Rowling, J.K.- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4); Informal Buddy Read ; Start Date 25 November 2014--REVISIT-- May 2018

[Samantha]

Melindam, I'd recommend putting your comment as a spoiler. I know there are some people reading this series for the first time. I don't want it spoiled for them as it was for me when I first read the books.

[Melindam]

You are right, Samantha. It's under spoiler tag now. :)

[Samantha]

Awesome 😊 if anyone is up for starting the book today, I’m totally in 😊

[Diane ~Firefly~]

I might be able to start today, but definitely tomorrow by the latest. This is my favorite HP book.

[Samantha]

Awesome! I’m doing my spring cleaning this morning and might be going to a movie tonight, so I’m in the same boat 😊 it’s been probably a decade since I’ve read this, so I’m super stoked!

[Silje]

In for team Remus Lupin. I might be able to start tomorrow or the day after (in which case I will try to catch up=) )

[Samantha]

So, I totally started the book and got pretty far. Can't help it <3

Ch. 1-8
(view spoiler)[With the exception of the first chapter, it seems to be just as light-hearted as the first three books. I wanted to eat it all up as much as possible before things get dark. I especially loved the twin's humor at the Dursley's XDXDXD I also laughed out loud when Hedwig was holding really still for Harry to show what a good post owl is like XD Hedwig is so dignified <3 (hide spoiler)]

While it has been a while since I've read this book, I'm finding that I remember this first part of the book pretty well, which makes me happy. I was worried that after all these years, it would be like reading it for the first time again. *deep breath* Now, to keep going forward.

[Melindam]

Girls, I will be joining you & catching up in a few days. Want to finish 2 books for charms first.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

I started last night as well, just didn't get around to posting

ch 1 - 5

(view spoiler)[I love that Harry is finally having an ok time at the Dursleys. They are too afraid of Black to do anything awful and he is eating smuggled junk food while they are on diet food.

The poor Weasleys are trapped in the converted fireplace and then the twins drop a joke candy that Dudley eats.

Yay for finally meeting Charlie and Bill. I love anytime spent at the burrow. (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Been enjoying a raining morning reading.

ch 6 - 11

(view spoiler)[Surprising how quickly the Quidditch Championship was over, when they talk about games lasting weeks. I think Krum was a jerk for ending the game when his team would lose. You never know if his team could have caught up.

Percy really doesn't seem to fit in the Weasley family, and maybe that is why he is the way he is. With so many kids, it is hard to stand out and I think Percy desperately wants recognition. (hide spoiler)]

spoiler for book
(view spoiler)[Once you know, it is so obvious that Winky was covering up for Barty Jr. during the Quidditch Championship, the clues are definitely there.

And Cedric is such a nice guy :( (hide spoiler)]

[Samantha]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "I started last night as well, just didn't get around to posting

ch 1 - 5

I love that Harry is finally having an ok time at the Dursleys. They are too afraid of Black to do anything awful and he i..."

(view spoiler)[ I totally loved that fireplace scene! It was amazing lol I remember being really sad that they cut that scene from the movie. (hide spoiler)]

[Samantha]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Been enjoying a raining morning reading.

ch 6 - 11

Surprising "

(view spoiler)[ Ya, Krum was a little bit of a jerk to end it so quickly. He could have let it go on a little bit longer to see how things would turn out. Maybe Irish's second team (to replace the first team) would've given them the advantage to score more points.

I never thought about Percy trying to stand out, but I totally see it now that you've pointed it out. Bill and Charlie were also really smart and are doing really well for themselves. Percy wants to do just as well, but he's getting lost in the shuffle. That sucks :/ (hide spoiler)]

Spoiler for book reply:
(view spoiler)[I NEVER thought about Winky covering up for Barty Jr., but you're totally right! How did I not see that before?! (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Did some listening while walking the dog today. It is so funny picturing (view spoiler)[ Vernon's face when they received the letter from Molly by regular post rather than owl, it really didn't make it much better anyway. Anything magic related is bound to make his face turn purple=P (hide spoiler)]

I must say that Harry in general is coping very well with being mistreated at home, you might even go as far as calling it an abusive home. There isn't really mentioned much psychological trauma caused by this part of his childhood. Not really something I wanted to discuss, it is more of an observation as I am re-reading the books.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 12-17

(view spoiler)[The Tri-Wizard Tournament is announced. I'm putting it down to age that Ron wouldn't believe Harry didn't put his name in.

