Book Hermione would never ever have punched Draco. (This is my "Girls can be strong characters without physical violence being involved" rant)

Actually, she smacked him in book 3, which I just finished rereading.

"Girls can be strong characters without physical violence being involved"

And boys!

It doesn't bother me at all that Hermione is prettier in the movies than she (supposedly) is in the books. Actually, I've never gotten the sense from the books that she's supposed to be not good-looking. Apart from her teeth, which she fixes pretty handily in book 4, what about her is mentioned as being unattractive? And anyway, was there ever any chance that the producers and directors would cast someone in the role who isn't pretty?

Apart from her teeth, which she fixes pretty handily in book 4, what about her is mentioned as being unattractive?

Her very bushy hair is mentioned over and over again, throughout the books. She's never described as pretty, though she's also never described as ugly, really.

I tend to follow the argument that this is partly because Harry isn't attracted to her, and the book takes his perspective on appearances. I've always imagined her character to be fairly pretty, though Emma Watson gorgeous is another thing. There's only about 5 high school students in the world as pretty as her, so Hermione probably wouldn't be one of them, but that's how movies work.

I guess I need to re-read, then. Do you recall the situation, Perkins?

Of course, Kate. I think of it as somewhat of a post-Buffy thing that that's the mold for a "strong girl".

I got the not so pretty (really, mostly taken in a "mostly not so concerned with or spending time on looking pretty") impression from the supposed transformation of the ball (which would be far less striking for someone who did themselves up on a regular basis) and other things I can't remember right now (I know, not so helpful)

Heh. I went and looked it up to make sure I wasn't confused. Page 293 of the US hardback. Draco insults Hagrid, and Hermoine smacks him.

Actually, I've never gotten the sense from the books that she's supposed to be not good-looking. Apart from her teeth, which she fixes pretty handily in book 4, what about her is mentioned as being unattractive?

Same here. "Bushy hair" doesn't mean ugly, and Emma Watson has the bushy hair.

mostly taken in a "mostly not so concerned with or spending time on looking pretty"

This I could definitely get behind as describing Hermione though. And the movies were doing fine with this up until the trendy scarf outfit for Hogsmeade last movie.

And I kinda hate Hermione's ball gown in GoF-the-movie.

And, psst, Debet, you are pretty! So wanting Hermione to be not pretty because you identify with her is not of the sense-making

Emma Watson's hair in the first movie was a lot bushier, and she had a sort of scrunched-up face as a 11-year-old--cute as a button, but not what I would call a beautiful child. She really blossomed in the third movie, and... well, I'm sure the producers of the films are not overly lamenting the fact that Watson is turning into a knockout.

I don't mind the down-playing of her booksmarts as long as we are shown her intelligence in action in other ways. I ADORED the take-charge Hermione with the time-turner in the climax of the third flick. Smart chicks are so hot. [/Xander]

I just hope that they show her being unreasonably jealous of the HBP in the adaptation of Book 6. That's a good example of her stubborness in adhering to the rules, which they didn't show in the movie version of PoA (since they took out the whole "where did the Firebolt come from" issue).

Her very bushy hair is mentioned over and over again, throughout the books. She's never described as pretty, though she's also never described as ugly, really.

Okay, but Emma Watson does have the bushy hair (especially in the first two movies). And anyway, I have fairly bushy hair, so am somewhat less inclined to read that as shorthand for not-pretty.

I tend to follow the argument that this is partly because Harry isn't attracted to her, and the book takes his perspective on appearances. I've always imagined her character to be fairly pretty,

That makes sense to me. After all, Ron is fairly taken with her--not to mention Viktor Krum, who must certainly have his pick of groupies--and doesn't one of the Slug Club develop a thing for her too ?

though Emma Watson gorgeous is another thing.

Hmm. I think Emma Watson is plenty pretty, but she hardly strikes me as head-and-shoulders above every other girl her age in the world.

I got the not so pretty (really, mostly taken in a "mostly not so concerned with or spending time on looking pretty") impression from the supposed transformation of the ball (which would be far less striking for someone who did themselves up on a regular basis)

I read that as "Hermione brushes her hair, fixes her teeth, and puts on a dress, and suddenly is totally HOTT", which says to me that the raw material there is pretty good to begin with. Though I think your interpretation also makes a lot of sense.

edit: cereal:

She really blossomed in the third movie, and... well, I'm sure the producers of the films are not overly lamenting the fact that Watson is turning into a knockout.

Heh. Good point.