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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2006 5:46:09 GMT
I am always slow to catch onto things so it took me til this year to discover HP.
A fantastic series but I want to shake that Rowling woman. She really has got a twisted side to her. Can't wait for No. 7 to come out next year though.
I really would like to learn some of the spells. There's a few people at work I'd like to Stupify !
;D
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Post by rhodadendron on Aug 22, 2006 6:55:35 GMT
I heard about Harry Potter from a friend and had read (and loved) the first books just before the massive explosion of interest.
Definitely becoming disenchanted though. I found the Order of the Phoenix readable but boring and I am just now finally reading the last one and am distinctly irritated - I'm half way through and nothing has happened. It also feels like Rowlings is trying to write rather than it just freely flowing. Like she has a list of things she's trying to fit in, a bit of teenage angst, a bit of grief, bit of humour etc.
That having been said, at least I am reading it. I have a pile of more worthy books that I have started and not got past the first chapter!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2006 7:08:01 GMT
A friend in work re-read the whole series in the time it took me to read No. 6 !
She reads them all in order just before a new one comes out.
I can't get into the films at all though. I'd much rather have the images in my head rather than on screen.
I actually cried in the last two. Ridiculous or what ?
;D
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Post by piggingardener on Aug 22, 2006 9:13:27 GMT
Hi Rhoda - bear with it - it does get quite exciting towards the end, if a little upsetting. I like the HP books but my favourite series of books is by Jean M Auel, the Earth's Children series. It begins with the Clan of the Cave Bear and is about the life of a Cro Magnon woman who loses her parents when only a small child in an earthquake. She is raised by the Clan - a tribe of neanderthals until they cast her out. The stories are so well researched and the author really has that wonderful ability to paint pictures in your mind. The series is 6 books, of which 5 have so far been published. As we had to wait 12 years between 4 and 5, I hope I'm still around for the final volume!!  PG |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2006 9:21:56 GMT
Kaypers I haven't told you this but I only picked up Harry Potter this year too. My son was too young when it all exploded but now he is eight he asked for Harry Potter books. I bought him a boxed set of the first five. But....I've not read them,I have to confess I have bought the audio cd's. Listening to Stephen Fry is a marvellous treat. I've listened to the first two books and the third is in the post.
Watched the films of the first two books recently and found them disappointing to be honest. Is there another film?
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Post by obelixx on Aug 22, 2006 9:33:43 GMT
Hi heldi - the films are definitely not as good as the books as they have to miss out so much stuff and i got really cross with the director and editor of the 4th film as they've cut bits which are crucial to the 5th.
JK Rowling does labour some parts and makes a few mistakes too but it's a good yarn and the best bit is that the Stephen Fry CDs keep us all entertained on long journeys and no "Are we nearlly there?" whines every 5 minutes. Now it's "Can we have Harry Potter?". OH and I have both read all the books, Possum has read only no 1 but regularly watches our video and DVDs of the films. She's definitely a TV/video/CD child but I hope reading will come eventually.
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 22, 2006 9:46:41 GMT
I've really enjoyed the HP books and am waiting for the last instalment with bated breath - PLEASE don't let her kill him off - I couldn't bear it! I quite admire JK Rowling actually, I think she's done an amazing job getting kids reading and has opened the way for many authors who may not have had a look in otherwise. I do love see a female single parent become a world wide success story.
I love the Earth Children books too. And Philip Pulman, and Anne MacCaffrey, and any other I get a chance to read - I don't seem to have much time again now I have another young daughter and two grandchildren......would I rather read or garden? Depends on the weather!
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Post by rhodadendron on Aug 22, 2006 12:12:52 GMT
I'm not so keen on the Harry Potter films they're OK for a rainy Sunday afternoon on DVD but I don't feel drawn in to them but that is true of a lot of films these days.
