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thereviewman

The Review Man

Formerly of Goodreads, now of both words, in the coming times only here?

Currently reading

Survival: A Thematic Guide to Canadian Literature
Margaret Atwood
Lila: An Inquiry Into Morals
Robert M. Pirsig
Simulacra and Simulation (The Body, In Theory: Histories of Cultural Materialism)
Jean Baudrillard, Sheila Faria Glaser
Leaven of Malice
Robertson Davies
The Salterton Trilogy
Robertson Davies
Effi Briest (Penguin Classics)
Theodor Fontane
Empires of the Word: A Language History of the World
Nicholas Ostler
Cases And Materials On The Law Of Torts
Robert M. Solomon
Public Law : Cases Materials and Commentary
Philip Bryden, Craik, Neil, Craig Forcese, Forcese, Craig
A Property Law Reader
Bruce H. Ziff
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré MILD SPOILERS AHEAD, BUT IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IN HARRY POTTER, YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN'T BE ON A SITE LIKE GOODREADS IN THE FIRST PLACE

I've had the rather odd pleasure of "reading" Harry Potter completely backwards. I read the second entry in the series waaaaay back in 2005, after which I skipped the other books and read Deathly Hallows spoilers on Wikipedia shortly after the book was released. Then I went back and read the first book, Sorcerer's Stone (or Philosopher's Stone, which I actually prefer as a title).

Since most people try to read series in chronological order, my experience is quite unique. I think it's allowed me to pinpoint Harry Potter's strengths and weaknesses.

But mostly the weaknesses. If you disagree thus far, read Deathly Hallows and then come back to Stone. Notice any differences? It's almost as if they're two different series. All-powerful demon-wizard bro Voldemort is living on the back of someone's head? Really? Are we supposed to take Voldemort seriously given this plot development?

DEATHLY HALLOWS (HOW IT SHOULD HAVE ENDED)

It is dusk at HOGWARTS. HARRY POTTER is studying charms or whatever it is one studies at Hogwarts. All of the sudden, VOLDEMORT appears with a flash.

VOLDEMORT: Harry, my boy. I killed your parents and now I've come to kill you. MWA HAHAHA.

POTTER: Really, dude? Seriously? Didn't you show up on the back of someone's head a few years ago? Is that all you've got? Heck, I've had rashes that are worse than that.

VOLDEMORT looks sheepish.

VOLDEMORT: It's not my fault, I swear! Blame that J.K. Rowling fool!

HARRY gives VOLDEMORT a stern look. VOLDERMORT melts into a puddle of water.

END SCENE


Yeah. So what's good about Stone? Well, maybe the fact that the sequel is worse?