February 26, 2018sarahylockwood

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Rate: 4.5/5

Medium: Audiobook

Overview (No Spoilers):

My nostalgic Harry Potter journey continues with the next installment in the series, The Prisoner of Azkaban.  I found that in comparison to the first two book in the series, I’d forgotten so much of this third book that a significant portion of it felt like a new read.  In contrast to the Sorcerer’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets, which were in many ways standalone novels that didn’t necessarily build upon each other, The Prisoner of Azkaban held the first hints of the larger story poised to eventually develop.  Details of Harry’s schooling and the wonder of the magical world took a back seat in this delightful tale for the first time, with significant emphasis instead placed on Harry’s family history. Additionally, there was a noteworthy amount of space filled with quidditch and more importantly Buckbeak’s trial. I listened to this entire book in almost a full day at work as I was setting up experiments, helping the day to fly by. Overall, I’m thoroughly enjoying rereading the Harry Potter series as a whole, which is proving timeless with regard to the age that one dives into this literary world whether for the first time or the tenth.

Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound):

  • What would have happened if Voldemort had possession of a time-turner?
  • When Harry was throwing mud at Draco outside of the Shrieking Shack he had the invisibility cloak on.  How did he throw the mud without being seen before his hood fell off? Wouldn’t the mud have been on the cloak or his hands spotted outside the cloak? We know that he had mud all over his hands because he was trying to wipe off the evidence on the inside of his robes when Snape caught him so he must have been grabbing the mud with his bare hands, however it seems like Draco should have seen his visible hands during the act.
  • We were introduced to poor Cedric Diggory who we couldn’t help but like.
  • If James Potter and his friend could learn to be animagi why don’t more wizards try to learn except for the reason that it is dangerous?
  • Lupin only turned into a werewolf when the moon was revealed even though it was already night.  Therefore, if he is locked away in his room, away from any windows how does he ever turn into a werewolf?

17 comments

      • I always felt that he was desperate, grasping for any way back into power. I have a hard time picturing him having qualms about this. Within the context of literature it would have been a too easy cure all to the story of a time turner was used more in the series.

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      • I think that what Dumbledore said about people meddling in time would have scared him. First, I think he would have been afraid that by going back in time he would have messed something up. Secondly, *spoilers* we learn that Voldemort is able to cast the killing curse and he would have realized his younger self would have killed him on sight. Voldemort doesn’t take advice or counsel from anyone, including himself.

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      • We are arguing hypothetical at this point but traveling Voldermort wouldn’t have had to meet himself. Kill Harry’s family before his younger self was defeated by Harry’s Mom’s curse (of course leaving Harry alive or getting someone else to kill him). Presto! Problem fixed. Someone who was devious enough to split his soul multiple times I doubt would have been scared of repercussions with time travel. It just seems like a plot hole.

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