It is nice to see difference schools represented. They don't seem to have houses like Hogwart's does, which might be better for school spirit.

No Quidditch tournament again. Poor Harry, his team probably should have won 4 times, but do to issues, has only won once. It does kind of suck for the players though as they don't get to play and there is only 1 (or 2) Tri-Wizard players per school.

And I do feel for the HufflePuffs, who think Harry is taking away the spotlight they so rarely have.

(hide spoiler)]

[Samantha]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 12-17

spoilers."

Ch. 12-17 reply:
(view spoiler)[I think it's age that Ron doesn't believe Harry, but also that Ron only sees things from his perspective. His family has never had money and he wants to be recognized for doing something amazing and memorable. Since that's Ron's motivation, Ron is thinking it's the same for Harry. Only problem is that it's not the same for Harry. Harry has the notoriety and the money (even though he came into it only recently). All in all, Ron just isn't thinking clearly, a.k.a. his age.

It does suck that only one person from each school can participate. Kind of leaves everyone else in the dust, but then again you can't have dozens of people participating in a book and expect it to be memorable.

Hufflepuffs rarely have their shining moments and it definitely feels like Harry stole their thunder. Poor Hufflepuffs. :( (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "I started last night as well, just didn't get around to posting

ch 1 - 5

."

I had completely forgotten about (view spoiler)[the fireplace episode! All the confusion. And Stephen Fry is doing a marvelous job reading this=) (hide spoiler)]

I also liked that we finally got to meet (view spoiler)[ Bill and Charlie. It is interesting to observe all the different personalities in the Weasley family. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

(view spoiler)[ This book is definitely my second favorite book in the series. I love how we finally got to meet Charlie and Bill. I like Bill a lot, and how he is some what independent. Percy is the same as usual: stuck-up and snobby. I love how Dobby is freed. I don't like the difference between Victor Krum in the books and the movie. I love how Harry achieved all the goals for the Cup. I hate how Cedric Diggory gets killed. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Silje wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "I started last night as well, just didn't get around to posting

ch 1 - 5

."

I had completely forgotten about [spoilers removed]

I also liked that we finally got to meet ..."

Bill and Charlie were awesome.

[Jessica]

Samantha wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 12-17

spoilers."

Ch. 12-17 reply:
I think it's age that Ron doesn't believe Harry, but also that Ron only sees things from his perspective. His family has never had mon..."

I would definitely agree with you. Ron is just jealous because his family has never has much money.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 18-20

(view spoiler)[Poor Harry can't get away from people wanting to take advantage of his fame. This time he's got the reporter Rita making things up and Ludo wanting pictures and to help him cheat.

However, Hagrid is the one who cheats and shows Harry and Maxime the dragons. I do love that Harry's sense of fair play has him share the info with Cedric. And then Moody helps him figure out what he needs to do. Harry would have never gotten far in this competition without all the help from others.

I don't understand why the head's of the school are judges, it should be someone more impartial. (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 21-23

(view spoiler)[Hermione finds Dobby and Winky are now employed at Hogwart's. Harry and Ron waste a lot of time talking about finding dates, that they were lucky anyone was still available. And then they both pretty much ignored their dates at the ball - not a good impression.

Cedric pays back the favor by tipping Harry on how to open the egg for task 2.

Oh yeah, and Hagrid is half giant while Maxime claims not to be.

(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Samantha]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 18-20


Howeve..."

(view spoiler)[These chapters drive me nuts when Ron and Harry aren't talking to each other. Same can be said for when this happens from this point onward. It'd drives me nuts because they're both being stubborn about it. I totally idealize with Hermione in these moments and just want to yell at both of them for how stupid they're being.

I remember the movies a lot better than I remember the books, but I'm so glad that the scenes are shorter in the book than in the movie. I don't need it dragged out in the book to have an image in my head of what's going on. In the movie, I remember the first task being totally dragged out. I was legit pissed when the dragon snapped off the chain just so they could have their chase scene and extend the movie *eye roll* So annoying. I'm really glad that I'm reading the books again and reminding myself of how the story TRULY goes. (hide spoiler)]

[ClaireB]

Team Hermione, here to discuss :)

[ClaireB]

For me this book is the break between the more innocent middlegrade books towards a full on YA darker fantasy. Prisoner of Azkaban is really on the fence. But in this one, everything changes.

