New Harry Potter Book Saturday

[Evil Avatar]

More than a little bit "Totally Off Topic", but if you are a fan you can check out this Reuters.com article (http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2005-07-14T105326Z_01_L126867_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-ARTS-HARRYPOTTER-DC.XML) talking about the Saturday release of the new Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Here is a quote on how many copies of the new book will be hitting store shelves,

Ten million copies have been printed for the American market alone, online retail giant Amazon.com Inc had orders for more than 1.4 million copies, and U.S. bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc. said its pre-orders had topped one million.And to think that I would be happy if a piece of my fiction sold to 10,000 people! Wow!

[Deadend]

and yet... I have not seen it leaked onto the Internet yet, amazing.

[Crispy951]

just make sure its controversial and you'll get plenty of free advertising, you know like satan taking over the world, or just magic, it pisses off churches apparently

[Evil Avatar]

and yet... I have not seen it leaked onto the Internet yet, amazing.

I have. It has been available for a couple of days. Not that I downloaded it, I haven't finished reading "Order of the Phoenix" yet, so I'll just wait it out until my copy arrives from Amazon.com.

I should get one about a week after it gets released, so I might finish up "Order" next week getting ready for the shipment.

In a kind of amusing story, when Order showed up the post office delivery lady had to ring my bell and wait for me to come to the door. They were given instructions not to leave any copies at houses so that they didn't get stolen. Heh.

[Cha-Ka]

From this week's edition of the onion (www.theonion.com) :

"Report: Unreleased Harry Potter Book More Secure Than U.S. Trains"

[Abednigo]

Mine is coming from Amazon on Saturday. They gave free Saturday delivery if you preordered it, so I can't wait.

[hideouslywrinkled]

just make sure its controversial and you'll get plenty of free advertising, you know like satan taking over the world, or just magic, it pisses off churches apparently

I've always thought it was funny how "evil" Harry Potter is. I've read all of the books and the most damaging thing they do to Christianity is ignore that it exists... the HP books – despite all of the magic and mysticism – are overwhelmingly secular..

Although I've always found it ironic that a bunch of wizards and witches celebrate Christmas.

[Cha-Ka]

I guess the assumption is that kids who read books about magic will grow up to be satanists. 'Cos..you know...all that D&D in the 70's and 80's gave satanism a huge boost in recruitment. Whatever. You can't argue logic with people who believe that an invisible, all-knowing being sit in judgement over humanity.

[ÜberJumper]

The grocery store I used to shop at (I moved 7 months ago) sold a dozen or so copies just the other day. Our province's court system stepped in and put a court order in place about the folks that got it, not leaking the info.

Hideouslywrinkled:

http://de.essortment.com/christmaspagan_rece.htm

[Abednigo]

I've always thought it was funny how "evil" Harry Potter is. I've read all of the books and the most damaging thing they do to Christianity is ignore that it exists... the HP books – despite all of the magic and mysticism – are overwhelmingly secular..

Although I've always found it ironic that a bunch of wizards and witches celebrate Christmas.

As a Christian I'm more appalled at how other Christians and church going folks hate Harry Potter so much. It's all based on ignorance. One big name in Christian culture says it's evil, and many just take his/her word for it. I didn't do that and just decided to read them for myself, and now I love them. I've even gotten a bunch of church friends to just read them for themselves (or watch the movies). Every single person has changed their view of HP once they finally checked them out for themselves. If people want to bash and ban HP from their homes and say it's evil, then they'll need to do the same for the Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings. It's stupid.

[hideouslywrinkled]

Hideouslywrinkled:

http://de.essortment.com/christmaspagan_rece.htm

That just adds to the irony. They aren't pagan in HP either.

Neither the characters nor the wizarding world in general seem have any sense of religion or a higher power...

[Shadowmage952]

If people want to bash and ban HP from their homes and say it's evil, then they'll need to do the same for the Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings. It's stupid.

I somehow doubt they'll ever do that to the Chronicles of Narnia books considering they often viewed as Christian Novels.

