With very limited things to do during my two-week house confinement, I have managed to keep myself sane by reading Harry Potter and watching some television programs I was not aware do exist. (Because I am not fond of watching television shows).
Anyway, I got my Harry Potter book collection two years ago. I bought the whole set as a birthday present to myself. With a busy schedule at work and at the small house, I was not able to open the package until two weeks ago. And what inspired me to start reading Harry Potter’s story was my present sleeping condition —
Because I cannot use the stairs (I had an operation), the cramp space under our stairs became my bedroom. And when husband and the boys set up my bed, I readily remember Harry Potter’s cupboard under the stairs. But unlike Harry’s cupboard under the stairs in the Dursley’s household at 4 privet drive, mine is not dusty with lots of spiders. The boys made it somehow cozy and comfortable for my one month stay.
Reading Harry Potter
I have finished six from the series of J.K. Rowling’s seven fantasy novels. I have also seen all the eight movies; and I may say that the film adaptations were all good but weren’t as good as the book.
Obviously, the film’s production team had to cut some scenes and only decided to pick out the best and most important bits to make the flick as pleasing as they can. The movies have shown great special effects. It likewise put faces to the characters we only read on the book. Unfortunately though, the film version failed to capture some of the detailed looks of the main characters. It likewise didn’t stay faithful to its source material — in some scenes — and neglected to offer the books’ own creative vision. Why? Maybe because the director was confined to do his adaptation of the book. And though he had his own vision, he needed to display it through cinematic form with only at least 2 hours and a half. He may have deleted a few book scenes which I believe were also important to the story line. One excellent example was Dumbledore’s funeral in “Harry Potter and the Half blood Prince.” Dumbledore was a major character both in the book and in the film; and a touching tribute to the “greatest wizard ever” was but fitting to be given to him. J.K. Rowling the author dedicated an entire chapter to mourn the untimely death of Dumbledore and yet the film omitted that.
Reading Harry Potter
In the book, Hermione is one toothy nerd with frizzy hair. In the movie, though, Hermione’s teeth are all white and straight. Researched it and they said, Emma Watson, the Hermione cannot talk properly with fake over-sized front teeth in her mouth, so the production crew opted to give up on the idea.
Harry in the book has green eyes like her mother Lily’s. Daniel the Harry in the movie has blue eyes. I read from some literature that Daniel cannot wear green contact lenses as they irritate his eyes.
Ron’s book look and movie look.
Yes, I may say that J.K. Rowling’s books are more cohesive simply because the whole story was there. The character development was better because the author had the freedom to expound on each character and scene.
Reading Harry Potter
It seems unfair to judge the Harry Potter film series just because there are so many details from the books that the film cannot accommodate. Both the books and the movies are enjoyable, though. But again, if I am to choose between the two, I would still say “Hands down on the book even when J.K. Rowling would call me a muggle!”
*April 29, 2013 from Mga Pahina ni Msbolin. And it seems I will be in this kind of situation again anytime soon- I mean the bed rest situation and not the operation. Husband and I agreed to move in with my mother this month. And we hope it would be a good decision.
Oh, momi! You had surgery? Hope all gets better for you really soon.
Anyway, what else is there to do but to read? Right? But reading 6 out of 7 in a period of two weeks? Ano ito, walang tulugan? LOL. I agree with your observation on books and movies. I don’t recall a single incident where a movie was superior to the book version.
Here, I am referring to movies made based on books.
Books kasi, the author would have more details, and at the same time, leave us to our imagination. While in movies, the visuals are created already and pushed to us.
That surgery was years ago. But now, I am in bed rest kaya medyo nahalintulad ko ang situation noon at ngayon.
Will always prefer books over movie version talaga. ehehe
A potterhead will always be one. Hehe! Good to know you are fine and recovering well. Harry Potter is always something that I would still read again even after reading the whole series. A very nice book wherein we can as well refer to oue kids to read when the time is right. 🙂
Hihih. Agree. My firstborn’s book review is a Harry Potter book 1 and he need not buy or borrow as we have our copy. After reading the first installment, he find time to read the succeeding titles and was now done with all seven.
You guys are a family of readers! I tried to read pero ayaw talaga e. Di ko talaga sya naging hobby. huhu. Which is why watch movies sometimes para kahit papano maka relate parin, pero I can say mas maganda parin talaga books. lol. Your bed looks really cute and nice! I’d love to sleep there! hehe. I miss you! Pagaling ka. :*
Thanks. I thank God the boys love books as well. I started my collection when I was in High School. The husband followed when we live in together na. Then the kids saw our interest. I hope our youngest would also appreciate books. Books are treasures for us.
Potterheads unite!!! Nothing really beats having a relaxing time reading your favorite book. I’m glad to see moms really making an effort to read and promote how important it is. ❤️ Kudos!
Oh momi! What happened? Hope you feel better now!
Btw, some of the photos do not load. 🙁 I got my HP books back when I was in third grade though it was only the first four books. I wasn’t that much of a novel fan yet so I wasn’t able to finish even the first book! Gahd. So poor me. Haha! Anyway, your room feels cozy even if it’s under the steps. I just hope people who go up and down do not have such heavy feet cause it may disrupt your rest. Get well soonest!
Thanks. Haha. The boys are trained to be gentle with the stairs. Thank you for the photos. Will check them tom am.
You’re welcome! Wow. It’s so nice to hear that as early as now, you are able to train them to be gentle with the stairs. I’d be happy if my future kids be gentle with the stairs also because stomping on the stairs is sure annoying! Hope you’re better now 🙂
My downtime meant reading books too and I consider myself a Potterhead. I just love to get out of reality and be part of their magical world. I have read the books for at least 3 times each from Books 1-7. I sold my original paperback collection to get the one thats hardbound and in a chest.
I haven’t watch Fantastic Beasts though but looking forward too.
I go for the hardbound agad. Haha. But seriously, reading the series again and again is never a bore, no?
Harry Potter fan here! My eldest and I love the books and the movies. They weren’t able to put everything in the movies and there were other parts that would have been nice to see. The books will always be better but I was very happy with the movie series.