I solemnly swear that I am up to no good
Rating: 5/5
Trigger Warnings: -
Spoiler Alert! If you haven’t read the book, this review will contain spoilers so it’s up to you if you continue…
I absolutely love Prisoner of Azkaban - mostly because I love the Marauders and anything exploring their dynamic. Book 3 is where I think they start to become less of a children’s book, at least by the time it ends. The darkness of Sirius’ story and the seriousness of the betrayal bring a more sombre tone to the series, despite the ease with which most of the year passes. In fact, Harry’s third year at Hogwarts passes rather rapidly and, other than a couple of ‘grim’ moments and a fight with the Dursleys, it’s a pretty fun one.
Opening with a visit from Aunt Marge, it’s hard to believe what Harry put up with at the Dursleys, and easy to understand his anger. Whilst I think he can be a touch too sensitive when it comes to his parents (every mention of them has him at their defence in 0.1 seconds) the disrespect from the Dursleys puts him on the edge and I enjoyed the lack of control he experienced as his emotions overtook him. This felt like real magic, and after being cooped up and shut off the magic world all summer, it seemed very possible that an outburst of emotion would lead to something like this. Not only do I care about Harry by this point, but I want to defend him from those who are hurting him.
And then we get the Knight Bus. I love this journey Harry takes, I wish it wasn’t the only appearance in the series because it’s such a fun little magical invention (though it might appear again in the books, I can’t quite remember). Before this, though, we get a glimpse of Padfoot - of course, we don’t know it at that point but as this is a reread, that moment means so much more. I love that Rowling puts these moments in, little Easter Eggs that when you look back over a book, or over the whole series, you realise that everything will become relevant, it all builds up to the conclusion. This is one of Rowling’s major strengths: her plot-building is all relevant, but not necessarily obvious…first time round, at least. So much seems to happen in Prisoner of Azkaban, so much backstory provided, but it never feels heavy or unnatural.
Rereading book 3 was especially emotional for me. Once you know the story of the Marauders, of Lily and James’ death, going back and meeting Lupin and Sirius again is so much more revealing. Their reactions - Lupin’s, mostly, as we only get a brief time with Sirius - are so telling of the affection they had for James and Lily. Though it is hard to read of Harry hearing his parents’ last moments, Lupin’s reaction to this moment reminds you that Harry wasn’t the only one to lose people important to him that night. James and Lily were in their very early 20s when they died, meaning Lupin lost both of them, as well as Sirius and Peter, that night. He lost all his friends, and most of the people willing to accept his lycanthropy. I have so much sympathy for the man.
Likewise, Sirius spent 12 years knowing he was innocent, and knowing Peter had betrayed his best friend. He spent 12 years being tortured at the hand of dementors (sidenote: dementors are actually a really terrifying concept and also torture devices which are condoned by the magical governments which is are a whole issue) and then, when he almost has his freedom, has to continue to live on the run. These men are so unlucky. I love, however, the instant affection between Sirius and Harry. Even before meeting him, Sirius goes to watch Harry play quidditch, goes to see him at Privet Drive just to get a look at the boy, he invites him to live with him like an hour into knowing the boy for heaven’s sake! Lupin and Sirius are good men, who continue to fight for what’s right despite the unbelievable amount of tragedy that is in their lives, and that really means a lot to me.
The one thing about Sirius’ story that doesn’t gel well with me is his escape from Azkaban. The animagus thing makes sense, with dementors having no eyes and feeding off emotion, I’m sure transforming into a dog does help with the sanity thing. But on a physical level, getting out of a maximum security prison, swimming from some island in the middle of the sea, and then living on the run…I just felt like this one needed a little more thinking through because after 12 years in prison I don’t think it’s possible. But hey, it meant Sirius got out so I shan’t complain to much!
Prepare for more dislike of Snape! If you didn’t dislike him before, you will now, when a school grudge against a group of boys now drives him to forcing one out of a job, revealing a deeply held secret, hoping to have one (essentially) executed by dementors, and just generally talking down to kids because he thinks he knows better. Can you tell he pisses me off? ‘Bravest man I ever knew’. Sure thing.
Anyway, most of this review was me talking about my love of the marauders so I think I’m going to wrap it up now as I could go on for a long time. Other than these wonderful characters, I just really enjoy the happy parts of Prisoner of Azkaban, with the quidditch cup win feeling like a major accomplishment as Gryffindor have chased it for so long. Not too excited for Goblet of Fire as I’ve never loved it, but I am excited for Cedric Diggory and some good Hufflepuff representation!
Comments