[Melindam]

Jessica wrote: "Samantha wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 12-17

spoilers."

Ch. 12-17 reply:
I think it's age that Ron doesn't believe Harry, but also that Ron only sees things from his perspective. His family ..."

Saying that Ron is "just jealous because his family has no money" is oversimplifying this issue. I think it is certainly not just that. In this book JKR started to work seriously to give more dimension and complexity to the MCs and their relationships and did it really well.
Ron's -undoubtedly jealous- actions here tell us a lot more about his character (how it feels when you are the one spending your life overshadowed by your brothers and then by your best friend) and I actually feel for him. It's not only Harry who has hardships in life, everybody needs to deal with their own issues and Ron is launched down on that road nicely.

[Silje]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "For me this book is the break between the more innocent middlegrade books towards a full on YA darker fantasy. Prisoner of Azkaban is really on the fence. But in this one, everything changes."

I agree, this is the book where it gets truly serious for everyone.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 24-28

(view spoiler)[I'm surprised Harry's jealously makes him wait so long to take Cedrick's hint on the egg. His little exchange with Moaning Myrtle is cute, but I feel sorry for Myrtle as she seems lonely for a ghost.

That Rita reporter is so annoying, making stories up altogether or making them sound worse. I'll be happy when someone finally stops her. I'd say she is the worse female in the books, but that person is still to come **shudder**

It is weird Harry thinks the other "hostages" will be left behind if no champion rescues them.

And we get to see Sirius being fatherly to Harry!

(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 29 - 33

(view spoiler)[
Harry's trip in the Pensive to the trials was difficult. It must have been horrible to be a wizard during Voldemort's reign. It is sad to see that popularity played into the vote of innocence or guilty.

I realized we really didn't get as much Cedric in this book as I thought. You realize he is an ok guy, but not much more about him. And yet his death is still so painful.

Man can Voldemort carry on with the villain monologue.
(hide spoiler)]

spoiler for entire book
(view spoiler)[I'm not sure why Voldemort claims Crouch has always been a faithful servant since he claimed to be innocent during his trial. (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Finished

(view spoiler)[So if they have a truth potion, why didn't they give it to the people accused of helping Voldemort? That would instantly clear up whether they did it on their own or were controlled by a curse.

The Crouch's are a sad story. I'm really surprised he agreed to his wife's plan to trade places with their son. He had to know it wouldn't always work. What would happen if he died?

And Fudge is a real piece of work. He'd rather be popular than protect those he was elected to serve. Luckily Dumbledore is going to do as much as possible and has allies to help him.

(hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 24-28

I'm surprised Harry's jealously makes him wait so long to take ..."

I'm not quite sure why Harry is postponing (view spoiler)[figuring out the egg. It is as if he tries to put the second trial out of his mind by not figuring out what it is. Luckily for him he is surrounded by friends (human, ghosts and houselves alike) who are willing to help.

The fact that he didn't want to leave anyone behind down in the lake and took the song seriously might be credited to his age, he is only 14. I think it is also a part of his personality to never leave anyone behind, no matter what situation. (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

I find that I don't really like the book version of Krumm. (view spoiler)[He is acting like a teenager, which he is, trying to get Hermione's attention away from Harry. He acts jealous, believing rumors. He doesn't come off as that smart. I thought of him as the strong, silent type in the movies, but in the book he has a bigger part, more lines, and it is not very flattering. However, I think it is very sweet that he has a crush on Hermione;) (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Just finished the book. (view spoiler)[The chapter where the echos erupt from Voldemort's wand always makes me tear up. The emotions when Harry sees his parents and when Diggory asks him to take his body back..it is just heartbreaking... (hide spoiler)]

[Tammie]

I plan to start this book sometime this weekend! Loved book 3...my 1st time reading...rookie alert!

[Silje]

Tammie wrote: "I plan to start this book sometime this weekend! Loved book 3...my 1st time reading...rookie alert!"

Oh, you have so much great reading to look forward to!

