Wednesday, August 1, 2007
HP book 7
If you are a fan and have finished book 7, please leave feedback as to what you liked/disliked about Rowling's final book in her epic series (and comment on what other's write). If you haven't read it yet, don't peruse the comments section just yet. If you don't plan to read it, well, that's up to you! :)
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I thought the book was possibly her strongest yet, though it did start out slow for me (anyone else?). In no particular order: I felt a deep sense of loss when Mad-Eye died right out of the gate because to me, he was one of the strongest in the Order and then he was gone. I also felt a deep sense of loss when Lupin died; in fact, i didn't think she'd kill him off. I think it was odd that he and Tonks married and terribly sad that Teddy would share Harry's fate of living without 2 parents (though was pleased with Harry's strength when he told Lupin to man-up and be a dad). I enjoyed the smattering of humor throughout (esp. about Ron's intellect), and cheered when he and Hermione finally kissed; loved that it was after he stood up for the house elfs. I enjoyed Kreacher's transformation and even sensed that he made Grimauld Place feel more like a home; i actually felt that. After finising book 6, i guessed (along with many others) that Snape was in cohoots with Dumbledore, yet at the moment Nagini killed him (how awful was that!?), wondered if I had been wrong, as we hadn't seen anything to prove otherwise. I breathed easier when on the next page, Harry rushed to his side and they shared a brief interlude. Giving Harry his thoughts was powerful and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I found it heart-wrenching to learn the truth about his love for Lily, but was glad to learn the truth about his double identity. One of the more memorable scenes in the book was as Snape lay dying, wispered to Harry, "Look...at...me" and as Shel pointed out to me, this was because he had Lily's eyes. Wow. The battle at Hogwarts was top notch and fast-paced; I love how she placed the final battle there. I loved Neville's role in the book and could really see his growth as a character; liked how he was able to play to his strengths in the final battle. Also, liked that Luna made another appearance (though wished to learn more about her at book's end and did not). I enjoyed learning more history about Grindlewald and Dumbledore, though would have apprecaited more hints about these events in previous books. I enjoyed watching H,R, and H's relationship mature as they embarked on their quest to destory Horcrux's/find the Deathly Hallows. The battle between Voldemort and Harry had somewhat of a surreal quality to me as i read, perhaps it was because he had just seen those he loved, thanks to the stone? i feel like Harry came full cirlce in that last scene with his archenemy. The epilogue is hit or miss. While part of me did enjoy learning about where they ended up, part of me thought it wrapped up too neat and tidy. Yet, i did love that Harry and Ginny named their children after the fallen heroes in their lives (although, was Snape really a hero? maybe that's another posting entirely). Tell me what you thought!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED IT! I agree that the end wrapped up a little too neatly, but how else could she have done it considering she supposedly doesn't want to write about these characters anymore. I too, was very sad that both Lupin and Tonks died and wanted to know a little more about how Harry stepped as as Teddy's step father. I was also really sad that Hedwig died in the opening of the book (along with Mad Eye). After all, she was Harry's only companion in those lonely days with awful relatives. Maybe she died because he wouldn't be needing her in that role anymore. My question is how come Draco was the Elder Wand's true master at the end of the book? I couldn't remember what happened in book 6 to make him the rightful owner. Loved the fact that Snape was living a double life. I thought that's what was going on until he killed off Dumbledore last book. I really am sad that these books are over. I could totally imagine life at Hogwart's!
ReplyDeleteYou gave a good summation of my thoughts too. I thought this was a really great book, and overall have no complaints. Like most, the epilogue was a bit too tidy, but it was kinda fun to know what happened years later. I wish there had been more with Ginny. I honestly was surprised that Ron or Hermonie didn't die, but I'm so glad they didn't - I just was expecting them to. It's sad to think about George without Fred. SO glad that Percy showed up and did the right thing - yea! Loved how Mrs. Weasley finished off Bellatrix. Loved hearing the truth about Snape -- I hoped it would be so all along -- I just felt sad that he had such a lonely, miserable life. I liked at the end how Harry and Draco gave each other polite nods, which to me, shows they have reconciled in their own ways even if they won't be true friends. I thought a lot of the stuff with V and the Horcruxes were a bit confusing - as you said probably would have been better to have woven more in with previous books, but still, how many authors can produce so many solid, wonderful books 7x in a row! I'm sad to see it come to a close, although there is a relief in knowing how it ends too.
ReplyDeleteI read an article that Stephen King wrote before the last book came out that best sums up my feelings..."No story can be great without closure. There must be closure, because it's the human condition. And since that's how it is, I'll be in line with my money in my hand... And I must admit, sorrow in my heart."
ReplyDeleteI felt this way throughout the whole book and was on the verge of tears and yelling so many times. I think it had to do with a part of me that is closed and gone that I will never get back and will not continue on. I hated reading the book and drug it out as long as I could making excuses for why I couldn't pick the book up and continue reading. I knew it was the last one and closure would come inevitably. And something inside me did not want it to end. It was very emotional for me when I got to the epilogue.
My opinion of the book is..great! I did think the beginning was a little slow with all the hiding out I was thinking "Come on with some fighting already!" I have to say my favorite TWO parts of the book were Peter Pettigrew's final teensy moment of mercy for Harry and then when Harry talks to his son about having Severus for a middle name and that was the bravest man he ever knew. Loved it!
Snape was redeemed which I had known all along and that Dumbledore had ordered Snape to kill him. Knew it then too. But as I was getting close to the end, I was getting worried for Snape that he would be a jerk after all. He was a very strong man to follow D and V at the same time. He was the better, more complex character I believe out of all the characters in the series.
