feel Potter-fatigue in the course of this one, but that I need to keep going and the heaviness will lift.

Comments

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

Hm, that's a good question!

(quite honestly, I'm tempted to give the kid a copy of the first HP book but...his mother would get upset with me.)

I always thought that the most magic of the magic is the actual reading. Magical to be transported to another place by the words of someone with a wonderful story to tell.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think your friend might have a change of heart if she were actually to read the books herself.