Anything Goes discussion

did you prfer the books or the films lets discuss

The books, of course! I've really enjoyed the films and the DVD extras, but of necessity so much is missed out of the films (subplots like Hermione's elf campaign) and much of the subtlety (like the wordplay and puns). Enjoy the both of them, but for Goodreaders surely the books come first?

The films are fab, but the books are superlative. I'm always stunned by JK's imagination. I also have all the books on audio, read by Stephen Fry. Great for keeping the kids calm on long car journeys, despite the number of times they've listened to them.

Chris wrote: "The films are fab, but the books are superlative. I'm always stunned by JK's imagination. I also have all the books on audio, read by Stephen Fry. Great for keeping the kids calm on long car journe..."

Ive never read the books although I've thought about it whenever I'm not at the library! I haven't seen all of the movies either I don't think--but the ones I have seen were very entertaining--sort of remind me of the wizard of oz in a way--

Carole wrote: "I haven't seen all of the movies either I don't think--but the ones I have seen were very entertaining--sort of remind me of the wizard of oz in a way--"

Not sure, Carole, that I see the correspondences with The Wizard of Oz apart from the fact that both deal with fantasy. For me the books are a clever and satisfying mix of boarding school stories that were popular in earlier 20th century British children's fiction (eg Enid Blyton's Malory Tower books) plus any number of other genres you care to mention (Tolkien, fairy tale motifs, coming-of-age themes, to name but a few).

In addition, Rowling has managed to fit in pretty much all of the universal narratives that Christopher Booker has identified The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories. There is the Journey (Harry's eventful trips to Hogwarts, for example), the Return (visiting his birthplace, for instance), the Quest (to find the Horcruxes), Overcoming the Monster (Voldemort), Tragedy (death of loved ones), Voyage and Return (the endpiece to Deathly Hallows), Rags to Riches (orphan Harry discovers he's the Chosen One), Comedy (the ultimate happy ending) and ... Rebirth.

I suppose that The Wizard of Oz is similar to the Harry Potter story in that it too contains many of the same basic plots (I'll leave it to you to work them out) but, while this makes Baum's tale so much richer and more satisfying, I'm not sure it's really enough to emphasise the similarities with Rowling's stories other than in the vaguest generic way. Which may be all that you were doing, of course!

I am listening to them all again on cd. I love them too even if I am a bit too old at 52! They keep me company when doing housework or my needlework and I am learning to draw!

Lynne - The Book Squirrel wrote: "I am listening to them all again on cd. I love them too even if I am a bit too old at 52! They keep my company when doing housework or my needlework and I am learning to draw!"

LOL, you are never to old to read any genre. Besides probably just as many if not more adults have read this series than children. I'm older than you and I loved it!

When each book first came out, I bought them, I still have them ,but they are stored in the shed, no room for them in this small home. Now I have the first one on my Nook Color. I am almost 58, and I love the books, the movies, and the fact I don't live too far from Universal Park! lol