“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” - J. K. Rowling

(Harry Potter book 3)

⚡️You’ll notice that book 3 is darker than the first two. The books get darker as Harry (and young readers) grow older. This book is much richer than the movie. The first two films closely tracked the books, which makes sense since those books were less complex. This film condenses the plot for sure, but also alters details in noticeable ways (where is Crookshanks?!).

⚡️When I read the series the first time, ages ago, this was my favorite book. Hogwarts student life comes alive in POA. The Christmas atmosphere and final exam stress was fun to read. Thanks in large part to Jim Dale’s narration, we were on the edge of our seats during the Gryffindor-Slytherin Quidditch final. Dale’s narration rivaled even Lee Jordan’s colorful commentary.

⚡️ I had forgotten how heinous Snape is toward Harry in particular, but to most of his students outside Slytherin house. He is an abusive bully to his students. How on earth he is a head of house let alone a teacher, is mystifying. The films definitely minimize Snape’s vindictive and childish behavior toward his students, and make him far more compelling (thanks to the great, Alan Rickman) character than the books would have him.