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Showing reviews 1-5 of 301
 Why you--as an adult--should read the Harry Potter Series October 28, 2004
M. Covington (Minneapolis, MN USA)
404 out of 427 found this review helpful
You remember those times as a kid when you picked up a book that was truly magical? Those were the days of "A Wrinkle in Time" and "The Chronicles of Narnia", where you could be swept away in an amazing world and desperatly desired to become part of that universe. The Harry Potter books are kind of like that. You, as an adult, should read them. Here's why:
1. They're fun. They're pretty easy reads that you can pick up and get lost in. They're a great escape from daily life and from "heavy" literature. They get better as the series progresses.
2. They have imagination. Has anyone else noticed that books written for adults are severely lacking in this department lately? These books are rich with imagry, have a well-designed plot, and more than their share of imagination.
3. They're mature. Moral lessons are thinly disguised at points, and the first chapter of each book is redundant, but these books are written in mature, adult-friendly prose. You don't feel like you're being preached to, or that you're being hit over the head with the "learn this" stick.
4. They're good. Yes, I've heard the rumors that Harry Potter is BAD because of its connections with "witchcraft"--in fact, my co-worker is one of those people in the "Harry Potter is turning our kids into evil satan-worshippers" camp. Truth be told, there is no religious agenda in these novels, but adults will be pleased that Harry Potter extoles the traditional "Christian" virtues and is truly GOOD. Once I convinced my co-worker to just read the books, she found them quite enjoyable.
5. They're better than their movies. Of course, most books are better than the movies, but these are really much funnier in print than on the big screen. If you feel great about the movies, you'll love the books. If you are indifferent to the movies--read the books. If you didn't like the movies, try the books.
6. It's okay to read what's popular. Sometimes public acclaim is misplaced, but with this series, there's truly a reason why they're so popular. I am a self-admitted literature snob--only Eastern European Existentialism for me thanks--but it's okay to read what you love, try new things, and love what you read. If you are ashamed of being an adult with a "kids" book, just slip a "War and Peace" jacket over the cover or something. Better yet, don't be ashamed, because these aren't strictly "kids" books.
7. Your kids are reading them. You want to know what your kids are being exposed to right? You'd like to gain insight into your pre-teen's mind? There's nothing better than having multiple members of a family reading a book together, or having read the same book concurrently. It strengthens the parent-child bond, and it gives you something to talk about at the dinner table besides the ever-hated question "how was school today".
8. If anything, read them because I refuse to believe that the magic of childhood never dissappears from an adult's life--even if it's hidden below the toils of everyday life. That spirit should be nurtured, the imagination should always remain fertile, and we all need a little magic in our lives.
Almost 40 and Loving the Series August 1, 2005
Wisconsin Dad (Wisconsin United States)
42 out of 45 found this review helpful
I must admit, before 1 month ago I was completely ignorant about every aspect of the Harry Potter universe that is consuming the world. I had never turned a page in a Harry Potter novel, and never rented any of the Harry Potter movies. I assumed the Harry Potter series was for children under 12, and had no inclination to read a children's novel.
Then my world changed.
My oldest daughter, now nearly 7, had watched a Harry Potter movie at a friend's house, and was now becoming a Harry Potter fan. She wanted to watch the movies over and over again. I watched the movies with her to make sure that there wasn't anything too scary (she gets scared easily with monsters and such), and I became hooked.
I decided to purchase Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and read it. The book reviews revealed to me that adults were reading the Potter series, so I gave it a try.
Now I am working my way through the series, and I look forward to each page. I have yet to find anything that has made my journey through Hogwarts with Mr. Potter to be tedious.
If you are an adult who has never considered reading Harry Potter I recommend that you give it a try. It is not childish in the least, and is a very fascinating and enjoyable read.
And from the viewpoint of a parent, I find the Harry Potter universe to be wonderful for my 7 year old daughter. The fantasy aspects challenge her to expand her concept of what is possible, and the stories end with good triumphing over evil.
