Begun a decade ago and encompassing six shelf-bending novels, the seventh and concluding volume of the international literary phenomenon that is the Harry Potter saga comes to a bombshell-packed - and oh so satisfying - conclusion in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, arguably the most wildly anticipated release in modern publishing history.
As the novel begi...moreBegun a decade ago and encompassing six shelf-bending novels, the seventh and concluding volume of the international literary phenomenon that is the Harry Potter saga comes to a bombshell-packed - and oh so satisfying - conclusion in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, arguably the most wildly anticipated release in modern publishing history.
As the novel begins, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are on the run from Lord Voldemort, whose minions of Death Eaters have not only taken control of the Minister of Magic but have begun to systematically - and forcibly - change the entire culture of the magic community: Muggle-born wizards, for example, are being rounded up and questioned, and all "blood traitors" are being imprisoned. But as Voldemort and his followers ruthlessly pursue the fugitive with the lightning bolt scar on his forehead, Potter finally uncovers the jaw-dropping truth of his existence.(less)
“I’m going to keep going until I succeed — or die. Don’t think I don’t know how this might end. I’ve known it for years.” — Harry Potter
Most seventeen-year olds don’t view the possibility of an early death as being, well, possible. But then again, most seventeen-year olds haven’t come face-to-face with death almost half a dozen times before their first kiss either.
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final installment of the ridiculously popular Harry ...more“I’m going to keep going until I succeed — or die. Don’t think I don’t know how this might end. I’ve known it for years.” — Harry Potter
Most seventeen-year olds don’t view the possibility of an early death as being, well, possible. But then again, most seventeen-year olds haven’t come face-to-face with death almost half a dozen times before their first kiss either.
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final installment of the ridiculously popular Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling brilliantly ties up every loose end that she has planted over the last ten years since the very first outing of the series was published in 1997. Truly, Rowling has learned exactly what her fans want and subsequently delivers a book that answers every Potterhead’s questions — and then some.
Not only does Deathly Hallows revisit key places and characters from all of the previous six books, but Rowling even manages to make clever references to previous bits of dialogue from her earlier books. Case in point: near the end of the first Potter book, after Hermione fails to see the magical solution to saving the trio from a nasty patch of Devil’s Snare, Harry’s best mate Ron bellows “HAVE YOU GONE MAD? ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?” Now, six years later, Hermione finally gets her revenge on her red-headed friend when Ron believes that all is lost until Hermione yells to him “Are you a wizard, or what?” thus reminding Ron to use his wand to solve their problem. Subtle references such as this are a large part of what makes Rowling’s books so enjoyable to re-read as there are always deeper meanings and additional allusions that are often only discovered via multiple read-throughs.
Harry’s bold statement regarding his own potential death is also a prime example of how much Rowling truly wrote Harry’s last tale for her long-time fans. This line seems to read as a secret “shout-out” to the Potterites who have also known for years that the series might not end happily ever after. The prophecy in the fifth book revealed that “neither shall live while the other survives”, and therefore by the end of book seven either Harry or Voldemort had to die. Rowling cleverly fills her last installment with so many twists, turns and complications, however, that it becomes practically impossible to determine which way this book is going to end.
More than any of the other Potter books, Deathly Hallows is a true quest narrative, with the trio spending the majority of the story hunting for horcruxes and hallows whilst evading capture by Voldemort’s Death Eaters. The multiple close-calls that all three main characters find themselves in throughout the book add to the tension that continues to build until the predictably bloody battle at the end of the tale. The book does, after all, chronicle a brutal war, so be prepared for a lot of killing and, consequently, a lot of tears.
This is not to say that Deathly Hallows doesn’t offer up a great deal of laughs as well. The hilarious twins Fred and George Weasley make several appearances to ensure that the book isn’t all doom and gloom. By far, the funniest part of the story is the secret radio show Potterwatch, anonymously hosted by former Hogwarts Quidditch commentator Lee Jordan with special appearances from Fred, George, and ex-Defence Against the Dark Arts professor Remus Lupin. Rowling perfectly mixes this blend of humour, tragedy and adventure so that her epic-length novel never lags or drags.
To write a 607 page book that millions of die-hard fans around the world are able to devour in less than 24 hours is no mean feat, but Rowling’s farewell to the Boy Who Lived is an incredibly gripping page-turner that will leave all Potter lovers immensely satisfied.(less)
MichelineAmazing review for the incredible final book from an incomparable series! Rowling is an absolute genius, I doubt there will ever be a series that eve...moreAmazing review for the incredible final book from an incomparable series! Rowling is an absolute genius, I doubt there will ever be a series that even comes close to Harry Potter. I've read and re-read this series many times, and it's never gotten old.(less)
Jun 25, 2011 07:33am
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.Ok, before I start a few warnings. This will contain spoilers (though since I'm writing this a year after the release I don't think it's too much of a tragedy), it will be long and it will be negative because I really didn't like this book.
Reading books one to five I was very impressed with the storytelling from a novice novellist. There was magic, there were characters you could love, and sure there were some cliche'd storylines, but they were interspersed with really interesting ...moreOk, before I start a few warnings. This will contain spoilers (though since I'm writing this a year after the release I don't think it's too much of a tragedy), it will be long and it will be negative because I really didn't like this book.
Reading books one to five I was very impressed with the storytelling from a novice novellist. There was magic, there were characters you could love, and sure there were some cliche'd storylines, but they were interspersed with really interesting sidestories (Peeves, SPEW, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes). I was enthralled as a teenager and I am enthralled now as an adult when I re-read them.
But I have to say the the quality dropped markedly in books six and seven. The ramblings (that started out cute in GoF and OotP) have become pronounced and boring. The characters have lost much of what made them endearing, and the plot has gone to hell.
Focusing on Deathly Hallows, I had a very strong feeling that six months before her deadline, JKR went on to the internet, discovered that everyone had guessed her 'twists' (honestly, who didn't know that Harry was an accidental Horcrux, RAB was Sirius's brother, the diadem was at Hogwarts, the locket was at Grimmauld Place, Dumbledore ordered Snape to kill him, Snape was in love with Lily and Ron would be a it and abandon Harry and Hermione?), and felt the need to come up with a new plot device. This would explain the incredible stupidity that is the deathly hallows and the plot holes and gaps in logic that involve them.
Now, it has been a while since I read it so some of my names and such might be wrong, and if it does answer the questions in the book in such a round about way I apologise, but the Elder Wand does not make sense. I'm willing to accept that it follows it's own set of rules separate from those of other wands (where Haary can use Hermione's wand almost as well as his own and all of the disarming they did in book five didn't make their wands all change ownerships) but the course of events whereby Harry became the owner of the wand are just plain silly. If Grindelwald simply stole the wand from Gregorovich (sp?), how did that make him the wands owner? If the wand is unbeatable, how did Dumbledore defeat Grindelwald (I know Rita Skeeter theorised that Grindelwald surrended, but how does that pass the wand's ownership to Dumbledore. Surrender is not the same as defeat). And if the wand is unbeatable, why was Dumbledore unable to defeat Voldemort when they dueled on OotP? And also, is Harry really so conceited and stupid to think that no one would ever defeat or disarm him, making them the owner of the wand? Shouldn't he have broken it? If he does become an auror in later life someone is bound to disarm him eventually, and if they knew about the wand, they could easily steal it back from Dumbledore's tomb.
The other major thing that ticked me off was the characterisation. Hermione, Harry and Ron have always been some of my favourite characters, but here they are acting completely different from previous books. Harry using Unforgivable curses without a hint of remorse, and not comforting Hermione when Ron takes off, instead staring at a 'Ginny-dot'. Can we say creepy and stalkerish?
And Hermione, who for the most part was still loyal and brave and smart (loved the bottomless bag bit, and her being there for Harry at Godric's Hollow), was so pathetic when it came to Ron. I know love makes people do the wacky, but crying for days on end when they're supposed to be searching for Horcruxes, kissing him in the middle of the war because he finally showed a tiny inkling of care towards the house-elves.
And Ron. Gah! I mean, I love Ron, but you would have thought he could have grown up a little, just a smidgen. But no, running away because of the locket (one ring to rule them all...). Those who defend him saying it affected him more than Harry or Hermione because he had more insecurities is just dumb. Harry and Hermione had just as much to be insecure about. Harry, with his saving-people-thing, could easily have gone nuts with the locket around his neck and ran away from the others because he was terrified that they'd get killed. And Hermione has always been insecure, about being Muggle-born, about proving herself, about Ron and Harry and their friendships. Sure, he wanted to come back the moment he left, but he still left. Which I could accept were it not for such a stupid reason. And then he got his 'super-moment' which was so lame. Honestly, 'Ron can remember and copy paseltongue', uhuh. Wouldn't it have made much more sense to say, have Ginny come along, who could possibly still say the word from when she opened it under Tom's control in CoS. And then Ron mentioned the house-elves, to make himself 'worthy' (JKR's words, not mine) of Hermione. For one thing, why does he need to make himself 'worthy' since she already loved him for all his insensitivity and insecurity, and why did that 'worthiness' have to be something that Harry already had in abounds?
Yes, I am a H/Hr shipper, but that is by no means the reason I hated this book (as you can see from above). If H/Hr had been handled as badly as R/Hr or H/G, I would have hated it. But the fact remains that the most romantic scenes in this book were between Harry and Hermione. At Grimmauld Place when Harry showed Hermione the picture, at the wedding where Hermione beamed at Harry, at Godric's Hollow where they strolled arm in arm under the kissing gate in the snow. While in canon, Harry married Ginny and Ron married Hermione, that will never convince me that they are the better couples. Harry and Hermione had the friendship, the trust, the alchemy. They were the most developed relationship in the series, and the fact that they didn't end up together in the book doesn't change that.
The final things I feel like picking on - the epilogue came across as being written by a teenage fangirl. No depth, no meaning, just stupid-named kids. I get that JKR wanted Harry to end the book with the normal family life he never had, it could have been handled so much better. And seriously, Albus Severus? That poor kid must have been teased horribly. And why Severus? Sure, he turned out to be not evil, but for Harry to chance his mind about the man after seven years of abuse and ill treatment just because he was scamming on Lily. It's just gross. And unrealistic. I was so hoping there was more to Snape's story than twenty years of unrequited love. Gah. It may have been a sweet way for him to become not evil, but Lily was very, very dead for a very long time, and no one holds on that hard to love. If caring for her wasn't enough for him to stray away from the dark arts while she was alive, why was it enough when she was dead?
Also, the invisibility cloak was supposed to be infallible, and yet Moody saw through it in OotP and Dementor's could see through it in PoA, supposedly. And, my god did the death scene's suck in this book. Yes, its a war so plenty of people, including main characters were going to die, but when I felt worse about Dobby than I did about Remus (who is one of my favourite characters) you just know that the author hasn't put enough emotion into it. He was the last of the Marauders, for god's sake, he deserved an on-page death at the very least. Maybe defending Harry or Tonks. Something!
Well, there ends the rant. There were a few good points in the novel (like Godric's Hollow, before the stupidity of Harry not realising that Bathilda was Nagini, and the awesomeness of Neville) but they were few and far between and do not at all make up for the rest of the drivel.
Read it because it is the conclusion to a series that took seventeen years to write, but do not expect the fireworks that such a finale could have been. There's better fanfics out there.(less)
CallieWhile I can agree that it is not my favorite, I don't think it is all that terrible. Perhaps you lot are all brilliant but most if not all of the 'bi...moreWhile I can agree that it is not my favorite, I don't think it is all that terrible. Perhaps you lot are all brilliant but most if not all of the 'big reveals' were a surprise to me. I very much enjoyed the snape/lily discovery and while I can agree that the ending is a bit fangirl, I found it comforting to know that everything turned out alright. As a sidenote, I don't like judging anyone's fandom, I think if you love every word ever spoken by JK you are a fan and I think that if you have some issues with the book or dislike a turn in the story you are also a fan, it seems petty to argue otherwise and THAT is VERY fangirl(less)
Jan 12, 2012 03:05pm
MorganI couldn't agree less, the book tied everything together. I never saw the twists and there were no holes that I could tell.
