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...so far I am on the first chapter of Philosopher's Stone.
It's so interesting to reread, with six books behind you. There is always that little jolt of familiar joy at the very beginning, the quirkily turned-out phrases, Dumbledore and his Put-Outer (though I will still never understand his decision to leave Harry with the Dursleys), the mass flight of owls, McGonagall, even the annoying Dursleys. Because that is what they are in the first book, despite making Harry's childhood miserable. Annoying. Their mistreatment, even though it becomes much less, is much and much more real with every succeeding book, as if the books are growing at the same time as is Harry, as is Harry's understanding of his world, understanding of reality.
But after having read all six books out so far, you can't help but think that James and Lily are dead (and you get to know them a little through the following book, and especially get to know Harry's fierce idealized love of them and his constant loss), that in another part of England, Sirius Black has had his world crashing down and has given up any hope and is now tracking down Peter in order to avenge his friends. That the Weasleys are probably celebrating somewhere, with their much much younger brood (I think even Bill must have only started Hogwarts), including newborn Ginny. And so are Longbottoms, probably, not knowing that soon they'll be driven insane. And that Harry has no idea that he's just had his future mapped out for him and that he is about to enter a horrible childhood...
And that all the celebrations are only a temporary reprieve.
I have also missed the last three (!!!) eps of Veronica Mars, a show I've been sliding into no-caring land with very fast. But latest caps renewed my interest so I'll be watchin'!
It's so interesting to reread, with six books behind you. There is always that little jolt of familiar joy at the very beginning, the quirkily turned-out phrases, Dumbledore and his Put-Outer (though I will still never understand his decision to leave Harry with the Dursleys), the mass flight of owls, McGonagall, even the annoying Dursleys. Because that is what they are in the first book, despite making Harry's childhood miserable. Annoying. Their mistreatment, even though it becomes much less, is much and much more real with every succeeding book, as if the books are growing at the same time as is Harry, as is Harry's understanding of his world, understanding of reality.
But after having read all six books out so far, you can't help but think that James and Lily are dead (and you get to know them a little through the following book, and especially get to know Harry's fierce idealized love of them and his constant loss), that in another part of England, Sirius Black has had his world crashing down and has given up any hope and is now tracking down Peter in order to avenge his friends. That the Weasleys are probably celebrating somewhere, with their much much younger brood (I think even Bill must have only started Hogwarts), including newborn Ginny. And so are Longbottoms, probably, not knowing that soon they'll be driven insane. And that Harry has no idea that he's just had his future mapped out for him and that he is about to enter a horrible childhood...
And that all the celebrations are only a temporary reprieve.
I have also missed the last three (!!!) eps of Veronica Mars, a show I've been sliding into no-caring land with very fast. But latest caps renewed my interest so I'll be watchin'!