Odd you should mention Wodehouse and funny names. While there’s no similarity in the characters, I was struck by the name Broderick Bode, which is awfully like Roderick Spode. Coincidence or some kind of joke?
But then I also wonder if Mrs. Norris the cat is named after the annoying aunt in Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park.
I just looked up the books on amazon.co.uk, and see that there are two different versions–an adult version, and a kids’ version. Can anyone tell me what the differences are before I buy the boxed set?
Thanks!
peace,
~mixie
Last time I looked, somewhere on amazon.co.uk it mentioned that there was no difference in the texts of the two versions; only the cover was different. I can’t find the notice anymore, though; maybe they’re hoping people will buy both versions just in case?
Yes, only the cover differs. Seeing how many grown ups read HP for their own sake, the publisher thought it was a good idea to have one edition with a more adult covor, so that guys commuting on the train can read it without being embarrased.
The adult versions leave in the scenes where Harry and friends experiment with the magic of mushrooms.
Just kidding. I wasn’t aware that there were “adult” versions of any but the first book, but it is just the covers that differ. I’ve seen the adult Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and the cover is a black and white photo of an old-fashioned train (presumably the Hogwarts Express, although of course you can’t tell if it’s red or not in the picture). So if you don’t want the normal illustrated covers that would be the way to go, but other than that it doesn’t matter.
About Harry not seeing the thestrals at the end of book four–according to J.K. herself, in a transcript of the Royal Albert Hall Event she says:
Peace,
~mixie
I’m thinking he wasn’t even that “thoughtful” about it. I would envision something more subconscious and reflexive–he’s now seen the Longbottoms in person, he’s developing a deeper respect for their son, the escape of their attackers has been front page news for a few months…at this moment, he’s confronted with the hated attacker (who he now also knows is related to his godfather) and the gut response is to shout “Cruciatus” as he points his wand.
Re: thestrals.
I always kinda figured that it was your emotional reaction to the sight of death that made the thestrals visible. Judging from the Rowling quote above, it sounds like you have to have come to terms with the death before the thestrals become visible.
I’d say that three things must happen before you see thestrals
Harry was an infant when his parents died. He couldn’t possibly comprehend what was happening, so he couldn’t feel grief. In GoF, we see points #1 and #2, but point #3 hadn’t yet occurred.
I understand why Rowling didn’t want to mention the thestrals in GoF, and then do nothing with them. Everyone would be like “WTF? 
”
Random comments:
I hope that Rowling has something planned for that mirror. If it doesn’t become important in the furture, then there was no point in putting it into the story.
I had totally forgotten about the mirror when Harry found it again.
I think that Kreacher is just puttering around in the house all by himself. When Harry talked to him thru Umbridge’s fireplace, he said that he was going to be alone with his mistress (the painting) again. Frankly, I hope that Moody gets a hold of the pint-sized asshole and mounts his head on a plaque next to the others.
Another note on the First Law of Funny Names: The three exceptions are W.C. Fields, P.G. Wodehouse, and (presumptively) J.K. Rowling. What is there about using your initials that makes it funny to use funny names?
Just another thing but did the British or the American version of the book have Ron constantly saying “mate” all the time? It doesnt sound at all like JKR’s wirting at it was especially jarring.
And I had wondered if Colin Creevey might have been a nod to Colin Craven from The Secret Garden. If you recall, he did decide to study Magic when he grew up.
Well it may have been another ‘How dumb was I’ moment, but I think we might see it again. After all, didn’t he smash it INSIDE of his trunk? So it’s still with him.
Of course you can explain how the expression is innocuous when it’s used in the context of the book. But then you have to explain why it’s inappropriate to use that expression outside of the U.K. If you just give your definition of “pecker” there, then you’re only giving the kid half the picutre, and IMO it’d be better to just delay the issue until he’s old enough to understand the nuances of what he’s saying.
You ask how kids will learn these expressions if they never hear them; I counter by asking why is it necessary for the Harry Potter books to be the only way they’ll hear them? I had never heard “pecker” used in a non-American context until this thread, and it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I found out why they’re called “fanny packs” if you wear them in front. And as for the “knock you up” business, that was from a friend of mine who was spending her sophomore year of college in England and was very surprised when one of her professors made that offer. My point being: people will hear these expressions eventually.
Schoolastic, or some of the other Powers That Be, decided that they’re not going to be the ones to force kids & parents into these types of discussions, and I’ve got to respect that. As long as the original meaning and “flavor” (or, I guess, “flavour”) of the books is maintained. That’s why chaning “Philosopher’s Stone” to “Sorcerer’s Stone” is bad, but changing “peckers” to “spirits” is harmless.
There are Australian Editions??? This is the first time i’m hearing about them…I guess it makes sense, seeing that OotP has been/is being translated into different languages worldwide. The least they could do would be to acount for local variations in English.
Anyone knows if this extends to other variances of English? Um… I’m thinking SA English, etc?
Related question: has anyone read OotP in languages other than English? If so, are there any variances in the story, plot-wise, names, etc?
I’d heard (anecdotally) that the British version of the latest book has hit #1 in France. As in “written in English”.
However, when I was in Bologna a couple years ago I did see Italian versions of the first two books. As my Italian language skills are limited to musical terminology, I didn’t feel the need to purchase them.
The differences are (i) the cover art, and (ii) the size of the pages and type face. (The “adult” version uses a smaller font, and the pages are somewhat smaller - although the thing is still massively thick.) The actual text is identical to the English children’s version.
By the way, I wanted to throw out a wild theory regarding one particular bizarre name JKR bestowed on someone in OotP:
Tonks’s first name is Nymphadora. Could it be?
Does Nymphadora = “nymph adorer”? In other words, is Tonks gay?
OTOH, since she’s described as hating her first name, maybe she’s closeted and/or in denial about it - which makes her shapeshifting ability a nice metaphor for being able to pass for straight.
Okay, probably not, but it’s fun to contemplate.
I’ve read the first 3 HP books in French. Some of the names change to fit translation better but otherwise most things stay the same. Madam Pomfrey is Mme Pomfresh and Mrs. Norris is Miss Teigne. Serdaigle is Ravenclaw and Pontsouffle is Hufflepuff. They roughly translate. I couldn’t remember the English names for the longest times after I had read the books. Hmmm, I should go back and read them again.
chef troy, believe it or not nymphadora is a saint name. she shares her day with metrodora, and menodora. when i read this name in the book i almost snorted chocolate all over the page. the three dora’s are celebrated on sept. 23rd for those on julian calendar, and sept. 10th for those on gregorian. and yes, there are major cases of giggles in orthodox sunday schools all over the states and canada when the dora’s are presented in “meet the saints” class.
when i was a kiddie chair, 2 friends and i vowed to name a daughter nymphadora. thus far, none of us have daughters. 1 of us has given up on having children and has named her cat nymphadora, nymphy for short.
hey i havent read the book yet and i dont have time to rread this whole message board, but i have heard a rumor that sanpe falls in love. is it true?
lil hammer