Jan 24, 2012 05:17pm
I've read all of the Harry Potters twice except for this one. I read them as they came out (I think starting at the third because I'd missed the Pottermania up to that book), and then after the sixth, in a fit of perversity, I read them all backwards. Not the books themselves, but in backwards order. I recommend that; it was fun. You see certain foreshadowings you hadn't been aware of before. Anyway, so I got to this one, and I was fully engripped - so I made that word up; shut up – in all the h...moreI've read all of the Harry Potters twice except for this one. I read them as they came out (I think starting at the third because I'd missed the Pottermania up to that book), and then after the sixth, in a fit of perversity, I read them all backwards. Not the books themselves, but in backwards order. I recommend that; it was fun. You see certain foreshadowings you hadn't been aware of before. Anyway, so I got to this one, and I was fully engripped - so I made that word up; shut up – in all the hype insanity of the time. So I didn't stand in line at midnight and read all day, but I did go to an event put on my the public library, a concert by Harry and the Potters. Harry and the Potters are freaking adorable, a coupla kids who loved these books so much they had to write some rockin' tunes to the books they loved. They played a local high school's football field until the generator ran out, and I got a boss tee-shirt that reads “This Guitar is a Horcrux.” Yay, baby.
Anyway, then it turned out I was one of those crunchy old grown-ups who thought this book was pretty disappointing. The deaths are ticked off like a metronome; the first third reads like Harry Potter: Bickering While Camping; the exposition is so freaking hamfisted and infodumpy that it's embarrassing to see from a novelist of Rowling's experience; the prologue mawkish and blarg. (Yes, the MLA accepts blarg as an adjective.)
But.
So at some point in the last five years I was at my mother's house for a cook-out, hanging around with her professorial buddies. Mum was an English professor forever, and a lot of her friends are colleagues, fellow practitioners of the Dark Arts of English. I fell into a conversation with them about Harry Potter. Most of them had never read any Harry Potter, which made me get all reverse snob about their lack of populism. Seriously, you have to read this stuff if you hope to reach the kids coming up through the grinding system, I cried. But, of course, I says, I was pretty disappointed by the last one. Too much bickering while camping, I says. I sipped on my chardonnay.
Then one of my mother's friends who had actually read Potter read me the riot act. Like, full on, she destroyed me. I can't hope to relate her destruction of me here, because it was a while ago, and I was too busy being destroyed, but the gist was this: you have missed the point completely if you think the time Ron, Hermione and Harry spent bickering in the tent was just stupid and boring. That was the crux of the whole thing, the horcrux, it's where the soul lives in the story. I crawled away, decimated, unable to retort. Frankly, I read the thing too fast, too bleary-eyed, to come home with anything more than a catalog of events, tumbling towards the conclusion we were all gagging for when this last book came out. I knew what happened, and that was all.
So. I got sick this week. I couldn't hope to read the book I'm hacking at, with it's tricksy new words and difficult whatnot. One needs the clean, unadorned prose of the young adult when one is sick. At least this one does. I read, clutching my belly and moaning, the first third, the third with the bickering and camping, and I get what my mother's friend was on about. I don't find Deathly Hallows pretty disappointing, just kinda disappointing. Not overwhelmingly, not crushingly, just kinda.
But here's the rub: Deathly Hallows breaks the conventions of the last six books, breaks them in a way that makes sense to me now. Unless we are teens – and shouldn't we be vandalizing or pirating music instead of reading if we are? – we all left high school and walked into the horror of real life - “real life” - without a soul to guide us. Yes, maybe tons of people bent our ears and warned us about what was coming – the workaday, the responsibility – but we didn't listen. That's what we do when we matriculate, build a tent in the forest full of purpose and intent, and surround it with muffling charms so we don't have to hear a damn thing anyone else says. We are the Chosen Ones! We will fight...something! We don't even know what that is! Frak you, old people, you have lied to us because we weren't even listening! So, they bicker, those kids, and it was the bicker of the phone bill coming and having to be divided between three people who have never been confronted by a phone bill before. What is this arcane magic?
There other thing that really really worked for me this time through was the last confrontation between Harry and Voldemort. Very early in the novel, someone yells at Harry because he disarms a Death Eater instead of killing or stunning. "People are beginning to think of Expelliarmus as your signature move." And it has been, really; Harry has almost always thought defensively, staying alive through concealment and the protection of community. It's so wonderful to me that Rowling did not train up Harry as a soldier, awakening more and more magical abilities, growing into a towering badass through a series of musical sequences. (view spoiler)[So when Harry lets the Elder Wand go by, I cheered a little. When he plays possum and fights through disarmament, and it bloody well works, I was so happy. (hide spoiler)] I've been known to eye-roll at this sort of thing, but I do still appreciate the power of love, love, love, baby. That is was actual love, and not some enchanted sword with the word "love" engraved on the handle, that makes it even better.
My criticisms still stand: there is a lot in this book that could have been better written, like the confrontation and explication with Snape which is only retrospective. That could have had a ton more frission if it were...if something. If anything. If Harry and Snape could have had a moment alone before the horrible hammer drops, that would have been something. (view spoiler)[ Lupin and Tonks, I have had a hard time giving a crap about their crisis through the last two books, and their deaths felt cheap to me here, too determined, too something. And I am still keening for Hedwig in a way that I felt wasn't respected in the narrative. This may be a crappy thing, but I feel the death of animals more strongly. As much as we anthropomorphize them, they do not have a choice. Dobby though...holy shit. (hide spoiler)]
So. Well. Hrmm.
I kinda want to get into a bunch of complaining about the Deathly Hallows, because, structurally, they feel tacked on and needlessly confounding, like the author – cough cough – had read too many Internet speculations that nailed where she thought she was going. That's more or less true, I think, that Rowling felt she had to introduce epicycles in her star charts to make the cosmology work. Maybe it's not enough to make Harry the (view spoiler)[ last Horcrux, his soul twinned with the Dark Lord, the unspeakable Adult who values his mortgage over TEH CHILDREN, (hide spoiler)] but I think it probably would have been, especially because the Hallows are first mentions on the 400th page. The Hallows seem to me a vehicle for Harry to work out his Oedipal crisis with Dumbledore - maybe Oedipal is too strong a word, but Dumbledore has certainly been in loco parentis for Harry for much of his life. And as much as I've always admired Dumbledore, he is a distant and withholding parental figure. But without having to go full spoiler, while there are certainly parts of the whole Hallows thing that I think mesh quite well with the story - Harry's mastery of the (view spoiler)[Invisibility cloak, which is one of the Hallows, is a nice reminder of where Harry's strength's lie (hide spoiler)] - but the Hallows, like all of Dumbledore's family history, felt jumped on me, not lead up to properly in the previous books.
It's like all the pieces were here for a tremendous ending, but each individual piece was glopped in. The various sequences were often so disjointed from one another that I would have to go back and read carefully for the seam, the transition. While I absolutely love the fact that Neville (view spoiler)[ends up being this amazing leader, dispatching one of the Horcruxes, holding the students together. (hide spoiler)] He was, after all, just as likely to have become the Chosen One, based on the prophesy. But the prophesy isn't fate - Voldemort makes choices, as do Harry and the rest. I was less pumped about the ending for Malfoy. (view spoiler)[ It's less that I wanted him dead, but more that his continued importance seems unlikely. And it bugged me that the musketeers kept having to save his ass over and over, and they kept doing it to prove that they are the better people. Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy cradle their sick, asshattish son in the end, and I cringe. Bad people love their children too? Yes, they do. It doesn't make them better people though, and I kept cringing and cringing on through the epilogue. (hide spoiler)]
So, what do I say, not under cover of spoiler? This is a solid ending, my bellyaching be damned, even if the action is rushed, even if the denouement is unsatisfying, if you're looking for something other than the baldest of closure. I've always hated the term “closure”, because it is weak ass psychospeak, but sometimes an ending is just that, the close of the book, the closure, and it is as satisfying and unsatisfying as the thump of the pages hitting other pages, the end. We don't get that in life that often, I don't get that that often I should say, not bringing you into it. Still kinda disappointing, but not as disappointing as I remember. (less)
I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't read my review from 2007, when the book first came out, until after I'd published this one. I want to see how they compare - what thoughts/reactions etc. had changed, if any, and any additional insights - but it does make me nervous, because I reckon my first review will prove to be much better written - and what if I seem dumber this time around? I find I get a bit muddled ...moreThis review contains spoilers.
2011 REVIEW - 2ND READING
I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't read my review from 2007, when the book first came out, until after I'd published this one. I want to see how they compare - what thoughts/reactions etc. had changed, if any, and any additional insights - but it does make me nervous, because I reckon my first review will prove to be much better written - and what if I seem dumber this time around? I find I get a bit muddled from watching the films, too, in that after watching them I can't remember if bits were in the book or the film and vice versa. Oh well. Really must stop over-thinking things!
[Scroll down for my first review, from 2007.]
The final Harry Potter book always looks too short to me, like, how could everything possibly be wrapped up in a book that's not as long as The Order of the Phoenix, when there's still so much to do?! I felt that the first time, and I felt that again. But once again I admire Rowling's skill in crafting a tremendous story and a powerful ending for what is to me one of the best fantasy series out there.
There's a lot going on in this novel, but it's nicely balanced with quieter, slower parts and you really get that last chance to really know Harry, Ron and Hermione. Rowling never lets plot overpower her characters or her story, and she won't be rushed: the pacing is steady and consistent throughout, which only adds to the tension-filled scenes where you start biting your nails.
This is a book that makes me cry, and I'll tell you why - in a bit. I wondered how I could share all the things I love about this particular book, and figured listing them was probably the best option.
<ul> <li>Hedwig dying. I had completely forgotten, and it's so, so sad. I like how they did it for the movie, giving her a role and using her as a visual means of identifying Harry, since in the book it's more complicated.</li>
<li>Hermione erasing her existence - removing knowledge and memory of herself from her parents' minds and sending them off to Australia under new identities so that they aren't a target. There is something incredibly tragic about this, though it doesn't get much attention. I can't imagine the kind of strength and resolve it would take to do that, though the realities of the world would probably help give you the resolve.</li>
<li>Kreacher becoming an ally. And all for an act of genuine kindness (Harry gives him "Master Regulus'" locket after hearing his story). And what he was made to do for Voldemort. Nothing, not even Kreacher, is black and white, and that's an important lesson to learn. He betrayed Sirius at the end of The Order of the Phoenix, but when you learn more about him, you realise it's not a simple matter at all.</li>
<li>Dobby's death. He was such a brave, selfless elf, and as characters, he and Kreacher really brought into sharp relief the whole issue of house elves and their mistreatment.</li>
<li>The mortality of the Weasley's. Until this book, they always struck me as one of those solid features who come close to utter tragedy but always manage to avoid it, like with Arthur getting attacked by the snake. Here, though, George loses an ear and, at the end, Fred is killed. Fred's death is one of the saddest things for me. </li>
<li>Likewise, Lupin and Tonks' deaths at the final battle - I remember reading that the first time and feeling that sense of utter disbelief. I felt it again here, like someone had surely made a mistake, especially when Harry sees their bodies next to Fred and their described as sleeping. But with a newborn left behind, and the fact that Lupin only recently found the first real happiness he's ever known - to have that cut short, it makes me want to cry just typing this. The deaths of these characters had a much bigger impact on me than the death of Dumbledore - as big a surprise as that was on first reading - at the end of The Half-Blood Prince. In a way, Dumbledore had to go so that Harry could come into his own. But these characters, their deaths are so needless, and they were too young and left too much behind.</li>
<li>Snape's love for Lily. I knew there was a good reason why we forgave Snape at the end, but I was glad I couldn't remember exactly what it was. Snape is another complex character, who shows that it's not a simple matter of right or wrong, good or evil. He's not someone to be judged at face value or first impressions, though obviously that's what everyone has been doing all his life. It's not even pity that I felt for him, but empathy at losing the woman he loved and sacrificing everything in memory of her. He never stopped loving her. Timeless love. No wonder Dumbledore trusted him implicitly: he understood the power of such emotions and never dismissed them as insignificant.</li>
<li>The truth about Dumbledore's past, and his sister Ariana. So sad. I haven't seen the second half of the movie version yet but I hope they include these details.</li>
<li>Harry walking to his impending death, supported by the ghosts of his parents, Sirius and Lupin. I cried when James and Lily and Cedric appeared at the end of The Goblet of Fire, and they had no less power here, bolstering their son and being there so he wasn't alone as he went to Voldemort, knowing he was going to be killed - and not knowing that he would survive it. </li>
<li>The dragon kept imprisoned in Gringott's Bank. I felt so bad for the poor tortured beast, and so happy when they freed it.</li>
<li>Xenophilius Lovegood. The position he was in, having his daughter taken away and used as a threat against him, to betray his beliefs (i.e., in Harry as the Chosen One).</li>
<li>Petunia Dursley, Harry's aunt, is a sad figure in her own right. It becomes clear in this book why she was so anti-magic: she was jealous of her sister Lily's ability. The scene where Lily mentions that Petunia wrote to Dumbledore, asking to be let into Hogwarts, and Petunia's feelings of embarrassment and shame and longing, of feeling excluded - you can't help but feel for the little girl who grew into a resentful woman in denial.</li>
</ul>
There's lots of happy things here too, like Fleur and Bill Weasley's wedding and Ron and Hermione finally getting together, as well as great mini-adventures that all lead up to the final show-down. The plan to get into the Ministry of Magic, and later the Gringott's Bank break-in, for example, were really fun and exciting and scary. And one of my favourite scenes is the Neville Longbottom snake-killing scene - really, I just love all the Neville scenes but that one in particular really stuck in my head all the intervening years since first reading it.
