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A review by rachtoread
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
4.0
THIS BOOK. THIS BOOK BROKE ME, BROKE MY MIND SPIRIT AND SOUL. I AM MERELY RANTING, YET SOME OF THIS MAY BE COMPREHENSIBLE.
So, I got sick in London after my Windsor trip and the first thing I did was turn to the audiobook, which played on repeat as I slipped in and out of consciousness in my accommodation. And I finished it this morning, in shock, as I read through the third task and finished the end because this book was more tragic, more painful, more gritty than I ever imagined it could be. I'm amazed at how much the movie managed to adapt quite beautifully and mark the essence of this book (especially Cedric's funeral). Rowling's writing really flourishes in this book and it's clear that she's come into it more as Harry grows older and the detail and description as well as the dialogue is just perfect. Chef's kiss. I just have an issue with her use of ellipses, but that's a personal preference.
The one gripe I have with this book is that the moments in the story only get interesting when the Triwizard tasks approach. Other than that, it's just Harry going to classes, talking with Hagrid, with Ron and Hermione, and that's it. Even though I've just read those moments, they all flew out the window when it comes to the nerve wracking tasks and the final few chapters with Voldemort. I'm actually glad that the directors cut that (and the SPEW plotline) from the movie, except for the fact that Dobby and Winky both played incredible roles in this book and that should have been included. Because of the somewhat filler that existed (especially with Divination oh my god) I have to take a star off. It's by no means a perfect book, but it's definitely a four stars in my opinion. I loved this book and everything it did to my poor, weeping heart. I also read Dumbledore's funeral speech and thought that the final sentences sent a contradictory message to one that Rowling intended; I thought Dumbledore was telling people to not get in Voldemort's way or they would be killed, like Cedric. I still fail to understand how it could mean "stand in Voldemort's way and be like Cedric, even though he died." But because I had watched the movie, knew the tone of the piece, I recognised the message. Mystery aspect of the story was perfect, the role of Sirius in this book was also smart, and Snape had more depth in this book than any other one (mainly because of Karkaroff's role that spurred them into action). I actually loved that all the other characters had lives outside of Harry and there were multiple things going on at once (Rita, Ludo Bagman, Barty Crouch, Maxine, etc). The only character that seemed the most flat was (surprisingly) Malfoy. That's my final two cents; this book was a stellar book and deserves so much praise.
Remember Cedric Diggory.
So, I got sick in London after my Windsor trip and the first thing I did was turn to the audiobook, which played on repeat as I slipped in and out of consciousness in my accommodation. And I finished it this morning, in shock, as I read through the third task and finished the end because this book was more tragic, more painful, more gritty than I ever imagined it could be. I'm amazed at how much the movie managed to adapt quite beautifully and mark the essence of this book (especially Cedric's funeral). Rowling's writing really flourishes in this book and it's clear that she's come into it more as Harry grows older and the detail and description as well as the dialogue is just perfect. Chef's kiss. I just have an issue with her use of ellipses, but that's a personal preference.
The one gripe I have with this book is that the moments in the story only get interesting when the Triwizard tasks approach. Other than that, it's just Harry going to classes, talking with Hagrid, with Ron and Hermione, and that's it. Even though I've just read those moments, they all flew out the window when it comes to the nerve wracking tasks and the final few chapters with Voldemort. I'm actually glad that the directors cut that (and the SPEW plotline) from the movie, except for the fact that Dobby and Winky both played incredible roles in this book and that should have been included. Because of the somewhat filler that existed (especially with Divination oh my god) I have to take a star off. It's by no means a perfect book, but it's definitely a four stars in my opinion. I loved this book and everything it did to my poor, weeping heart. I also read Dumbledore's funeral speech and thought that the final sentences sent a contradictory message to one that Rowling intended; I thought Dumbledore was telling people to not get in Voldemort's way or they would be killed, like Cedric. I still fail to understand how it could mean "stand in Voldemort's way and be like Cedric, even though he died." But because I had watched the movie, knew the tone of the piece, I recognised the message. Mystery aspect of the story was perfect, the role of Sirius in this book was also smart, and Snape had more depth in this book than any other one (mainly because of Karkaroff's role that spurred them into action). I actually loved that all the other characters had lives outside of Harry and there were multiple things going on at once (Rita, Ludo Bagman, Barty Crouch, Maxine, etc). The only character that seemed the most flat was (surprisingly) Malfoy. That's my final two cents; this book was a stellar book and deserves so much praise.
Remember Cedric Diggory.