Tue, 28 Jun 2005
Instant Classics Library from Amazon
So you have $8,000 burning a hole in your pocket, and and urgent desire to create your own library of the classics - what do you do? Shop around, buying each classic title individually? What a pain in the arse!
Well, you are in luck. You can buy 1,082 classic titles from Amazon for the low, low price of $7989.99. The Penguin Classics Library Complete Collection weighs in at over 700 pounds, and the offer comes with free shipping! So hop right on that offer, and let me know how much shelf space those books take up, will you?
posted at: 08:42 | path: /books | permanent link to this entry
Mon, 28 Jul 2003
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
I finished reading this tome over the weekend, and thought that I would post my impressions on the latest installment detailing Mr. Potter's adventures. At around 850 pages, the length of each installment seems to be getting longer and longer. On the other hand, the book is a very quick read. I believe it took me approximately one week to devour it's contents, and left me with a nice aftertaste.
While I enjoyed the book, I was a bit disappointed with the plot. Let me say right off the bat that I think JKR can develop character with the best of them. By now, I feel as if I know Harry, Ron and Hermione, and I'm particularly fond of Neville as well. This book furthers our understanding of these characters, and does a tremendous job.
However, the whole plot sort of stank, IMHO. Spolers below, etc. You have been warned.
The whole plot, in synopsis, is: Voldermort plants a dream in Harry's head to try and make him steal a prophesy dealing with Harry and Voldermort. No one BUT Harry or Voldermort can remove/steal the prophesy because only people involved in the prophesy may touch it.
Why trick Harry instead of having this most powerful wizard steal it himself? The reason we are given is that he does not yet wish to reveal himself. Thus, the wierd dreams for poor old Harry.
So Voldermort is fairly successful at his newest plot, and manages to get Harry there, to remove it, etc. Only the prophecy vial is shattered, and so it is all for naught. Then Voldermort shows up and tries to lay the smack down on the good guys, and is subsequently sent packing with his tail between his legs.
Question: if he didn't want to reveal himself yet, why did he show up at the end when he knew the his mission target was gone? And if he was willing to show up then, why the hell didn't he steal the damn prophesy himself in the first place?
Finally, he knew part of the prohpecy, and was unconcerned with it for the longest time. Why risk the knowledge of his return and his crack squad (the Death Eater crew) for the prophesy?
Please don't think I am slamming the book, for I did indeed enjoy it. I just think that the overall plot was a bit week. I think that books 3 and 4 have set a fairly tough act to follow. Let's cross our fingers for books 6 and 7! Please feel free to comment on the book...
posted at: 11:33 | path: /books | permanent link to this entry