Rowling J.K; Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Screenplay ; Informal Buddy Read ; Start Date June 2, 2018

[Tahmina]

Finished this yesterday. And it was very good. I started to read it before watching the movie and that was a bad idea. So about 15% in I watched the movie first and then read the rest of this. I have to say it is a very easy read. And you go through it fairly quickly.

The thing that made me really appreciate the fact that I read this was because you get a more accurate account of what the screenwriter was trying to portray. And if you missed something in the movie, you were more aware of it in the text.

Anyway, overall it was a good read and I think well worth it since it did not take that long to read through it.

[Cathy M.]

Thru Scene 56 - (view spoiler)[So far I am enjoying this read BUT keep thinking that I probably wouldn't like it as much if I had not seen the movie first.

Tina's a bit annoying at this point, Queenie is a sweetie, Jacob is quite amusing but Newt is the absolute star! But one thing I never quite grasped about the HP world is why the wizards think so differently about No-Majs/Muggles. I mean they live in these cities with them, pass, have to converse at least at times, so why are they such a mystery to them? Tina & Queenie live out in the city, with No-Majs neighbors, just like how Arthur Weasley was fascinated by Muggles when he worked in the city and passed them every day on his way to the Ministry of Magic so ??? They aren't that isolated so that's always confused me.

Just read the zoo scene - oh my god, that is one of my favorites of this story!! Can just imagine Newt gyrating and grunting and rolling around to get the Erumpet's attention :D And then she chased Jacob. It was just as funny reading it! (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Scene 56 - ..."

Love the zoo scene as well. (view spoiler)[The way Newt interacts with the animals and cares for them is amazing. The Erumpet's scene was hilarious!

(hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Through scene 80 now:

Graves - (view spoiler)[I never understood how one man could judge and sentence them without any kind of trial. I would not have expected the American system to be that much different from the British one. There should have a least been a hearing, so they could present a defense. Sentencing Tina with him when she was the one who brought them was outrageous. Not to mention the attacks had started before Newt even arrived. I understand why Graves wanted to do it after his slip about the Obscurus, but not why his actions were allowed without a challenge. (hide spoiler)]

Niffler and Erumpet - (view spoiler)[For me the scenes with the animals are the shining moments in the book and the movie. The other parts are good, but the creature scenes are amazing. I wish there were more of them. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Thru Scene 88 -

This whole Obscurus thing sort of confuses me (view spoiler)[I remember when I watched the movie, I didn't get it either so watched those scenes again but still. I understand the Obscurus is considered a parasitic force inside them as a result of suppressing their magic. In the scene that just passed, it's released by that person (won't give away who just in case!) to attack Mary Lou. Is it like an unconscious thing, or do they release it at will, or is it like a separate being altogether, in which case they have no control? (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Deanna wrote: "Through scene 80 now:

Graves - [spoilers removed]

Niffler and Erumpet - [spoilers removed]"

Graves - (view spoiler)[I thought the same thing. But then thought, wow, he has a lot of power. Being so close to the President has its perks I guess! Sentencing Tina to the same fate though was beyond severe. Of course I didn't really like her so didn't mind :P (hide spoiler)]

Yep the creatures are the real stars! The Niffler is so freakin adorable :D

[Cathy M.]

Just finished -

Graves - (view spoiler)[What made Newt perform the Revelio spell on Graves? It just seemed so random to do that. And was the whole purpose of Grindelwald pretending to be Graves because he wanted to find an Obscurus? Lastly, what did he mean when he said to Newt "Will we die, just a little?" (hide spoiler)]

Obscurus - (view spoiler)["Unnoticed by anyone else, [the tendril of black matter, a small part of the Obscurus] eventually floats up and away, trying to reconnect with its host." So was Credence really killed? Almost sounds like somehow he may have survived. (hide spoiler)]

Frank - (view spoiler)[sorry but how could this magnificent Thunderbird be named Frank?!?!?! And how is it that the spell worked on people who were not touched by the rain? (hide spoiler)]

Jacob - (view spoiler)[Love the ending where Queenie goes to see him at his bakery! And seems like he does sort of remember, or at least have small feelings/glimpses. They are the couple I'm rooting for :) (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Scene 88 -

This whole Obscurus thing sort of confuses me [spoilers removed]"

The way I understand it (view spoiler)[ is that indeed the obscurus is a parasite force that can't be controlled. Or rather, it shouldn't be controlled. Somehow Credence was able to harness that power, making it his own by giving it a purpose, ie killing the people that made him miserable (btw, I thought he waited a long time to punish Mary Lou). I believe it's because he was able to use the power that he survived so long with it inside him. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Scene 88 -

This whole Obscurus thing sort of confuses me [spoilers removed]"

The way I understand it [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I guess in a way I just had a hard time grasping the concept, and whether he had control over it. But that makes sense that was why he survived longer than any of the others.