I worried for everybody as I went through the book not knowing who was gonna get killed. It was very gut wrenching at times. I just knew Hermione was going to die at the Malfoy's.
The whole book happened in a perfect and proper order with everything tidied up at the end. I miss the characters even now! They were like family.
I want to give thanks so much to Ms. Rowling for lending us for a while her wonderful, vivid, and complex imagination.
Goodbye, Harry!
As I read what Tammy A had to say in her comment, I remembered a trip last year to New York to see Stephen King, John Irving and JK Rowling give a reading for charity at Radio City Music Hall. What an amazing night. I have read quite a bit by all three authors. I have to compare my feelings about finishing HP book 7 with my feelings of finishing Stephen King's amazing 7 book series: The Dark Tower. Unfortunately, Stephen King wins when it comes to creating an emotional connection. I didn't cry when I had read the last pages of HP. Maybe it's that HP lives on in other media like the movies (so it feels like he's still going to be around) and Stephen King's Gunslinger and cast felt more private. Has anyone else read that series? I almost considered not reading the epilogue at the end of HP thanks to what Stephen King did at the end of the 7th Dark Tower book. He suggests you stop reading before the epilogue... but who could actually do that?! So I continued on and was shocked to find out what was at the top of the Dark Tower. But getting back to HP. I was surprised to find out that both Ron and Hermione were spared death. I think JK was a bit surprised herself when she finished the book with them still alive. I think she writes like SK, where she puts her charaters into situations and who they are drives the plot. Anyway... so if JK is not going to write about these charaters anymore, is she going to write at all?
ReplyDeletelots of good feedback!
ReplyDeleteKim, Draco was the Elder Wand's master because he took it from Dumbledore at the end of Half-Blood Prince after Snape AK'd him.
La, I forgot about Fred dying; that was one of the saddest parts to me. He and George were always so good together, it's hard to imagine G w/out F. And I agree, I thought that R or H was going to die in the end, and was surprised one of them didn't.
Tam, great SK quote; it sums up great reads quite well. One of the only parts I actually teared up at was when Harry reveals his son's middle name. Amazing!
Liz, I like reading epilogues overall and finding out what the author had in mind for the characters. I have not read SK's Dark Tower series; maybe you could loan them to me? I saw an interview with JK Rowling and she said she will absolutely continue writing, though she is done with the wizarding world.
I'm surprised to hear how many of you thought Snape was good. I did too, but most of my local friends thought I was crazy. (vindication feels good!) I thought it was a little unbelievable that Harry doesn't grab Ginny for "one last kiss" when he passes her on the way to meet Voldemort.
ReplyDeleteI love that Harry Potter is yet another resurrection myth. In some of my literature classes in college we discussed the human need to retell the resurrection of Christ, even in secular and non-Christian religious settings.
Listen to audiences cheer when Aslan returns; when the "white wizard" is not Sarumon, but a regenerated Gandalf; when Han Solo unfreezes. The ancient myth of the Phoenix--which appears in almost all Ancient Near East epics--is constantly referenced in our culture, not least by HP's Fawkes, a literal phoenix.
The idea of dying and coming back to life purer, stronger, brighter ... I think it's a common hope of all humanity. We all deeply wish that the little (or big) bit of "Voldemort" that lives in each of us will be purged from us, and that we may live without the constant pull of evil upon our lives.
On another note, I LOVE Rowlings' word play, from Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley to the code names she gives the Order of the Phoenix when they're on the radio. Lupin (latin for wolf) is a werewolf and his given name Remus and his code name Romulus come from Roman mythology: they are twins--sons of a god--who were raised by wolves. Just as the man and wolf sides of Lupin battle one another, so Romulus and Remus battled--ending in Romulus murdering Remus. Romulus went on to found Rome, and gave his name to the city. By naming Lupin "Remus" (and not "Romulus"), Rowling foreshadows his death--like if she had named him Abel. There's just something brilliant about her allusions that captures the imaginations of adults as well as children.
So, those are my comments. I love the epic stories, and I can't wait until I can read these books to my (as yet hypothetical) kids.
Loved reading all the comments...have many of the same thoughts and feelings.
ReplyDeleteOverall...I was pleased with the book. The most emotional part for me was the forest...chapter 34 I believe off hand. Harry's willingness to take this last step to finish the battle...what bravery. But when he opened the snitch to have those who have gone on back with him...awwww, tears were flowing. I loved how his parents expressed their pride and love. I also was pleased that Lupin was there with them and Harry was able to have the closure he needed in that relationship. As for the next chapter and seeing Snape's memories...great! I was getting worried that maybe he was on the Dark side. I enjoyed gaining insight to his relationship with lily as well as her sister. Speaking of which would love to know more about dudley now.
Another note: Dumbledore...wow, what a life. JK did an excellent job in writing such a character. I liked so much that he wasn't so perfect after all but yet he found peace with himself for his mistakes and with Harry as well.
As for the epiloque...I enjoyed it but I like cheesyness...it was to fairy tale but for me that is what I always like to know. Would want more on Teddy and Harry's relationship. I am just thankful that JK answered the most important questions that I had so I am at ease with finishing this series. Plus I have to say I love that Neville is a professor!
Also...has anyone heard anything about a book about some of the less known characters. Greg's brother...avid HP fan...said he heard JK was going to write a book about the history/life of some characters such as Dean Thomas, etc...anyone know?