And underlying it all is this Hitler-like race and class war that Voldemort is enacting. Muggles and Mud-bloods become demonised and terrorised and everyone has to prove their "purity". The film captured this really well in the set design, especially inside the Ministry.
I loved that there was so much I couldn't remember when I started this book - I couldn't remember what the Hallows were, or what was inside the Snitch, or how they found the other Horcruxes. I had forgotten Dobby died until I watched the film a few months ago. It was wonderful to read it almost like it was the first time.
And then there's the epilogue - I'll mention it because I remember how much fans railed against it when the book first came out. I'm still not sure why, except maybe it wasn't up to the standards of the rest of the series. I read somewhere that Rowling wrote it at the beginning, which is kinda cool, and shows just how well she planned it all out. The line that I love is this one, where Harry tells his son: "Albus Severus, [...] you were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew." [p.607] It gets me every time.
2007 REVIEW - 1ST READING
So, there were huge expectations - and quite a few bets, debates and demands - for this last book, and personally I thought it was a great ending to the series. One of the things that I love about these books, that has always impressed me, is how tightly plotted they are, how detailed. Others have complained about the plotholes in Deathly Hallows, but I didn't see any. Granted, I wasn't looking for them, and I didn't succeed in my intention to re-read the previous books before this one (managed Philosopher's Stone but left it too late for the others) so I had forgotten some details.
Deathly Hallows made me laugh, made me cry (seriously, I bawled - and there were no tissues at the cottage so had to mop my face with paper towel...), had me pressing my knuckles to my mouth (the closest I come to biting my nails), and kept me on the edge of my seat. What more could you ask for?
Quite a few characters die in this book, but everyone knew there would be some deaths because Rowling said there would be. She's also said, apparently, that the books are about death, though, having read the last book, I understand now that she doesn't mean they're about death, but about death. The whole idea behind The Boy Who Lived was that his mother's sacrifice protected him from the killing curse, and when Harry in turn sacrifices himself, he protects everyone at Hogwarts (where all the characters assemble for the big show-down) from Lord Voldemort.
I also liked how the death of Dumbledore (in the previous book) and Snape's betrayal are resolved; I liked that Snape did it all for love of Lily, Harry's mother. It worked, brought out the humanity that has always lurked deep beneath Snape's corrosive veneer. The saddest deaths were of Fred, one of the Weasley twins, and Lupin and Tonks, only weeks after the birth of their baby. Is it any wonder that I cried? And even though there was always the hope that Harry would survive, still the section leading up to his sacrifice was written so convincingly, so non-melodrammatically, that I actually had to put the book down for a minute and do a quick turn about the house to calm myself down a bit.
The only bit that looked like a glaring plothole at first was when Neville pulls the sword of Gryffindor out of the Sorting Hat to lop Voldemort's snake's head off with. That confused me - last we saw of the sword, the goblin had taken it and disappeared into the depths of Gringotts with it. Then I remembered: Harry had pulled the sword out of the Sorting Hat in the Chamber of Secrets, too. The last lingering doubt is why the hat was on fire and why exactly Voldemort wanted to non-sort them then and there. Ah well, it works for dramatic effect!
Another part of the book which has received a lot of flak: the epilogue. Saccharine, it's been described. I have to agree, and it's the only bit of saccharine in the entire series. Apparently it was written way back in the 90s, but I don't think that excuses it. It was like icing on the cake - sickly sweet, not at all filling or satisfying, hiding the cake beneath which is what you really want to eat, as long as you can have the icing too. So we learn how they paired up and what their kids' names are, that Neville is a Herbology professor and, well, very little else.
Noticeably, Harry's conversation with Dumbledore in King's Cross Station shows how much Harry has grown and matured. He's moved through his teenage angst and become reliable, responsible, thoughtful, more patient. By not going after the Deathly Hallows, his first impulse is tempered by a new, cooler head. Aside from the humour, reminiscent of Roald Dahl, and the plotting, the character development of Harry is another reason why the books are so enjoyable, and long-lasting.(less)
KB *is this love?* BVB armyI liked the epilogue (Lily Luna Potter for Halloween) teddy Is my favorite character. Does anyone know what the 'creature' Harry saw was? It confused ...moreI liked the epilogue (Lily Luna Potter for Halloween) teddy Is my favorite character. Does anyone know what the 'creature' Harry saw was? It confused me.(less)
Dec 27, 2010 11:45pm
SynesthesiaThis book made me get weepy at the end. I love that scene with ghosts following him. I stopped the movies after movie 5.
Jul 14, 2011 08:51am
I will admit that Harry Potter is a guilty pleasure. I don't think that they are particularly well-written, and the majority of the plot devices are built upon cliches and thinly disguised appropriation of Tolkien. However, I have read the first six books because they were entertaining and a fun, quick read.
All the flaws of the first six books came into startling relief with this book. Misplaced pronouns abounded, cheesy descriptors and, oh yeah, filler, were the rule instead of t...moreI will admit that Harry Potter is a guilty pleasure. I don't think that they are particularly well-written, and the majority of the plot devices are built upon cliches and thinly disguised appropriation of Tolkien. However, I have read the first six books because they were entertaining and a fun, quick read.
All the flaws of the first six books came into startling relief with this book. Misplaced pronouns abounded, cheesy descriptors and, oh yeah, filler, were the rule instead of the exception. It was almost as if Rowling felt the need to fill 700+ pages when 300 would have sufficed. While I'm sure that kids are proud of reading that many, there is no need to torture them with excessive adjectives and a winding plot that seems to only kill time.
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
And the plot holes... oh god, the plot holes.
I don't think Rowling planned a head at all. There isn't necessarily anything wrong with that; Tolkien wrote the Lord of the Rings without a solid game plan. What bugs me is the way that Rowling tries to pass things off as planning ahead. This is something that she has done all along, but it finally pushed me over the edge with book seven. The whole, "Oh yeah, the real reason this worked is because of this secret magic spell that we just happened to discover at this crucial plot point".
Case in point, the Horcruxes can only be destroyed by extra lethal means, that's the reason the baslisk fang worked on the diary, not simply because it was stabbed (as book 2 would have you believe)... "oh and by the way, baslisk fangs are really extra, extra poisonious".
Nevermind, the fact that the only reason I stuck through this book was discover where Snape's loyalties lay. I have to admit that Snape is one of my favorite characters. He is perhaps the most well-developed characters (unfortunately, mostly through the aforementioned, "oh yeah, by the way..." style flashbacks). After all, anyone who has visited a Barnes and Noble can attest that this was a major selling point. Much to my disappoint, this was only addressed as an afterthought. I wanted so much more for Snape, and he ended up just being a footnote in this atrocity.
And the epilogue is so over-the-top sappy, you're gonna wanna puke.
***END SPOILERS***
In conclusion, save your money. Imagine a better ending; I know you can!
EDIT: I wrote this review ages ago, and I didn't think I would get quite the response that I did, given that it's one person's review and easily disregarded. Or so I thought.
In retrospect, I would just like to clarify a few points.
"You're going to want to puke" is a little over the top for me to say. However, I did think the epilogue was saccharine and unnecessary.
No one is expecting Shakespeare out of JK Rowling, but I wish that her editors had caught some of her grammatical mistakes, and I wish that her continuity people had gotten her to clarify some points.
This book was the most disappointing for me out of the series. Obviously, I enjoyed the Harry Potter series, otherwise I wouldn't have completed it, but I felt that this book lacked in character what the other books possessed. After some consideration, I believe it's because it takes place outside of Hogwarts. After six books set in the same fantastical location (which anyone can admit would be amazing to attend), Hogwarts had become a passive character in the series. Setting it outside of the school, just took something away from the series.
For me, Harry Potter is a fun summer read, and this book just lacked the adventurousness that the other books had. It's as if it just got bogged down in it's seriousness. Or rather, got bogged down in trying to be overtly serious.
Just some additional thoughts, in light of people's comments, 4 years after my initial review.
Lilyhow do YOU know she tried to pass things off as planning ahead? she just wrote a goddam book for gosh sakes, i didnt think she expected it to be one o...morehow do YOU know she tried to pass things off as planning ahead? she just wrote a goddam book for gosh sakes, i didnt think she expected it to be one of the worlds best sellers.
they had no idea why the fang worked, they didnt even know what a horcrux was but they did know in book two that the fangs were poisonous, riddle kinda says it...plus that wouldnt be a hole even if we didnt know it was poisonous...btw i didnt puke..(less)
Nov 28, 2011 05:29pm
Hayleylet's just say that taking on the die-hard Potter fans is not a good idea.
Jan 22, 2012 04:37pm
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.Was this book so awesome because it finally addressed all those long unanswered questions? Yes. Was this book just fantastic because we finally know what happens to everyone? Yes. Was this book wonderful because Rowling was ruthless and took no prisoners? Yes. Was this book splendid because we knew all the characters and cared about them like they were real? Yes. Was this book so great because it made you laugh, cry, gasp, emote out loud? Yes. That was one of my favorite things about t...moreWas this book so awesome because it finally addressed all those long unanswered questions? Yes. Was this book just fantastic because we finally know what happens to everyone? Yes. Was this book wonderful because Rowling was ruthless and took no prisoners? Yes. Was this book splendid because we knew all the characters and cared about them like they were real? Yes. Was this book so great because it made you laugh, cry, gasp, emote out loud? Yes. That was one of my favorite things about the book. Regardless of where I was, whether it be sitting on the couch next to my roommate, alone in my room, or standing in my shop, I found myself cheering and gasping and all other sorts of reactions, I was just that into the story.The most emotional part for me, one of them at least, was when Dobby died. I don't know what it was about that, but I was sobbing and had tears streaming down my face. When they describe putting the socks on his feet, that was the part that opened the floodgates. I am one of those people that supports the theory that socks are a very imporant symbol in the Harry Potter series. I even did a report in one of my high school English classes on it. "Ron sat on the edge of the grave and stripped off his shoes and socks, which he placed upon the elf's bare feet. Dean produced a woolen hat, which Harry placed carefully upon Dobby's head, muffling his batlike ears." Rowling, master of subtle detail, still includes that brief mention of socks. It was that which really did me in.Another thing that impressed me was how well the story flowed. Probably a combination of being a good writer and knowing, without a doubt, where the story was going and what she wanted to have happen allowed Rowling to keep the story smooth and not jerky. So easily, especially in the beginning/middle chapters in Harry, Ron, and Hermione's search for Horcruxes things could have become so choppy. And while time did pass quickly in brief sections it still flowed. A lot of writers, even good writers, can't seem to make something like that work, yet Rowling did, proving herself yet again.I was also really impressed by her ballsy moves of killing off several main characters, especially right in the beginning. I thought it was going to be in the big final battle ('cause c'mon, you knew it was coming) that we lost all our favorites, not within the first few chapters. RIP Hedwig and Mad-Eye. That was one major way you got sucked in because you're thinking, "Oh my God! Characters I love are already dying! What the-" and then you keep going because you need to know if anyone else is going to kick it. For some reason though Rowling just loves killing off my favorite characters, Dumbledore, Moody, Fred (and George too in a way), Lupin, Tonks. I was especially angry over the Lupin/Tonks death. It felt like a sort of snub because, yay they're married! Yay, they're having a baby! Yay, he's a little metamorphmagus. Boo, both parents are suddenly dead. Rude. But I guess it made the whole thing hurt a lot more, and it did.Honestly, I felt Rowling tied things up beautifully and not in that harried, "Oh yeah about that? Um... this happens! Yeah, that's it!" I think many fans feel vindicated (i.e. the Snape/Lily shippers, those who thought Harry was a Horcrux, don't mess with Mrs. Weasley) after reading this book. Of course there are probably some who are broken down and upset that what they thought was going to happen didn't. In the end we all got one hell of a story and went on one fantastic adventure. No matter what happened, no matter who died or who ended up with who this book was more than I could have hoped for, I was not disappointed at all.All I can say now is: Jo, thank you.(less)
grrr. *spoilers*
This book was meant to be a masterpiece.