[Abednigo]

I somehow doubt they'll ever do that to the Chronicles of Narnia books considering they often viewed as Christian Novels.

That's true, but that's the problem with the "christian ghetto" as some us call it. They want to pick and choose like that. CS Lewis was a Christian and was open about it, so his books are okay. Tolkien was a Christian too, so his books are okay. Rowling hasn't said either way, so her books are bad. Please. :rolleyes: I have read that Rowling has said some of her biggest influences were CS Lewis and the Inklings (of which he and Tolkien were a part). People need to loosen up and quit trying to find stupid things like this to complain about. There are bigger issues in the world to get uptight about, and Harry Potter isn't one of them.

[Ernst_Jager]

There are bigger issues in the world to get uptight about, and Harry Potter isn't one of them.

I was a manager of a Theater when the first movie came out. We had probably 2 dozen calls a day with people threatening us because we were going to show this movie. The day it started I bet 20+ people were outside with sign trying to picket the show. Obvioulsy the homeless people 4 blocks down weren't as important as satan guised as a harmless movie about kids and their troubles fitting in.

[Zanzibar]

Wow, 15 posts and not one 'Harry Potter suXXorZ!11!1' Could EA.com have turned a corner?

[Blue]

That's true, but that's the problem with the "christian ghetto" as some us call it.

I'm stealing this from you. It's mine now. Mine.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I love Harry Potter, he has grown up with me. :)

[Abednigo]

I'm stealing this from you. It's mine now. Mine.

Well I stole it from someone else, so I can't take credit for it. ;)

[screwtape]

I'm glad people are excited about this. It's nice to see the public enthused about a book. Readers are few and far between these days, so anything to boost public interest in literature is a good thing in my mind.

[dr_wily]

harry potter is pure crack cocaine distilled into a paper substance and injected through the eyeballs by looking at it.

95% naysayers are whom have never tried it..

comon man everyones doing it!

[Abednigo]

95% naysayers are whom have never tried it.


I couldn't agree more.

[DaedalusFolly]

I think the single most interesting aspect of J.K. Rowling's work on the various Harry Potter books was her growth as a writer. I've only read the first three, but the quality of writing increased noticeably with each iteration. And I don't simply mean the depth of the plot/story, but the actual wordsmithing and sentence construction.

[Kefkataran]

I'm digging the series. The comic shop I work at will be open till 1 A.M. Friday night so we can sell the book from 12-1, and I'll certainly be picking up a copy and probably spending most of Friday/Saturday not sleeping so I can read as much as possible.

I really do like the series, but I have to wonder if it'll actually be lasting. Like a hundred years from now, will people look back and pronounce the Harry Potter series classic? Or is it just a passing pop culture thing? Currently, I'm leaning towards the latter, but there's still another couple books (including the one this week) for Rowling to prove me wrong in.

I've only read the first three, but the quality of writing increased noticeably with each iteration. And I don't simply mean the depth of the plot/story, but the actual wordsmithing and sentence construction.

The writing itself does keep getting better and is very top-notch all-around. I'm just not sure if there will be any deeper, worthwhile message when it's all done.

[Talanvor]

I like the Potter books, so don't take this the wrong way.

Personally, I find them to be easy, bubblegum reading. Rowling is better at constructing an interesting universe rather than good character development and plot. Though I do agree she has improved, I'm just unsure as to whether that's down to her developing as an author or having better editors. It would make sense to get more talented support staff after the first book took off like it did.

It just cannot stand against, say, George RR Martin's series. You can argue different target audiences, but I find the writing and construction leagues better.

I know I'll read this book, just not quite sure when. I think I'll wait for the paperback.

[dr_wily]

well the kids are getting older and the dialogue reflects that. But i agree I think JK is getting a little better but it's a combo of both.

It will definitely be classic because it doesn't have any weird anachronisms to make it out of date. Its a story of a boy whose parents died under mysterious circumstances and growing throughout learning pieces of his past and becoming something extraordinary through his own resolve. Alot of people can relate to his feelings of loss, frusteration, brief uprisings of popularity (and unpopularity), hormones, sports comradarie (winning/losing), failure, and success.

