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This 1st edition Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban arrived in excellent condition and quickly. The 1st edition, US printings of the Harry Potter books are a much nicer quality than later editions. Now that my son is old enough to read Harry Potter, I am seeking out 1st editions for him. Glad to have found this one!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I would have to say that this book was a pivotal book not only in Harry Potter's life, but in JK Rowling's writing career as well. For Harry, his past begins to reveal itself and danger comes ever closer to his reluctant sanctuary (ie-the Dursley's residence). For Rowling, her stories are no longer stand alone mysteries that share a common location, but are part of a larger story. These changes are perfectly timed, as the 8th grade is a pivotal time. It is at this age that children are in between true childhood but not quite yet a young adult. We see changes in Harry, Hermione and Ron that indicate the change. For one, Draco becomes less of an enemy and more like a pest-problems that they used to have no longer seem to matter, or at least not as much. The spells that Harry and his friends learn are likewise indicative of their maturity. Harry is learns to cast a protective patronus years ahead of his peers, which shows that he has matured beyond his peers. Harry takes his last, irrevocable step into adulthood when he choses to spare the life of his parent's betrayer so he can stand trial. On the surface, Rowling does not "sanitize" the book as much as she did with the other two, a trend that continues with the rest of the series. Some people say that Prisoner was the last "children's" book and that Goblet of Fire begins her "young adult" books. While I agree with that assessment, I also think that JK was having her books grow up as her children did. We not only see character development in our heros, but in the writing style as well. But her level of writing maturity does not end there. Each of the first two books had a beginning, middle and end. Each book was self contained. You could read Chamber of Secrets before Sorcerer's Stone and not miss much. Not so anymore. If you read any of the other books out of order, you could follow the plot but all the richness of her literary devices will not make sense to you. I think what truely sets JK Rowling as a master story teller is that this book does not suffer from the "middle book funk". Too many book writers and movie produces use this excuse to cover their own laziness (sadly, too many people accept this excuse and keep wasting hard earned money on trash). JK is able to produce a good book by following the same success formula that Marvel and DC comics did-have complete endings for the sub-plots so the readers feel satisfied. Rowling gives us plenty of satisfaction: the innocent escape death, the betrayer's cover is blown, Harry earns the respect of the people needs to rely on in later books and preparations are being made, at least by some, for the storm that they now know will come. The greatest weakness I found was her assigning value and meaning to items from the first two books. When they were first written, these items were only described so much as to provide ambience. By retro-actively assigning significance to them, she created a feeling of artificialality that comes with forcing a plot device. This was corrected in later books and a much smoother flow will take place. In short, Prisoner of Azkaban is a wonderfully writen transition book that takes Harry from being a child into adulthood and takes JK Rowling from being a great entertainer into a master storyteller. John Holland-author of Necklace of TerrersylvanousRead full review
In this book the year begins with Harry being attacked by these magical prison guards known as Dementors. Dementors live by sucking the joy from others. Harry and his Cousin are attacked by Dementors. Of course the Dersleys think it is all Harry's doing. Harry discovers that a man by the name of Sirius Black has escaped from Azkabahn Prison. He is told that Sirius was responsible for the death of his parents. Sirius was one of his father's best friends at Hogwarts. He prepares himself to avenge his parents' death until he discovers that not everything is as it seems. Sirius has come to watch over Harry who is his godson and the real person who betrayed his parents is revealed. Of course Voldemort is up to his wicked ways and is attempting once again to regain himself. The Dementors come to Hogwarts to find Sirius but end up making life there miserable especially for Harry. Harry and his friends struggle to discover the truth and become closer friend during the ordeal. The end of the book leaves you longing for Harry because just as he finds his Godfather Sirius he has to help rescue him from the Dementors and send him into hiding. This is a wonderful books with lots of twists and turns. The adventure begins with the first page and keeps your on your toes until the end.Read full review
This book in the Harry Potter Series is where the darkness starts to creep in. A convicted murderer escapes from the wizarding prison and rumors are that he's after Harry. I remember the first time I read this, I was really excited to read this one because it took the series a step further (more school subjects, more background story about Harry's family, people unexpectedly showing up in Harry's world. I would say my favorite part is the climax of the book, near the end, when Harry and his friends are confronted by the murderer and one of their professors. I like this part a lot because you find out a lot of information in a short period of time (much like in the 3rd movie in a trilogy, where things you thought you knew are seen in a completely different light). I consider the first two books excellent for kids aged 6-8, but this book should be for ages 7-9... because of the darker content. Like I said, this is my favorite of the series....Read full review
....started series last month....could not stop listening....will miss Harry so very much when last book read. Started this series after I completed J K. Rowling's Comoran Strike mysteries under her pseudonym of Robert Galbraith....loved her writing so much that I started the Harry Potter series. I am in my 80's and never enjoyed fantasy... until now. Thank you J.K. for making an old lady very very happy.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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