It will be interesting to see how Philip Pulman's Dark Materials fares in the film world. I bought the CD of it and listened to it whilst touring round Iceland with the OH. It was a totally magical experience as the story really fitted with the scenery. We also went to see the stage play (in two parts) at the National Theatre. It was absolutely stunning, fabulous set, great acting and they had used marionettes/puppets for the daemons - performers in grey body suits controlled the puppets and after a while you just didn't notice them. Although I hadn't expected it to it really worked - the first play was better than the second but I guess that is always the way, you start taking stuff for granted.
A recommendation for anyone who likes to listen to stories on CD would be Robert Harris' 'Pompeii'. Turned a long boring journey into a joy - we could hardly bring ourselves to stop for coffee.
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Post by Jonah on Aug 22, 2006 12:29:12 GMT
Sorry, bit off topic, but does anyone recognise what book my avatar is from? ;D |
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Post by piggingardener on Aug 22, 2006 13:07:49 GMT
Hi Rhoda I haven't heard the cd version but read the book. It really brought the events in Pompeii to life. Did you see the programme about Pompeii and Herculaneum the other week on TV? It was a sort of archaeology live type prog presented by Peter Snow. Very interesting.  |
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Aug 22, 2006 13:46:17 GMT
Hlo chaps: I LOVED the Philip Pullman 'His Dark Materials' books...and thought that they were very well written. I bought them for a friend's daughter and thought that I'd better read them before I handed them over 'just in case'...ended up buying her another set of the books and keeping the first lot...bought OH the tapes for Yule and we're sort of looking forward to the film...James Bond as Lord Asriel...ooer
I read HP but I didn't quite get what everyone was going on about. OH thinks that they are wonderful and can't wait for the next book...I have to read them OF COURSE...but still prefer Mr Pullman...
If anyone likes 'Fantasy' books, Raymond Fiest is a wonderful writer (and Anne McCaffery, and Katherine Kerr, and Marion Zimmer Bradley, and David Eddings, and Robin Hobb, and Terry Goodkind, and R. R. Martin.......I could go on...)
CPBxxx
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Post by piggingardener on Aug 22, 2006 13:52:04 GMT
Hi CPB - have you read any Terry Pratchetts? I love his sense of humour. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2006 14:40:14 GMT
Hi Obelixx.
It was you who pointed me in the direction of the HP audio cd's and I thankyou for that.What an absolute joy they've been. I love Stephen Fry anyway but his reading of HP is wonderful!
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Post by obelixx on Aug 22, 2006 14:53:46 GMT
Hi Heldi - Im' glad you've enjoyed them. Could have been an expensive mistake if you didn't. We now have the full set which is quite an investment.
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Aug 22, 2006 15:02:38 GMT
OOh Piggingardener...I got EVERY ONE! I've been reading TP Discworld books for years. He makes me laugh like a drain...my favourite HAS to be the witches 'trilogy'...but I'm most partial to Cap'n Vimes too...and DEATH... Do you read them then? CPBx |
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Post by piggingardener on Aug 22, 2006 15:10:14 GMT
Hi CPB Indeed I do. My faves are the witches too, and DEATH, and Rincewind. I love Nanny Ogg - I wish I had the lyrics to her naughty hedgehog song!! I also liked the wee free men - crivens!! Absolutely brilliant!!!!   |
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Post by rhodadendron on Aug 22, 2006 15:24:19 GMT
Sorry, bit off topic, but does anyone recognise what book my avatar is from? ;D Hi Jonah Can we have a clue? Another one as well as the avatar obviously |
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Post by piggingardener on Aug 22, 2006 15:30:41 GMT
Hello Rhoda Have you been demoted? You're down to junior member and I thought you were a Mod! |
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Post by rhodadendron on Aug 22, 2006 16:21:53 GMT
Well spotted PG I asked to be demoted as I just want to be one of the girls/boys! I knew that I would start to enjoy the power too much and would almost certainly abuse it! I started to understand this when the exalt and smite got taken away and I realised what fun it would have been to come on late at night and smite people! Always best to understand one's own weaknesses I think! |
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Post by sweetleaf on Aug 22, 2006 16:23:39 GMT
I love Terry Pratchett books too, Discworld is a fantastic series of books, My favourite Character is Death I bought the trilogy even though I already had 2 o 3, too but I have a new Favourite every time I buy a new book. Nanny Ogg is brilliant as is Esme Weatherwax, and I`d love to meet Captain Carrot ! Anne McCaffrey is a great author too, but I cut my teeth in Sci-fi with Isaac Asimov and Arthur C Clarke when I was 11. I have many bookshelves full of sci-fi and am working my way through the Damia series again as I havent read them for 5 yrs ,enough so I can be "Surprised" at the plot twists again! When I`ve read those, I will Begin on the discworld books again Is there a new one?  PG is right ...Rhoda, did you resign as a mod? |
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Post by sweetleaf on Aug 22, 2006 16:26:00 GMT
Jonah, is that figure Green Noah from the Green Knowe books? |
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Post by jonah177 on Aug 22, 2006 17:20:31 GMT
well done sweatleaf!
