Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Book 5

By: J.K. Rowling

Narrated by: Jim Dale

Length: 27 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

"'You are sharing the Dark Lord's thoughts and emotions. The Headmaster thinks it inadvisable for this to continue. He wishes me to teach you how to close your mind to the Dark Lord.'" 

Dark times have come to Hogwarts. After the Dementors' attack on his cousin Dudley, Harry Potter knows that Voldemort will stop at nothing to find him. There are many who deny the Dark Lord's return, but Harry is not alone: a secret order gathers at Grimmauld Place to fight against the dark forces. Harry must allow Professor Snape to teach him how to protect himself from Voldemort's savage assaults on his mind. But they are growing stronger by the day and Harry is running out of time....

©2003 J.K. Rowling (P)2003 Listening Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic Reviews

"To call Dale a 'reader' of books is like saying Monet was a Sunday painter." (Los Angeles Times)

Best Book You'll Read This Year

If you could sum up Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Book 5 in three words, what would they be?

Total Chaos Threatens.

Pivotal Volume in Series.

Never Saw it Coming!!!

This volume forms the crux of the overall Harry Potter saga, as the tension builds inexorably from the beginning of the novel (when only Harry, alone of the magical community, has firsthand knowledge not only that the Dark Lord has risen but that he has begun attacks within the muggle community) and the end (when....NO SPOILERS, but let's just say the cat is out of the bag on the Voldemort question). In between, Harry must endure not only the scorn and ridicule of those whom he once counted as friends, not only ceaseless mockery in the corrupt press, not only official legal action against him brought by corrupt and ignorant ministry officials...but also actual physical torture at the hands of at least one secret Death Eater/sympathizer who has managed to infiltrate the Hogwarts faculty.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Book 5?

Among the most crucial scene in this, the pivotal Harry Potter volume, are the attack on Dudley, the revelation of a secret witch who has been masquerading as a Privet Drive Muggle for Harry's entire lifetime, Harry's trial at the Ministry (with the unforgettable surprise appearance of Dumbledore, to the astonishment of the entire courtroom), Snape's worst memory explored, Rita Skeeter finally getting (thanks to Hermione) the comeuppance she so richly deserves, the intense drama on the stairway when the evil Dolores Umbridge attempts to expel the foolish visionary Professor Trelawney, the unforgettable scene in which the Weasley twins announce a change in their educational plan (during one of the final and most intensely satisfying laugh-out-loud chapters you will ever read, "Career Advice), and the final dramatic confrontation between good and evil within the Ministry, bringing with it, as it does, a complete reversal of feeling about Harry within the magical community at large.

This is a rollicking good read that stands alone as a superb novel for any age reader.

What about Jim Dale’s performance did you like?

As usual, Jim Dale creates additional magic within an already magical story by bringing each character to life, with never a wrong note, a too-lengthy pause, or a mispronunciation. But in this volume his performances of the female characters are standouts--especially Umbridge, McGonagall, Mrs. Figg, Hermione, Trelawney, and the "journalist," Rita Skeeter.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Out Of the Shadows

Any additional comments?

[PLEASE PRESS 'YES' IF YOU FOUND THIS REVIEW EVEN THE LEAST BIT HELPFUL! THANK YOU!!!!]

136 of 160 people found this review helpful

Don't worry. You're just as sane as I am

“...thoughts could leave deeper scars than almost anything else.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

The fifth novel in the series, the longest, and by this time one that emerges into a fully-formed Potter Mania. The first Harry Potter move was released in November 2001 and went on to make nearly $1B US worldwide. This was the first book to be released AFTER the movies started to drop. From now on, it was going to be difficult to think of Harry Potter without seeing Daniel Radcliff.

Part of the reason I love the audiobooks: Jim Dale's narration, and returning to them gives me an opportunity to return to the pre-movie version of Harry Potter where the books, character, and place exist in words and not pictures (well except now there are now illustrated versions of the Harry Potter series).

