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

[Cathy M.]

Thru Chpt 29 -

(view spoiler)[YAY Dobby's back :D Winky, on the other hand, is so depressing. Makes me have mixed feelings about the elves now though. On one hand want them free, but on the other, if they can't adapt and they love doing what they do/their positions, got to wonder what's better for them?

And sorry but I have to say it again. Snape. Re-reading these I only see the hatred he has for Harry. He never gives Harry a chance, was just nasty from the start. So disappointing.

Love the trials for the tri-wizard tournament. Harry had to know nothing bad would really happen to any of them. He could've just looked out for himself and just won that one but it just showed how much heart he really has that he wouldn't leave any of them behind.

Lastly, that story Rita put out about Hermoine & Harry. Come on! How could anyone believe such a story knowing them??? Just shows how ridiculous Rita's articles are. (hide spoiler)]

[Joanne]

Finished

(view spoiler)[My chest feels so heavy after finishing this book. It's the first book that doesn't have a happy ending and I just feel so bad for all that Harry has had to go through. (hide spoiler)]

[Kate S]

A little jealous of all the audio readers!

I enjoyed this installment, but felling like the audio participants were a bit spoiled. :P

[Michelle]

Just now to the actual goblet of fire part.

(view spoiler)[ I love how everyone turns on Harry so quickly and refuses to believe him when he says he didn’t put his name in. Bad crap happens to him all the time, so I would have shrugged and thought, sounds about right to me!
Breaks my heart that Ron doesn’t believe him though. He, of all people, should know better. (hide spoiler)]

[Tina ❣]

Book:
Dumbledore - Harry, did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?

Movie - HARRY, DIDYOUPUTYOURNAMEINTHEGOBLETOFFIRE?!!?!?!!!!!!

[Tina ❣]

(view spoiler)[Hagrid is about to show Harry the dragons! Excitment (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Tina wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

I’m at the exact same part! Literally listening to it now. Can you imagine if that could really happen?

[Nicole]

Getting a start on this today. Decided I'm going to give the audio a try :)

[Michelle]

I think you'll like the audios, Nicole.

Just completed the first event in the tri-wizard tourney. It's so interesting how each champion uses different methods to get around the problem.

[Nicole]

Just got the end of chapter 5. A narrator really makes or breaks or makes a book and Stephen Fry is doing a good job.

[Tina ❣]

All finished!

I remember watching this when I was younger at the cinema. I was scared in the theatre but nowwww... Well it's still a bit terrifying.
(view spoiler)[A dark wizard coming to power. All the triwizard challenges. One of my favourite scenes is when Harry gives Fred and George his winnings. (hide spoiler)]

Does anyone remember any of the Care of Magical Creatures classes in the movies? The nifflers?

[Nicole]

Up to the end of chapter 10.

(view spoiler)[Once again the movie is influencing my perception. The dark mark seemed to be more serious and hectic in the movie than in the book.

Anyone else want to slap some common sense into Percy? Mr Know-it-all aka Mr Suck-up. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Nicole wrote: "Up to the end of chapter 10.

Ah, Weatherbee! LOL

[Sarah]

Tina wrote: "All finished!

I remember watching this when I was younger at the cinema. I was scared in the theatre but nowwww... Well it's still a bit terrifying.
[spoilers removed]

Does anyone remember any ..."

There were no Care of Magical Creatures classes, including nifflers, in the movie. The first time we see nifflers in a HP movie is Fantastic Beasts.

[Cathy M.]

Finished last night -

(view spoiler)[Did not expect to cry towards the end after Voldemort is brought back. Can't remember now whether it was Cedric's death, or what happened afterward. All I do remember is how impactful that all was. That broke my heart when Harry says no one had ever hugged him like Molly Weasley. Makes me love her even more.

Finally see a glimpse of the layers of Snape & his role in things, though it's still a mystery at this point how it's going to play out.

Ugh I really hated Fudge! For him NOT to listen to the almighty Dumbledore?!?! Quoting something Rita Skeeter of all people said about Harry?! (Loved that Hermoine caught her in that jar :D ) He's an idiot. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Kate S wrote: "A little jealous of all the audio readers!

I enjoyed this installment, but felling like the audio participants were a bit spoiled. :P"

Oh we definitely were :)

[Cathy M.]