Then you have the side characters who also develop as the books go on, and the reader has amazing character attachment.

All this description and not a word about magic.

Throw in allies, enemies, mysteries all hardy boys style (although you can never guess the ending since it's something ridiculously magic).

Just good stuff that people will read throughout the ages and pass to their kids,
just like me reading tolkien.

[Bone]

For me, she may lack technical writing skills (compared to "classic" authors) but her storytelling skills are right up there with Dickens. The reason the pages keep turning is you believe in the setting and care about the main characters. Probably the hardest thing to teach in a writing class would be that mystical nature right there... the heart of the characters and story. You can learn technical skills all you want and still churn out crap with no heart.

[PacerDawn]

Fanatical Christians see the word "wizard" and immediately associate it with "devil", so anything about any wizard is going to be panned by them. Remember when the Washington Bullets pro-basketball team changed their name (Bullets was too violent apparently) to the Wizards? It was met with lots of protests.

I think the evangelical Christians should be turning their wraith to other books that have been shown to cause harm. For example, there is this one book out there that inspires people to become bigots, discriminate, even bomb buildings and commit murder. It has passages where its protagonists committed prejudice and even mass murder because a voice told them to.

That book? The Holy Bible.

So, the Harry Potter books cause enjoyment for both young and old, and actually inspire reading in an age where video is the predominant form of entertainment. Meanwhile, people commit atrocities every day in the name of the Bible. And which book is considered evil?

Please...

[Kefkataran]

It will definitely be classic because it doesn't have any weird anachronisms to make it out of date. Its a story of a boy whose parents died under mysterious circumstances and growing throughout learning pieces of his past and becoming something extraordinary through his own resolve. Alot of people can relate to his feelings of loss, frusteration, brief uprisings of popularity (and unpopularity), hormones, sports comradarie (winning/losing), failure, and success.


See, but that's not enough to qualify for being a "classic" at all. In fact a large number of the books we consider classics (Dickens, Austin, Homer, etc.) DO have weird anachronisms. But the reason they're considered classics is that they tend to tell us something very specific about the human condition or the human spirit, especially at the time in which they were written. I'm not sure this series has that going for it. Some deeper stuff could come out of the next two books, I'm just quicker to doubt that than expect it.

[Grimgrock]

I am a HP freak. My EQ character name was "Padfoot Cruciatus" (I know, an odd combination). I think I had just finished PoA when I came up with it. This was after starting wih GoF and starting over with Philospher's/Sorcerer's Stone and reading through to GoF again so I could appreciate the where the story picks up. Now I have both GoF and OotP on CD (audio book) and I listen to them about once every few months while I'm at work.

I've had a konfabulator widget on my desktop counting down till this Saturday since Revenge of the Sith was released. All of this confirms my complete geekness when it comes to HP.

[Abednigo]

I think the evangelical Christians should be turning their wraith to other books that have been shown to cause harm. For example, there is this one book out there that inspires people to become bigots, discriminate, even bomb buildings and commit murder. It has passages where its protagonists committed prejudice and even mass murder because a voice told them to.

That book? The Holy Bible.

It's not necessary to start a debate like this. Don't blame the actions of stupid people on the Bible. That's like blaming video games for kids shooting their classmates.

[Last of the Red Hot Mamas]

Hey everyone guess who dies in this one?!????!?!!












oh nevermind

[Voodoo]

Harry Potter suXXorZ!11!1

http://www.spacetownusa.com/jmac/archives/images/flipping%20the%20bird.jpg

[DaedalusFolly]

For me, she may lack technical writing skills (compared to "classic" authors) but her storytelling skills are right up there with Dickens.

I didnt mean to imply that she was an exceptional talent, to be placed among the pantheon of literary greats... I just meant it was intriguing to watch her grow as a writer, particularly considering how uninspiring the composure in the first book was.

Not that I'm singling you out Bone, just clarifying my original statement.

