Harry does it again;
'Fire' an instant classic

The Michigan Daily - Monday, July 17, 2000 - 11
'Guide' can help any Joe
Schmoe be a sex pro

By Autumn Kelly
Daily Arts Writer
When I first heard "Harry Potter and
Goblet of Fire," was to be over seven
hundred pages long I anticipated slow,
drawn-out scenes
that would normal-
ly have been cut
Harry from the previous
Potter and three books. How, I
the Goblet wondered, could J.
of Fire K. Rowling possi-
J.K Rowling bly cover only a
Grade: A year of Harry's life
Schola5rc. inC. in twice the num-
ber of pages usual-
ly used and still
keep my attention'?
On top of this, the
fourth book in a
series would have
to start getting repetitive - there's usual-
ly some sort of law of diminishing cre-
ativity when a book or movie series
comes out, due to the author/director hav-
used up all their ideas on the first go.
Rowling, however, is not one to follow
the rules. Though she may have $23 mil-
lion dollars in the bank and a loyal fol-
lowing that would allow her to ease up on
her writing, she appears to have worked
harder than ever on this new book.
At the end of the summer before his
fourth year at Hogwarts (the school of
magic that he attends in England), Harry
is invited to the Quidditch World Cup
(imagine hockey on broomsticks with
*ur pucks) by his friend Ron. While
re, something happens that has not
occurred for thirteen years - since
Harry's parents were killed and he
received the lightning-shaped scar on his
forehead.
Upon returning to Hogwarts. Harry
discovers there are to be no Quidditch
tournaments among the four houses. A
different type of tournament has taken its
lace this year, which will change his life

and make him fight harder than ever to
stay alive.
But this is only the surface plot for the
new book. Someone at Hogwarts is try-
ing to put Harry's life in danger, and
Voldemort (the wizard who killed his par-
ents) is growing stronger than ever. Once
again, Rowling took a risk.
Controversy over banning the first
three books had focused on their base in
magic. Little mention was ever made of
the dark element - evil - that Harry is
up against. In the fourth book, however,
there are several episodes that bring us
much closer to this evil than before. This
will undoubtedly raise the question of
whether the book is suitable for younger
children. To defend this, the headmaster
of the school expresses his belief in
telling children the truth, difficult as it
may be.
At the beginning of the novel Harry
and the other characters are faced with a
sign of Voldemort's returning power. This
scene is frightening, and with Rowling's
writing skills I felt almost as if I were a
spectator among the crowd.
But this scene is nothing when com-
pared to Harry's direct battle with
Voldemort, near the end. We watch as
Voldemort grows into his own hideous
body, tortures his followers and then turns
to Harry. This was enough to make me
wonder if I might have nightmares.
Rowling does something more,
though, something that I was taught never
to do in a story - especially one meant
for children to read. She kills a character,
and it's not one of the bad guys. Though
she doesn't deal with the death as much
as other issues in the book, what she says
is sufficient for us to move on.
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
ends on an apprehensive note. Now that
Harry has had four years of training the
time has come for the real fighting. It is a
responsibility that Harry will have to take
on as if he were an adult. As a metaphor
for adolescence, Harry is entering the real

world, which doesn't give you breaks just
because you're special.
As a columnist in the Detroit News
observed, a world of magic, witches, wiz-
ards and evil may be the best way to con-
vey the difficulties (and discoveries) of
adolescence. A fight with your best
friend, a death, a crush on a girl, exams
and more, are all things Harry has to deal
with in his fourth year, while at the same
time trying to stay alive.
As Rowling reminds us of our own
childhoods she tells stories that keep us
begging for more. No matter the type of
book you normally read, be it literature,
sci-fi or cookbooks, if you pick up a
Harry Potter book you will probably find
yourself staying up late to read "just one
more chapter."
Fourth in a series of seven, Rowling
delivers yet another instant classic that is
just as good - if not better - than the
others. She keeps us guessing right up to
the last page. There are times that the
stock characters become predictable but
it is these moments that we must remind
ourselves that we are reading a children's
book, and let it pass.
J. K. Rowling has outdone herself once
again with "The Goblet of Fire" She takes
on more than most writers would dare and
is able to pull it off My only question is,
When does the next one come out'?

By Seva Gunitskiy
Daily Arts Writer
There comes a time in every young
man's life when he wishes he knew more
about women. This period generally lasts
between the ages
of fifteen and fifty,
with a few helpful
The Guide revelations along
to Getting the way, if you're
it On. lucky. "The Guide
Paul Joannides to Getting It On!"
Grade: A- will not help you
Goofy Foot Press become an expert
in intimate rela-
tions, but it does
provide a good
starting point for
creating a healthy
attitude to all
things sexual.
Smooching lessons aside, the books most
important lesson is probably this: "Next to
bathing, humor is the most important sex
aid there is."
The author, Paul Joannides, follows his
own advice, writing with a breezy, fun-
loving style that sometimes sounds like a
smart-ass Maxim article but keeps from
becoming annoying through its earnest-
ness and genuine love of the subject. At
698 pages and fifty-one chapters, this is
no light reading- the book covers a wide
range of topics, everything from "The

History of Sex" to "Sex When You're
Horny and Disabled," the latter featuring
some rather disturbing pictures that would
make Christopher Reeve proud. There are
chapters for men ("Oral Sex: Vulvas and
Honey Pots") and there are chapters for
women ("Oral Sex: Popsicles and
Penises"). Yes, of course there are two
chapters on oral sex.
The author immediately sets out to
See GUIDE, Page 12

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