This is the SPOILERS discussion thread for the GWC Harry Potter Book Club installment #4: HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE.
For those who have NOT READ THE BOOK OR THE SERIES BEFORE: This thread may contain spoilers for later books. There is a spoiler-free (discussion limited to books 1-4) thread here; at some point in the future both threads will be merged.
ETA: Threads merged
So I just finished my re-read, and I’m reminded how I really do prefer the book to its film adaptation in this sense. This feeling is particularly keen during the Third Task. Plus I like the SPEW stuff a lot as well. And I don’t like the bowdlerization of the Quidditch World Cup in the movie, though I understand why it was cut.
Another thing that I noticed this time through is how carefully it is all structured - I wonder if it’s just an outgrowth of graduate school training, but I’m definitely finding each novel’s structure, and what information is revealed at what point, to be very clear.
The Weasleys are great in this book - I always loved that we get to meet Charlie and Bill. There are a lot of little things that point to the future - ex. Fleur checking Bill out, etc. I felt that in the first three books there were many clues to what happened at the end of the book, but I felt that in this one there are many more clues as to the conclusion of the series rather than the novel itself. This was one where I was totally shocked by the ending, the first time I read it.
Does anyone else feel like we never really get to know Mad-Eye Moody in the series? Because I feel like I only know the Doctor… erm I mean, Barty Crouch, Jr.,'s imitation of him.
Still a fun read, though not as quick as the earlier ones, of course. Not at the top of my HP favorites list, but quite enjoyable still.
I’ve just finished the chapter with the first task. Really enjoying the re-read. I agree that we really don’t get to know Mad Eye at all. But then he isn’t written as someone who would let you know much about him…CONSTANT VIGILANCE!
Jr.'s little con is just about perfect. When Harry tells Edward… Cedric about the 1st task, faux-Mad-Eye tells him that it was a very “decent” thing to do. And after demonstrating the Unforgivable Curses, he gives Neville the herbology book to cheer him up. For being a crazy little git with daddy issues, he sure has the crazy, but empathetic, battle-scarred old war axe with conspiracy problems (it’s not paranoia if they’re really after you) thing down pat.
I’ve said this before but this is my favorite Harry Potter book.
The whole tournament is IMO the best Hogwarts year. I love all the teenage angst and love interests stuff. The ending is so powerful. You realize this is real. People are gonna die. That’s risky for a “children’s” book.
This was the first Harry Potter book I read. I was working on my MIL’s computer and the book was sitting on the shelf. I had heard of Harry Potter but had no interest. People would talk about it, etc. But I didn’t get it. Since it was there and I was bored (waiting for a virus scan to complete). I picked up the book and started reading. Of course I didn’t start at the beginning. I turned to the Quidditch World Cup. I was hooked. I asked my MIL if I could borrow all the books.
I tore through the first four in about two months.
I finished reading it over the weekend. Sat there bawling when Harry returned to Hogwarts with Cedric’s body. So sad.
Started Order of the Phoenix too.
I like this one, it’s where things start to get really interesting. Voldemort’s plan seems excessively complex, but simple does not lend itself to 636 pages of awesome. Really, the turn toward older, heavier ideas begins in the first chapter when Voldemort murders a man in cold blood. And then there’s the dragons. She does them very well. They are clearly very dangerous.
I know, generally the magical creatures and whatnot are fantastic, but believable - and dangerous, but realistically so. Very cool.
The part that gets me in the book is when Voldemort and Harry duel and the wands meet and Cedric and Harry’s parents come out of Voldemorts wand. When I read that the first time, I had to stop and wipe my eyes multiple times. For me, this is the hardest book to re-read, even harder than HBP. Cedric’s death was really heartbreaking for me. It’s the first time in a Harry Potter book when I was scared for the lives of the characters.
And I looove the cover of the UK version of this book.
I love this book. I was so shocked by Cedric’s death. From this point on, I found it impossible to relax with any of the next books. I too was scared that any of the characters could die or if not die, worst be corrupted.
What a wonderful read.