35 of 52 people found this review helpful

You're just as sane as I am

Story: Order of the Phoenix is truly amazing! The story; the way it builds, the tension and suspense, everything about it is beautifully detailed and yet again captivating. There is so much in this book that I never realized before (having only seen the movie previously). There is a lot of action, but I think my favorite parts are from the amount of information that is given that helps develop and further drive the story. I also found it hilarious thinking of the characters ages in this book and myself at that time in life... typical teenage troubles :P

Performance: For me, something about Jim Dale's performance missed the mark compared to the other books. I can't remember all the characters, but a few of the female characters didn't sound right (or how I would have thought in my head). Luna stands out the most, though. Whenever she came up, I would think it was another guy in the group until the description came in saying it was Luna speaking. Aside from that, the other characters (and there are plenty of characters) were really great!

Overall: It's funny, this book was one of my least favorite originally (again, having only seen the movie previously - for some reason I just didn't think much of it), but now it's one of my favorites! I really feel it's an action-packed book, starting with the attack in the beginning and the duel towards the end. That said, there is also a lot in between that gives Order of the Phoenix so much magic!

6 of 9 people found this review helpful

Even Better The Second Time

What a story, what a story, what a story. I'm commenting on this book but I'm talking about the series as a whole. This will go down as one of the best series ever written in our time. A truly great example of the wanders the human brain can conceive. Hats off and applause for j.k. Rowling creating something so thorough, and awe inspiring that I wouldn't be surprised if at some point in our lives this series turns out to be based on something going on that we are not currently aware of. A truly magical story (no pun intended but now that I mention it, it might as well be) that every child should read. Inspiring courage in the face of ever growing danger, friendship when its easy to go your separate ways, and fighting to the death and beyond for what you believe in. The movies pale in comparison to this work of art, and the story told is better suited to drawn in your mind as opposed to a world bound by physical limitations. Jim dale brings the story to life in the most uncompromising of ways. He reads with the right amount of enthusiasm and is so good representing different characters it's as if there's a whole cast. A model story(series as a whole) and model voice performance. I will listen to this story again and again and again!

15 of 24 people found this review helpful

Good

Very nice my dud. Good book good good book and it's not the only one that is the best

7 of 12 people found this review helpful

Thrilled Harry Potter is now Available on Audible!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is not my favorite book in the series, Harry can get quite angsty, but it is still delivers great entertainment and is one of the most necessary books in the series. Voldemort is back, clues to future events are hidden in the text, important events occur, important characters in the war are introduced, and key information is given. Harry's story moves on dramatically and he grows up significantly, turning from angry, angsty, troubled, and misunderstood kid, to the character he must become to take on what lies before him.

As usual Jim Dale's narration is spot on. I'm always amazed at how he is able to create so many different characters and keep their voices consistent throughout the entire series.

After listening to these books on CD for years, and then having to rip each of the disks to the computer to be able to listen to them digitally, I'm extremely excited to be able to listen to one of my favorite series's so easily. For a bit of comparison I pulled out those discs and found that this audiobook alone consisted of 23 separate discs consisting of 10 or more tracks each and cost $75 at the when it was first released.

12 of 21 people found this review helpful

Jim Dale is the best narrator ever!

easy to obsessively listen more than once. Jim Dale is the best narrator ever! his voices make it easy to know who is talking.

10 of 18 people found this review helpful

best series I've listened to.

I listen to the harry potter series no less then once a year! It's amazing. The writing is amazing, the Performance is off on a few characters especially when you get into back story but that's honestly nit picking. purchase the whole series it's worth it!

A masterful narrator. voice acting unparalleled

so sick. Loved his Hagrid voice, Dumbledore, Hermione is amazing. so many good things about this

Pure magic

What a wonderful way to escape everyday life and drift off into a witchcraft and wizarding world. Recommend these books over and over ! Specially to kiddos