[Bone]

Daedalus, I'm actually closer to your opinion than the others (I put her storytelling up there with Dickens, I'm sure I'll get flak for that). I consider her stories classic, even if she doesn't have the technical chops to please every picky critic out there. She has improved considerably, and for a first time author, it should bring no shame to admit she was green when she started.

[Kelegacy]

And to think that I would be happy if a piece of my fiction sold to 10,000 people! Wow!

No crap. Doesnt 100,000 copies equal a best seller these days? Straub's Ghost Story sold over 1 million back in the 80's and was declared a phenomenon. The amount of money Rowling generates is staggering. The new Potter is already like a best seller 20+ times over...and it's not even released yet.

[A Lusty Alien]

Well, I'll be heading over to Costco this weekend to pick up my copy.

Go, Harry!!!

[serion]

I'm going to buy the next one, and likely enjoy it, and this probably won't be a popular viewpoint, but the books are not that good!

Seriously, the plot and characters keep the pages turning, and it gets non-readers reading, but why are people fanatical about them?

Magic and wizards have been done before, teen angst has been done before, what is there that makes the series stand out so much? I'm at a loss here.

[hideouslywrinkled]

I put her storytelling up there with Dickens, I'm sure I'll get flak for that.

You shouldn't. Dickens sucks. He wrote trashy serial novels that have somehow become "classics". I'm an English grad student and a lot of my peers are anti-HP just because of intellectual snobbery. They'd rather spend their time researching authors like Dickens who suck.

I don't think the HP books are that deep or important, but they are ruthlessly enjoyable. And that may be enough to make them last...

[Kefkataran]

You shouldn't. Dickens sucks. He wrote trashy serial novels that have somehow become "classics". I'm an English grad student and a lot of my peers are anti-HP just because of intellectual snobbery. They'd rather spend their time researching authors like Dickens who suck.

Ugh. While I agree that the Dickens comparison is actually apt because he wrote novels that were adored by the masses of the time, I think it's ignorant to say Dickens sucks. Was he perfect? Far from it, but I think the idea of a perfect other would make all other writers obsolete, and as such I hope one will never exist. But Dickens did some great stuff (and some mediocre stuff) that really pushed him to the forefront of his times and made his impact lasting.

If that means he sucks, then whatever.

[Bone]

As an English grad I thought you'd have a better critique than "Dickens sucks". I think it's pretty widely accepted that many of his stories are well-told classics, but we can disagree on that. One of the reasons I brought the comparison is the well-known habit of Dickens to create elaborate charts with which to plan the many-year arcs of his characters. I think Rowling must do this as well and the result, at least in my opinion, is a more realistic portrayal of time and interaction between characters.

But I just like to read books, I ain't no scholar.

[TheKeck]

So, how many people out there DON'T like Harry Potter? I'm not being a troll here. I have read all five books, thus far, but I honestly didn't enjoy them very much. I feel no need to say that they "suXXorZ!11!1", but I just wasn't that interested. Anybody share my sentiments?

(Also, about the Chronicles of Narnia thing, it isn't just that C.S. Lewis was a outgoing Christian, those books actually have very specific Christian symbolism and themes.)

[Heretic Machine]

I've read all of the books and the most damaging thing they do to Christianity is ignore that it exists

Which is the Christian leadership's worst nightmare.

[president_fred]

I have read and enjoyed the HP series, it's good stuff but I will never understand why the "dark materials" trilogy by Phillip Pullman didn't outsell it. Came out at roughly the same time won some amazing prizes but didn't come near the potter phenomenon. Then again we are talking about childrens books so in the end who cares. The only way I can see the potter series becoming a classic is due to the vast popularity and staggering amount of sales it has achieved like Lord of the Rings or Dickens, I doubt whether it will ever be considered a classic for fantastic story telling (ie. innovative plot, books 4-5 were too long so much stuff could have been edited out it ended being a sort literary version of a reality show, "harry ate cereal, it made him angry, the angst burned inside him, but the milk was good" for like 600 pages) or for its literary style.

