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Thread: A Harry Potter Question

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    Veteran Member Lapaholic's Avatar
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    Default A Harry Potter Question

    Ive come to the point now that I need to start a new book. I have been thinking of reading the Harry Potter books and had a couple of questions. Since I saw there was quite a nice thread on the Volume 7 book that Id ask the folks here. ( I have avoided looking at that thread so I wont see spoilers! )

    Can i start from say book 5? Ive seen the movies except the latest one and thought I could start with that book. Or would I be missing too much info that may not have made it into the movies?

    Second question... Has anyone read the English version? Would an American be lost or would I actually gain something from reading the English vs the Amercanized versions...

    Thanks for answering!

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    The movies only shoe about 1/3 of what's in the movies, for length concerns. the books go by so fast, just read them all. I think you would be totally lost on some things if you just went from the movies.

  3. #3
    cameron_keys
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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    Yeah..they leave a lot out of the movies. The books can honestly be read in a cpl days tops...so I'd start form the beginning.

    As for versions..I had no idea there were two so cant help you there!

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    OK book one it is - thanks -

    The English versions obviously use english vernacular - Like jumpers for sweaters - stuff like that. I had heard some puns and jokes dont make sense when they translate it for us on this side of the pond. I just was wondering how thick the Englishness is?

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    There's still Brit slang in the US versions, but it's not a big deal. I agree with everyone else, too. Starting at book 5 would leave a ton of stuff out.
    waffles are just pancakes with little squares on them.

  6. #6
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    There's a lot to the books that makes them better than the movies. Start with book one.

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    Yes, you should start with book one. And don't feel bad about it, because you are about to read seven of the most entertaining books you will ever find. I wish I could completely forget them so I could read them again for the first time.

    Last Sunday, Harry Potter books held the top six and seven of the eight positions on the New York Times children's book list. While I take issue with it being depicted as solely a children's book, this means to me that a lot of people did what you are doing--waiting until all are written before you read any of them.

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    Don't cheat yourself! They are amazingly captiviating books and the movies, though very well done, are nothing compared to the books. Im so jealous you haven't read them yet!!!!!

    Trust me, even though they seem long, it takes no time to read them because they are impossible to put down.

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    You'll be a harry addict in no time...

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    OK, I plan to start buying books for my annual winter vacation and I wanted to post this very question. I was surprised at the level of dedication displayed in the book 7 thread, enough so that I may have to take a run at this series. I've got a 5 hour flight each way and 8 days in between with a good part of the afternoon usually spent reading. I figure I will bring the first 4 and, if need be, I can just purchase any additional volumes there. I'm sure I'll be seated next to some 10 year old who can't wait to tell me what happens next.

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Lapaholic View Post
    OK book one it is - thanks -

    The English versions obviously use english vernacular - Like jumpers for sweaters - stuff like that. I had heard some puns and jokes dont make sense when they translate it for us on this side of the pond. I just was wondering how thick the Englishness is?
    I read the British version of book six and didn't notice any difference except the cover wasn't as juvenile as the scholastic (american) versions...looks more like a trade paperback than a children's novel.
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    Sounds like my next year of reading has been scheduled ... Thanks for all your responses ...

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    oh it won't take you a year!

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    For all 7? A while anyway - I tend to read only during my coffee breaks in the day ... so i can make a book last a long time. I like to read lite during the day then at nite i break out the heavy stuff like Nietzsche and other stuff my son insists I read.

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    The first 3 are much shorter than the last 4. So until you hit Goblet of Fire, it won't take you long to finish a book.

    And yes, they are pretty quick reads. Very engaging and lots of dialogue, and obviously, easy to read as they are kids books.

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    Yeah thats why i thought i mite skip the first few - i understand the books get more adult as the series goes on. but like everyone has said there is a lot of stuff even in the first few that didnt make it to the movies. So to the beginning - ... I guess its like the hobbit and LOTR ... The hobbit is a kids books but still a fun read!

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    There's inside jokes in those books that adults will get and kids will have go right over their heads.

    I read all the books on weekends. Books 1, 2, and 3 each took me a day. 4, 5, and 6 each took me two days, because I bought them one minute after midnight, went home, andwould read until I was too tired to go on. Then I'd finish up the next day. Book 7 took 3 days, but that was because my wife's birthday demanded my attention most of Saturday. The first three are written on about the 5th grade reading level, 4, 5, and 6 on about the 8th. I haven't done a readability check on Book 7, but it should be about the same as 4, 5, and 6.

    So, any adult who can read Nietsche should be able to read these in at most a couple of weeks. Happy reading!

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    Default Re: A Harry Potter Question

    I have both the British and American versions of the first couple books. Its been a while but I recall the American versions feeling a bit "dumbed down" if you will. It wasn't only slang that was replaced but some of J.K. Rowling's colorful phrases got the chop as well into more American friendly terms. I found it quite fascinating to read the original text. It didn't seem too heavy to me. I remember pausing at a few spots to scratch my noggin, but it was worth it. Small nuances are always lost in translation, even from British English to Americanized English.

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