[maria helena]

Chapter 18

(view spoiler)[Ron makes me so furious. I do understand that he is jealous of Harry, but still... (hide spoiler)]

[ClaireB]

maria helena wrote: "Chapter 18

[spoilers removed]"

This is why (view spoiler)[ I dislike Ron so much. His attitude towards Harry is so completely unfair. Like you said, I understand the jealousy, but can't he see Harry needs his friend in this difficult time? (hide spoiler)]

[maria helena]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "maria helena wrote: "Chapter 18

[spoilers removed]"

This is why [spoilers removed]"

Yes (view spoiler)[ I think Ron does redeem himself a bit both in this book and in the future books, but I always thought that Harry was a bit too fast to forgive him (hide spoiler)]

[maria helena]

Silje wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 24-28

I'm surprised Harry's jealously makes him wait so long to take ..."

I'm not quite sure why Harry..."

I really like the 2nd challenge. (view spoiler)[ Like you said, I think his actions during that one both reflects his age and one of his fundamental characteristics of always helping everyone (hide spoiler)]

[SandyL]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "I started last night as well, just didn't get around to posting

ch 1 - 5

I love that Harry is finally having an ok time at the Dursleys. They are too afraid of Black to do anything awful and he i..."

I'm up to Ch 4 and I was surprised (view spoiler)[how dark the first chapter was. And it was fun to see Harry having a better summer than previous years. I loved the fireplace scene and you knew something was going to happen with Dudley when Fred dropped the candy. 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[SandyL]

In Ch 5 I'm cracking up at Percy talking about (view spoiler)[foreign imports of cauldrons and how they are sub-standard (hide spoiler)]

[Judy]

Finally starting this! Goblet of Fire was the biggest surprise during my reread last year - it's the book I've read the least times, probably because it's the movie I've seen the most.

[Dev]

well i didn't feel like reading any of the other 5 books i'm reading right now so obviously i just had to start something new lol

CHAPTERS 1-8

i might have laughed too much in the first chapter when voldemort said (view spoiler)[that he was going to let peter do something others would 'give their right hands to do' (hide spoiler)] [shrugs] what, it was funny lol

also i love that the weasleys send harry the letter with a million stamps on it and harry is just like 'well they DID put enough postage then'

super unpopular opinion i'm sure but i'm just not a huge fan of molly (view spoiler)[i mean she's not a bad person by any means and not even a 'bad' mother like she doesn't abuse her kids or anything obviously but i can't help but feel like she just wants them all to be exactly like percy and it always bothers me when she yells at fred and george or keeps bothering bill to cut his hair. like ...i know fred and george get in trouble a lot but they're not bad kids REALLY and the joke shop is such a great idea and there's obviously a huge demand for it. idk i'm always just like hey maybe you should support your children to follow their own dreams and not try to make them live how you think they should (hide spoiler)]

love the wizard wearing a nightgown who likes 'a healthy breeze round his privates' lmao. and i mean it's honestly not even that weird as far as things go

where on earth have fred and george even gotten 37 galleons from??? i mean i guess they've been selling products but wizard currency still baffles me because that is just SO MUCH GOLD like how expensive is all your stuff. ludo says he would pay 5 galleons for that fake wand but that's probably almost a thousand dollars in muggle money at the time [depending on the actual size of the galleons i guess, listen i did a whole rant on this in the book 1 thread and i'm still on it lol] and i'm just like ??? like no wonder the weasleys are poor y'all have mad inflation

[Dev]

CHAPTERS 9-13

for all the security they have guarding the actual vaults at gringotts it seems like just anyone can show up and take money out of other people's accounts sometimes. like at the end of the last book sirius literally sent crookshanks to get money out of HIS vault to buy a broomstick for harry with. the goblins apparently let a CAT get money out of the vault of a criminal and just ...buy a broomstick with it? and then now molly is getting money out of harry's account and i know he didn't give permission because he seems surprised by it.

i wonder how many teachers are actually at hogwarts? i can only really think of like 11 maybe and for a school of close to 300 students [if you are actually doing the math and not going by JKR's weird answers] that's about 27 students per teacher ...seems like there should be more teachers to me but we've already established math is not JKR's strong suit. also i was counting dumbledore but he doesn't actually teach so i guess more like 30 students per teacher ...

