We don't need no education

[altariel]

katlinel has a splendid post about the Harry Potter books as boarding school stories rather than fantasy books.

Comments

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

I know I haven't read Box of Delights but I would have thought I'd have seen the TV programme. Maybe not, or maybe I'm just confusing it with other similar programmes.

Anyway, thanks for the pointer. I'll have to read it, and see if I can add it to my 'Susan' theory.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

If you have difficulty finding a copy, we have a very nice hardback copye here. It's abridged, though - apparently it's very difficult to find unabridged versions of it.

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

I wonder why it's abridged so often?

I have a feeling that it's discussed in one the Alison Lurie books on children's lit - I'll have to look it over again.

[kathyh]

Just butting in here. Does the abridged version say it's abridged because it doesn't anywhere on my copy (and I'd be very upset if it was)?

The Box of Delights is required Christmas viewing in our house *g*.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Ours has 'abridged' on the cover. A little bit about abridged versions here (and read down); I suspect that your copy will be unabridged.

Glad to hear its a Xmas tradition with you too! Usually we try to watch it in one sitting, and I always fall asleep partway through, so I've never got to the end! We've been wiser this year, watching two episodes a night. It's been very Christmassy.

[kathyh]

It sounds like we do have an unabridged copy. Phew...

Glad to hear its a Xmas tradition with you too!

Definitely. It's our ultimate Christmas weapon in a campaign to revive flagging Christmas spirit. The Box of Delights and a blast of Vaughan-Williams Hodie and we're all set. We usually watch an episode a night up until Christmas but we've mistimed it this year as we're going away tomorrow and are only on episode 4. I think we may have to take it with us!