About Mary Lou - I know, right?! Maybe because he was starved for affection, and in some way being his guardian he hoped for it with her, he spared her all that time, but it just got to a point where he couldn't hold back.

I also wondered what Graves did with the Obscurus that he took from Newt's case because I doubt it was put back in there. Wonder if that will come into play later on! (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Cathy M. wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Scene 88 -

This whole Obscurus thing sort of confuses me [spoilers removed]"

The way I understand it [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[That's what I thought too about Mary Lou. She also had a strong hold on him, psychologically speaking. I don't know if he was already an obscurus or not before going to live with her, but if not, it's her fault he became one. That's already a sign she's strongly influencing him.

On that obscurus Graves took out of the trunk, it seemed to me it was under a stasis spell. And if you remember in that conversation with Newt, he concluded it was "useless". I think the obscurus cannot survive without his host. So what I gathered from that is that either it is left under the stasis spell and it can't do anything, or they take the stasis spell away and the obscurus dissolves? That's how I interpreted it at least. Maybe there's more on that on Pottermore. (hide spoiler)]

[Tahmina]

Cathy M. wrote: "Just finished -

Graves - [spoilers removed]

Obscurus - [spoilers removed]

Frank - [spoilers removed]

Jacob - [spoilers removed]"

Graves (view spoiler)[ I think in this case its a couple of things. Its the slip up he made during their interrogation when he talked about the Obscurus and how it was useful. And the first thing that Newt says is that why would anyone think of even using it as a weapon. I think that tipped him off to something not being quite right. And then later at the train station when he was trying to convince the boy to join him and that he would help him. He also tried to save him but obviously for his on reasons. I think those things tipped him off to the real identity. (hide spoiler)]

Frank (view spoiler)[I had the same question about the rain (hide spoiler)]

[Tahmina]

Cathy M. wrote: "Deanna wrote: "Through scene 80 now:

Graves - [spoilers removed]

Niffler and Erumpet - [spoilers removed]"

Graves - [spoilers removed]

Yep the creatures are the real stars! The Niffler is so fr..."

(view spoiler)[ I feel like the fact that they had to find the threat and take care of it preoccupied everyone. When people are in fear most people don't ask too many questions as long as they believe the problem is taken care of. And I think in this instance the president would just be happy she would not have to deal with that problem anymore. (hide spoiler)]

[Tahmina]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Scene 88 -

This whole Obscurus thing sort of confuses me [spoilers removed]"

The way I understand it [spoilers removed]"

That..."

(view spoiler)[ Well towards the end when Credence finally reveals to Graves that he is the Obscurus, Graves tells him that he can help him control it and Credence says he doesn't want to try to control it anymore. So wouldn't that mean the he has no control over the Obscurus? (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Finished!

The ending - I love how the ending leaves open so many possibilities. (view spoiler)[It doesn't seem like Credence is completely dead. Newt is going to return to see Tina again when his book is published. Jacob clearly subconsciously remembers something about what happened based on his bakery creations,, and Queenie comes to his bakery. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Scene 88 -

This whole Obscurus thing sort of confuses me [spoilers removed]"

The way I understand it [spoilers removed]"

That..."

That's right, I forgot he said that!

[Cathy M.]

Tahmina wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Scene 88 -

This whole Obscurus thing sort of confuses me [spoilers removed]"

The way I understand..."

(view spoiler)[Makes it sound as though he let it take over, wasn't trying to fight it anymore. But even at the last battle scene, it did seem like it controlled it somewhat. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Deanna wrote: "Finished!

The ending - I love how the ending leaves open so many possibilities. [spoilers removed]"

Definitely leaves a lot of possibilities for the next one. I just saw the trailer for the new one and it looks like it's going to be really good! A lot darker, more intense, but didn't seem like it had a lot to do with the creatures.

[Cheryl]

Just beginning. Hope to love it!

[Paula]

I just read scenes 50 to 54 and I love them, they're the best and so much fun to read.
(view spoiler)[ I can't help to laugh out loud when the niffler is robbing the jewelry stores, and I think is very cute how it pretends to be a mannequin so Newt doesn't discover it xD.

Also, the Erumpent!, the dance that Newt performs is hilarious, and I love when the erumpent falls for Jacob =P (hide spoiler)]

[Cheryl]

I am about halfway finished and love the story. One of the things that I find most fun is the way Rowling will say something about a certain creature being there as if you already know what one of those is and you should react with, "Not a ...!!!" I feel like I have totally entered into her world with her! Amazing.

