On Sat, 11 Dec 1999 21:06:26 -0600 (CST) Nick Martin <thalius22@hotmail.com> wrote: > > Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets > ??? It's by Joanne Rowling. For anyone who has missed out on this massive craze, the Harry Potter books are a series for children. Read them in order if you haven't already started (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azakaban [thus far]). It is quite important, I feel. There has been lots of hype about these books, but it is totally justified. And for anyone who doesn't wish to read Americanised versions, I suggest you buy them throughthe internet and order from an English website (eg Amazon.co.uk or waterstones.co.uk. I sometimes do this with American books and CDs which have not been released in the UK (we are always left till last). These books are the ones you should be buying for 9 - 11 year old daughters, sons, nieces, nephews,random children in the street. If they are not already avid readers there is a good chance this will kick start them (never a bad thing). Buy them for any age, actually - my little sister has hardly seen her copies as I keep stealing them (I am 19). Back onto Salinger... the thing about Americanised versions reminded me of something I keep meaning to say. I have occasionally heard scathing comments about the way that the English versions of Salinger's books were expurgated without Salinger's permission. For one thing, the changes are not as sweeping as some have made out (I compared an American bought copy with my original copy and there is almost no difference). Secondly, although deleting the word fuck was clearly a fairly ridiculous act, given its innocent context, there is something quite nice about it being censored. It conveys the impression that Holden is so disturbed by the fuck yous on the wall that he can't bring himself to say them, not even in his mind. Not Salinger's idea, but not a disaster either. Love and happy reading, Lucy-Ruth ---------------------- LR Pearson, Arts 99 lp9616@bristol.ac.uk