for someone who can't read...

[lokizmom]

please answer these questions:

1. out of all of the harry potter books...which ones did you like the best? without spoiling anything...why did you like those? (consider the fact that i will prolly never read any of them, and if i do read them it won't matter what i've read here because i'll have forgotten all about it by then.)

2. would i be able to read them out of order (say for example...i've already read 1--which i have-- and i want to read 3 now because 2 is boring to me)? what would i be missing if i read them out of order or would it matter at all?

3. just how much am i missing from *just* watching the movies?



please keep in mind that i'm not a reader at all. (back story) when i was a junior in high school, i had an 8th grade reading level. my comprehension was the shits. they tried to get me into a programme that should have helped instead it made things worse. i never wanted to read again. as i've gotten older i've listened to stories that people have told me about certain books...commentary about how good or bad something is, and made the decision as to if i should read it or not. i've read mists of avalon and the forest house, but both of them took me just over a year to read. currently i'm in the middle of american gods. it's not easy for me to read... well actually...it's easy for me to read the words. what's not easy for me is to comprehend what the concept of the story is in most cases. so...there ya go...comments?

Comments

My opinion

[mi-ciana.livejournal.com]

1. I like them all, and in trying to figure out which one I like, that's tough. Each has their own merits. I may have to answer that one later.

2. You could read them out of order, but I would not recommend it. She tends to refer back to the previous book or rather, you wouldn't understand why something is happening or someone is being treated whatever way because of the previous book. Okay.. let me simplify.
No skipping. Bad. Miss lots.

3. You are missing LOTS by just watching the movies. Sometimes too much. I've had to explain some of the back story to those friends who are only going by the movies. If you dont' read the books, you can survive on the movies, but you would benefit greatly by reading the books.

If you really want to "read" the books, why not get them on tape. I have a couple of friends who prefer to listen to the books rather that read. One is lazy the other a functional illiterate.

So there's my opinion. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[eeyoredragon.livejournal.com]

i would honestly say i liked them all, i'd be tempted to say goblet of fire (4) was my favorite, but then again half blood prince (6?) was also a favorite. but really it's a marginally close rating system.

read them in order, it helps. especially by book 7. some get more wordy than others. probably why book 2 is kinda bugging you. it gives a ton of back story that doesn't feel crucial to the plot. that backstory is vital to future reading.

the books on tape, cd, or even mp3 are good. the reader does a good job narrating. so yeah that is an option. other options, should you want to plow through all 7 books in your lifetime, would be to get one of the synopsis books.

having the synopsis "cliff notes" might help. because i know i forgot much between books, when i read them. you an also pick the minds of your friends on LJ. if something doesn't click, we can explain.

the movies are made to be mostly "stand alone". the books connect the universe. so yes you are missing the details. still you can get away with watching the movies, and be knowledgable enough to pass.

congrats on taking on this task. i think they are worth it. i also will not think less of you if you decide to say screw it. heck if you want i can pull out book two re-read it, refresh my memory, and discuss it with you.

*hugs*

p.s. book two explains why Voldemort is what he is. i can't say more than that without giving away too much.

[hitferret.livejournal.com]

I'd agree with Goblet of Fire, but totally disagree about Half Blood Prince, and I think you'll find that pattern everywhere: everyone has their own favorites in this series.

I wouldn't try reading the last two books without reading the books that came before, just because their stories depend so deeply on the story from the others. I think you can pick and choose where to read in the first four or five. While you might miss some references or some details, the stories would still work.

I can't comment on the movies.

[dancing-star.livejournal.com]

I can't pick which one I liked the best, they all have good points and to really understand the universe you need to read or listen to them on tape/cd in order.

Your missing a lot by just watching the movie, in fact I'm not sure the 4th movie is any good without having read the book. Part of the problem is you've got about 90-120 minutes for the movie to show you a book which is full of imagery to the tune of 600+ pages.

[kijeren.livejournal.com]

I hear from a good friend who doesn't read that what you need to do is get the CD's. The voice actor is apparently *amazing*.

I think you miss out on a lot by not reading the books... but everyone know's I'm the worlds biggest bookworm, so that probably doesn't count for much. :-)

[medancer.livejournal.com]

1.) I love "Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone" as the set up for the entire series. It's book 1 in the series, but it's the one I keep going back to; I think because for so many years of my life around that age I was just waiting for that kind of thing to happen to me - for something outside of myself to come to me and my family and prove how special I was, how worthwhile I was no matter what THEY thought.

2.) I really don't think that you can. JK is constantly building on, and referring back to, what she's already built in to the story. While you'd certainly be able to pick up the general elements of the story, you'd miss a lot of detail that would go a long way to filling in the plotholes.

3.) There is so much that one misses just by watching the movies. That doesn't mean that one SHOULD read the books, mind you. I see it as the difference between... heating up bottled spaghetti sauce (movies only) and marinara from scratch (books). There is nothing wrong w/ bottled sauce if one is in a hurry, especially if one can doctor it a little bit, right? But sauce from scratch can be so much more... fulfilling, both to your soul and to your tastebuds.

If you have trouble reading, I would recommend Books On Tape/CD/Mp3. I hear that the voice actor (Jim Dale?) is really quite good.

potter..... I hardly know her!

[boatcat15.livejournal.com]

For me also the first book was my favorite, although I've really enjoyed the entire series.

You miss a lot by watching just the films.. but what you miss is the fine detail and a deeper understanding. If you aren't getting that from the reading then skip it.

Also, I have the entire series on audio, read by Stephen Fry.. the U.K. versions, if you'd like.