Harry Potter

Oh Harry Potter...  How you drive me crazy.
As a bit of background to this post, I have undertaken an attempt to read all 7 novels in 7 days.  I am somewhat failing at this point, but I have 2 days left, and 3 books to go.  I have, to this point, been able to avoid reading the Harry Potter series, but I figured that it couldn't hurt too much to at least know what all the hype is about (I have seen the movies, except for 7 pt. 1 & 2).  So I picked up the first one and decided to jam all the way through.

I am ashamed to say that I'm actually really, really enjoying this.  Though the plot lines are sometimes rather simplistic or childish (and yes, I understand that is a series designed for children), I am really enjoying the novels.  Somewhere, I think Tolkien may be rolling over in his grave at the mere mention of this, but so be it.

In all honesty, the biggest disappointment thus far has been the development (or lack thereof) in Malfoy's character.  Honestly, the movies do a better job of showing his aging and maturation (using the word rather loosely), though that may be biased because I am only through book 4, but through movie 6.  He seems so perpetually childish and petulant, it gets one-dimensional as time goes on, I'm looking forward to learning more about his motivations from a non-movie perspective.  Other than that he's a tremendous prick.

I also am finding that I like Snape's character in the movies so much more than in the books.  In the movie, he seems so beautifully captured, and much more alive than in the books.  The all-caps shouting that Snape does in some of the passages in book 3 are rather aggravating on my eyes, and hurt my brain.  I think the rendition of Snape in the movies is superbly done, and one of the most compelling and interesting characters in the entire movie.

And now, instead of blogging, I should get back to work, so I can finish up and get into Book 5 this evening...