A few weeks ago, Karl and I kept our promise to Ben and took him to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in the theatre. It was such fun that I went home and immediately began re-reading the whole series. I was so transported that I felt as if the real world was intruding like bad memories, usually three times a day upon mealtime and usually only with great prodding from hungry children. I would literally finish a book, take a deep breath, and pick up the next one, sunk so deep in that being in my real life felt bleak and numbingly prosaic. I wanted wands and owls!! I’m a little embarrassed to admit that.  What was completely acceptable in my childhood seems faintly derelict. But there it is.
The movies just can’t capture J.K. Rowling’s elaborate casts: there are so many characters and each of them so sharp and delightful. One of my favorite parts in the very first book is at the welcoming banquet at Hogwarts when the headmaster Dumbledore gets up to greet the students:
“‘Welcome!’ he said. ‘Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquest, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!'”
In just 4 sentences, Rowling shows us Dumbledore’s wit and bonhomie without using words like “wit” and, worse, “bonhomie.”
Last night, Ben was perched on top of our neighbor’s swing set and announced “I’m going to speak in random words for the rest of the night!”
“Cowboy!”
“Snow!”
“Farts!”
“Cactus!”
Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, he got distracted. I thought he was on a roll.
One Comment
Oh, wonderful post! I have another friend who read the whole series for the first time, all in a row this summer. I’ve been thinking of doing it, but am afraid noone would see me for days if I did — indeed, the real world intruding like bad memories. And I love that opening of Dumbledore’s.
My current reading obsession is your fault, actually Ben’s fault, but I learned about it here. I decided last night to withhold from myself the 7th Sister’s Grimm books until I finish my editing project, but I’ve been devouring them.
Post a Comment