interesting how hufflepuff's qualities have been changed in the sorting song from basically 'miscellaneous' to 'hardworking'. i wonder if she did this in part due to fan reaction from the sorting in the first book.

i'm sure i'm in the minority but i'm glad there's no quidditch this year, although it was very present in the earlier chapters i guess. i just don't care about quidditch. #oops

god i forgot about the blast ended skrewts. hagrid why lmao

about trelawney: (view spoiler)[she said 'the thing you dread the most will come to pass sooner than you think' and you know SHE'S NOT WRONG. also all the stuff about harry she says after also applies to tom riddle ...who WAS born in mid-winter. just saying, trelawney is always right although even she doesn't know it (hide spoiler)]

i have an inexplicable soft spot still for draco but 'draco malfoy the amazing bouncing ferret' will literally never not be funny ;)

[Diane ~Firefly~]

The teacher comment is interesting. As I've been re-reading these, I've wondered as certain teachers don't seem to be very good. You would think as school as prestigious as Hogwart's is supposed to be would have top notch teachers in every subject.

(view spoiler)[As much as I love Hagrid, he is a horrible teacher. He isn't respected by the students and lets what is going on in his life affect the lessons too much. The substitute teacher was much better.

The first two DADA teachers were awful. History of Magic being taught be a ghost who just drones on tells me it isn't an important subject, so why do they even bother. Trelawney might occasionally get a good prophecy in, but she isn't a good teacher as she is fooled by Ron and Harry's fake homework. Snape knows his potions, but clearly favors some students and clearly makes life hell for others, which isn't hallmark of a good teacher.

Hopefully the teachers in the classes we never hear about are better. Sprout, Flitwick and McGonagall all are great teachers, but I would expect more. And really this all means Dumbledore isn't doing his job well.

(hide spoiler)]

[Judy]

Devann wrote: "well i didn't feel like reading any of the other 5 books i'm reading right now so obviously i just had to start something new lol

CHAPTERS 1-8

i might have laughed too much in the first chapter when voldemort said (view spoiler) [shrugs] what, it was funny lol"

I laughed so hard at that (view spoiler)[right hand comment (hide spoiler)] too!

Regarding the money thing: in the 3rd one, Percy bet his girlfriend 10 galleons on the Quidditch outcome.... THAT IS SO MUCH MONEY WHAT EVEN! And tthe Weasleys didn't even have a single galleon in their vault in the 2nd one iirc... completely agree that that is something that makes no sense at all.

[Samantha]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 24-28

"

Warning - also includes spoiler for series!
(view spoiler)[I also thought it was weird that Harry wouldn't try out Cedric's hint for so long, but I think it's a teenage thing - don't want to look like a fool if it's a trick. I definitely don't like Rita either >.< I didn't realize until re-reading this book that Hermione makes Rita promise to not write for a year....which she does keep, but then comes out with that book about Dumbledore!
Harry knew going in that there were things put in place to keep people from getting hurt in this tournament, but I'm guessing that panic got the best of him in that moment.
I love the Sirius moments <33333 He's one of my favorite characters and I love how he's more present in the books than he was in the movies. (hide spoiler)]

[Samantha]

After finishing the book, I think J.K. Rowling slipped up!

Warning - spoiler for end of this book and somewhat beginning of the 5th book!
(view spoiler)[ At the very end, AFTER Harry saw Cedric die, he talks about how they saw the "horseless carriages" approach to go back to the Hogwarts Express. (For the specific pages, it's at the bottom of 725-top of 726 of the original hardcover edition of 734 pages) He should have been able to see the threstrals by that point because he saw Cedric die. I think she had to slip up on that though in order for Luna to have her moment. (hide spoiler)]
Did anyone else catch that?

[Megan]

Just starting this, I have to say this is my least favourite book of the series. Probably only just beating out Chamber of secrets.

[maria helena]

I think I used to think that this was my least favourite book of the series, but this time, I really enjoyed it. I had forgotten a lot of the details, and I got really caught up in the story.

[ClaireB]

Samantha wrote: "After finishing the book, I think J.K. Rowling slipped up!

Warning - spoiler for end of this book and somewhat beginning of the 5th book!
[spoilers removed]
Did anyone else catch that?"


I can't believe I've never notice before. I'll definitely be on the lookout when I reach that part.