Still recovering from my huge book reading holiday by not actually finishing any books since, I thought I would look back to three I did finish while enjoying Orkney.

The two Harry Potter books were, of course, excellent. As much as I enjoy the films, they cannot be as complete as the books and convey the same sense of build up to the big events. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the infuriating Malfoys get so cross making that I always have a little cheer when Dobby succeeds at the end. Some of his earlier stunts are  so very dangerous and frustrating that it is amazing that Harry survives, let alone stays at Hogwarts. Harry and Ron’s escape from the Forest is always surprising, as are the revelations of the final scenes. When I read the despair that Ginny’s disappearance causes, I wonder at which point Rowling decided what would happen in that final scene in the final book.

As for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, I suppose the whole thing hinges on what you think of  the time travel aspect. It seems odd that Hermione  is issued with such a powerful instrument just to allow her to attend lessons. Surely the wizarding world would have made more use of such a device if it was freely available, albeit with extreme care. It is a difficult concept to explain in the book, but Rowling just about gets away with it. I think that it’s more of a problem in the film, when the suspension of disbelief in a world just slightly different from our own is maintained, but only just. Much has been written about why the Potter books work. I think it is because the world, the characters, are so understandable, even if they have amazing powers. For example, in Chamber of Secrets Mrs.Weasley is furious at some of her sons for using the car to rescue Harry, just like any other parent would be.  The fact that the car is able to fly just adds to the situation.  So the whole time shift thing, I think, just pushes it too far.

The most touching element of this book is Harry’s discovery of his godfather. While the whole saga demands that Harry has no parents living, it is good to see him have a slightly risky godparent. What has always confused me is what happened to his father’s, James, family. Being entrusted to relatives outside the magical world is one thing, but I have often wondered why there was no family at all left. After all, even the much older Dumbledore still has at least one family member surviving.  The most terrifying characters are undoubtedly the Dementors, not just because of their general terrifying presence, but because of their ultimate power. Apart from the time shift element, which is difficult to describe, this is an excellent book.

One of the other books is I Think I Love You by Allison Pearson. Females over a certain age may remember the title as being part of the lyrics of one of David Cassidy’s songs. and the early part of this novel is set in the world of teenage fans and the frustrations of being a teenage girl with all the friendship crisis and allegiances that entailed. The novel evolves into a study of being a parent who isn’t coping, because of challenges  beyond their control. Marriages go wrong  and only a dramatic trip can give a new perspective. There are some funny moments as well as intensely dramatic scenes. While this book could easily be seen as simply another easy read, the writing is far better than that, with painful observation emerging. I believe I read and quite appreciated her other book, I Don’t Know How She Does It, soon to be a very American film. I’m not sure if it will work in some ways, as what I enjoyed about it were the small observations, such as the harassed heroine distressing mince pies to make them look home made. That moment probably won’t make the film. This book is good, with sharp observations and a satisfying story. Not great literature, but definitely worth reading, even if you preferred the Osmonds (who?).

Nearly there! This book blog is nearly one year old, and it’s Post no.99! More looking back things next time, but I thought we could look at a very (the most?) influential series of books for a long time: Harry Potter.

When I was teaching in both primary and middle schools, this series of books would be so popular that in some classrooms every desk would have a copy ready for reading time. One student teacher was loudly criticised by Son Two for mispronouncing Hermione. He was obsessed from early on, from when I bought the first two books wondering what all the fuss was about. Before number  three he had set up a shrine (which we all remember in the hallway), using the books and a stand of some sort. I also remember taking our three plus three extra children to buy the later books at midnight. Friend MHH used to set up the Hogwarts experience in the local branch of a certain bookshop where he worked, and transformed himself into a very fetching Hagrid. (There must be photos somewhere…must ask him during his visit to Northern parts next week) In this house we have many volumes; I used to have to buy about four copies at a time to enable simultaneous reading, and we also have copies bought at sales, in French, Latin… And the memorabilia, the broomsticks. By some weird chance our old college colours were the same as Gryffindor, but honourary grandmother was still pressed into knitting some scarves.

What about the books though? Son One found a copy of “the Philosopher’s Stone” for me to re read last night. It is my ambition to read them all again. I have had this ambition before, so have read book one quite often, but have only read six and seven once, I believe. I have seen, probably quite a few years ago, the original handwritten text of book one. It is fascinating to see that Rowling wrote in longhand on ordinary paper, at least to begin with. It would be interesting to see if she kept that practise going through all the novels, or whether she was lured by the attractions of a PC?

I think that the style of book one is deceptively simple. It reads as if written by a child, pleased to avoid an odious babysitter, fed up with his family, mystified by so much. Of course the books get more complex, the style grows with Harry and the others, as well as the readers. For me one of the most powerful images is of the bereaved Harry, having lost his godfather who represented so much to him, breaking up Dumbledore’s study. The anger, the rage, the lost hope is described so realistically that it would stand up against any separate piece of writing about the confusion and emotion of being a teenager. It is difficult to separate the writing from the story as a whole. Compared with something like Lord of the Rings (sorry if anyone is offended) these are nonacademic, simple narratives featuring one story arc without all of the different viewpoints which can confuse and bewilder the reader.Yes, there is additional information, different perspectives, but the central story, the central characters remain strong and unambiguous, except where they have to be to maintain the tension.

It is difficult to read the early books now without picking up the trails and the hints  which will become significant in the later books. For example, the fact that Harry doesn’t mind spiders (because of his cupboard bedroom) contrasts with Ron’s fear of them, especially in book two, and enables Harry to deal with Hagrid’s obsessions, until the wretched things get too big at least. Another memorable emotion is the trapped feeling when the evil forces move into the school and change the rules and ultimately dismiss Dumbledore as Headmaster. I can believe that many children liked the idea of boarding schools from reading these books, and the theme of getting rid of the parents early on is a well worn path in literature. (Great Expectations, Jane Eyre, etc etc) But these are young people in danger, frequently, and the fear can be safely explored in the mythical setting.

A lot has been written criticizing these books, and pointing out their faults. I think that they are a great achievement, a saga of discovery, exploration, of the battle between good and evil, even when that seems to involve risk and self sacrifice. They are enjoyable books for those who do not usually enjoy reading, they are essential reads for many children, teenagers and adults, and they, together with the films, have given me a great deal of pleasure over many years.

And my favourites;

Who both enjoyed the films far too much…