Harry Potter (General Discussion)

[Shiny Star]

I feel like Harry Potter deserves its own thread. I have read all of the books and I loved it. The plot was so well crafted together. I haven't seen all of the movies though but I've seen Platforms 9 3/4 a few times as I can get to Kings Cross in like 20 minutes. I also think I'm in Gryfindor.

What do you guys think of Harry Potter? Have you read them?

[Kyng]

Yes, I was quite into this franchise back in the day . 

• Books: Read all seven, once each. Haven't read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, or any of the spin-offs; 
  
• Films: Seen all eight. In particular, I've seen the first one more times than I can count (it's my favourite 'childhood' film), although the VHS tape isn't worn out quite yet . 
  
• PC Games: Played the first three, and the fifth (I skipped the fourth because the reviews were awful). Played the first three multiple times though (to find all the secret stuff), but I thought the fifth one was boring. 
  

I'm not sure what house I'd be in. I'd probably be either a Ravenclaw or a 'good' Slytherin in the mould of Horace Slughorn .

[Shiny Star]

I have the Cursed Child at home. I read it once in I think one or two nights. It was written in like a script format. It was an interesting thought but probably was more of a way to get money.

As for the videogames, I have the LEGO one for the firs time years on 3DS but it's pretty bad. I used to have the Chamber of Secrets one and I found the other day the first three CD discs for £3 so I'm gonna play them sometime.

[JHG]

It's a great series even if it isn't Studio Ghibli. I used to think I was Gryffindor but now I know I'm best in Ravenclaw.

[Kyng]

Yeah, I had similar thoughts about The Cursed Child. And, from what I've heard about the story, it doesn't sound like something I'd be happy to admit into my head-canon: it just sounds like a stupid fanfic . (Not as dumb as My Immortal, but still....)

Also, I forgot all about the Fantastic Beasts movie. I haven't seen that yet (the premise didn't interest me, and TBH it came across to me as another cash-grab), but I've heard good things about it, so I guess I'll have to check it out some time. 

I haven't played the LEGO games; I'd mostly moved on from that franchise by the time those came out .

[Detective Osprey]

I haven't seen HP in a long time. I think I've seen all the films, but not 100% sure. I haven't had a chance to read the books. I'd rather listen to them as audiobooks. I don't have the patience for long books, haha.

[JHG]

I haven't seen HP in a long time. I think I've seen all the films, but not 100% sure. I haven't had a chance to read the books. I'd rather listen to them as audiobooks. I don't have the patience for long books, haha.

Aw. You’re missing out on a lot of masterly world building by avoiding long books. It’s what made Tolkien’s Middle Earth, Game of Thrones, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and The Dinosaur Lords so great. Harry Potter for that matter, has world building not as impressive.

[Deleted User 8]

I was almost bored to death by the books, when one of my teachers from primary school read some out to us before the end of the day. My hatred for it lingered on since but later on, I forgot about it. I personally find Harry Potter in itself quite childish even for its movies. It's no wonder Daniel Radcliffe wanted to move on from it when the whole thing was over.

[Kyng]

I haven't seen HP in a long time. I think I've seen all the films, but not 100% sure. I haven't had a chance to read the books. I'd rather listen to them as audiobooks. I don't have the patience for long books, haha.

Aw. You’re missing out on a lot of masterly world building by avoiding long books. It’s what made Tolkien’s Middle Earth, Game of Thrones, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and The Dinosaur Lords so great. Harry Potter for that matter, has world building not as impressive. 

That comment rather surprised me: I always thought the world building was one of the greatest strengths of the series! 

Though, now that I think about it, I can see where you're coming from. I'll certainly concede that the world in Harry Potter isn't particularly deep or fleshed-out, so if you're a detail-oriented person who enjoys that kind of thing, then Rowling's work is going to disappoint you. On the other hand, the world she sets up is very vast: it's replete with the kinds of mysteries that can leave fans debating for hours on end. Furthermore, when Rowling does provide details, they tend to be quirky and humorous, which just enhanced the appeal to me even further. 

So, I can certainly see why fans of more 'serious' fantasy wouldn't enjoy it, but I can also see why it's become a global phenomenon which has the legions of fans that it does.

[Detective Osprey]

I haven't seen HP in a long time. I think I've seen all the films, but not 100% sure. I haven't had a chance to read the books. I'd rather listen to them as audiobooks. I don't have the patience for long books, haha.

Aw. You’re missing out on a lot of masterly world building by avoiding long books. It’s what made Tolkien’s Middle Earth, Game of Thrones, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and The Dinosaur Lords so great. Harry Potter for that matter, has world building not as impressive. 

I just don't really like long books. I tend to lose interest. It's why I haven't finished The Odyssey or Wuthering Heights. 

That's why I want an audiobook set of HP.