Sarah wrote: "Tina wrote: "All finished!

I remember watching this when I was younger at the cinema. I was scared in the theatre but nowwww... Well it's still a bit terrifying.
[spoilers removed]

Does anyone ..."

The hippograffs from Prisoner of Azkaban (and that class) was in the movie wasn't it? It's been a long time since I've seen them but I thought it was.

[Sarah]

Cathy M. wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Tina wrote: "All finished!

I remember watching this when I was younger at the cinema. I was scared in the theatre but nowwww... Well it's still a bit terrifying.
[spoilers removed]..."

There were no hippogriffs in Goblet. But Buckbeak and a single Care of Magical Creatures class were in the Prisoner of Azkaban movie.

[Cathy M.]

Sarah wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Tina wrote: "All finished!

I remember watching this when I was younger at the cinema. I was scared in the theatre but nowwww... Well it's still a bit terrifying.
[..."

That's what I meant - was only in that one movie :) Thought she was asking about any of the movies!

[Sarah]

Cathy M. wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Tina wrote: "All finished!

I remember watching this when I was younger at the cinema. I was scared in the theatre but nowwww... Well it's still a bit ..."

Well, Buckbeak was very briefly in Goblet the book. When the Trio take food up to Sirius on Hogsmeade weekend. Sirius and Buckbeak are there in the caves.

[Nicole]

Up to the end of chapter 16.

(view spoiler)[I forgot about Neville and what happened to his parents with the Cruciatus Curse :(

Malfoy continues to be a pompous jerk. Typical bully behavior.

Anyone else feel that Ron is becoming a little bit jealous and grumpy? Constantly complaining.

I love how Hermione is campaigning for equal rights! It's such a difficult job making people aware and getting them on board with what is right. Although, she could have chosen a better name for the organization. (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

Just got to the end of chapter 18 and I just had to say...

(view spoiler)[Snape can be an asshole! I love the guy but there are moments where he deserves a slap. His comment about Hermione and her teeth that he saw no difference was horrendous! (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

And Rita Skeeter is the epitome of fake news!

[Nicole]

Got to the end of chapter 22 and so much happening.

(view spoiler)[I understand Ron's jealousy. He wants what Harry has, while Harry wants what he has.

Again the movie influenced my perception of the first Triwizard challenge.

And poor Krum. I think he has a lot of pressure on him but is doing that big, silent stereotype. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

As I read about the tri-wizard tourney, I can’t wait for ours!

Seriously excited to see what the mods have in store for us.

[Kate S]

Nicole wrote: "And Rita Skeeter is the epitome of fake news!"

Can we blame her for this mess?

[Kate S]

Nicole wrote: "Got to the end of chapter 22 and so much happening.

I understand Ron's jealousy. He wants what Harry has, while Harry wants what he has.

Again the movie influenced my perception of the first Tri..."

Well said.

[Kate S]

Michelle wrote: "As I read about the tri-wizard tourney, I can’t wait for ours!

Seriously excited to see what the mods have in store for us."

I was really glad to know I got to read this one before our Tournament was published.

[Michelle]

Chapter 28:
I had completely forgotten about (view spoiler)[ how badly bullied Hermione was because of the Witch Weekly articles about her and Harry. The mean letters, the howlers, the curses. Then Krum pulling Harry aside and then they find Crouch! I had blanked on all of that. (hide spoiler)]

[Tina ❣]

Sarah wrote: "Tina wrote: "All finished!

I remember watching this when I was younger at the cinema. I was scared in the theatre but nowwww... Well it's still a bit terrifying.
[spoilers removed]

Does anyone ..."

Thought so! Thanks Sarah

[Jen]

Hi all! Jen from Team Tom Riddle here. I both read my hardcover - for the fifth time - and listened to the audio edition - first time - in the past few days, July 1-4.

I really enjoy this story. But for the first time, I found it hard to read because I know what's coming in the next books. So much death!

I wrote quite a bit about this fourth year and fourth book in my review of the hardcover after I reread it a few years ago. So I won't rehash everything here.

All told I have now read this book six times: five times via the hardcover plus once thanks to the audio edition. If anything, I enjoy the audio edition even more than the hardcover, as there are a couple of scenes that make me laugh that I didn't find funny when I read this book for myself.