It wasn't. I was VERY disappointed with the last portion of the book. But the criticisms are for later.
I've always thought that JK's writing was admirable if a little underdeveloped, but the paragraphs just don't seem to flow together as well as they used to.
They finally leave school. I never thought they would, but it sure as hell was an exciting notion. However the lack of supporting characters (that you might find...moregrrr. *spoilers*
This book was meant to be a masterpiece.
It wasn't. I was VERY disappointed with the last portion of the book. But the criticisms are for later.
I've always thought that JK's writing was admirable if a little underdeveloped, but the paragraphs just don't seem to flow together as well as they used to.
They finally leave school. I never thought they would, but it sure as hell was an exciting notion. However the lack of supporting characters (that you might find at Hogwarts) means that this book is darker and the lack of humour makes for a depressing hundred pages around pg200.
The deaths... a little weird how the human deaths are less effective, maybe that's just me but Hedwig and Dobby's deaths broke my heart. With mad-eye... well, he was an asshole so i didn't care. With Fred... well, there is another one so the impact is lessened. With Lupintonks... well if they were stupid enough to name Harry godfather (even THEY should have seen the parellalism!) then they deserve to die. No i don't mean that, but as we didn't see them die it seems less horrifying.
So much more interesting and original than the others this daring new direction led to some bad writing which didn't go anywhere in the end (wtf was the hallows about?).
The Hallows was a ridiculous idea and frankly i was horrified that Rowling was attempting to introduce such a 'major' theme in the last book with only one brief reference in book six. They were pointless, in the end what did it matter who had ownership of the elder wand? no one used it in 'the final duel' anyway.
I no longer like Dumbledore, JK dragged him through the mud and didn't thoroughly wash him off. Harry forgave him but i sure as hell didn't (and who didn't see the 'Harry is a Horcrux' thing coming?
The chapter 'King's cross' made me cry. But not because it was well written, rather the opposite, it didn't make sense at times (where the hell were they?) i had to reread the section on harry's 'phoenixlike' ability several times and i still hate it. It was so weak. This sequence was nothing like the other 'endofbookharryanddumbledore' explanations we have come to know and love. Nothing was explained in this chapter everything was re-explained and slightly embellished.
The chapters immediately preceding this were the real treat of the book, Snape is finally redeemed (although after ten years of waiting i did expect a better ironclad reason for trusting him than loving lily). Harry facing his mortality is heartbreaking even though most of us have imagined it countless times. The moment right before his death is about as perfect an HP moment there is. He should have stayed dead and the narration flick to another.
Voldemort's Invincible Army is defeated too easily and Bellatrix's death is unsatisfying as Molly has no real motive for revenge (nono Fred's death doesn't count). Harry should have done it. He also should have performed at least one killing curse in the book, he performed the other unforgivables, so why not?
Voldemort is killed by a reflecting spell.
What?
WHAT?
Are you KIDDING me?
Could it possibly be more anticlimactic?
What was the point of the elder wand then? Why the elaborate buildup when Harry doesn't even perform the execution?
Anyone could have duelled to a reflection, and since when can that happen?
A true HP fan must take alot on faith to enjoy this ending.
The less said about the epilogue the better. Probably been written since book one and it shows. There is no depth, any hp fan could guess (or assume) this ending, its not even worth reading. Albus Severus was the only icing on this unsatisfying and dry cake.
If you do read this book close it at the end of 'the forest again' and write your own ending.
OR wait for JK to realise her mistake and re publish with an alternate ending.
This was not a rant.
Recommends it for: those who like epics, fantasy, magic, school
(shamelessly cross-posted from my livejournal entry) Spoilers below!
I remember picking up Harry Potter around the time that book 3 had come out. There had been buzz about the books in the post with a picture of JK standing by railroad tracks and some inside joke about "muggles." I probably wouldn't have read them had I not babysat for my nextdoor neighbor's kids who were 7 and 10 at the time, and asked me to read it to them as a bedtime story. What is so compelling about t...more(shamelessly cross-posted from my livejournal entry) Spoilers below!
I remember picking up Harry Potter around the time that book 3 had come out. There had been buzz about the books in the post with a picture of JK standing by railroad tracks and some inside joke about "muggles." I probably wouldn't have read them had I not babysat for my nextdoor neighbor's kids who were 7 and 10 at the time, and asked me to read it to them as a bedtime story. What is so compelling about these children's books? The well-woven archetypes, the mystery, the imaginative combination of fantasy and fancy? As another blogger put it, the books are overflowing with story. Never once are they a method for JK to assuage her vanity as a writer, because the writing itself isn't deep, their success is a result of Rowling being an increadibly steady storyteller whose approach has more than a few similarities to classic storytelling. Her main three characters account for the three things Aristotle named as the only necessary ingredients in successful rhetoric - Ethos (Harry) Pathos (Ron) and Logos (Hermione). She extends this to all aspects of the Harry Potter world, to houses in Hogwarts, their respective teachers, as well as borrowing latin for names of spells and words from other languages as names for characters-- Malfoy (quoting wikipedia) is derived from Old French "mal foi" or "mal foy," which means "bad faith" or "bad trust". The Old French mal foy itself is derived from Latin mala fide, which as a judicial term means intentional mischief, ill will or evil intentions.(/quoting wikipedia) Grimmauld place is also a pun on "grim old place." As far as the pacing, it takes into realistic account the rest and hunger the characters go through with no detail spared as to when and what the characters eat. For some reason this makes a story more effective to me, call me weird, I like reading about people eating. Though while I read the Odyssey this made me put the book down more than a few times because it made me hungry. Anyhow, the constant thread through these books was the final showdown that had to happen between Harry and Voldemort, though I think I would have read them anyway for her generously detailed fantastic world...
I was surprised Harry didn't die. I really thought it was going to happen and was a little disappointed with the end, mostly because the meeting with Dumbledore in the train station purgatory was a bit much of a deus ex machina for me. I know she had to vindicate Dumbledore and I thought that was fine but something about it was too clean and easy without her usual foreshadowing. I knew Snape would be vindicated in the end! I loved how she rounded out his story, all that was perfect. I was a huge fan of the way in which Rowling discredited the phrase "for the greater good" probably much to the confusion of most of her younger readers. Was a little taken aback at the vague comparison of that to the holocaust, how she wrote something like "for the greater good" was on the gates of a place where Grindewald killed people but it drove the point home. The Elder Wand ownership thing was...it was like she painted herself into a corner and had to get it resolved before she could finish the book, made the final duel a bit too, er, complex. But my favorite moment in all of these books came at the end of chapter 35 right before Harry regains consciousness for the final battle. It was the most elegant way to finish out this series that has made millions of children into avid readers:
"Tell me one last thing," said Harry. "Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"
Dumbledore beamed at him, and his voice sounded loud and strong in Harry's ears even though the bright mist was descending again obscuring his figure.
"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"(less)
I bought this in the airport in Paris and read it straight through on the flight back to the US. Very rarely do books deserve the hype they've received (can you say Da Vinci Code?) but this series, and particularly this book, have been worth the waiting, the crazy people, and having to justify to Tolkien-devotees why Rowling really is a very clever woman and the series is justifably popular.
I had been worried before Deathly Hallows was released that Rowling would lose her mind from a...moreI bought this in the airport in Paris and read it straight through on the flight back to the US. Very rarely do books deserve the hype they've received (can you say Da Vinci Code?) but this series, and particularly this book, have been worth the waiting, the crazy people, and having to justify to Tolkien-devotees why Rowling really is a very clever woman and the series is justifably popular.
I had been worried before Deathly Hallows was released that Rowling would lose her mind from all of the criticism and produce a wishy-washy cop-out of a book. I was relieved by the book and I was thrilled at how she resolved the whole: is-Harry-going-to-die question. If you've read any Hero tales (Celtic, Greek, Norse, etc.), there is a traditional choice for the hero at the end. I love that she challenged all the characters, but especially Harry, to think about their actions. No one was driven to a destiny. They all had choices along the way.
And I was right about Snape. That was very satisfying.(less)
Deannathis was the perfect ending to one of the best series out there! i am sorta obsessed.
Dec 21, 2009 05:50am
Joeli'm looking at reviews today because i just saw the movie obviously.
so when i finished book six, i thought it was thuddingly obvious that s...morei'm looking at reviews today because i just saw the movie obviously.
so when i finished book six, i thought it was thuddingly obvious that snape was a good guy. there was so much foreshadowing, stuff that didn't make sense otherwise, plus it just wouldn't be very dramatically satisfying to have the guy harry hated for six books actually be the villain. i suppose they could have been red herrings but it would have been a total cheat. i didn't pat myself on the back too much for figuring it out though, because they are children's books after all.
but then for two years i had to debate my friends, who just couldn't get past the fact that he killed dumbledore, so he must be evil. so yes, it was very satisfying when i could finally say "i told you so."(less)
Nov 27, 2010 02:58pm
ElizabethIt's kind of like watching the end of the Empire Strikes Back and knowing that Darth Vader is going to save his son. What else could happen? But nope,...moreIt's kind of like watching the end of the Empire Strikes Back and knowing that Darth Vader is going to save his son. What else could happen? But nope, there were lots of arguments about that one too.(less)
Nov 27, 2010 03:23pm
Rowling said her original epilogue was “a lot more detailed,” including the name of every child born to the Weasley clan in the past 19 years. (Victoire, who was snogging Teddy — Lupin and Tonks’ son — is Bill and Fleur’s eldest.)
Harry, Ron and Hermione
We know that Harry marries Ginny and has three kids, esse...more***SPOILERS:
Rowling said her original epilogue was “a lot more detailed,” including the name of every child born to the Weasley clan in the past 19 years. (Victoire, who was snogging Teddy — Lupin and Tonks’ son — is Bill and Fleur’s eldest.)
Harry, Ron and Hermione
We know that Harry marries Ginny and has three kids, essentially, as Rowling explains, creating the family and the peace and calm he never had as a child.
As for his occupation, Harry, along with Ron, is working at the Auror Department at the Ministry of Magic. After all these years, Harry is now the department head.
“Harry and Ron utterly revolutionized the Auror Department,” Rowling said. “They are now the experts. It doesn’t matter how old they are or what else they’ve done.”
Meanwhile, Hermione, Ron’s wife, is “pretty high up” in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, despite laughing at the idea of becoming a lawyer in “Deathly Hallows.”
“I would imagine that her brainpower and her knowledge of how the Dark Arts operate would really give her a sound grounding,” Rowling said.
