Fevers are appropriate, however, as we're back with Harry in the summer, under the hot blankets with a flashlight doing homework. Chapter 1 of The Prisoner of Azkaban is a good, steady re-introduction. The pace slowed noticeably from the first book to the second, and from the second to third it's slowed yet again. Well, so there is something to the fact that each consecutive book gets larger and larger! It makes sense. Now that we are more familiar with the intricacies of the Potter universe, we can take our time and explore the back-roads . . . enjoy the scenery.
I like reading about owl post in action; and it's characteristic of the wizarding world, which seems to exist in an eternal crisis (if that's the right word) between the archaic and the modern. You can throw some powder in the chimney, walk into the fireplace, and end up in another town altogether, but apparently it takes a Galleon prize drawing to be able to afford a trip to Egypt. Of course, we Muggles see it as charming, but for the wizard-born-and-raised, wouldn't the e-mail and the text message seem more magical? And what separates magic from science, in a universe where magic seems to lack all elements of spirituality and is a naturally found occurrence? It reminds me of the passage in The Lord of the Rings when Lady Galadriel kindly tells Sam that what he considers "elf-magic" is for them art, skill, and science.
I'm also happy that, at last, Harry had a good birthday.
Jenna's conjuring pumpkin recipes over at Hagrid's. Before she did that, though, I found a most extraordinary thing in a (non-magical) schoolroom the other day.
Haha, I suspect drinking Floo powder would be dangerous. :P
ReplyDeleteOddly, Rowling doesn't give us much to work with in concepts of overseas travel. Apparition always seemed to me like it would be harder at greater distances, and children would have to be taken Side-Along. Nobody wants to fly that far on a broomstick or a thestral. Arthur Weasley claims to be against magic carpets in book 4, because they're enchanted Muggle artifacts, which seems like nonsense as carpets and broomsticks should have fairly equal standing in that regard... or if broomsticks count as the rightful property of witches, the Knight bus is a bus, on account of which, it doesn't seem any more legal on principle than Mr. Weasley's own car. (Dear Arthur! You're so inconsistent, but I still love you.) So I presume there's a magical overseas transport of some sort, but possibly it takes fees for travelling. But Rowling didn't tell us what it is, so--fan fiction!!
Holy cats, the PRICE on that pumpkin juice. Not. Happening.
Feel better!
Do you have a juicer? Or a blender to make smoothies? If so I could throw a recipe or two your way!
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon lovely (and if you ever fancy trying a garlic-up potion to a blow a snotty cold to kingdom come, I'm your gal ;D ) xxx
Great blogg I enjoyed reading
ReplyDelete