A fave from my youth [still got the books]. Those and the folk of the faraway tree.
I haven't got into HP at all - yet. Maybe I'm just jealous, cos I've been writing a childrens book since about 1850 and it should have been me having all the glory!!!!
I love Lord of the rings [who doesn't]. Cannot believe I never read the book. I read the Shannara series and I was amazed at the similarities. Almost plaguerism IMO.
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 22, 2006 19:07:53 GMT
I love Lord of the Rings - read it so many times - but I never fancied Strider until I saw the films..... I haven't read the Shannara books for years, now I'll have to dig them out.
Sweetleaf, didn't realise you were a biker - I'm not but OH is - did you read The Long Way Round? I really enjoyed it and the DVD is brilliant (Ewan MacGregor's such a lovely bloke). I've just ordered the new Charley Boorman book about his Paris- Dakar race today for OH's birthday.
My favourite sci fi book for years as a teenager was Childhood's End by Arthur C Clarke.
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Post by piggingardener on Aug 22, 2006 19:21:15 GMT
Jonah - How spooky is that!  My sister and I were only talking about the folk of the faraway tree last night!! Did you like the wishing chair too, and Mr Pinkwhistle!! I know Enid Blyton was very un-pc but they were great books. <reallynostalgicwistfulkindofsmiley> |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2006 19:21:29 GMT
jonah sorry no don't recognise your hedgeman at all.  i'm waiting for HP7 to come out, wait for the prices to fall and buy myself an adult box set ! hells bells - we'll have loads to chat about come october. i fancy growing some mandrakes lmao |
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Post by piggingardener on Aug 22, 2006 19:22:52 GMT
Rhoda - Flora isn't on here is she? ?? ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2006 19:23:39 GMT
and i've got the LOTR trilogy on the shelf ........ 50% unread. i've not even seen all the films either. my attention span is quite short really.
;D
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Aug 22, 2006 19:23:41 GMT
O.M.G.! This is a first 4P...d'yer realise we're actually on-line at the same time OoOoOoOoo...QMVT rule ahem Do other people do that too...I mean rereading old favourites? A few years ago I 'fell out of my tree' (unravelled, lost the plot etc) and one of the only things I found comfort in were my old Narnia books!..then I reread AAAALLLLL the Eddings and Fiest books...by the time I finished I was MUCH better. Does anyone remember Stephen Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant' etc? 4P gave me the first one and I was totally hooked (1978?)...soooooo depressing they was...glad I didn't read THEM when I was having my breakdown ...There was a new one published a couple of years ago and I bought it...just can't seem to get into it tho. xxCPBxx |
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Aug 22, 2006 19:26:18 GMT
And I must admit that Aragorn was my favourite too...phwoooar..move over CB....
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Post by piggingardener on Aug 22, 2006 19:34:30 GMT
Hiya CPB - Blimey we're really on the same wavelength here!!!! I've just bought the 1st and 2nd Chronicles of Thomas Covenant to re-read AND there's another one out now which I've also bought. It's called The Runes of the Earth - the last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Published in 2004, Gollantcz, London. I believe it's also available in paperback. |
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PG