Harry, Ron and Hermione don’t join the same Ministry of Magic they had been at odds with for years; they revolutionize it and the ministry evolves into a “really good place to be.”
“They made a new world,” Rowling said.
The wizarding naturalist
Luna Lovegood, the eccentric Ravenclaw who was fascinated with Crumple-Horned Snorkacks and Umgubular Slashkilters, continues to march to the beat of her own drum.
“I think that Luna is now traveling the world looking for various mad creatures,” Rowling said. “She’s a naturalist, whatever the wizarding equivalent of that is.”
Luna comes to see the truth about her father, eventually acknowledging there are some creatures that don’t exist.
“But I do think that she’s so open-minded and just an incredible person that she probably would be uncovering things that no one’s ever seen before,” Rowling said.
Luna and Neville Longbottom?
It’s possible Luna has also found love with another member of the D.A.
When she was first asked about the possibility of Luna hooking up with Neville Longbottom several years ago, Rowling’s response was “Definitely not.” But as time passed and she watched her characters mature, Rowling started to “feel a bit of a pull” between the unlikely pair.
Ultimately, Rowling left the question of their relationship open at the end of the book because doing otherwise “felt too neat.”
Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom: “The damage is done.”
There is no chance, however, that Neville’s parents, who were tortured into madness by Bellatrix Lestrange, ever left St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies.
“I know people really wanted some hope for that, and I can quite see why because, in a way, what happens to Neville’s parents is even worse than what happened to Harry’s parents,” Rowling said. “The damage that is done, in some cases with very dark magic, is done permanently.”
Rowling said Neville finds happiness in his grandmother’s acceptance of him as a gifted wizard and as the new herbology professor at Hogwarts.
The fate of Hogwarts
Nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts, the school for witchcraft and wizardry is led by an entirely new headmaster (“McGonagall was really getting on a bit”) as well as a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. That position is now as safe as the other teaching posts at Hogwarts, since Voldemort’s death broke the jinx that kept a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor from remaining for more than a year.
While Rowling didn’t clarify whether Harry, Ron and Hermione ever return to school to finish their seventh year, she did say she could see Harry popping up every now and again to give the “odd talk” on Defense Against the D(less)
It was September 1998; the third Harry Potter book had just been released. Pottermania? What's that? It was still unknown except to a vast population of younglings who'd read it... and I fell in love. Oh, how I fell in love. I fell in love with the poor, starved-for-affection, later known to be a twit Harry. I fell in love with the pretentious know-it-all Hermione. I fell in love with the awkward, grew-up-in-his-brother's-shadows Ron... and most of all? I fell in love with the snarky, unplatable...moreIt was September 1998; the third Harry Potter book had just been released. Pottermania? What's that? It was still unknown except to a vast population of younglings who'd read it... and I fell in love. Oh, how I fell in love. I fell in love with the poor, starved-for-affection, later known to be a twit Harry. I fell in love with the pretentious know-it-all Hermione. I fell in love with the awkward, grew-up-in-his-brother's-shadows Ron... and most of all? I fell in love with the snarky, unplatable, snarling, rude, hygienically-disinclined professor of potions, Severus Snape.
Almost ten years later, I'm still obsessed with it in many ways.
This is the Seventh Book. This is the end of Harry Potter. I cried, I wept, I laughed, sometimes quite hysterically. And overall? I loved it. I loved Ron's humour, Harry's angst, Hermione's smarts, Snape's devotion, Dumbledore's love, Percy's return, Dobby's sacrifice, the change of Kreacher, absolutely everything. I kept waiting and waiting to be disappointed and yes, I was disappointed on the occasion, but the thrill far outweighed the flaws.
As for Snape? One of the characters I fell absolutely in love with? THIS IS A HUGE SPOILER.
Snape...
...
...
...
...
...
Snape dies. He dies working for Dumbledore. He dies, looking into Harry's eyes. He dies because for the last thirty years of his life, he has loved Lily Evans and everything he has done and everything he sacrificed was for her. His death provoked a number of emotions in me and one of the major ones was utter, utter grief. He's been abused and used his whole life, whether by his parents, by his classmates, by Voldemort, by Dumbledore, and I felt such freaking anger that in the end, he wasn't even given the proper funeral that he totally deserved. In the book itself, it made sense, because whatever Snape did for the Greater Good, he was still a bastard. But as a reader, my heart broke into ittybitty pieces over him.
There were tons of other things going on at the same time. I say, Rowling is an excellent action scene writer. I'm terrible at writing action that's vivid and engaging, but she managed to do it.
Harry himself lives. But he's been forever scarred by his experience. And that, actually, is one of the best parts of his book. He was such an arse in books 5 and 6, and to have this mature young man emerge was one of the greatest joys in this series. I was so, so, so happy that he got the happiness he wanted. The ending was much WTF? for me, since it was like a SOOPER HAPPILY EVER AFTER ending, but at the same time... Harry is finally happy and that means a great deal to me.
Well. Harry, I've been a fan for almost ten years and in those ten years, you've made me laugh, cry, scream, whoop, run around, obsess, tender, hard, awesome and about a million other things. I've watched you grow from a scared, unsure first year into a hopeful young man in the third and fourth, an angsty teen in the fifth and sixth, and in the seventh? You came full circle and you were as your parents were. Happy, with children of your own. You changed so much and it felt like I had grown up partly with you, though I was but fourteen years old when I read you.
I love all of the characters, I love all the books, and well?
R.I.P. Severus Snape. You'll be missed. Same with you, Fred, Dobby, Lupin, Tonks, Moody, Colin, Scrimgoeur, Bellatrix, Peter, yes, even Voldemort. A lifetime has passed and HP is going to be one of those books that'll stay with me forever.
Christine Ranocoi love bellatrix lastrange even if she's crazy she's cool!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jul 01, 2011 11:28pm
CiaraI agree. I cant believe that the Harry Potters are over. :( And the final movie is being released too!)
I couldnt believe it when Snape died! I w...moreI agree. I cant believe that the Harry Potters are over. :( And the final movie is being released too!)
I couldnt believe it when Snape died! I will also miss Dobby, Dumbeldore,Sirius, Fred, Hedwig, Tonks, Lupin, Madeye and (lol) Georges ear!
I was also shocked to see that Molly Weasly battled Bellatrix! GO MOLLY! I think that Bellatrix is cool too. Im so sad that Harry Potter is ending! I love HP 4ever!!!(less)
updated
Jul 14, 2011 07:23am
Upon further reflection...I think this installment could have been much better. Perhaps Rowling was freaking out under the enormous pressure...never expecting her series to be so wildly adored by so many...Still, this book left something to be desired, I think. Rowling made so many predictable moves...and not even the ones that would have had more of an impact...
Snape could have been the hero of the entire series, for example. It would have been rather ironic, considering the fact th...moreUpon further reflection...I think this installment could have been much better. Perhaps Rowling was freaking out under the enormous pressure...never expecting her series to be so wildly adored by so many...Still, this book left something to be desired, I think. Rowling made so many predictable moves...and not even the ones that would have had more of an impact...
Snape could have been the hero of the entire series, for example. It would have been rather ironic, considering the fact that he's been the object of every one's disdain--which would have made an outright act of heroism all the more outstanding. I understand that he made a significant contribution to Harry's safety, and Snape's storyline was heartbreaking and interesting...but he could have openly faced Voldermort. He could have raged and fought--he was a powerful wizard, after all... Snape should have gone out with a bang, I think--instead of a blood-soaked whimper.
Also..The necklace around Ron's neck...bringing all of his envy and mistrust to the surface...Where have we seen this before? (just take a glance at the Lord of the Rings)...Harry and Ron have already had that fight about inequity in popularity...been there, done that...Why revisit it in such an awkward, hackneyed way?
The gratuitous deaths also bother me. If you're going to kill a character off, kill one who is critical to Harry's development. Make Harry a three dimensional character! Do something earth-shattering to him!
Also--merely showing a pile of dead bodies on the floor doesn't drive the point home. Some peripheral characters were cast off, as though their deaths were intended to evoke a certain emotion--yet they were clearly not considered important enough to be given more than a page of recognition upon their demise...What does that lead the reader to feel about those characters?
Also, why the hell did Harry spend such a huge swath of the book sitting in a tent like a big doofus? Why didn't Rowling use all of those pages to illustrate the maturation of Harry's skill as a wizard--to give us some details as far as Voldermort was concerned...why wasn't there more conflict there? Why am I taking all of this so damn seriously is a better question...bleh.
There were some interesting bits in this book. I guess it's time for me to state it--there's better young adult fantasy out there...series that deserve just as much, if not much more recognition...as they are better written, better rendered, etc.
I do think of Harry Potter with fondness, however. Perhaps it's the combination of book and film...perhaps it's because so many friends of mine adore the books...I like them for their entertainment value...These are good pleasure reads--and could have been elevated to something much more. Perhaps my expectations were too high for this one.
Anyway, I totally agree with the Snape thing. I don't like how he died. Way too melodramatic, and plus, he ...moreEh...am I interrupting something?
Anyway, I totally agree with the Snape thing. I don't like how he died. Way too melodramatic, and plus, he should have died fighting.(less)
Jan 07, 2011 09:09pm
Few books, if any, have recieved as much hype as the Harry Potter series- whether deservedly or undeservedly is a question better asked of the series as a whole, rather than this one book. Deathly Hallows is radically different from its predecessors. Rowling has rid herself of the Harry Potter set formula- a refreshing change, as at this point in the series, games like Quidditch and grades seem rather irrelevant. The plot follows Harry, Ron and Hermione as they search for the Horcruxes and later...moreFew books, if any, have recieved as much hype as the Harry Potter series- whether deservedly or undeservedly is a question better asked of the series as a whole, rather than this one book. Deathly Hallows is radically different from its predecessors. Rowling has rid herself of the Harry Potter set formula- a refreshing change, as at this point in the series, games like Quidditch and grades seem rather irrelevant. The plot follows Harry, Ron and Hermione as they search for the Horcruxes and later on, the Deathly Hallows, a set of objects that might be just as important...
Although it is slightly sanitized, particularly in the torture scenes, Rowling gets points for turning this one into the darkest Potter yet. The entire book takes place in a war zone, and as such, attacks are constant, horrors are abound... and yes, characters do die. This constant frantic pace and dark atmosphere are a credit to the book and help the reader get into the same mindset as Harry and his friends: You're always on the lookout for further attacks, and frightened for your favourite characters. Voldemort's power seems overwhelming in this book- although he is still a weak villain in himself, being given no motivation save being evil for the sake of being evil (and playing at anagrams, a hobby of his as revealed in book 2). This sense of pervading dread, however. missing from the other Potter books, earns Rowling a star.
On the other hand, Rowling loses complete control of the plot here. The set of objects known as the Deathly Hallows (I'm trying to be as vague as possible here) are revealed as very important and as being centrally important to the series- yet they are presented without a hint of foreshadowing in any other of the books. It felt like Rowling was kind of making it up as she went along, and the fact that she had not really given thought to the overall structure of the series until perhaps book 6, with the just as abrupt introduction of the Horcruxes (though the Hallows grate more), seems apparent. The plot and magic also grow unnecessarily convoluted towards the end- Rowling has to make her magic work in ways that make little sense to get the plot going where she wants it to go, and the story thus seems unnatural and tacked on by its end. I will say, though, that the backstory sections involving Dumbledore and Grindelwald are very interesting and add a nice amount of depth to the old headmaster and to the wizarding world in general.
Another problem with Deathly Hallows is the writing in itself. Rowling's prose has never been great, but it has always been servicable, and her dialogue usually at least sharp. At several points here, however, she turns the cheese on and it does not stop- think of a scene similar to the Ewok rebellion in Return of the Jedi and you'll have hit the mark. A certain very important confrontation near the end is filled with an overabundance of clunky dialogue that ruins the mood completely. The last chapter is in itself horribly written, cheesy and reminded me more of bad fan fiction (I'm quite certain that all fan fiction is bad, so you can imagine how bad bad fan fiction is) than a proper conclusion to the book. The "fan fiction" vibe, as I call it, appears at several other points, though to a lesser extent- mainly during large exposition scenes. Characters can appear out of nowhere, having sudden reversals of mind without any foreshadowing- at points like those, the hyperbolic comparisons between Rowling and authors such as Dickens seem less apt than ever.
