Back in October (has it really been that long?!) I started my re-read of the Harry Potter Series. I read the series for the first time a couple of years ago and I loved it but I seriously devoured it. When I got done I was almost breathless. I didn’t know one book from the next and I knew that there were big chunks of information that I was missing because I read it so fast. It’s taken me a few months, but I finally finished last week.
Here are links to my reviews:
I have to say that I really did enjoy every book so much more this time. Maybe part of it was that I was already in love with the characters, but I just felt myself get into the series so much faster this time.
Something that stood out to me during my re-read was the friendship between Harry and Ron and Hermione. I felt like if there was anything in the book that was consistent, it was this. Even when they kind of got into it and even when they were “dating” other people, and even when they were scared or whatever… their friendship came before all of that. I think that that is just such a powerful, beautiful message.
I think that the part that struck me the most during this re-read was the part about mothers. I know last time I wasn’t a mom yet so I didn’t really focus on those parts as much, but as a new mom, I was really blown away by the mothering in the series. Of course Lily is amazing and wonderful and her love saved Harry time and time and time again… but Mrs. Weasley too. Seriously, mother of the year award. I love how she dotes on her kids but disciplines them in equal measure. I love how she holds them close but not TOO close. I also love how all of her kids have red hair. I want to be Mrs. Weasley. Even, in the end, Draco’s mom pulled through as this caring, loving mama. I don’t think I even noticed that on my first trip through the series.
During my first reading, I think that I noticed the plot points and the action so much more than anything else. This time, it was the characters and their stories that really stood out to me and I think it made it a much more powerful, moving series.
Two very, very enthusiastic thumbs up.
So excited to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter later this month. I’ll give you a full, picture laden post when I get back!
5 Comments
You mean Lily, right?
I really need to read this series again!
Lucy? I think you mean Lily
Speaking of being a mom… writing with a baby in your lap impairs your thought process
Thanks!
I felt connected to the mom’s more this time too – something about putting myself in Lily’s shoes and saving my baby just hit a heart string I might not have felt before.
I re-read the entire series at once for the first time 3 years ago. It made such a difference! I was a big Harry Potter fan before, but after that my fangirl level ratcheted up to full obsession. When you read them all at once, you catch so many things and become so emotionally involved.
Funny how time changes things.
I’m not a mother so didn’t look at the characters quite that way, but I find myself generally relating to younger characters more as a parent than I used to. I recently read a prequel to the Babysitter’s Club. All the BSC members who I used to look up to as idols now felt like lost little girls to me that I just wanted to hug.