We spend a lot of time discussing hooks around here. As this is a novel, I hardly think 13 lines do the work justice, but I was curious about where you did get hooked (and stay that way). What hooked you?
Posted by TheoPhileo (Member # 1914) on :
I think what caught me was the general attitude of the narrator in the opening paragraphs (I just remember something about they were perfectly fine "thank you very much."
The first time I read the opening page, I forced myself to close the book and forget about it. I could tell right then that it would suck me in completely, and it was at a very buys point in college, when I knew I didn't have time to read like I normally do when a book really grabs me. I came back to it last summer and plowed through the first few in just a couple weeks. Then I read books 4 and 5 a few months later.
Posted by GZ (Member # 1374) on :
I got hooked in the first couple pages as Dursley starts getting bombarded by the witches/wizards bubbled over enthusasim of You-Know-How's defeat. It's the humor of the language and the slight exaggeration of the characters which made for a very engaging narrative voice that sucked me in.
Posted by Alias (Member # 1645) on :
lol, "you-know-how"('s) defeat, was it? Sorry to tease but I thought that was funny,
hooks,
I recall nothing specific grabbing me, simply the general feel of the story. Though, the closest event--would have been the ever curious letters that kept coming and coming.
Posted by punahougirl84 (Member # 1731) on :
Where was I hooked? Beyond my students telling me I had to read it, they couldn't believe I hadn't read it, etc.? I waited until the first 3 were in paperback, then picked up the first two. It may have been the only good reason for going on bedrest with my twin pregnancy!
I honestly think the title of the first chapter, "The Boy Who Lived" was enough to lure me to read, aside from the hype and youthful pressure. I found it intriguing and hopeful - it was about a boy, and it was special that he lived, and I felt I could trust her because she didn't start with a death, but a life.
I always like to read the table of contents for chapter names, and I think JKR did a wonderful job with them. Once I started, I couldn't stop - by day two I was begging my husband to go to the book store for book three, and cursing that book four was only in hardback and would a friend loan it out?
Her prose hooked me too - matter-of-fact and funny in an English/British sort of way. I found myself engaged and pulled along to learn more and more...
[This message has been edited by punahougirl84 (edited April 28, 2004).]
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
For me it was the apperance of Dumbledore. Although I thought it was a horrid name. I was curious how she would use an all powerful wizard like that. (before you bite my head off about the all powerful bit, that was the idea I got from the "Only one You-know-who was afraid of") Also the giant motorcycle showed me this was a different sorta fantasy. A step away from tolkeinesque.
Posted by Alias (Member # 1645) on :
I too was first exposed to the books by hearing other school-mates talking about them. Of course, I knew nothing but I heard the name dumbledore, mistook it for "Double-door", and said,
"What kind of ridiculous-garbage fiction are you reading? Where the main-most-powerful arch-mage is named Double-door," and then wasn't impressed much more by 'Dumbledore,' when I was corrected.
Posted by Lullaby Lady (Member # 1840) on :
Having read more Roald Dahl than I care to admit, I noticed the similarities immediately. But Rowling's work has such a refreshingly delightful tone to it! (And, in a way, her wizarding world is much more believable than a boy flying in a giant peach pit with huge insects for companions... )
And I loved the first chapter title and the "..., thank you very much," line, as well. She set the mood wonderfully.
~L.L.
Posted by Alias (Member # 1645) on :
quote:And I loved the first chapter title and the "..., thank you very much," line, as well. She set the mood wonderfully.
Wow, I'm surprsied how many people have made that comment. Honestly that bit of her porse seemed unprofessional and informal, which it was, but I didn't like it--at all.
[This message has been edited by Alias (edited May 03, 2004).]
Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :
I don't think that in fiction writing professional and formal are necessarily things that I like. I'm not really even sure what it means. Fiction is about weaving a stary in an enjoyable manner, not about giving a formal presentation, as in a business environment. Many informal tricks can and, in my opinion, should be used to bring the reader into the story and keep him there, but these things are not necessarily formal or professional, as I envision those words, at all.
Posted by teddyrux (Member # 1595) on :
For me it was early. Like on page 1. It grabbed me good. So good, that I read all 5 in less than 4 weeks. Unfortunately, I didn't write much during that time.
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