Book Review: Harry Potter, Books 1-4


I know... it took me too long to get around to it.

So, I was sitting on the floor of Barnes and Noble, keeping friends company during the all night Harry Potter book release event, and, since I promised Iwould read the series, I started the first book while there.

Three hundred pages of character development. How did she get a second book deal?

The second book. Oh my dear god... more Quidditch! More Voldemort! Yeah, I know the series is all about Harry's fight against Big V, but, still, you'd think he'd get used to it. But, less character development, and more fun than the first book. Harry does stuff.

The third book and, my dear god! More Quidditch! But, suddenly, a timeline arises. the rat means something! If this is not just coincidence, if it is indeed a designed timeline and not just a cleverly assimilated plot device, it's pretty impressive.

The fourth book and, oh my dear god! More Quidditch! For about 50 pages! And then something completely different. No Quidditch for the rest of the book! And the story advances well, easily, simply. More secondary characters are introduced, some of them far more interesting than the primary characters.

So, how do I feel about this series? First, I have to realize that it is designed to be read by children starting when they are about seventh grade, giving the first book a different feel all together. That age group will identify thoroughly with the main characters of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermione Granger and Rob Weasley. They are all first year students in a new school, all three filled with the anziety that comes from being almost teenagers.

The second book, meant to be read by children one year older than they were for the last book, is a little more mature, a little longer, a little more intent on actual plot and advancement of long-term story instead of character development.

The third book brings in more characters who will become more and more important in the rest of the series (or so I am told). The addition of Harry's godfather will hook those young readers who are trying to deal with the loss of a parent, either through death or divorce.

The fourth book brings us to a point where we realize that Harry can do more than play Quidditch, as does Harry. He realizes he excels. He is really good! And his fight against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named nearly climaxes as V takes on a new body.

And, in the first few chapters of the fifth book, we are thrown deeper into the politics of magic in Rowling's world.

A special note: The first movie did a good job of bringing the book to the big screen. I cannot say the same for the rest of the films. Read the books, then watch the movies.

Now, the ratings. Based on sheer popularity with young readers, I give this series 10 out of 10, and that is not something I do lightly, but I have to agree with a friend when she says that any book that gets such an enormous number of young people reading has to be a good thing.

Based on story line and entertainment from an (negatively opinionated) adult point of view:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: 5 wands out of 10.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: 6 wands out of 10.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: 7 wands out of 10.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: 8 wands out of 10.

Posted: Sat - August 4, 2007 at 11:58 PM          

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