ColleenGreat review, finally someone who wasn't totally enamored with the book or ready to completely bash it. I gave it 4 stars because although there were...moreGreat review, finally someone who wasn't totally enamored with the book or ready to completely bash it. I gave it 4 stars because although there were some parts that I really didn't care for (the whole camping trip was a snooze) and I did feel you had to suspend belief in quite a few areas, overall it was really enjoyable and I think a pretty decent wrap up to the series. I really did miss the supporting characters in this book though, I think they added so much to the series that they should have had more of a role than the glossing over that they got.(less)
Sep 03, 2007 06:07am
TaraJust a random note - I agree that the epilogue read like bad fanfiction, but not all fanfiction is bad. I've read a few out there that are really goo...moreJust a random note - I agree that the epilogue read like bad fanfiction, but not all fanfiction is bad. I've read a few out there that are really good. I have one that has taken Deathly Hallow's place as my conclusion to the series because I thought it wrapped it up a lot better. I like you're review though - a lot less critical than my own.(less)
Jun 07, 2008 03:04am
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.Why do I hate this book???
Oh, let me count the ways:
1. Predictable.
2. Ohmigosh, they're going to get caught!!! And they barely get away. How many times did that happen? At the wedding, at the cafe, in the woods, at the Malfoys, at Gringotts, at the Ministry, at Godric's Hallow ... ... ... at Luna's dad's house ... ... did I miss any??? I mean, after one such incident, there's a line that says something like, How they managed to escape from such a situation was beyond him ... ye...moreWhy do I hate this book???
Oh, let me count the ways:
1. Predictable.
2. Ohmigosh, they're going to get caught!!! And they barely get away. How many times did that happen? At the wedding, at the cafe, in the woods, at the Malfoys, at Gringotts, at the Ministry, at Godric's Hallow ... ... ... at Luna's dad's house ... ... did I miss any??? I mean, after one such incident, there's a line that says something like, How they managed to escape from such a situation was beyond him ... yeah, that's because it's a freakin' novel.
3. What the fuck was up with that chapter with Dumbledore? It's like JK Rowling was trying too hard to make this book more than the good story it should have been.
4. Draco was ignored, explained away as a just a contrived plot point.
5. Ron leaving and then coming back to save Harry - contrived plot point.
6. Ron and Hermione finally kissing ... in the middle of a war ... in the middle of a hallway that's about to fall apart ... ... sure, that's going to happen.
7. Who the fuck cares about the characters that did die? I mean, only the Weasely twin was someone important.
8. And of course Hedwig died. Harry couldn't have a way to communicate with the Wizarding world now could he.
9. Lord Voldemort has been foiled by Harry how many times now? And when he "kills" Harry, don't you think that a wizard mastermind who's been foiled by this stupid boy as many times as he had, would go make sure the little prat is dead himself? Like he'd go poke him with his wand or something?
10. Hermione, in every other book, has had some sort of thing that only she can figure out, but in this book she suddenly becomes this little wussy girl that lets Harry walk all over her.
--
It took me FOUR days to read this book. FOUR!!! I - little miss read the HP books in ten hours straight - put this book down volutarily for three nights in a row. It took all my self-discipline not to throw it across the room.
There were two redeeming parts of this book. Just two.
1. At the Malfoy's when Ron is screaming for Hermione.
2. The chapter about Snape.
That's it.
And the Epilogue sucked.
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Lilywhy are you so wrong? let me count the ways...
1. no not really, i got a book about the last harry potter before it was released and it tore ...morewhy are you so wrong? let me count the ways...
1. no not really, i got a book about the last harry potter before it was released and it tore the 6th to peaces and still guessed wrong 2. its a book full of magic, things like that happen, would u rather have them all die or just not meet up with any problems and go skipping into the woods happily? 3.theres a lot of chapters about dumbledore...elaborate 4. um nope, he took every chance to get at harry, j.k. rowling didnt leave out such a great villan as that plus he like owns the 6th book 5.Ron had to come back, what would they have done without him, he was always the underdog, it was time for him to prove himself 6.happens all the time, ever heard of a baby boom? people get married, make out, have sex, get together, run off with each other when they think they wont survive another day. that was the best time for them to finally kiss, it fit in perfectly 7.um hello!? lupin was harrys friend and teacher, sirius was probs the best character ever and harry loved him so much, Dumbledore...i wont even go there...mad eye was his teacher as well not really at school since that turned out to be a deatheater but all the same harry learned a lot from him. 8. she was his innocence, this is a coming of age story plus theres this store in the book, its called a pet shop, you buy owls there. 9.exactly his mistake, he underestimated harry so much and thought he was so powerful that he made mistake after mistake after mistake, he couldnt learn from his mistakes, dumbledore actually talks about this...plus harry was a horcrux...he couldnt really die with a piece of voldys soul in him now could he? 10. no she doesnt, she is the brains, they wouldnt have survived without her but i think she understands harrys grief and anger.
CiaraUmmm...no. Some things you referred to are in the films rather than the books. Hermoine never changed, she still had her input and was as clever...moreUmmm...no. Some things you referred to are in the films rather than the books. Hermoine never changed, she still had her input and was as clever as ever. And about the kiss, it was long awaited and the water had stopped by the time they kissed. Loved the book!(less)
Dec 28, 2011 07:49am
[THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS, SO PLEASE DON'T READ IF YOU STILL HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK!]
I must say that the time waiting for the book was a lot more torturous than the actual read. there were all those forums and newsletters wondering 'would harry live or die?' 'is snape good or bad?' 'what if hogwarts burns to the ground and everyone dies?!' and furthermore, 'how long would it take for spoilers to come out in the media and from random mean people?'
The book didn't arr...more[THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS, SO PLEASE DON'T READ IF YOU STILL HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK!]
I must say that the time waiting for the book was a lot more torturous than the actual read. there were all those forums and newsletters wondering 'would harry live or die?' 'is snape good or bad?' 'what if hogwarts burns to the ground and everyone dies?!' and furthermore, 'how long would it take for spoilers to come out in the media and from random mean people?'
The book didn't arrive on my doorstep till the following week 'cause I chose free shipping at amazon, but miraculously enough I avoided all spoilers. the ones on my newsletter were easy enough by just scrolling real fast with my hand on the monitor as the thread appeared and disappeared. this easy avoidance of spoilers had me worried the book had no thrills whatsoever. especially reading enough at first to know people liked the book. no one would like if Harry were dead.
I was not one of those fast readers who finished it in about one second. no, it took me about four days which is a miracle to me. I fell asleep a lot during the camping phase of the story... well, at least till Harry had to jump in and get the sword and Ron showed back up. that made me loosen up a bit.. become one with the characters again. for awhile, it was just a surface read. see, I also wasn't one of the ones who reread the old books before starting, so I really needed a refresher on some of the lesser characters thus stopped in the midst of reading several times to google this info. at least I read enough threads from those who did read the other books over again, to keep certain clues in mind for the big finale.
Towards the end, when things heated up, I got a tad worried for Harry 'cause his death would seem courageous and the whole walking ghosts beside him through the woods bit really brought a tear to my eye.. this would be acceptable to all who read if he died this way, right? I thought about having to walk in (since it was around 6am by this time) with a tear in my eye to say Harry died. this idea sounded pathetic, but c'mon, climatic bit! too early to still be awake and reading! the Dumbledore appearance in 'his head'! (I liked this line most of all: "Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?" mom constantly tries to tell me that there isn't a difference between your inner world and your outer world.. what's the difference? what difference would it make if all life were just one big dream? anyway, I won't get too philosophical with this, but beyond what certain people may've thought about how Dumbledore was brought back to talk to Harry -- I had read this wasn't necessary -- I really enjoyed it)
So yes, it may've been a bit weak to bring Harry back from possible death, but I'd rather Harry live and get his happy ending than naught. I mean, who would've defeated Voldemort otherwise?
One small issue I had--though I am happy I got the Trust Snape sticker at Borders.. I knew better!-- was that Snape wasn't brought to rest at the end. he was just left apparently at Whomping Willow. does this mean he could possibly still be alive? ..the epilogue kind've proves otherwise though. I felt after all he did, he deserves more respect than just to have a namesake. I felt the most compassion for him during 'The Prince's Tale' chapter especially.
Beyond that, I didn't regret reading it (since I didn't really have any real wants and needs beyond the quality of the writing) or throw it across the room as apparently some people did (wtf?). one day I'll reread all the books again since I hear it's fun to see how connected they all really are. I think that's brilliant. this is the best children's / YA series I've ever had the chance of reading and am glad I picked it up when I did even if I didn't grow up with Harry.(less)
A quick last waltz through the Harry Potter novels before I send the set off to school children (somewhere) where they will hopefully be read to pieces and loved for at least a few years.
This last novel has many plotlines to wrap-up and covers the disillusionment that happens as we come of age and into the adult world. Admittedly Harry is coming to it at a very dark time in this fictional universe but Rowling does show the tears that happen and the depth of questioning that is lef...moreA quick last waltz through the Harry Potter novels before I send the set off to school children (somewhere) where they will hopefully be read to pieces and loved for at least a few years.
This last novel has many plotlines to wrap-up and covers the disillusionment that happens as we come of age and into the adult world. Admittedly Harry is coming to it at a very dark time in this fictional universe but Rowling does show the tears that happen and the depth of questioning that is left behind when we lose someone.
There is a great deal of wandering about aimlessly. It might have been illustrated with less prosaic filler unless of course there was a need to depict every ... last.. campsite .. they ... stopped .. at.. While worthy of a travelogue it drags on -- making the novel drag, not to mention the loss of time perspective by the core characters is a bit silly (they were getting papers) and at the very least I don't think Hermione is that un-organized.
I feel there were a few odd things about this novel. For one it isn't ever quite explained why Ron must be the one to destroy the locket horcrux - unless it is as a method to illustrate what the reader should have found obvious about his feelings regarding his two best friends. It might have been better addressed in another manner, however it does bring him back into the main plotline and gives him something to do. For another how did Neville get the sword after the goblin took it? (Possibly I might have missed that bit but I don't think so)
But despite all of that we find out quite a bit as the novel goes on its way. There are highs and lows emotionally, as well as challenges. The end is of course quite exciting and while fans are left with the taste for more I felt it wrapped up quite well all things considered.
I'd like to also take a moment and make note of the lovely illustrations throughout the novels of this series done by Mary GrandPré. They are delightful.
I will leave you with an amusing image that has little to do with my reading of this last novel in the series.. just my amusement.
(less)
Say, Harry Potter is not a movie or a series. Say, it's all real and you're part of that magical world.
Say, Cedric Diggory was your boyfriend, and Voldemort killed him. Or if your a guy, Moaning Myrtle was your girlfriend and Tom Riddle set a Basilisk on her.
You'll hope that DA would win over the Dark Side, and that Harry gets to punish all the Death Eaters with a hundred Cruciatus Curse-for each Death Eater that is- won't you?
You'll dream for the day that you'll get to see Bel...moreSay, Harry Potter is not a movie or a series. Say, it's all real and you're part of that magical world.
Say, Cedric Diggory was your boyfriend, and Voldemort killed him. Or if your a guy, Moaning Myrtle was your girlfriend and Tom Riddle set a Basilisk on her.
You'll hope that DA would win over the Dark Side, and that Harry gets to punish all the Death Eaters with a hundred Cruciatus Curse-for each Death Eater that is- won't you?
You'll dream for the day that you'll get to see Bellatrix and Lucius choose Killing curse just because they can't take anymore Cruciatus curse.
You're so angry you wanted to kill them yourself. You want to avenge Dumbledore's death.
But on your way to Hogsmeade you came across this....
.....
....
...
..
.
Oh no!! After all these years they aren't enemies at all! They've been friends all along. All these years of believing they loathed each other. All these years and Voldemort has got a nose all along.
Well Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is something like this.
