384. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Recommended by:
Author: J.K. Rowling
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult
435 pages, published May 1, 2004
Reading Format: Audio Book
Summary
Harry Potter is a third year student at Hogwarts and faces a new round of danger. Chief among his worries is the escape of Sirius Black from Azkaban prison. Black, who was convicted of murderering Harry’s parents, now seems to be after Harry. To protect Hogwarts, the dementors, the Azkaban guards who are hunting Sirius, are called in and they seem to also be after Harry. To combat the dementors, Harry learns how to summon his own patronus from Professor Lupin, the new Defense of the Dark Arts teacher, who was a childhood friend of his father. With the help of the Mauraders Map and the invisibility cloak, Harry, Ron and Hermione set to make things right again at Hogwarts.
Quotes
“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”
“Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people’s business.
Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git.
Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a professor.
Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair, the slimeball.”
“What’s that?” he snarled, staring at the envelope Harry was still clutching in his hand. “If it’s another form for me to sign, you’ve got another -“
“It’s not,” said Harry cheerfully. “It’s a letter from my godfather.”
“Godfather?” sputtered Uncle Vernon. “You haven’t got a godfather!”
“Yes, I have,” said Harry brightly. “He was my mum and dad’s best friend. He’s a convicted murderer, but he’s broken out of wizard prison and he’s on the run. He likes to keep in touch with me, though…keep up with my news…check if I’m happy….”
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
“You think the dead we loved truly ever leave us? You think that we don’t recall them more clearly in times of great trouble?”
“I want to commit the murder I was imprisoned for.”
“Why, dear boy, we don’t send wizards to Azkaban just for blowing up their aunts.”
“If you made a better rat than a human, it’s not much to boast about, Peter.”
“Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs.”
“I’ll fix it up with Mum and Dad, then I’ll call you. I know how to use a fellytone now—”
“A telephone, Ron,” said Hermione. “Honestly, you should take Muggle Studies next year…”
“The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed.”
“Don’t let the muggles get you down.”
“How’re we getting to King’s Cross tomorrow, Dad?” asked Fred as they dug into a sumptuous pudding. “The Ministry’s providing a couple of cars,” said Mr. Weasley. Everyone looked up at him. “Why?” said Percy curiously. “It’s because of you, Perce,” said George seriously. “And there’ll be little flags on the hoods, with HB on them-” “-for Humongous Bighead,” said Fred.”
My Take
I am thoroughly enjoying my repeat romp through all of the Harry Potter books, especially the amazing voice work of narrator Jim Dale who seamlessly transitions between characters and brings The Prisoner of Azkaban to life. J.K. Rowling again delivers a compelling, intricate, creative and fun tour de force in this book and it is a pleasure to re-read it.
