Prisoner of Azkaban chapters 21 & 22 discussion

Last discussion thread of 2007! Now is your chance to talk about Chapters 21 and 22 of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban:

Hermione's Secret

Owl Post Again

. . . or share any concluding thoughts about the book as a whole. Let's hear 'em!

For those of you thinking about joining our book discussion, or those of you who are lagging behind, we're taking the next few weeks off. Our discussion of Goblet of Fire will begin on Monday, January 7th, and we hope you can join us!

Does anyone else feel that Harry was too trusting, too soon of Sirius? I mean would you have trusted him that soon?

I don't know. Harry needed someone to trust. And this man had a strong strong connection to his past and his parents. And obviously Lupin thought he was okay, which was a plus in Harry's book. I would have trusted Sirius, because Everything Sirius said proved true. Everything...

#2 -- This read-through was the first time that occurred to me. I think this is the first time I read it analytically, rather than just getting caught up in the story (and I still got caught up in the story). I did think "boy, that's a quick turnaround" -- one page, Harry is thinking that Sirius is out to kill him, the next he's asking when he can move in!

I think it is important in the book though that Harry Ron and Hermione jinx Snape together. They all seem to feel there is something compelling about the snape/lupin story and seeing Pettigrew transform bears them out.

I think the quick turn around in terms of Harry wanting to move in with Sirius is a signal of just how bad his homelife has been and how much he wants to have any connection to his parents and the magical community.

I love how Ron is sidelined in this book and Hermione gets to have the adventure. (One of the things I hated in book 2 is that, while appropriate given her name, for Hermione to be frozen she doesn't contribute to a huge portion of the book.) Here Hermione gets to be the one who helps Harry and I appreciate that.

I also enjoy how Buckbeak, who seems tangetial, becomes important to the whole plot.

I also thought the sudden trust in Sirius was strange, especially since Lupin had been so supportive of Harry throughout the schoolyear. Then again, Lupin was a bloodthirsty fiend at that moment, so maybe it makes sense.

He trusted Sirius because he was his parents' best friend and his godfather. Plus he's totally cool, I mean he turns into a dog, he's a fugitive from justice. These things are impressive to teenage boys.

Anyhoo, some don't like the time travel thing but I love how JKR does it. I love how Harry mistakes himself for his dad. There's layers of meaning there.

I agree about the time-travel, LG.

My only other thought at the moment is that I always laugh when I read that last page, where Harry is telling Uncle Vernon about Sirius.

I always related to Harry in this book. About needing someone to turn to, someone who cared about of you. You know what I mean...? no I can't explain it, big brother complex

Three Cheers for Hermione, the cleverest witch of her age.

Hip, hip, Hooray!

Hip, Hip, HOORAY!!!!!

Hip, Hip Hurrah!!!!

5 Marensr: What did you mean by "given her name"? Does Hermione mean something?

#11 -- I think Maren was referring to Shakespeare's play The Winter's Tale -- there's a character named Hermione in that who is turned into a statue for most of the play.

I wonder what inspired JK Rowling to make up time travel. She's never gone the 'sci-fi' route before this book...

what makes time travel sci-fi? it's done magically.

Well, i mean...it seems more the type of thing youd find in a sci-fi book than a fantasy one. That's just me.

I've seen lots of fantasy that includes time travel.

#12 Yes foggi and Compskibook I did mean The Winter's Tale. I know Hamlet is best and I adore it but I have a soft spot for The Winter's Tale

Yey Winter's tale! (sorry but i was just cast in a reader's theater version of it)

Are you playing Hermione? reena?

No i'm playing her son Mamillius.

What's Mamillius's part in the play? I've never read it...

I have been wondering what croockshanks is if I mean he knew to put his paw on the wamping willow.

she says on her site that croockshanks is half kneazle.

*raises hand*
Rissa, what the crap is a kneazle

This very intelligent cat-like creature can detect unsavory or suspicious persons very well and will react badly to them. However, if a kneazle takes a liking to a witch or wizard, it makes an excellent pet. The kneazle has spotted fur, large ears, and a lion-like tail (FB). Crookshanks is part kneazle (Nr, JKR).

thank you