Currently playing on my computer (tune in: pls, asx)
     

Mon, 12 Dec 2005

Book Review: Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
I began the 734 page Book 4 of the Harry Potter series, Goblet of Fire, yesterday and finished it off today. Kristy reads the Harry Potter books when they are originally published, I wait and read them when the corresponding movie is released. The movie, Goblet of Fire, came out two or three weeks ago.

Well, I haven't really had an opinion one way or the other about the Harry Potter books, but this one seemed less impressive than the others. First and foremost, did it really have to go on for 700+ pages? Ok, maybe it did... I guess. Second (and this is the biggest problem), if Voldemort just needed Harry to touch an object so that Harry would be transported to the cemetery, why use the trophy and not just any object - like Harry's dinner spooon for example? I mean if Voldemort's "faithful servant" can portkey-ize the trophy and then go through the hassle to make sure Harry (who, let's be frank, isn't all that bright) wins the tournament, doesn't it seem trivial (by comparison) to portkey-ize some other object and get Harry to touch it ("Here Harry, catch this!"). Sigh.

Third (only slightly less egregious then #2), Harry's greatest skill seems to be that of Rowling's fondness for deus ex machina. When Voldemort says "Harry Potter escaped [him] by lucky chance" right before the duel in the cemetery, Voldemort had no idea that Harry (er... Rowling) had yet another ace up his sleeve! It's the old wands-that-are-brothers-cancel-each-other-out trick! Lord Voldemort really needs to hit the library more often, as everyone saw that coming.

Ah well, it wasn't supposed to be a great book. It was an entertaining read and it did set up some interesting suspense for the next books (which I won't read until right around their respective movies are released). Hopefully the movie will be entertaining as well, even if I have to hold my nose while watching it.

(Fri Dec 16 13:42:26 PST 2005 // fixed some grammatical errors)

:: Posted by rus on Mon, 12 Dec 2005 11:56 pm
:: Filed under /reviews/books



Comments

Re: Book Review: Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Wait til you read book 5. The worst book in the series by far, in my opinion. I have little desire to read book 6 after that turkey. But my kids tell me book 6 is better.

:: Comment posted by Norm on Sat, 17 Dec 2005 14:35

Re: Book Review: Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Wife and I went on a date to see this movie. Was a rather dull movie. Had some good points, but on the whole it was underwhelming. It had some good parts, but other parts just seemed contrived.

Personally I am trying to figure our why Harry Potter is such a grand wizard since most of what he does is a result of what his sidekicks coax him to do. Doesn't seem to be too bright a wizarding chap if you ask me.

:: Comment posted by Mark on Mon, 26 Dec 2005 09:01


Your Comment

 
Name:
URL/Email:
  [http://... or mailto:you@wherever]
Title:
Comment:
Password:
  [see below for password]
  Save my Name and URL/Email for next time
   
 
(password is 8 characters: three thousand two hundred one followed by the word 'east')

       

December 2005
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
       
12

About
The Daily Biff
Rus Berrett's weblog

Contact Me
Email: rus at berrett dot org
AIM: biffordtdavis

Search 'The Daily Biff'



Proclamations
Exaggerated opinions of my own importance. Proceed with caution.

Buy Me Stuff
My wish list is my gift to you (yes, shameless, I know).

Subscribe
Subscribe to a syndicated feed of my weblog, brought to you by the wonders of RSS.

Categories
You can isolate posts by category using the following links.

Archives
Past entries are available for review.

Blogroll
These are a few blogs run by my esteemed friends and colleagues. My personal comments about the blog (and its author) can be accessed by clicking on the "wtf?" graphic to the immediate right of each entry (wtf = "What the flip?" as in "What the flip is grandma doing at the sand dunes?").

Family
What the flip is "Yatyk's Musings"?  And who the flip is Mark Berrett?

Friends
What the flip is "The Improvist"?  And who the flip is Dan Brian?
What the flip is "The Borel-Cantelli Lemma"?  And who the flip is Norm Jones?