[Evil Avatar]

No crap. Doesnt 100,000 copies equal a best seller these days? Straub's Ghost Story sold over 1 million back in the 80's and was declared a phenomenon. The amount of money Rowling generates is staggering. The new Potter is already like a best seller 20+ times over...and it's not even released yet.

Mid-list books will print between 50,000 - 75,000 copies to start, so I would imagine that you are right... 100,000 is probably a "success".

Rowling has moved into a whole new category, those super-authors who make millions per book and whose books sell millions. Those are pretty rare, because even successfull novelists seldom have a string of successes the way King, Rowling and Clancy do.

[Evil Avatar]

I don't think the HP books are that deep or important, but they are ruthlessly enjoyable. And that may be enough to make them last...

This is one of the reasons that I think Stephen King's novels will stand the test of time. A hundred years from now people will still be reading the stories of Stephen King and still be reading Harry Potter... the books are mainstream and just plain enjoyable and fun and that will prove to be just as important as a literary one-hit-wonder like The Davinchi Code or something along those lines.

[Kefkataran]

This is one of the reasons that I think Stephen King's novels will stand the test of time. A hundred years from now people will still be reading the stories of Stephen King and still be reading Harry Potter... the books are mainstream and just plain enjoyable and fun and that will prove to be just as important as a literary one-hit-wonder like The Davinchi Code or something along those lines.

I'm not convinced, but I wouldn't mind you be right for sure. While he's far from my favorite, I do think King is a fantastic writer. Plus, despite being so successful and "mainstream" he supports the more artsy, independent stuff by writing for McSweeney's. He's got my vote!

[snubber]

So, how many people out there DON'T like Harry Potter? I'm not being a troll here. I have read all five books, thus far, but I honestly didn't enjoy them very much. I feel no need to say that they "suXXorZ!11!1", but I just wasn't that interested. Anybody share my sentiments?


Absolutely. I read the first three and found her writing to be poor. I can see how kids like them, and I'm glad so many are actually excited when a new book comes out, but to me she has nothing on the writings of say Roald Dahl.

[Himsa II]

Dumbo Doore Dys in teh n3w 800k!!!!

SUCK ON THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kelegacy]

Absolutely. I read the first three and found her writing to be poor. I can see how kids like them, and I'm glad so many are actually excited when a new book comes out, but to me she has nothing on the writings of say Roald Dahl.

Roald Dahl ROCKS! James and His Giant Peaches was great (and i'm a fan of nearly all his other works too. Dahl and Silverstein are icons from my childhood)

I have never read a Harry Potter book. I started the first one but didnt get too far. I had to take my little cousin to see the first two movies, though. Even then, the stuff didn't interest me. I wont say I hate the books, because I have never read them. I am a huge fantasy/sci-fit reader...I'm the epitome of an Escapist...but I just havent been dragged into the world everyone seems to love.

I'm an outcast. :(

[Kefkataran]

Roald Dahl does rule. It's hard to argue against the guy who gave us Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I'm an outcast

Aww. There, there, Kelegacy. We still love you. But, um, only cause of that ass.

[Kelegacy]

Roald Dahl does rule. It's hard to argue against the guy who gave us Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.



Aww. There, there, Kelegacy. We still love you. But, um, only cause of that ass.

Haha, I'll never live that one down, it seems. But it is true. I should change my name from Kelegacy to Jackhammer.

I'm hoping the new Chocoloate Factory movie is good. For me, nothing can capture the original's charm...and downright creepiness (at times). For me, movies based on books usually turn out to be stinkers, and remakes of previously good movies or shows (Dukes of Hazard, my first childhood television memory) really fucking suck ass. It's like they are produced by retards, for retards. Charlie's Angels anyone? But at least Charlie is directed by Tim Burton, who I have great respect for. So I'll reserve judgement for now.

[TrackZero]

Although I've always found it ironic that a bunch of wizards and witches celebrate Christmas.

Let's not forget Halloween as well.

[splatstick]

Personally, I find them to be easy, bubblegum reading.