Which scenes were those? The ones wherein Jim Dale gives voice to Seamus' Irish Rosette at the Quidditch World Cup. I doubt I'll ever forget the high, squeaky voice Jim Dale gave to "Troy -- Mullet - Moran!" I wonder if I'll laugh at these scenes when next I read this book, if I don't listen along?

:-)

[Lindsay♫SingerOfStories♫]

Nicole wrote: "And Rita Skeeter is the epitome of fake news!"

LOL!!! Rita Skeeter is ridiculous! I didn't remember her having gold teeth but after reading/listening to that, she kind of creeps me out! I'm always bummed that (view spoiler)[her being an animagus is left out of the movies. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Lindsay♫SingerOfStories♫ wrote: "Nicole wrote: "And Rita Skeeter is the epitome of fake news!"

LOL!!! Rita Skeeter is ridiculous! I didn't remember her having gold teeth but after reading/listening to that, she kind of creeps me ..."

Agreed! That would have made her sneakiness even worse!

Finished up the audio last night. I love this one--there is so much going on, the students are growing up, and the plot is much darker.

[Cathy M.]

Lindsay♫SingerOfStories♫ wrote: "Nicole wrote: "And Rita Skeeter is the epitome of fake news!"

LOL!!! Rita Skeeter is ridiculous! I didn't remember her having gold teeth but after reading/listening to that, she kind of creeps me ..."

(view spoiler)[But that explained so much about how she was getting her information! How could they leave that out?!?! (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

Just completed chapter 26 and once again the movie is influencing my recollections 🙈

(view spoiler)[ I totally forgot that Dobby was the one to help Harry - not Neville. As I was listening I was wondering where the heck Moody was to send him to Neville to get help.

Rowling does a great job with the discrimination theme. My heart broke for Hagrid :( He thought he found someone like him and trusted her enough to ask. That vile woman Rita Skeeter deserves to be shot!

I got annoyed slightly with Harry and his inattentiveness to things - from figuring out the egg, to getting help from Sirius to exiting the prefects bathroom. And surprise, surprise that Hermione didn't know the best method for Harry to use. I like that it makes her "human" and not this super nerd. (hide spoiler)]

[Melissa]

Picked this back up again. I'm on Chapter 12 - I forget basically everything about this book LOL so I'm really enjoying it. :)

[Nicole]

It's been slow going for me. Just got to chapter 32.

(view spoiler)[ Rita Skeeter is annoying! Argh! I just want to slap her silly.

Cedric's Dad is an a**hole. I'm all for supporting your kid, but not being mean to their opponents.

Loved that Mrs Weasley and Bill came to see Harry. (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

Finally, I'm done :)

(view spoiler)[Fudge irritated me. I just wanted to shake some sense into him! And look how he changed his viewpoint on Harry based on Skeeter's articles. Shortsighted and dimwitted!

My heart broke for Harry :( The things that poor boy goes through is unbelievable. There are times when I think he is nothing without his friends, but in actual fact he is strong, courageous and brave. (hide spoiler)]

This book definitely notched things up to a whole new level. Things are more intense and darker.

[Melissa]

I'm on Chapter 22 but I agree Nicole. This is the book where the series turns more mature and darker. I forgot a lot about this book but re-reading it I'm realizing it is one of my favorites. I don't think any of them will ever be better than Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (to me) but I am definitely loving the re-read of this one.

[Melissa]

Finished - This book definitely jumped up higher on my list of HP favs.

With (view spoiler)[ Voldemort returning and Dumbledore really focusing on taking him down the action really begins. Everyone who was waiting for Voldemort to return can let out the breath they have been holding and work on the plan to move forward. It is like the wizarding world has been on hold waiting for Voldemorts return and now they can begin to plan and move forward. I am really excited to read the next one. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

It gets harder to find any new details to pick up on when everyone has already thought of them! Anyway, I was wondering about Ottery St Catchpole.

Harry Potter Wiki says that Ottery St Catchpole is in Devon, although if it is in Devon, that's a long time in a muggle taxi to get to London to catch the Hogwarts Express - three and a half hours, I checked - if there's no traffic. Especially when you're squashed in with trunks and owl cages.