All those years of waiting for that Epic epic finale, you get 2 paragraphs of a fight between Voldemort and Harry. I was expecting Harry would use the killing curse at least. But he didn't. The upside though is he used Cruciatus Curse on the Carrows. HAH!!!!! Ooohh I loved that part. Makes me swell with happiness.
I don't mind that J.K killed awful lot of characters,(Although I'd be happy to exchange Cho Chang for Fred) I think it was needed to show that the war was indeed gruesome. Because to NOT kill a lot of characters will make DH a wizarding and early version of Breaking Dawn. Where all the characters lived to tell the tale. No, that would be too painfully idealistic. Idealism is not in any way J.K's way of writing. If Harry Potter was too perfect to the point of unreal-ism, then it wouldn't have been the best selling series of all times.
I didn't like the ending so much. But the whole book was so great, still epic. Kept me on the edge of my seat. It would hurt me if I give HP less than five stars, and honestly it doesn't deserve anything less than 5 stars. Hell I would even give it a million stars if I could.
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.Like every other being on the English-speaking parts of the planet, I picked up J.K. Rowling's new Harry Potter book on the day it came out. This is the final Potter, and after 10 years of following the series I was pretty interested to see how it would all turn out with Harry and his coterie are on the lamb and everything is going to hell now that the chief bad guy is seizing control of the wizarding world.
One of the things that I've always admired about this series is how they star...moreLike every other being on the English-speaking parts of the planet, I picked up J.K. Rowling's new Harry Potter book on the day it came out. This is the final Potter, and after 10 years of following the series I was pretty interested to see how it would all turn out with Harry and his coterie are on the lamb and everything is going to hell now that the chief bad guy is seizing control of the wizarding world.
One of the things that I've always admired about this series is how they started off being childish and fanciful, then matured into more and more sophisticated, dark, and --oddly enough-- realistic books. The Deathly Hallows takes this trend to its conclusion, and not just because the body count is so alarmingly high by the end. I loved how this book looks full into the face of an issue that every one of us has had to deal with on our road towards adulthood: adults are flawed and fallible. And I'm not just talking about the bad guys here. I mean our friends fail us. Our authority figures fail us. Our parents fail us. But it's only because they're real, complex people and we can't see that until we've done some aging ourselves. I loved how Hallows expands on this theme by showing us how people like Dumbledore and even Harry's dad were, at least once, worse people than we thought they were, and how others like Snape and even the Malfoys are better than we thought they were. Rowling teases apart the simple, bold lines she used to draw her characters in the beginning of the series so that they are now possessed of shades and nuances that weren't there before. And yet it flows naturally and you can see that the groundwork was often laid thousands of pages ago.
The other thing to love about Hallows is, of course, that it's a rip-roaring good adventure. Despite the disappointing fact that it falls back on the tired old cliche of the quest to collect all the magicle foozles (actually, there are two sets of foozles in play here) so they can be combined/destroyed lest they save/explode the world, our favorite wizardly teens go from one exciting scene to the next. Well, mostly. I could have done with a lot less of the clomping around in the woods that goes on in the middle of the book, but otherwise it's just good entertainment. And things culminate in (MINOR SPOILER!!) a battle royale at Hogwarts towards the end of the book in which just about every major and minor character from the series gets called in to take the safeties off their wands and totally cut loose. That was just plain fun.
I did have a few problems with the book, but they were mostly minor. It dragged in the middle, as I said, to the point where it seemed like Rowling was just padding it out. I had also have had QUITE enough of Emo Potter and his hissy fit ways in the previous couple of installments, so that I was banging the book against my head when Harry started to get all pissy and emotional to the point of sundering his friendships. Thankfully Rowling moved on, in the name of character development if nothing else.
My only substantial disappointment with Gallows was how it lacked the sense of discovery and world building that earlier books had. What I loved about the early parts of the series was that Rowling's impressive imagination was on full display, meted out in revelations about the wizarding world, its mechanics, its societies, its places, its people, and its, well, magic. I loved finding out what she was going to think of next because it was entertaining and delightful. Hallows, on the other hand, is in full wrap-up mode. We get very little new except the chaos and loss that came out of breaking down everything we had come to know at that point. Still, I guess Rowling had to stop introducing new stuff at some point so that she could wrap it up even if the sense of wonder and discovery is greatly reduced.
So, thumbs up from me. The last 100 pages of the book create what is one of the most satisfying endings to an epic series that I can remember, and I'm really glad I've read the books. I hope that my kids read and enjoy them some day. It'll be fun to talk about them.(less)
Recommends it for: be tossed in a garbage heap and set aflame
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.I waited 9 years for Rowling to do the right thing and kill off the Christ Figure, you know, like the *professional* writers do. Don't get me wrong, Harry was my favorite character--brave, deeply loyal, naturally talented--all wonderful qualities not meant for this foul Earth. I wanted him to die in his prime, to be celebrated in song, like all the great heros before him. Alas...
Rowling didn't write so much a novel, as she did a Hollywood screenplay! Complete with lame wincing juveni...moreI waited 9 years for Rowling to do the right thing and kill off the Christ Figure, you know, like the *professional* writers do. Don't get me wrong, Harry was my favorite character--brave, deeply loyal, naturally talented--all wonderful qualities not meant for this foul Earth. I wanted him to die in his prime, to be celebrated in song, like all the great heros before him. Alas...
Rowling didn't write so much a novel, as she did a Hollywood screenplay! Complete with lame wincing juvenile lines like the one uttered by Molly Weasley to Bellatrix LeStrange in the Battle for Hogwarts, "Not my daughter, you BITCH!" A line meant to draw applause, cheers, and laughter from a bunch of teenagers in a darkened movie theater, not a line that would have been used by the prim and proper mother, Molly Weasley, that we grew to know and love in books 1-6.
The book could have been better edited as there were long stretches of BORING reading throughout. It's as if Rowling just ran out of creative juices in the end and chose to let her fans write the final book for her. She inserted "PotterWatch" as a nod to the PotterCasters(PotterCast and MuggleCast), and she wrote in a nude scene for Harry Potter, as a nod to Daniel Radcliffe's nude stint in Equus. The whole *camping out in the forest waiting for something to happen* part was NOT something I expected after Book 6, when it was shown with such great care how Voldemort had hidden the locket horcrux. I can't believe they are making 2 films out of this, the crappiest book in the series!
Oh, and that Epilogue, where to begin? If Rowling sent out apology letters to all her fans for writing it, that still wouldn't be enough of an atonement! The woman should be tarred, feathered, drawn, and quartered for that criminally putrid Epilogue! The visual of a middle aged Harry Potter waiting at the train station to get to his 9 to 5 job was the let-down of the century. I loved Harry because he was special and because of his aura of destiny! I loved that, despite his emotionally abusive childhood, he chose to become a decent human being, instead of following Tom Riddle's path of evil and bitterness! I loved that, when presented with a challenge, he almost always chose to do the right and moral thing, over what was easy.
I didn't want to see him become a regular, boring adult, with a lame, humdrum life, he was too talented, too moral, too heroic for all of that mundane crap!(less)
Deathly Hallows is in fierce competition with Half-Blood Prince as the worst book of the series. It is an extremely bloated book in which nothing much happens for chapters upon chapters because Rowling is dragging the storyline out -- so it can end at the end of the school year, like all the other books. Many plotlines of previous books are barely touched upon (S.P.E.W.) or "resolved" in an entirely dissatisfactory manner (Grawp, though I wasn't unhappy about not seeing more of him).
...moreDeathly Hallows is in fierce competition with Half-Blood Prince as the worst book of the series. It is an extremely bloated book in which nothing much happens for chapters upon chapters because Rowling is dragging the storyline out -- so it can end at the end of the school year, like all the other books. Many plotlines of previous books are barely touched upon (S.P.E.W.) or "resolved" in an entirely dissatisfactory manner (Grawp, though I wasn't unhappy about not seeing more of him).
Characters who were hyped in interviews but turned out to be of little importance include Ginny Weasley, who winds up doing absolutely nothing of relevance throughout the whole book, whereas she was annoyingly and tediously present (and acting like a complete jerk) in Half-Blood Prince. Despite my dislike of this character, I had expected to see much more of her, and I was disappointed to see her true purpose was bearing Harry Potter's childrens in one of the, if not the, least believable "romances" of the series.
The book, and the series, then end with a cloying epilogue which tells us little about things that actually matter and instead focuses on who marries who, complete with precocious children (who are naturally of similar ages; so considerate of everyone to get pregnant at the same time!) and insipid names (Albus Severus, but no child named after Ginny's dead brother?). I like to pretend this epilogue, or "crapilogue" as disappointed fans have dubbed it, doesn't exist, and that the series officially ends after Harry kills Voldemort. Leaves much more to the imagination and is much more of a fitting end.
My expectations prior to the release were faily high. That turned out to be a mistake. I won't be rereading this installment any time soon, possibly not ever again.(less)
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.July 2009 After my second reading of this book, I have so many more feelings and comments about it than I did after the first reading. But I think those comments mainly deal with the series as a whole, rather than just this book, and this book (being the conclusion of the saga) just brings some of the brilliance of the entire series more fully into focus. I may take a page from Madeleine's book and write a review of the entire series. I also think that this is a series I could read once a ye...moreJuly 2009 After my second reading of this book, I have so many more feelings and comments about it than I did after the first reading. But I think those comments mainly deal with the series as a whole, rather than just this book, and this book (being the conclusion of the saga) just brings some of the brilliance of the entire series more fully into focus. I may take a page from Madeleine's book and write a review of the entire series. I also think that this is a series I could read once a year.
July 2007 Wow. I cannot believe it's over! This book was an absolute emotional roller coaster. I don't even know where to start so I'm just going to list some random thoughts:
1. I am exceedingly happy (and surprised) that the trio survived. I was sure Ron or Hermione was going to die. In the scene where Bellatrix is torturing Hermione, I thought that was going to be it and I was pissed that Ron never got the chance to tell her how much he loved her.
2. Along those same lines, I didn't really like how LONG it took Ron and Hermione to finally get together. I understand this is war, and there were more pressing things on their minds than dating, but they escaped death so many times that I thought they'd declare their love for each other out of the heat of the moment. It was cute how, once Ron finally embraced Hermione's passion for S.P.E.W., she lays one on him.
3. The death of Dobby was very sad. But Dobby would have wanted to die saving Harry Potter. This was not the first time he risked everything to come to Harry Potter's aid. I think it'll be harder for me to read the second time, though, The first time, I was so worried that Hermione was going to die that it numbed the pain of Dobby's death. But the funeral scene was very sad.
4. I was very saddened by Fred's death, but I wasn't altogether surprised. I never thought that all of the Weasleys would survive, and I figured it would be Fred or George. I was really happy to see Ginny, Hagrid, and Neville live. I was also sad about Tonks and Lupin, but I think it's intersting that Harry's godson was orphaned in the fight to defeat Voldemort just as Harry was. It'll definitely give Harry some insight into his godson's feelings. But my question is, who raised him? Clearly, he didn't grow up living with Harry, so did he get raised by Tonks' mother?
5. My "Yay for you!" character moments: Dudley shaking Harry's hand. Mrs. Weasley calling Bellatrix a bitch. Percy redeeming himself. NEVILLE stepping up and becoming a full-on leader with the DA, and then drawing the sword out of the hat and killing Nagini, allowing Harry to defeat Voldemort once and for all!
6. I wish we'd have had a few more clues throughout the series as to Dumbledore's past. I never even knew he had a sister, did anyone else? Even just a passing mention of her somewhere... I understand now why Dumbledore had to die. I mean, I knew it would have something to do with Harry needing to go it alone, but it was more than that. Had Dumbledore been around for Harry to ask about the Deathly Hallows, I think things would have turned out differently.
7. Voldemort's arrogance was his undoing. He was too arrogant to think there would be more to the prophecy, so he went after baby Harry, thereby fulfilling his own prophecy and equipping Harry with his own power, his own soul. He was arrogant enough to think that Harry's blood in his own veins would give him Lily's protection without giving Harry any ties to him. He was arrogant enough to think that his own wand would work against Harry, arrogant enough to think Lucius' wand would work against Harry, arrogant enough to think he could just steal the Elder Wand without earning it.
