I've read all the Harry Potter books. Once. Read the full post.
Jun 30
2009
12:00 PM ET
'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince': Will you reread it before the film's release?
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I always end up rereading the book either before or after seeing the movie, so I’m sure this one will be no different. Reading after seeing the movie is actually more fun b/c it makes it even easier to visualize as you read. I would read all the Potter books more than once anyway just b/c they are so dense and you could have missed something the first go round. Like rewatching an episode of LOST.
This is my favorite book in the series, so I am naturally inclined to read it again and to be protective of the story. I want the rich layers of characterization and back story of Voldemort to be fresh when I see the film so I can see what was taken out, what was added in to explain the missing bits, and to enjoy a great book.
Just finished re-reading it 2 weeks ago in preparation of the movie (and then finally read “The Tales of Beedle the Bard”, which had been collecting dust since I got it at Christmas). This was my 3rd read of HBP, and I picked up on many more nuances in the subtext because I read it really slowly and carefully for context clues, which really made it more enjoyable than the 1st 2 reads. That made me want to revisit Deathly Hallows, which I’m enjoying again now. Can’t wait for the film!
I kind of go with Topanga on this.
I don’t personally mind most of the liberties the movies’ producers have taken in adapting the books. I realize that it’s completely unrealistic to include every single aspect of every single book. I think sometimes we forget to appareciate what a good job overall they’ve done with these movie adaptations of these beloved, multi-layered books.
However, I have MANY close friends who seem to get almost a perverse pleasure out of watching the movies and b*tching about what’s different, what was taken out and what was added.
I’m not one of these people. I prefer to enjoy the movies on their own merits, so I stay away from rereading the books so I won’t be tempted to act like my friends.
I highly recommend listening to the audiobooks. Half Blood Prince, in particular, is amazing to hear. It’s a completely new way of experiencing the books and Jim Dale (who reads them) is incredible. If you are a Potter fan, the audios are a must!
Hmmm… I don’t like to read… I like to listen to the audio books better.
No. I reread Order of the Pheonix right before the film was released two years ago (the first time I had reread any of the books before the movie). It was a mistake. I know exactly scene for scene what was to occur next; I even could recite lines before they were spoken. While I still thought the film was one of (if not the best) of the movie series, I wish I didn’t read it. So, I agree, I plan on going into Half-Blood prince without a reread so I could possibly be surprised again.
Don’t reread the book. This was written by the same guy who wrote the 4th movie, and that one was a complete piece of crap. It was one of the worst book-to-film adaptations I’ve ever seen (save for almost all Michael Crichton based movies).
If you reread the book before the movie, there’s a much better chance that you’ll notice the errors between the two, which will make you dislike the movie even more. This was my experience at least after watching Goblet of Fire. Ever since then I’ve stopped reading the books before watching the movies.
I already re-read it last week. I just want to be familiar with the jist of the story. It doesnt bother me too much if they have to change small things for the movie.
I’m rereading up to OoTP, but I’m stopping there until I see the movie. I made the mistake of rereading POA before I saw the film and I was very disappointed. Will never do that again. I’m enjoying GOF right now.
I enjoy re-reading the books because I like remembering everything that happened. It’s never ruined the movie for me since I know with all book to movie adaptations there are always things left out. I love immersing myself in the HP world and I get a chance to do that by re-reading and then seeing the movie.
Yes, I’m on Chapter 12 right now lol.
I’ll probably read it again after I see the movie. I don’t get all uptight about the changes they make. It is not realistic to think that it is going to follow along exactly the way the book did.
I did just re-read the Half-Blood Prince. I normally don’t like doing that because, yes, I like the film to surprise me. But the last movie, Order of the Phoenix, rushed through so much stuff, I almost felt lost and confused! And I that’s one of my favorite of the books!
Also like you, Mandi, I hadn’t read (or even heard of Harry Potter) when the first movie came out, and ended up enjoying it immensely. In fact, it’s still my favorite of all the movies, and ever since I began reading the books, I’ve found the films haven’t quite wowed me the way that first one did.
So for the final movie (or is it movies?) The Deathly Hallows, I haven’t read the book AT ALL, in hopes of going into the last chapter of the saga with a completely blank slate. I would like to end the series the same way I started it, and I hope to recapture the blissful ignorance of not knowing how it will end. As it stands, I’ve done a good job of avoiding spoilers, and no doubt will be genuinely thrilled by the film
i’ve just finished rereading the 6th book and am now moving to the 7th i dont know why i do it but i cant see the movie until of reread the series its crazy i know but thats me