The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade (Orlando): Part 2

[awhen]

One and two are great children's books, with the bleakness lurking under the surface a bit. We read 1-3 to our kids and stopped there. For me it's not about them being able to handle it, I want them to be able to appreciate it.

 

[Teebin]

I have watched my 12 year old nephew over the past couple years playing video games that are much more violent than anything in the Harry Potter books. Even fairy tales in their original form are pretty gruesome. Most all of today's kids can easily handle what appears in the Harry Potter books. Personally, I was impressed to see so many kids want to read such long books.

I can somewhat see your point... that children cannot comprehend the depth of tragedy and long-term damage. This swoop had me saying, "Geesus JKR! How cruel can you imagine!".

On the other hand, perhaps I am just getting old and sensitive to life's hard consequences.

 

[Teebin]

Frig, I am still weeping over this! I apologize for being so late to the game!

 

[anihilnation]

Snape has to be the most tragic figure in the series. What has/will happened to him is the epitome of cruel.

Much agreed, he is what I am most impressed with in the series, as he is the most complex, fleshed-out character. He is the main character to me

 

[GAcoaster]

Almost all the Young Adult books out there are someone dies and life goes on. The tweens become obsessed with death. I used to manage a Barnes & Noble and one of the most popular series/authors we sold only wrote books where the teenage girl that was the central character or the best friend of the central character dies of some disease or in an accident. I always though it was rather morbid, but I think it's a right of passage. When we reach our tween/teen years we suddenly grasp our own mortality and start wondering about death.

JKR gives it in a heart wrenching way, but also gives it as (theoretically at least if her readers are the same age as her protagonists in each book) are able to handle it.

 

[Teebin]

And now... for some reason, I have the fawkes theme stuck in my head. I whisper whistled it through the grocery store only ceasing to grind expletives at the stupid tourists under my breath.

 

[Teebin]

I was fascinated to see this instrument.... a piano glockenspiel like thing. I always wondered how that could be played so fast. What is that instrument called? I know one of you smarties will let me know...



BTW, this is a repeat of a post, but John Williams spoke in an interview that he recommended that the strings get the music well in advance of the recording. Listen to the notes! Off the charts!

 

[JoeCamel]

I was fascinated to see this instrument.... a piano glockenspiel like thing. I always wondered how that could be played so fast. What is that instrument called? I know one of you smarties will let me know...



BTW, this is a repeat of a post, but John Williams spoke in an interview that he recommended that the strings get the music well in advance of the recording. Listen to the notes! Off the charts!

celesta

 

[Teebin]

celesta

My goodness, I knew one of you would trump me. I only vaguely recall that word. It's embarrassing.

 

[Teebin]

celesta

BTW, how did you know this? I am quite sharp and clever but that knowledge seems wackadoodle and looney tunes to me. The good news, I continue to wonder and search for answers and this turns me way on.

 

[JoeCamel]

Google "Hedwig's Theme instruments"

BTW, how did you know this? I am quite sharp and clever but that knowledge seems wackadoodle and looney tunes to me. The good news, I continue to wonder and search for answers and this turns me way on.

 

[Teebin]

Google "Hedwig's Theme instruments"

I would have never thought to type that into google. I guess you are telling me that you didn't know what it was either? Having read, it is a very rare and pricey instrument so I am a tad less embarrassed. Charming sound!

 

[JoeCamel]

I would have never thought to type that into google. I guess you are telling me that you didn't know what it was either? Having read, it is a very rare and pricey instrument so I am a tad less embarrassed. Charming sound!

Google is your friend, that is why Mr. Brin is now emperor of the world Just ask him!

 

[Teebin]

I did think to type bass bassoon into google only to find out it is called a contra bassoon. Gives you all an idea what I put my sources through. Who? What dept.? What color shirt was he wearing? That's a bit of an overstatement, but you get the idea.

 

[Teebin]

As ever I am going to rag on...

I lied when I said I didn't cry at the films compared to the books. The books broke me up for human reasons. The two films that cracked me up were because of the ending visuals... on a par with old MK fireworks for me. The ends of Chamber and Phoenix.

Remember the high shot over the choo choo at the end of Phoenix... it killed me... still does.

 

[sparky]

Much agreed, he is what I am most impressed with in the series, as he is the most complex, fleshed-out character. He is the main character to me

If the series is seen as the hero's journey? can you still see Snape as the main character? He has some aspects of the hero, but fails on some aspects to fit that role. His mentor loss could be Dumbledore, but I saw him more as the representation of whatever conscience Snape has left.

 

[sparky]

As ever I am going to rag on...

I lied when I said I didn't cry at the films compared to the books. The books broke me up for human reasons. The two films that cracked me up were because of the ending visuals... on a par with old MK fireworks for me. The ends of Chamber and Phoenix.

Remember the high shot over the choo choo at the end of Phoenix... it killed me... still does.

The end of Goblet of Fire had me choking back tears as I read it to my son. The misery and guilt Harry was carrying around at the end was just so heavy, I kept having to stop reading.

 

[graspthesun]

Almost all the Young Adult books out there are someone dies and life goes on. The tweens become obsessed with death. I used to manage a Barnes & Noble and one of the most popular series/authors we sold only wrote books where the teenage girl that was the central character or the best friend of the central character dies of some disease or in an accident. I always though it was rather morbid, but I think it's a right of passage. When we reach our tween/teen years we suddenly grasp our own mortality and start wondering about death.

The Fear Street series is what got me thinking about death.

 

[awhen]

Something going on at the Hogsmeade stage.

 

[Frogki]

Interesting... Simple maintenance or some sort of upgrade?