Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire [amazon]
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Thorndike Press; 1 edition (November 2, 2000)
Pages: 936
Book Number: 26

What’s this 52 Books in 52 Weeks thing about?

And finally, I’m done with the fourth book in the Potter series! As I mentioned previously, my vigor for the series was dampened a bit when I tripped over a nasty spoiler at amazon.com. Alas, such things happen, and I’m still going to finish the whole lot of them. As usual, I’m going to remark that if you’ve not read this book, you really should stop reading this entry, because it will, most definitely, contain spoilers. Having set forth that warning, onward, with unsorted thoughts about the book:

• The ending of the book really threw me for a loop. I didn’t see it coming at all. I was quite bummed to find that Mad-Eye Moody was the hidden Death Eater at Hogwarts - and then pleasantly surprised to find that was only sort of true. Kind of. Not really. Moody has definitely moved up into one of the top spots on my favorite character list.
• This bit is directed specifically at Cas: I saw in this book, perhaps only a little, of what you were talking about, in regards to Dumbledore having a side other than the happy old man. For example, when he was speaking to Cornelius Fudge in the hospital ward about the return of Voldemort. I definitely see what you were talking about in regards to Richard Harris vs. Michael Gambon. I’m not sure how well Harris would have been for the “other” side of Dumbledore. I still like his portrayal of the happy Dumbledore more, however.
• Aha! So Lucius Malfoy really was a Death Eater, and it wasn’t just speculation on Ron’s part. All the more reason for Harry to beat the crap out of Draco, I say. (Not that Harry needs much more reason…)
• I’d like a Pensieve, please.
• If I’m not mistaken, other than Harry’s parents, Cedric Diggory was the first named character in the series to die, right? I get the feeling that character deaths become much more regular in books five, six, and seven. Not looking forward to it - I hope Hermione doesn’t die.
• The book was long. Really long. Admittedly, I was reading the large print version (the library didn’t have any regular print copies in), but it looks like the regular print paperback weighs in at 752 pages. However, while it was long, I honestly can’t think of anything I’d want to see taken out. All of it served a purpose. At least up to book 4, Rowling hasn’t fallen into the Stephen King trap: writing excrutiatingly long books just because he knows folks will buy it.
• Snape continues to intrigue me. Despite his general sliminess and nastiness, I can’t help but like the guy in a strange way. His character gained a lot of complexity in book 4, and I’m interested in seeing where it goes in the last 3 books. I never know whether he’s to be trusted or not, and perhaps that’s exactly what Rowling was going for. As an aside, Alan Rickman has done a wonderful job in bringing Snape to life in the movies.
• I am still a bit confused as to how I fell into this Harry Potter obsession. I recall a time, not too far in the past, yet hazy all the same, in which I despised the very idea of reading the Potter books. Why, they were beneath me! Childrens’ books. Hmph. I can’t, however, continue with that line of thought anymore right now; I’ve got to get back to the Order of the Phoenix.