I am honestly thrilled at the fact that kids this generation are reading. I mean, if it'll at least get them off the concept that books are 'icky', then bravo Rowling.

[Kelegacy]

I am honestly thrilled at the fact that kids this generation are reading. I mean, if it'll at least get them off the concept that books are 'icky', then bravo Rowling.

I couldn't agree more. It's now becoming "hip" to read. Anything that gets kids to read and expand their minds HAS to be good, right? That's why it bothers me when Christian nutjobs hold book burnings and Harry Potter books are turned to ash. Those books could have been donated to children's centers, but the ignorant turdburglers have the audacity to believe that demons infest those pulpy pages. What is this, Fahrenheit 451?

People that burn books go to Hell. :mad:

I'm one of those fools that likes to give books as presents for birthdays and other occasions, because you can usually find a book that holds a special meaning for the situation. For example, I bought The Giving Tree for my friend's newborn because it personifies the limitless capacity of love...even when it isn't always returned in kind. I'm not a parent, but I think any mom or dad will experience that at some point in their life (*cough* teenage years). Sometimes I am looked at as a weirdo for giving books instead of cash or gift cards, but gifts should be felt and not spend.

Long live the magical written word!

[Expugnare]

....Tolkien was a Christian too, so his books are okay.....
Actually Tolkien was an atheist if i do recall correctly from some of the special features on the two towers extended edition dvd

[Evil Avatar]

I have to say, this has been a really fun thread full of really positive comments. I'm glad I posted this as a news item and didn't just bury it in the Books forum.

I do hope that the overnight shipping is true, I pre-ordered a while ago and I would love to finish my work week on Monday morning and find that my copy was already waiting for me.

[TrackZero]

I have to say, this has been a really fun thread full of really positive comments. I'm glad I posted this as a news item and didn't just bury it in the Books forum.

I do hope that the overnight shipping is true, I pre-ordered a while ago and I would love to finish my work week on Monday morning and find that my copy was already waiting for me.

Luckily I live right on top of a giant bookstore, which is always the one to be open a midnight in their Harry Potter costumes and such. I also have the benefit of being on the night shift next week, so I can easily go in there at midnight and pick up a copy. Can't wait.

[KarmaGhost]

I advise not going to "Somethingawful<dot>com" if you don't want the book spoiled for you. If you don't care, of course, go right ahead!! :)

[Deadend]

Harry Potter is the new Star Wars, but with the better dialoge and a better story.

[Grimgrock]

Actually Tolkien was an atheist if i do recall correctly from some of the special features on the two towers extended edition dvd

Look again. Tolkien was deeply religious. His Lord of the Rings trilogy is dripping with Christian alegory. He was a Roman Catholic Christian. See this link for more on Tolkien's life:

http://www.tolkiensociety.org/tolkien/biography.html

I'm just passing the information on and not affiliated in any way with this site.

[Grimgrock]

Harry Potter is the new Star Wars, but with the better dialoge and a better story.

I think this is rather insulting to J.K. Rowling, her editors, her publisher, and to a lesser extent, her fans.

Star Wars is essentially a rip off of 1920-1930s serials and samurai films. With Harry Potter, at least the story is original even if the theme is not.

This is not to say that both aren't "good". I like them both but Harry Potter is not the new Star Wars. They are in completely different genres and the writing cannot be compared.

[Kefkataran]

I'm one of those fools that likes to give books as presents for birthdays and other occasions, because you can usually find a book that holds a special meaning for the situation.

More respect from me to you! I'm the same way. Books are basically all I give as presents these days. My friends have learned to either deal with it (and in most cases love it) or nor expect presents.


Star Wars is essentially a rip off of 1920-1930s serials and samurai films. With Harry Potter, at least the story is original even if the theme is not.

I wouldn't say the story is that original. I mean it's great, don't get me wrong, but it basically just pulls in a lot of various elements from old stories and fairy tales and such. And the story of Potter himself? The chosen one, whose parents are murdered while he's still young, is sent to live with his evil relatives until he discovers his blossoming powers. It's been done.