Had a little wizard world piece of wisdom that I loved:
NEWT: "My philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice."

[Cheryl]

I have finished it! Such a treat. More like the fun of the early Harry Potter stories rather than the late ones.

[Paula]

Tahmina wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Just finished -

Graves - [spoilers removed]

Obscurus - [spoilers removed]

Frank - [spoilers removed]

Jacob - [spoilers removed]"

Graves [spoilers removed]

Frank [spoilers re..."

I just finished, and I agree with Tahmina on this matter.
There were clues along the story that (view spoiler)[there was something odd about Graves, I remember that when I saw the movie the first time I didn't guess that he was Grindelwald, but I knew he agreed with Grindelwald, especially in scene 65 were he sentences Tina and Newt, and it caught my attention. And in scene 79 were he gave Credence the Deathly Hallows necklace.
But my brother guessed who he really was while watching the movie haha. And in the end, in the Revelio scene we were all shocked, except him xD (hide spoiler)]

Now I need to watch the movie again haha and I really want the next one to come out and to be as great as this one =)

[Ingrid]

Anyone up for starting Fantastic Beasts? I'm about to start it and would love someone to read it with.

[Deanna]

Cathy M. wrote: "Deanna wrote: "Finished!

The ending - I love how the ending leaves open so many possibilities. [spoilers removed]"

Definitely leaves a lot of possibilities for the next one. I just saw the traile..."

That is my one regret about the movie. It's the creatures I like the most. I wish there were more scenes with them.

[Deanna]

Ingrid wrote: "Anyone up for starting Fantastic Beasts? I'm about to start it and would love someone to read it with."

I've finished but am happy to hang around and chat about it with you.

[Ingrid]

Deanna wrote: "Ingrid wrote: "Anyone up for starting Fantastic Beasts? I'm about to start it and would love someone to read it with."

I've finished but am happy to hang around and chat about it with you."

Thank you Deanna! I just finished the book and loved it. I watched the movie before but haven't read the book. I'm not sold on how it was written as a screenplay as I miss all the description and detail regular books have but it wasn't a bad screenplay. I love how they tie in with the Harry Potter books in small ways.

[Deanna]

Ingrid wrote: "Deanna wrote: "Ingrid wrote: "Anyone up for starting Fantastic Beasts? I'm about to start it and would love someone to read it with."

I've finished but am happy to hang around and chat about it wi..."

I missed the regular book style as well. I think if I hadn't seen the movie first that I would have had a hard time imagining the scenes just based on the screenplay. I definitely wouldn't have come up with a very good mental image for all of his magical creatures.

I liked the Harry Potter tie ins, but I also appreciated that the setting was in the US instead of Britain. It was interesting to get a glimpse of a different magical community.

[Tahmina]

Ingrid wrote: "Deanna wrote: "Ingrid wrote: "Anyone up for starting Fantastic Beasts? I'm about to start it and would love someone to read it with."

I've finished but am happy to hang around and chat about it wi..."

Wow that was fast! And yeah it was nothing like a book. But I did like the fact that we got additional insight to what we were seeing. And watching the movie first really did help

[Ingrid]

Deanna- It was a lot easier to read because of seeing the movie first. I also loved that they based the book in the US. I wouldn't mind seeing more and being able to compare the difference.

Tahmina- It went a lot faster then I thought it would. I think being a screenplay and watching the movie first helped that. I was able to visualize it a lot better. I also loved we got additional insight to what we were seeing. I felt I understood Credence a lot better and was catching things that were supposed to be going on in the movie that I missed.

Credence- (view spoiler)[In the movie I didn't get all his emotions for some reason but in the book you really see that he was an abused child that was just looking for love. (hide spoiler)]

Modesty- (view spoiler)[I don't understand why she had a toy wand and they always focused on her.
Where they just trying to throw us off, was she just playing at being a wizard since she was forbidden too or does she have powers? Did she know about Credence? She was the only one that didn't die when he killed his "mother", did he do it on purpose because she was nice to him or some other reason? (hide spoiler)]

Tina and Newt- (view spoiler)[In the movie, I didn't really get the romance under current till the end but in the book, you could see it better. I hope the Tina makes an appearance in the second book. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Ingrid wrote: "Deanna- It was a lot easier to read because of seeing the movie first. I also loved that they based the book in the US. I wouldn't mind seeing more and being able to compare the difference.

Tahmi..."