A wonderful way to suprise a kid! August 4, 2004
Michele L. Brady (Stamford, Connecticut - United States)
18 out of 20 found this review helpful
I bought these to read what all the fuss was about, and I've fallen in love with the Harry Potter series thus far!
The collection itself comes contained in a sturdy decorative box - I have our books up on display in the box, it makes for a nifty look! Each of the books has eloquently made diamond patterns on the hardcovers themselves. They all have the book jackets as well, the same ones as the regular hardcover releases. I know that I'll be re-reading them and will probably lose the jackets, which is why I'm so pleased the actual hardcover books stay with the whole HP theme.
The bookmark is VERY cute, my only complaint with it is that in the humidity it can sometimes stick to pages. Also, I unwittingly placed the bookmark under my hand as I lay down to read, and about an hour later noticed the blue words "Harry Potter" displayed in reverse on my hand. Don't do this!! It's wierd trying to explain that to your boss!
I agree with some of the other reviews, I was very concerned about buying a 5 book boxed set when there will be 7 books, but then I realized that this set is exactly like the 5 individual hardcovers being pulled off bookstore shelves. The covers and artwork are the same - it's just a great way to save money on the series!
If you're curious about the Harry Pottery series, buy this set instead of buying just book 1 to get started. J.K. has weaved her magic on us so that you can't stop at Book 1!
Mystery novels. Honest. January 8, 2004
kuvasza (San Diego, CA USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Phoenix is the latest installment in a series of mystery novels. Honest.At Conjecture, an author said that a good mystery novel is one where everything is there for you from the beginning ... and you don't make the connections. It's easy to cheat, he said, to only give the necessary clue at the very end, but a good mystery novelist doesn't cheat. J.K. Rowling doesn't cheat. She gives all the clues to deciphering the mystery of Rita Skeeter in book 4, but I never put them together. As you start Phoenix, there are all manner of questions left from the previous books. And ... I can't mention one of 'em here . It would ruin a five book set. Still, what better tribute to the series' success as an extended mystery than the legions of websites where fans debate answers?Many of us started after Chamber of Secrets and Sorceror's Stone, but after seeing the movies, the books couldn't be a mystery novel. We knew the ending, and movies do not do mystery novels justice, as a rule. The clues in a movie can be overlooked as you focus on the expression on an actor's face or fix on one corner of the screen and ignore another. In a written work, though, it's impossible to entirely miss a clue. It's simply that you overlook it, or do not attach proper significance to it. It's one reason her novels are so good. The second and third time through you can still see small clues she gave you, in a very fair, open fashion, but which slipped by you at the time. When the books are read and the mysteries of a given novel are plumbed, there are still the greater mysteries. It makes you wonder what clues she's given, small things she's told us that we haven't attached significance to yet. Order of the Phoenix begins to answer the mysteries that shroud Harry Potter's future and past, even as it sets Harry's feet firmly on the path to book 7. Without ruining any of the details of the latest installment, it continues this tradition. There is also the pleasure of seeing old friends: Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, et. al. Phoenix is beautifully done, a pleasure to read. As always, it makes you wonder what she's laid out that you're not seeing. It leaves questions, yes, but it is, even so, very satisfying. All five books in one set is simply a treat. Highly recommended, to adults and children.
Lighten UP! June 2, 2005
SanMoro
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
To the Christian reviewer, and all who read the "12 year-old's" comments: These books are good reads, descriptive and easy to follow. As far as JKR being the devil, please keep in mind these books are fiction. I don't know about anyone else, but I was taught the difference between fiction and reality by my parents and teachers at a very young age. Just because I read these books does not make me want to go out and curse people or even believe that this type of magic exists. I suppose all works for fiction could be taken this way if you have that much time on your hands. I prefer to read, enjoy and move on. Personally, I know I've read required reading through school that is much worse than these as far as being influential to young minds. In closing, please lighten up and enjoy the read. :0)
Showing reviews 1-5 of 301
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