For the very curious, my housemate suggest checking out Neil Gaiman's Books of Magic graphic novels. It was published a few years before the first Harry Potter novel and is very similar -- basically Harry Potter in the DC Universe.

[Pureboy]

I think this is rather insulting to J.K. Rowling, her editors, her publisher, and to a lesser extent, her fans.

Star Wars is essentially a rip off of 1920-1930s serials and samurai films. With Harry Potter, at least the story is original even if the theme is not.

This is not to say that both aren't "good". I like them both but Harry Potter is not the new Star Wars. They are in completely different genres and the writing cannot be compared.Sorry man. Lucas freely admitted the influnces of Kurosawa, and has interviews where he says specifically so in some of the Critereon Kurosawa DVDs. Its not ripping off, its strictly homage. Especially since he helped finance some of Kurosawa's last films.

[Pureboy]

As for those commenting on more kids reading, that is going to be the lasting legacy of Harry Potter.

The biggest problem in the book industry (at least in the U.S.) are increasing amounts of books being published each year to an ever-shrinking reading audience.

I've personally not read any Harry Potter books, but I don't care if its terrible writing, if it encourages more children to pick up books, its a good thing.

[PacerDawn]

It's not necessary to start a debate like this. Don't blame the actions of stupid people on the Bible. That's like blaming video games for kids shooting their classmates.
The Bible is full of atrocities done in the name of the Lord. There are passages that instruct women to be obedient servants to their husbands. There are passages that advocate slavery (God instructs how to treat your slaves in fact). In Genesis, Moses was instructed by God (well, he says he was) to kill every person who was worshipping the golden calf. He took several men, armed them with swords, and slaughtered hundreds of people--men, women, and children. Today, we would call that mass murderer or terrorism. My how times change.

But I use the Bible as a point, not because I'm trying to get into an anti-bible kick (I'm not, I read the Bible when I can). I use it because of the topic, how Christians are coming down hard on Harry Potter types of books, when their own is far worse. Remember, they are blaming these books for causing evil. I simply point out the other side of the coin. It's hypocritical to me.

[Grimgrock]

Sorry man. Lucas freely admitted the influnces of Kurosawa, and has interviews where he says specifically so in some of the Critereon Kurosawa DVDs. Its not ripping off, its strictly homage. Especially since he helped finance some of Kurosawa's last films.

I stand corrected. Having not reviewed any of the Criterion collection films, I was unaware of Lucas' comments.

Still, Harry Potter is not the new Star Wars. I think it is closer to say Harry Potter is the new Chronicles of Narnia without the overt religious overtones. This might just be my impression though. I doubt many will agree with this opinion.

[Kefkataran]

Still, Harry Potter is not the new Star Wars. I think it is closer to say Harry Potter is the new Chronicles of Narnia without the overt religious overtones. This might just be my impression though. I doubt many will agree with this opinion.

It's basically saying the same thing -- they're both iconic, popular fictional series that draw on long-existing myths and legends and common themes to help create an epic that everyone can get into. (Star Wars and Chronicles of Narnia I mean). The only difference is that one's sci-fi and the other is fantasy. So in those regards, Narnia would be closer.

[TRiLoGY]

It's basically saying the same thing -- they're both iconic, popular fictional series that draw on long-existing myths and legends and common themes to help create an epic that everyone can get into. (Star Wars and Chronicles of Narnia I mean). The only difference is that one's sci-fi and the other is fantasy. So in those regards, Narnia would be closer.

I personally think that StarWars is more Fantasy than it is Sci-Fi..

[The Mystery Cow]

Sorry man. Lucas freely admitted the influnces of Kurosawa, and has interviews where he says specifically so in some of the Critereon Kurosawa DVDs. Its not ripping off, its strictly homage. Especially since he helped finance some of Kurosawa's last films.

I also think it's funny that a lot of people who've heard about the connections between Star Wars and Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress have obviously never actually seen the latter film. Yes, some of the themes and story elements are similar, but to say that one rips off the other is pretty far off the mark, in my opinion.

