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lavivi*looks v. guilty*
I didn't forget about this journal. I recalled it intermittently, and the promises I had made to announce various things as they are released to the internet public, but...could not find the motivation to log out and back in to do so.
Here I am though, for an entirely different purpose. Because I've begun re-reading Harry Potter (for neither the second nor third time, okay) and I still want to make little comments at various points, and I do remember how a few friends of mine said they really enjoyed my notes. So, here I am.
But before I begin, I am very much obligated to make the built-up announcements, and list what else I need to do here.
So, foremost, what I was hinting in my last few entries:integral_art. This is a collaboration community of both givemethechild, Jean Farwig (artist, author, and musician extroardinaire) and myself. More information is found in the profile.
For its grand opening, we posted my Ties of Blood, previously known as the dungeon scene. ...Yes, it is something that for once, I am still proud of and I think does justice to its content and purpose. ♥
I also uploaded it to fanfictionDOTnet, along with a (revised) version of the funeral scene - now appropriately titled The Funeral.
Eventually, now, I'm going to have to write an SOS of the thirteenth book of A Series of Unfortunate Events, Good Omens, and Lolita, as I will probably have finished it by that time.
Still working on a few dozen WIPs, naturally. Have also written some original things that don't seem too bad. Er, will post them too sometime?
So, to my comments over the first four chapters of the first book, now.
I didn't forget about this journal. I recalled it intermittently, and the promises I had made to announce various things as they are released to the internet public, but...could not find the motivation to log out and back in to do so.
Here I am though, for an entirely different purpose. Because I've begun re-reading Harry Potter (for neither the second nor third time, okay) and I still want to make little comments at various points, and I do remember how a few friends of mine said they really enjoyed my notes. So, here I am.
But before I begin, I am very much obligated to make the built-up announcements, and list what else I need to do here.
So, foremost, what I was hinting in my last few entries:
integral_art. This is a collaboration community of both givemethechild, Jean Farwig (artist, author, and musician extroardinaire) and myself. More information is found in the profile. For its grand opening, we posted my Ties of Blood, previously known as the dungeon scene. ...Yes, it is something that for once, I am still proud of and I think does justice to its content and purpose. ♥
I also uploaded it to fanfictionDOTnet, along with a (revised) version of the funeral scene - now appropriately titled The Funeral.
Eventually, now, I'm going to have to write an SOS of the thirteenth book of A Series of Unfortunate Events, Good Omens, and Lolita, as I will probably have finished it by that time.
Still working on a few dozen WIPs, naturally. Have also written some original things that don't seem too bad. Er, will post them too sometime?
So, to my comments over the first four chapters of the first book, now.
From the first chapter - the Dursleys were incredibly innocent and harmless back in the beginning. "As he drove to work Mr. Dursley thought of nothing but the large order of drills he hoped to get that day." "- because Mr. Dursley did not approve of imagination."
And then the second chapter, in which they are significantly less innocent, and you know, even if it was written in that style back then, to mildly horrify children, it has to be taken more seriously now, just because of where it is today. Alas, poor miserable Harry.
Third chapter, with nostalgic quoting:
(- And oh, it has such the wonderful feel of a fantasty novel to it, done so well - the poor miserable abused boy, introduced so well to something so promising and huge, and it's done so well - the reader can feel it, even though it hasn't been explained yet - it's when Hagrid addresses Harry directly ["Anyway -- Harry," said the giant, turning his back on the Dursleys, "a very happy birthday to yeh. Got summat fer yeh here -- I mighta sat on it at some point, but it'll taste all right."
*suddenly wonders how it must have been from the Dursleys' point of view, as they watched, huddled together in the back of the hut, as Harry finally stretched out his hand to take his letter and read it*
"always knew they'd come to a sticky end" - hey, same thing Lucius Malfoy says.
Fourth chapter:
As they take the rowboat back to land - first time I've wondered now how the Dursleys got off the rock. I don't think they had any sort of telephone...maybe the old man with bad teeth came back out with another boat.
And you're really reminded, as you read about all the stores - it struck me particularly with the apothecary - how cool it really, really must be to go to Hogwarts. And there is a whiff of that old, immense, heart-breaking desire. Must have been enchanted. (I mean, after all the description with the sofa in the hut sinking to the floor....)
And then the second chapter, in which they are significantly less innocent, and you know, even if it was written in that style back then, to mildly horrify children, it has to be taken more seriously now, just because of where it is today. Alas, poor miserable Harry.
Third chapter, with nostalgic quoting:
"Las' time I saw you, you was only a baby," said the giant. "Yeh look a lot like yet dad, but yeh've got yet mom's eyes."
(- And oh, it has such the wonderful feel of a fantasty novel to it, done so well - the poor miserable abused boy, introduced so well to something so promising and huge, and it's done so well - the reader can feel it, even though it hasn't been explained yet - it's when Hagrid addresses Harry directly ["Anyway -- Harry," said the giant, turning his back on the Dursleys, "a very happy birthday to yeh. Got summat fer yeh here -- I mighta sat on it at some point, but it'll taste all right."
"Ah, go boil yet heads, both of yeh," said Hagrid. "Harry – yer a wizard."
*suddenly wonders how it must have been from the Dursleys' point of view, as they watched, huddled together in the back of the hut, as Harry finally stretched out his hand to take his letter and read it*
"Where was I?" said Hagrid, but at that moment, Uncle Vernon, still ashen-faced but looking very angry, moved into the firelight.
"He's not going," he said.
"Could you write it down?" Harry suggested.
"always knew they'd come to a sticky end" - hey, same thing Lucius Malfoy says.
Fourth chapter:
The owl then fluttered onto the floor and began to attack Hagrid's coat.Another line that never fails to amuse me.
As they take the rowboat back to land - first time I've wondered now how the Dursleys got off the rock. I don't think they had any sort of telephone...maybe the old man with bad teeth came back out with another boat.
"Hogwarts, clear?" she said, when Harry started to speak. "Got the lot here -- another young man being fitted up just now, in fact."
They bought Harry's school books in a shop called Flourish and Blotts where the shelves were stacked to the ceiling with books as large as paving stones bound in leather; books the size of postage stamps in covers of silk; books full of peculiar symbols and a few books with nothing in them at all.Ooooh.
And you're really reminded, as you read about all the stores - it struck me particularly with the apothecary - how cool it really, really must be to go to Hogwarts. And there is a whiff of that old, immense, heart-breaking desire. Must have been enchanted. (I mean, after all the description with the sofa in the hut sinking to the floor....)
It was a tiny place, empty except for a single, spindly chair that Hagrid sat on to wait.Must have been enchanted. (I mean, after all the description with the sofa in the hut sinking to the floor....)
"Good afternoon," said a soft voice. Harry jumped. Hagrid must have jumped, too, because there was a loud crunching noise and he got quickly off the spindly chair.