JKR-reading her work is like a comforting hug

[CervixSampler]

My son is 8 and recently we've been watching the Harry Potter films and tonight he chose Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as his bedtime story. I've not read the HP books to him yet unless you count in utero but one chapter in and he's hooked.
What struck me on reading that first chapter is how comforting her writing style is, how she immediately transports you into the world she has created and how the words flow beautifully. I read to my son most nights and we have been through many books over the years but in the last couple of years they have got longer and more intricate. Ive found many hard going. Ive stumbled over the words, mis-read so many things and had to go back. I was thinking it was me until I picked up JKR's book tonight and the words flowed smoothly like silk. Ds did not interrupt me to ask anything even once. There was no confusion, no doubts, no misunderstandings, no messing with Lego, no rearranging his selection of cuddlies, no getting up to just this that or the other, he was totally transfixed. Now I know he's seen the film so knows the story but the film doesn't do much justice to that first chapter.
Reading tonight I felt like my son and I were cocooned in a literary hug from JKR and my love for her grew significantly tonight and I already think she's awesome. The weather was rather wild outside and that made it more atmospheric but even so, it was such a lovely bedtime story time. Magical 🧙🏻‍♀️

I have her soon to be released Strike book on pre- order and can't wait for that to arrive. I'm not sure that will be a hug in book form but if the previous Strike books are anything to go by then it will be fantastic. I'll get to read HP to my son and then read Strike to myself. What blissful evenings these will be. I'm generally sworn off men but Cormoran gets me a bit flustered I must say.

Then there's her fight for our rights. The domestic abuse victim support. Ovaries of steel and a true role model.

If anyone would like to join me in an appreciation thread and a toast to the stunningly awesome JK Rowling then please do 🥂

I listened to IBH on audiobook. The messaging made no sense!
I kind of let it wash over me and waited for the story to start again

I read the HP books 20 yrs ago and loved them! Last week I noticed The Philosophers Stone free on Audible (till early August! If anyone’s interested ) and spent 2 blissful days listening to it!😄 So well written & what an imagination that woman has!

Love the Strike books & can’t wait for the next one !

ive just accidentally re read all the strike novels, and was thinking the exact same thing. She’s a worldbuilder. And I love the worlds she builds.

@Treaclemine (also loving yr name) I’d agree with everyone else, if you don’t care about unmasking the villain yourself, then just skip the in—game chats.

++SLIGHT SPOILER++++

There’s an important clue in the chats, and you’d find it useful if you are trying to solve it yourself. Once you know, you’ll appreciate the subtlety of the clue. But you can always skip back to view the chats once you know what’s what

I read the HP books as they came out. Then read them to my DC. Our routine was to read the book, listen to it on Audible and then finally watch the film.

I love, love, love HP. It's made even sweeter by the fact that JKR is a TERF and stands up for what she believes in.

I thought Ickabog good too.

I enjoy the Strike and Robin books. I love their relationship and the conversations they have with witnesses. JKR's conversations are a delight.

Huge HP and JKR fan here too. I relisten to the audio books often. DS1 is reading/listening to the Potter books for the first time and it's a lot of fun seeing him experience it all too.

I agree with you to an extent. The lumpish bits in HP annoy. She doesn't glitter as a stylist, and the expression "mundane finality" in the final chapter of the final book made me angry. What a wasted opportunity for something great and punchy at the most dramatic moment. Yet I have read and re-read HP, and still enjoy them. Philip K Dick showed that you can write bad prose and still be a great writer if you've got something interesting or important to say, and there is much profundity in HP. And HP is much better written than many of Dick's novels. However, with Strike she has really learned how to write and build character. Terry Pratchett described her as a "competent writer", but she has now gone well beyond that.

Shhh! You'll get kicked out of terf club.

I do ead the messaging, but I don't do it when I want an immersive read. I've just got a Dorothy Dunnett to read in tandem for immersion.

She’s amazing. I wish I could write the way she does. The language is wonderful, the characters moving and the plot planning so intricate!

And her integrity and strength - wow.