[Kefkataran]

I personally think that StarWars is more Fantasy than it is Sci-Fi..

Er.... I guess it could be argued. I mean it has fantasy elements... but I think there's probably a stronger case for sci-fi (although obviously more focused on the fiction than the science, if that's the point you were trying to make).

[Zeal]

Comparing Harry Potter to Star Wars is ludicrous and insulting.

[Kefkataran]

Comparing Harry Potter to Star Wars is ludicrous and insulting.

On which end, out of curiosity?

Personally, I think they're both good as far as lite-pop culture epics go. Well, minus the Star Wars prequels. But that goes without saying.

[Kelegacy]

More respect from me to you! I'm the same way. Books are basically all I give as presents these days. My friends have learned to either deal with it (and in most cases love it) or nor expect presents.

Well, keep that respect on hold. I am going to be gone from Evil Avatar for a week or so starting NOW...i have to house sit for a coworker. Next weekend I shall return. Do not fret, young one. The world will still spin.

Hasta luego, amigos.

[TrackZero]

Well, keep that respect on hold. I am going to be gone from Evil Avatar for a week or so starting NOW...i have to house sit for a coworker. Next weekend I shall return. Do not fret, young one. The world will still spin.

Hasta luego, amigos.

Try not to burn the place down on your friend. ;)

Later skater.

[Kefkataran]

Well, keep that respect on hold. I am going to be gone from Evil Avatar for a week or so starting NOW...i have to house sit for a coworker. Next weekend I shall return. Do not fret, young one. The world will still spin.

Ugh. Seeya later, will to live.

Heh. Just got back from the comic store with my copy of the book. We did a pretty great bit of business today for such a small store.

[TrackZero]

Ugh. Seeya later, will to live.

Heh. Just got back from the comic store with my copy of the book. We did a pretty great bit of business today for such a small store.

A comic store was selling Harry Potter? Guess that's not shocking, but it does seem...odd.

[Kefkataran]

A comic store was selling Harry Potter? Guess that's not shocking, but it does seem...odd.

Well, it's a small shop owned by this guy in town. Originally started as just a comic/trading card store. But in such a small town, that wasn't quite enough to keep him in business, so he expanded. The place now sells books, CDs, used movies and games, and scrapbooking material as well as comics and cards. I work there part-time. Nice place, and the boss is insanely cool. Plus it's always good supporting the local business.

[TrackZero]

Well, it's a small shop owned by this guy in town. Originally started as just a comic/trading card store. But in such a small town, that wasn't quite enough to keep him in business, so he expanded. The place now sells books, CDs, used movies and games, and scrapbooking material as well as comics and cards. I work there part-time. Nice place, and the boss is insanely cool. Plus it's always good supporting the local business.

Ah, one of those. I've got one that I go out of my way for all the time just to keep him in business (and I actually get treated like a person when I'm there, they know who I am, which is worth a 5% price premium on stuff to me).

[Kefkataran]

I've got one that I go out of my way for all the time just to keep him in business (and I actually get treated like a person when I'm there, they know who I am, which is worth a 5% price premium on stuff to me).

It's one of the reasons I love it. And, well, of course it's the only place I can get all my comics. I'm going to be flipping out trying to find a good comic shop when I finish college and move to the Twin Cities.

[Expugnare]

Hey everyone guess who dies in this one?!????!?!!
oh nevermind
****spoiler****





























dumbeldore *sob*

[demon1]

Ok i read the books bla bla bla, but i dont see it as evil. I think they are a little.... less interesting that Lord of the Rings. But i can't see it as evil. There sure are selfish, prejudiced people out there.
And who ever said that magic is bad?

[Serapth]

Wow, what the fuck. Who resurrected a year old thread? Bastard, I thought this meant the new HP book was out.

[demon1]

Im new and found any random post and tried it out lol lol lol ;)

[jonat3]

Lol, i also got suckered. :p

[dr_wily]

hey i got an email about this! bastard!