Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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404 of 427 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why you--as an adult--should read the Harry Potter Series, October 28, 2004
You remember those times as a kid when you picked up a book that was truly magical? Those were the days of "A Wrinkle in Time" and "The Chronicles of Narnia", where you could be swept away in an amazing world and desperatly desired to become part of that universe. The Harry Potter books are kind of like that. You, as an adult, should read them. Here's why:
1. They're fun. They're pretty easy reads that you can pick up and get lost in. They're a great escape from daily life and from "heavy" literature. They get better as the series progresses.
2. They have imagination. Has anyone else noticed that books written for adults are severely lacking in this department lately? These books are rich with imagry, have a well-designed plot, and more than their share of imagination.
3. They're mature. Moral lessons are thinly disguised at points, and the first chapter of each book is redundant, but these books are written in mature, adult-friendly prose. You don't feel like you're being preached to, or that you're being hit over the head with the "learn this" stick.
4. They're good. Yes, I've heard the rumors that Harry Potter is BAD because of its connections with "witchcraft"--in fact, my co-worker is one of those people in the "Harry Potter is turning our kids into evil satan-worshippers" camp. Truth be told, there is no religious agenda in these novels, but adults will be pleased that Harry Potter extoles the traditional "Christian" virtues and is truly GOOD. Once I convinced my co-worker to just read the books, she found them quite enjoyable.
5. They're better than their movies. Of course, most books are better than the movies, but these are really much funnier in print than on the big screen. If you feel great about the movies, you'll love the books. If you are indifferent to the movies--read the books. If you didn't like the movies, try the books.
6. It's okay to read what's popular. Sometimes public acclaim is misplaced, but with this series, there's truly a reason why they're so popular. I am a self-admitted literature snob--only Eastern European Existentialism for me thanks--but it's okay to read what you love, try new things, and love what you read. If you are ashamed of being an adult with a "kids" book, just slip a "War and Peace" jacket over the cover or something. Better yet, don't be ashamed, because these aren't strictly "kids" books.
7. Your kids are reading them. You want to know what your kids are being exposed to right? You'd like to gain insight into your pre-teen's mind? There's nothing better than having multiple members of a family reading a book together, or having read the same book concurrently. It strengthens the parent-child bond, and it gives you something to talk about at the dinner table besides the ever-hated question "how was school today".
8. If anything, read them because I refuse to believe that the magic of childhood never dissappears from an adult's life--even if it's hidden below the toils of everyday life. That spirit should be nurtured, the imagination should always remain fertile, and we all need a little magic in our lives.
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42 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Almost 40 and Loving the Series, August 1, 2005
I must admit, before 1 month ago I was completely ignorant about every aspect of the Harry Potter universe that is consuming the world. I had never turned a page in a Harry Potter novel, and never rented any of the Harry Potter movies. I assumed the Harry Potter series was for children under 12, and had no inclination to read a children's novel.
Then my world changed.
My oldest daughter, now nearly 7, had watched a Harry Potter movie at a friend's house, and was now becoming a Harry Potter fan. She wanted to watch the movies over and over again. I watched the movies with her to make sure that there wasn't anything too scary (she gets scared easily with monsters and such), and I became hooked.
I decided to purchase Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and read it. The book reviews revealed to me that adults were reading the Potter series, so I gave it a try.
Now I am working my way through the series, and I look forward to each page. I have yet to find anything that has made my journey through Hogwarts with Mr. Potter to be tedious.
If you are an adult who has never considered reading Harry Potter I recommend that you give it a try. It is not childish in the least, and is a very fascinating and enjoyable read.
And from the viewpoint of a parent, I find the Harry Potter universe to be wonderful for my 7 year old daughter. The fantasy aspects challenge her to expand her concept of what is possible, and the stories end with good triumphing over evil.
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful way to suprise a kid!, August 4, 2004
I bought these to read what all the fuss was about, and I've fallen in love with the Harry Potter series thus far!
The collection itself comes contained in a sturdy decorative box - I have our books up on display in the box, it makes for a nifty look! Each of the books has eloquently made diamond patterns on the hardcovers themselves. They all have the book jackets as well, the same ones as the regular hardcover releases. I know that I'll be re-reading them and will probably lose the jackets, which is why I'm so pleased the actual hardcover books stay with the whole HP theme.
The bookmark is VERY cute, my only complaint with it is that in the humidity it can sometimes stick to pages. Also, I unwittingly placed the bookmark under my hand as I lay down to read, and about an hour later noticed the blue words "Harry Potter" displayed in reverse on my hand. Don't do this!! It's wierd trying to explain that to your boss!
I agree with some of the other reviews, I was very concerned about buying a 5 book boxed set when there will be 7 books, but then I realized that this set is exactly like the 5 individual hardcovers being pulled off bookstore shelves. The covers and artwork are the same - it's just a great way to save money on the series!
If you're curious about the Harry Pottery series, buy this set instead of buying just book 1 to get started. J.K. has weaved her magic on us so that you can't stop at Book 1!
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