Customer Reviews

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2 Volume Set)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're a native English speaker trying to learn Japanese, the Harry Potter books may be a good learning tool for you. In the first book, almost all of the kanji have furigana -- this book is intended for children, after all. Later on in the series, there are fewer and fewer furigana. So, be sure to start with the first book unless you really know your kanji.

The translation is incredibly true to the original English book, so you can refer to the original any time you have trouble following. Of course, you'll end up learning words like "witch" and "wand" and "spell," which are of little value in daily life, but what the heck. One word of warning, though -- you'll need to equivalent of about two years of college Japanese before it makes sense to try reading this book.

FYI, this is a high quality hard cover book. It weighs quite a bit. The price in Japan is 1,900 yen. Expect to pay more outside of Japan, of course. You might try Amazan.jp, but last I checked it is no cheaper once you figure in delivery.

I bought two copies of this book when it was only 3 bucks on Amazon :) Extremely satisfied with the price!

Anyway

This book features some furigana, which helps, but it really at an upper-intermediate level for Japanese learners. I'm only a beginner, but I like the fact that I have a goal to work towards.

The binding and pages are high quality as well.

Highly recommend this.

Travis from [...]

I bought this book to help me learn a set of new vocabulary that you just can't find in text books. I've had two years of Japanese language study, and this book is very difficult for my level. However, I find it gets easier as you make flash cards for study and continue reading.

My only qualm with the book is the artwork - it's horrendous. I expected it to be fascinating since this book is so widely acclaimed but it looks like they gave a 12 year old a pen and asked them to scribble something quickly.

This is the latest in the line of Harry Potter books that I have read and also the most interesting. There are several sneak peaks into the past of Harry's past not to mention an strange and dark development in Harry's character, fasinating new creatures, reoccuring characters (and some new ones), not to mention a heart quenching scene at the end. All in all, this is a great novel no matter what language you read it in.