Book 21: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

NUMBER: 21
TITLE: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
AUTHOR: J.K. Rowling
STARTED: April 18, 2007
FINISHED: April 21, 2007
PAGES: 435
GENRE: Juvenile / Fantasy

FIRST SENTENCE: Harry Potter was a highly unusual boy in many ways.

SUMMARY: [From barensandnoble.com] During his third year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry Potter must confront the devious and dangerous wizard responsible for his parents' deaths.

REASON FOR READING: The rereading fest continues.

THOUGHTS: The series is still as good as ever, and Rowling, so far, has aged the language and themes of her books with the characters. Two things struck be as I re-read this volume:

1.) Rowling has an insane amount of imagination. To create such a complete world down to the most minute detail is utterly astounding. I envy her ability to write such a book... or rather a series.

2.) While Rowling may have this fantastic imagination, it is her ability to craft characters that makes the series so damn addicting. Unlike other authors (coughElyotcough) she does not hit you over the head with how much she has developed her characters. Each personality trait and piece of background information is unfurled slowly and with just reason. There is no unnecessary exposition.

I commend her for turning her characters into friends of the reader. Reading this books feels like a conversation because the emotions and actions of her characters are so true to life. And boy does she get the personality traits of her teenage heroes right. Rowling's got skillz.

MISCELLANEOUS: Can you do the hippogrif? Nah, nah, nah, Nah, nah, nah, Nah, nah, nah.

RATING: 7/10 [Very Good]

Comments

Meghan said…
Seriously. I want to know how she does it. She has created this world that is not only fascinating, but makes me want to be a part of it.
Meghan said…
The books become progressively darker as the characters age. I'm almost scared to see how dark "Deathly Hollows" is going to be.