Modesty - (view spoiler)[I agree that a lot of time was spent on her character when she wasn't really relevant to the plot. I doubt she was actually a witch and would lean toward she was playing because it was forbidden. I don't think she knew about Credence until the end when he killed his "mother", and she hid. I don't know that she was nice to him, but certainly there is no indication that she was deliberately mean to him. (hide spoiler)]

Tina and Newt - I agree!

[Tahmina]

Deanna wrote: "Ingrid wrote: "Deanna- It was a lot easier to read because of seeing the movie first. I also loved that they based the book in the US. I wouldn't mind seeing more and being able to compare the diff..."

And the book did go a lot faster than i was originally thought it would.

Credence (view spoiler)[yeah in the script they really try and explain the abuse and his need for acceptance from anyone. So when Graves is nice to him he helps cause all he wants is some human contact. Which is just so sad. But I think you do see hints of it in the movie. I missed the part in the movie when Tina is helping Credence in her memories and attacking the mother. So when I read the script I was like oooo (hide spoiler)]

Modesty (view spoiler)[I think the toy wand was there to make it look like she might be the obscura. It doesn't seem like Credence knows that he is the person that Graves is looking for until the end. Graves kept telling him that it was a child about 8 years old. So they did all that to throw us off. So instead of looking Credence we are looking at Modesty. I do not think she has powers and was just playing around with a wand.I do not think she knew about Credence until after the mother died. She probably survived because Credence was fond of her. Every time someone picked on Credence she would go hold his hand or comfort him in a simple way. I think they focus on her for two reasons. One to throw you off and the other because it shows you at what lengths he would go to protect her. I think the movie people wanted us to see him as a protector and not just someone who went around killing people he didn't like. (hide spoiler)]

Tina and Newt - Yes! so true

[Sophie, The other one]

Starting a bit after everyone else. Wanted to finish the original series first.

I'm glad I've seen the film already from everyone's comments. Haven't read a screenplay before, so far it's coming across differently to a play as there's a lot more directions and info on how things should look.

[Sophie, The other one]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "I'm starting it now. I'm right at the beginning, the moment when Newt is entering the bank.

One of my favorite lines is Mary Lou: Are you a seeker?."

Another of those little details jk likes to throw in!

[Sophie, The other one]

Paula wrote: "I just read scenes 50 to 54 and I love them, they're the best and so much fun to read.
I can't help to laugh out loud when the niffler is robbing the jewelry stores, and I think is very cute how ..."

These scenes were great. The creatures are the star of the show. Wish we got more time with them

[Sophie, The other one]

Well that was quicker than expected. I'm with a lot of you in not fully getting my head round the ending.

Jacob (view spoiler)[ the venom only obliviates bad memories and some of the memories from this aren't bad for him, Queenie especially. This might be why he remembers stuff (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

I'll be starting this soon as well. I'm about halfway through Deathly Hallows and then I will grab this one. I also have never read a screenplay either; though, I have seen the movie.

[Sophie, The other one]

It was interesting - I found it quicker than watching the film. Was v helpful to have seen the film even if I had forgotten bits of it

[Sarah]

Anyone looking to read this before the July 31st deadline?

[Karolyn]

Sarah wrote: "Anyone looking to read this before the July 31st deadline?"

I started this morning. So far, I'm enjoying it much more than the Cursed Child. The beasts are familiar, but I'm enjoying the new characters and the differences between the US and U.K.

[Sarah]

Ok going to start it now!

[Sarah]

Karolyn- I am also enjoying this much more than Cursed Child. This is the first screenplay I've ever read and I don't find it a ton different than traditional books. Other than not hearing a character's inner dialogue, everything is there. The dialogue in FB also feels much more natural than CC. This is going to be a quick, enjoyable read.

[Sarah]

One thing I'm surprised with is chapter breaks. Without the clearly defined chapters, I'm having a Difficult time finding a good place to stop. Never imagined this!

[Karolyn]

Sarah wrote: "One thing I'm surprised with is chapter breaks. Without the clearly defined chapters, I'm having a Difficult time finding a good place to stop. Never imagined this!"

I agree, it was tough to find good stopping points. And reading a screenplay is quite different than a book! Maybe that's why I finished so quickly :) I liked the characters quite a bit in this book, would gladly read more with them.

[Sarah]

So this is my first screenplay, and I absolutely loved it. I'm finding I was able to connect with these characters better in the screenplay than on the screen.

One thing I didn't pick up in the movie, was that at the very end of the book, Jacob didn't fully remember the whole adventure. unless I was reading it wrong, Jacob had a slight memory of the whole thing but never truly remembered it.

I think it probably would have been better to place the ictionary at the beginning of the book for those who have never read a screenplay before.

While the characters were wonderful to read about, the creatures were enthralling. I will absolutely be watching the movie ASAP!