So continuing on the HP journey...
First ever theatre experience:
The first ever theatre experience was a bit baffling. The movie was the Half Blood Prince. When the movie released I was in Gandhinagar for my job training period. A couple of my friends and I had finished the training by 6.00 pm and rushed to the theatre for the 6:30pm show. Surprisingly there was no rush and we were the only people in the theatre. Apparently, it was a weekday. Only when the movie started I realized that it was the Hindi version. Oh! you should have seen me cringe for every spell that was translated to Hindi.
But I was more pissed off by the entire movie than the language. For all non HP people, this book actually gives us glimpses of Voldemort's life i.e. the villain before he started scaring his world. Disappointingly the movie only had very essential portions the directors thought that would support the narration of the movie. I strongly object. Had they been included, maybe Voldemort would have more screen presence. The protagonist and antagonist would have been balanced. The flashbacks in the movie were only means to the end. I found the movie didn't do justice to the book.
Characters I like:
Harry, Ron and Hermione - Being the prime characters, I don't think these 3 need an explanation as to why I like them. Fun fact: Every time I read the book I pronounced Hermione as 'her-me-yon' but actually it was pronounced 'Her-my-oh-nee'.
Dobby - not pleasant to the eyes but a very sweet character. U might find him first revolting and annoying but you start liking him as time goes. My friends used to tease me that Dobby is my boyfriend. His loyalty can be heartwarming and always stands by what is correct. He is such a free-spirited creature.
Luna Lovegood- She is so peculiar and also sweet. Misjudged person at the first and people warm up to her later.
Weasley Twins - The funniest, intelligent and mischievous duo. What's not to like in them. They are like the tiny rays of light when the story is travelling in the dark tunnel.
Snape - This character was thoroughly a surprise. He can be the most annoying and infuriating person at times. Hated in all the 6 books and then one book changed everything. I even mourned when the actor who played Snape, Alan Rickman passed away.
Characters I don't like:
Umbridge - She is the epitome of hypocrisy and cruelty. Of course we are supposed to hate her. Her character was written as such. I don't hate Voldemort as much as I hate her.
Ginny, Trelawney - I don't know why I don't like these two characters. I never got to like them till the end.
Book set:
In 2016, I had an entire set of Harry Potter books. A gift from my husband. You should have seen me smiling from ear to ear. The fulfilment we feel when we get what we wished for, however small it might be can be soul satisfying. Don't get me wrong.. the book set is not a small gift.
Why people like Harry Potter:
I have a theory on why people like Harry Potter. It is a common good vs evil story with generous portions of fantasy elements in it. But this is not just a children's book. Children are always kept away from things that are scary like hatred, death, cruelty, loss etc. But these things are most of the time are part and parcel of our life. This book series touches the subjects about making choices in life while adulting and facing harsh realities of life. I am in my mid-30s now. My ideas and leanings towards different subjects have changed through time. But I can still resonate with many things in the book. I am not able to ignore the book as just a children's book.
My husband's take on HP
My husband thinks Voldemort is the best wizard and Harry won because he is just lucky. Hubby admires him for his attitude, power and style and the story was biased too much towards Harry. Also being a fantasy novel, no logic required for the final results. I contradict that though it is fantasy you cant leave gaping plot holes. Everything can be explained. I accept that Harry had help from friends, teachers and well wishers. The victory was not his alone. He is not as equally powerful as Voldemort. Nor was Neville. He could have taken the evil path of revenge for his parent's death and become more powerful and evil than Voldemort. Essentially Harry and Voldemort are similar by many ways. But it was Harry's conscious choices that speaks loads. Like in spiderman, with great power comes great responsibilities and Voldemort was reckless with his power.
I think I have maundered on enough on Harry Potter.
Until we meet again, Ciao!!!