"The name is most likely a reference to the real Devon town of Ottery St Mary. Ottery St Mary is near Exeter, the city where Rowling went to university, so it is plausible that she visited it, or at least had heard of it. There are also several locations near Ottery St Mary that include "Burrow" in their names, possibly making them namesakes for the Weasleys home. The word Ottery means "on the river Otter." Catchpole gives an impression of a Quidditch goal post or, perhaps, a fishing rod. However, Merriam-Webster defines "catchpole" as a Middle English term for a sheriff's deputy, usually assigned to collect a debt. Possibly a humorous reference to the impoverished Weasleys."

[Cat]

Sarah, that's an interesting point about taxi time. The wizarding world is a bit limited in methods of transport really - there's the Knight Bus, which is the opposite of reliable to get to the station in time, Floo powder, which is limited in scope, and Apparating, which is also limited. It must such a massive pain for most families!

[Cat]

@Nicole The other thing I thought, is re Hermione (view spoiler)[and SPEW. I thought it was really good how Hermione is shown as being engaged in thinking about discrimination, but maybe targeting the wrong issue, trying to force freedom on the house elves, rather than campaigning for change in wizards minds. And we see in this book that that is essential in the coming fight against Voldemort & his bigoted, hatefulness (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Cat wrote: "Sarah, that's an interesting point about taxi time. The wizarding world is a bit limited in methods of transport really - there's the Knight Bus, which is the opposite of reliable to get to the sta..."

It's no wonder there was a wizard wanting to import flying carpets. The wizard MPV.

[Cat]

Melissa wrote: "Finished - This book definitely jumped up higher on my list of HP favs."

It's interesting; when I first read it, I thought there was too much fat, and that the editor should've been more ruthless; rereading, it's hard to see what could come out undermining the series themes, and indeed the book themes. Rereading each book reinforces how well planned and plotted the entire series is.

Though OotP is up next, and that's bound to challenge my admiration.... ;-P

[Laura]

Through chapter 13
(view spoiler)[
It was difficult trying to get back into this book after not reading it for a few weeks. The first hundred pages I found boring and just filler. I'm enjoying the book again now that the three besties are back at Hogwarts.

Ha, Moody changes Malfoy into a ferret. Not so nice but Malfoy really had that coming to him. I'm surprised that Moody didn't get into more trouble for doing that. (hide spoiler)]

[Cat]

@Laura: you're an HP virgin, right? this is your first read of the books? I hear your pain re the filler-feeling!

[Laura]

Cat wrote: "@Laura: you're an HP virgin, right? this is your first read of the books? I hear your pain re the filler-feeling!"

Lol.. yup, I'm one of the HP virgins.
There is so much good stuff in her books but the filler was unnecessary ( imo) and what is with (view spoiler)[ Percy? Could any character be more obnoxious and annoying then him? Percy comes onto the scene and I just want to snooze, skim and roll my eyes. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenny]

Hi all. Joining this BR late, but I had to wait six months since I listened to the books in January.

I love that there are HP virgins in this group! I wish I could read them for the first time again!

I am also on day seven of my treadmill personal challenge. I am reading HP while trying to get back into the habit of exercising. So far so good. 4 longer books to go, to try to establish a habit. Then, I will probably ask for good "read while walking/running" books.

Looking forward to the Quidditch match. I have a soft spot for the game after having played it myself!

[Britta]

Hey guys :)

I randomly felt like reading Harry Potter, but instead of starting from the first book again I decided to pick up Goblet of Fire instead. I was actually kind of surprised by how much I loved it this time. The older I get and the more I read/watch HP, the more things I pick up and the more I pay attention to the way the books are written and how the series is built up.

(view spoiler)[This book is such a big turning point in the series. I love how she builds up to Voldemort's return and introduces the darker elements of the story. Cedric's death hits me harder every time. I know that Amos was annoying as a person, but it showed how much he loved Cedric and made it even worse for me.

The action scenes, Quidditch and the Triwizard tasks were fun to read, though knowing what the tasks were leading to put a bit of a damper on it.

I love that Rowling wrote that paragraph about Dumbledore having a "glimmer of triumph" in his eyes or however it was phrased. Such early foreshadowing!

I also really love that the series is so long that I always forget most of the "less important" scenes and it's always fun to rediscover them.
(hide spoiler)]

I might pick up Order of the Phoenix sometime soon now. Though I'm also up to the third book on the audiobooks so I might pick that up sometime soon too.