I've finally finished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix for the first time, and I think it was one of the best so far. I think the only one that beat it was the one before it, Harry Potter and the goblet of Fire. Since this book is part of a series, you can't really just pick it up and read it. You have to read the earlier ones. But this review is I guess just a heads up for people who might decide not to read all of them.
This book is full of teen angst. That might be why it's 870 pages long. A lot of it is Harry's feelings. This might not be good for people who like a lot of action, but if you like to read about what he's thinking for a big portion of the book. This is good for you. I'm not saying that it has no action, but it definitely not as much as the other books.
I think the writing is very good. It might be a little overwhelming since the book just keeps going on and on and on, but I think that J.K Rowling really knows how to keep the reader hooked in. It is a great mixture of humor, sadness, and creativity that hopefully wont leave you bored. You definitely have to be committed to it to finish it, because you'll take forever to finish it if you're the kind of reader who barely reads.
Overall, I think this is a really good book. Expect a lot time go by without much happening, but keep on reading! You'll find out a lot of information that I think makes the whole story pure genius. I completely recommend this book.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Harry Potter #5 Response (Possible Spolier Alert)
An issue I've been thinking about in the beginning and now when I'm nearing the end of the book is ignorance. In my earlier response I talked about how Harry was being kept from all the information about "The Order" and whether it was right or wrong for Dumbledore to do so. Now that I've read on I see that he explains to Harry his plan and apologizes too.
The issue about Dumbledore being right or wrong has already resolved, and he explained it himself. The issue now, is what it the right time to do it? In life sometimes information is thought to be "too harsh" for the young. For example, you wouldn't tell a three year old that animals are losing their habitats due to destruction of forests. It's not appropriate for that time. The decision is based on when the child or young adult is ready. Now obviously their are different times for different things but for Harry's prophecy, it's definitely hard to determine.
In the book Dumbledore finally tells Harry his prophecy about how he has to kill Voldemort and no one else. He also explains how he should have told him this earlier, but really? He was fifteen years old. I think that's a bit young to tell someone they have to kill someone. I mean, he's going through hard times in school, let alone escaping from being killed dozens of times. Dumbledore should have waited a little while. I know I'm not fifteen, but I know wouldn't be able to handle it.
I know this exact situation doesn't happen often, but there are similar like it. Somewhere in the world a fifteen year old is being told he is going to be in the army, or mafia or something like that. I just don't believe that a teenager should have to deal with that. Of course the situation is important. Voldemort is back, and after Harry, maybe he should know just to protect his own life.
Everyone is different I guess, so different people can take things in at different times. So, I'm not sure if I can really determine a specific age. But for Harry's situation, I guess Dumbledore chose the right time. I just don't think it would have been right for me.
The issue about Dumbledore being right or wrong has already resolved, and he explained it himself. The issue now, is what it the right time to do it? In life sometimes information is thought to be "too harsh" for the young. For example, you wouldn't tell a three year old that animals are losing their habitats due to destruction of forests. It's not appropriate for that time. The decision is based on when the child or young adult is ready. Now obviously their are different times for different things but for Harry's prophecy, it's definitely hard to determine.
In the book Dumbledore finally tells Harry his prophecy about how he has to kill Voldemort and no one else. He also explains how he should have told him this earlier, but really? He was fifteen years old. I think that's a bit young to tell someone they have to kill someone. I mean, he's going through hard times in school, let alone escaping from being killed dozens of times. Dumbledore should have waited a little while. I know I'm not fifteen, but I know wouldn't be able to handle it.
I know this exact situation doesn't happen often, but there are similar like it. Somewhere in the world a fifteen year old is being told he is going to be in the army, or mafia or something like that. I just don't believe that a teenager should have to deal with that. Of course the situation is important. Voldemort is back, and after Harry, maybe he should know just to protect his own life.
Everyone is different I guess, so different people can take things in at different times. So, I'm not sure if I can really determine a specific age. But for Harry's situation, I guess Dumbledore chose the right time. I just don't think it would have been right for me.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Harry Potter #5 Response
I'm about 500 pages into Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.k Rowling, and an issue I've been thinking about is ignorance. Harry is angered because he feels everyone is trying to block him out of all the information about Voldemort. Although Phineas told Harry that maybe his ignorance is what Dumbledore wants, but Harry is still angry. Is ignorance a good thing? Or is knowing everything the way to go?
Some say "Ignorance is bliss." But my question is, is it? When I watch the news and see some of the terrible things happening in the world, like murder and people dying from disease, I want to resist it, and I wish I never watched it. I feel that it's too horrible to think about. So I guess, Ignorance is bliss in a way. I mean, who doesn't want to be happy? Who wants their thoughts on poverty and war? Not me, but sometimes we have to.
In the book Harry is told the most limited amount of information by everyone, in the process of keeping him safe. He felt safe, up until he eavesdropped on one of the Order's meetings and heard something he wasn't supposed to. He found out that Voldemort might be possesing him. When he heard this, he freaked out. So this is once again, another reason why ignorance might be a good thing. Sometimes, ignorance is what keeps you safe. Harry didn't start panicking until he heard the meeting. This reminds me of the quote "The truth hurts." Although they are not lying to him, they are keeping him from knowing "too much."
In some situations ignorance can be the one thing that gets you killed. The people in the Order need to know all the information so they can protect people. In the real world, Detectives need all the evidence to solve the mystery. Even though the truth may hurt, you need to know it, to solve the problem. So the question is, when do we know when ignorance is appropriate?
I can conclude that sometimes ignorance is "good and sometimes it's "bad," but that's too obvious. But when do we know when it's "good" or "bad"? This is a question I will hope to answer later in the book.
Some say "Ignorance is bliss." But my question is, is it? When I watch the news and see some of the terrible things happening in the world, like murder and people dying from disease, I want to resist it, and I wish I never watched it. I feel that it's too horrible to think about. So I guess, Ignorance is bliss in a way. I mean, who doesn't want to be happy? Who wants their thoughts on poverty and war? Not me, but sometimes we have to.
In the book Harry is told the most limited amount of information by everyone, in the process of keeping him safe. He felt safe, up until he eavesdropped on one of the Order's meetings and heard something he wasn't supposed to. He found out that Voldemort might be possesing him. When he heard this, he freaked out. So this is once again, another reason why ignorance might be a good thing. Sometimes, ignorance is what keeps you safe. Harry didn't start panicking until he heard the meeting. This reminds me of the quote "The truth hurts." Although they are not lying to him, they are keeping him from knowing "too much."
In some situations ignorance can be the one thing that gets you killed. The people in the Order need to know all the information so they can protect people. In the real world, Detectives need all the evidence to solve the mystery. Even though the truth may hurt, you need to know it, to solve the problem. So the question is, when do we know when ignorance is appropriate?
I can conclude that sometimes ignorance is "good and sometimes it's "bad," but that's too obvious. But when do we know when it's "good" or "bad"? This is a question I will hope to answer later in the book.
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