8. Let the Christ/Messiah comparisons continue: not only did Harry willingly sacrifice himself for all of mankind, but he even was, in a way, resurrected.
9. Didn't Rowling say that a non-magic person would use magic late in life? Who was it? DId I miss something?
10. And finally... SNAPE! I knew he was good, I knew it, I knew it!! Brent and I had just discussed Snape carrying a torch for Lily. Brent even called it that Voldemort was going to spare Lily because Snape asked him to, and that when Lily died, Snape left Voldemort forever. I was disappointed that we learned all about Snape at the end, though, I would have liked to find out little by little, and have Harry piecing it together. I guess this way was more dramatic though. I definitely teared up when Harry named his son Albus Severus and told him that Severus Snape was probably the bravest man he ever knew. (less)
This is not a review of the book. My comments specifically relate to a scene in and a song from the soundtrack to the first Deathly Hallows film.
Sexualtiy Content Warning
I originally posted a version of my comments in a GR discussion about sexuality and Harry Potter. If you are the sort of reader who thinks these two issues should never be associated with each other, please do not read on. I don't want to spoil your world view.
This is not a review of the book. My comments specifically relate to a scene in and a song from the soundtrack to the first Deathly Hallows film.
Sexualtiy Content Warning
I originally posted a version of my comments in a GR discussion about sexuality and Harry Potter. If you are the sort of reader who thinks these two issues should never be associated with each other, please do not read on. I don't want to spoil your world view.
Sexuality, Adolescence and Harry Potter One of the funny things about the original discussion and the response to it is the lack of recognition of how important sexuality actually (and overtly) is to HP, especially later in the series. It defies me how people expect someone to write about or think about or progress through adolescence without considering sex or sexuality. Heartstring Wands and Love Triangles For me, HP is a love triangle in which there is enormous sexual tension around who will end up with Hermione by the time they escape the chains of adolescence. Obviously, JKR for her own reasons avoids the obvious temptation to let Harry end up with Hermione. However, right up until the last moment, there is some doubt as to whether Ron will get the girl. It's totally misguided to think that HP's adolescent audience isn't right on top of this issue. In fact, they're probably way ahead of most adults in the audience (including me). Let's Dance In the first Deathly Hallows film, Harry and Hermione dance together, while Ron remains banished in the wild. This was a tipping point in the story, when Hermione might possibly have reversed her sexual selection. When I saw the film, a whole group of kids burst out laughing in this scene. I still don't know whether I missed something (was it Harry's seriousness or clumsiness?), but I was too busy concentrating on the soundtrack and trying to work out its significance. The Ship Song The song was Nick Cave's "The Ship Song", which was the last thing I expected to hear in a HP film. It's a great melody, but if you have a look at the lyrics, you have to wonder what was intended by the director, at least. http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/n/nickcave... Did Harry create a "little mystery" with Hermione? Did Hermione loose her dogs on Harry? Or let her hair hang down? Did Harry have to remove her wings, so that she could try to fly in her own right? Did Hermione have to escape Harry's legendary pull, so she could find happiness? I wish I could have asked those kids.
Post Script: I just asked my 12 year old daughter why people laughed at that scene, and she said (in this order) "because they weren't together" (i.e., a recognised couple) and "because they were goofy". (less)
I finally finished the Harry Potter series. I guess I shouldn't say finally-- when I bemoaned how long it took me to read the 7 book series (2 months), people reacted with incredulous remarks of how that was not a long time to take. I guess it just felt like it. I loved the books so much, always wanted to read them (I liked them the way you do when a book is just delicious. You think about it when you can't read it and nothing brings you more satisfaction than to finally unlatch your brain and c...moreI finally finished the Harry Potter series. I guess I shouldn't say finally-- when I bemoaned how long it took me to read the 7 book series (2 months), people reacted with incredulous remarks of how that was not a long time to take. I guess it just felt like it. I loved the books so much, always wanted to read them (I liked them the way you do when a book is just delicious. You think about it when you can't read it and nothing brings you more satisfaction than to finally unlatch your brain and crawl in the story at the end of the day...sigh. Is this just me? It can't be.), and considering how easy the first several books in the series were, it just felt like forever. A measly nothing compared to some friends of mine who, from H.P. onset, had to wait a year between each book. Sometimes more-- one friend took 8 years to complete the series due to the epidemic we Bibliophile's refer to as "release waiting".
I loved this book best of all. It showed Harry's dark and light, with more balance than the previous books. Harry was what you wanted and expected him to be. A friend whose personality you knew well and could predict. That was the other fun part of Deathly Hallows, being able to predict with authority different mysteries along the way, just from your absorption in each character and the different spells and places and names that seemed alive-- you know your magic if you've made it this far. JKR is brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Every little detail is important. Everything. In a way that leaves no stone unturned, but not in a irritating fashion. It's concise. It grabs you and it feels real.
The last 100 pages were almost agonizing in their emotional force. The book was immediately on a whole different level than all the editions before. I am talking 2nd. page into the book, it was darker and more intense-- a higher level of writing, a deeper level of what you knew was coming from the beginning. A terrible cost. Even JKR's vocabulary choices. It's elevated and therefor all the more impacting. Voldemort comes into his full stride, completing his ultimate symbolism of the dark side of man and the spirit, and it is terrifying. These characters that you feel you know are in life or death situations for over 700 pages. It's utterly gripping.
I felt like I had said goodbye to an old friend at the end. That's always a good thing for a reader.
Yeah, it's a young adult story. Clearly. But it has a wonderful message and unbelievably inspiring characters and situations that teach lessons that all ages could do well to heed.
I treasure my books. If you've been to my house, you know this. If you went in my room as a kid or teenager, you'd know this. My life has been surrounded with books. Rarely loaned and often cleaned, they fill my home. I have Harry Potter sitting beneath my fireplace, in the center of my living room. Just to make sure I can keep an eye on them.
"Would I?" asked Dumbledore heavily. "I am not so sure. I had proven, as a very young man, that power was my weakness and my temptation. It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find their own surprise that they wear it well."(less)
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.I liked it. I really did. I laughed, I cheered, I said "Holy SHIT!" at least twice.... I even got a little choked up at some points. All in all, I'd say it was a successful end to the series. Ms. Rowling deserves to take a little time off and enjoy basking in the glow of the knowledge that she has not only written seven successful books in ten years, but created an entire world that is big enough to fit hundreds more.
Anyway, about this actual book. It felt a lot longer than...moreI liked it. I really did. I laughed, I cheered, I said "Holy SHIT!" at least twice.... I even got a little choked up at some points. All in all, I'd say it was a successful end to the series. Ms. Rowling deserves to take a little time off and enjoy basking in the glow of the knowledge that she has not only written seven successful books in ten years, but created an entire world that is big enough to fit hundreds more.
Anyway, about this actual book. It felt a lot longer than the rest of them did, probably because of the format change - no more Hogwarts, no more Quidditch, points gained, points lost, detentions with Snape and all that. Our Heroes were kept on the run for pretty much the entire book, so that by the time you get to the climax you think, "Wow, did they do all that in just 500 pages? A wedding, a break-in at the Ministry, a break-in at Gringotts, a major battle in the Malfoy mansion, a brush with death at Godrick's Hollow and all that in just 500 pages? Hot damn...."
Speaking of Gringotts, that's one of the many reasons I liked this book. Rowling told us in book one that you'd have to be a fool to break into Gringotts, and most authors would require you to take it on their word. But she went and showed us, and came up with a hell of a scenario.
As much fun as it was finding out that Dumbledore was just as obnoxious in his youth as most of us are was cool, it did feel a bit forced. The entire scene where Aunt Muriel lectured Doge on Dumbledore's youthful indiscretions and mysterious family goings-on should have just WARNING: EXPOSITION stamped on it in red. I'm not sure what the purpose of it was, other than to humanize Dumbledore and to give us a lead-in to the Deathly Hallows. Which I'm still of two minds about anyway. As cool as the idea was, I don't think we should have had to wait until this late in the series to find out about them. At the end of Half-Blood Prince, Harry's path is straight and sure - Horicruxes all the way - and now we have this distraction in the Hallows. Also deserving of the EXPOSITION stamp: Snape's final memories in the Pensieve and Harry's last conversation with Dumbledore.
I don't know, maybe it was to give him the choice between destroying Voldemort and defeating Voldemort or something. I haven't really processed it all yet, since I did read the book at approximately Mach 4, which is not the recommended reading speed. Perhaps I'll be more comfortable with the Hallows in the re-read.
And then there was the camping sequence. I get it - they're lost in more ways than one. I suspect this may have been an artifact of the one book = one year format. It was probably also meant to keep us in a sense of heightened danger, but that's pretty much where I felt the book drag.
Okay, now that I'm done nit-picking...
DEATH!
Ms. Rowling said in an interview that this book "isn't a bloodbath."
Oh really?
1. Hedwig - This was Rowling saying, "I'm not fucking around. I've just killed Harry's most faithful companion, his tether to the world in which he belongs. Imagine what else I'm planning."
2. Mad-Eye Mooney - A fallen warrior, just like the chapter title says. I think Mad-Eye would have been surprised to survive this battle - of all the Order of the Phoenix he seemed most in tune with the reality that they faced.
3. Dobby - This was where I got choked up, I don't mind telling you. Dobby didn't deserve a knife in the heart. Hell, he didn't deserve to die at all. Having said that, he died very well, and his death was handled with dignity. It was also another reminder from Rowling - "See? I killed off another completely innocent character. You people have no idea what you're in for...."
4. Wormtail - Devious bastard. Good riddance. I would have liked to have seen more of his super-hand in action, though. What was it truly capable of?
5. Crabbe - We finally hear him speak! And we find out he's been hiding his light under a bushel. Too bad it then proceeded to burn up the bushel, and the room it was in.
6. Fred - I hate being right. Dammit.
7. Snape - Ah yes, Snape. This was done well. She kept us wondering right up to the end, and it paid off. I seriously thought he was on the dark side, but that's probably because I have no faith in real human beings, much less fictional ones. Now since I'm not a fan-fictioner, or a 'shipper, I never caught on to the idea that Snape and Lily might have had any relationship prior to Hogwarts. I thought her reaction to James' hazing was simply out of compassion for her fellow human being. I had no idea. Anyway, it's good to be wrong. Knowing everything will certainly make re-reads a little more interesting....
8. Remus and
9. Tonks - There seems to be a lot of anger out there about the way they died - off-screen and without much impact. A lot of people appear to have a lot invested in their relationship, which surprised me. I thought they were an interesting couple, and the idea of their child was very fertile ground for future storytelling, but their relationship was never a central storyline to begin with. Every step of it was happing without the reader's knowledge. It was just revealed to us through Harry. Their courtship, their wedding, their child and their death, none of it was meant to be - and I know I'm going to get snapped at for this - important. They were a nice couple, but as we've already seen, "nice" doesn't exempt you from dying in this book.
If you want to get analytical about it, it is probable that the orphaning of young Ted Lupin was meant to provide a positive mirror to Harry's own experience: here is another child of a wizarding family whose parents were taken from him before he even knew who they were. Unlike Harry, though, Ted will have a loving, supportive extended family to look after him and see that he's brought up right. For his part, Harry will be able to redeem Sirius in that he can be the godfather that Sirius never was. So while the deaths of Remus and Tonks was regrettable, it was not wrong.
10. Colin Creevey
- The grace note. One last reminder from Rowling that she plays no favorites with the supporting cast, and a reminder that being innocent and nice and likable won't be enough to save you. See Remus and Tonks.</li>
11. Voldemort
- Definitely dead, if the epilogue is to be believed. So there.
That's a pretty impressive body count, not including all the nameless characters who died and the people who only got seriously maimed. And it was this willingness to be brutal to her characters that made me love Rowling all the more....
Let's see, what else.... Yes, Mrs. Weasley is my hero, and hopefully we can get Sigourney Weaver to play her in the movie. And Neville finally lived up to his promise. He could have been in Harry 's place, and he finally proved that he could have been every bit the hero that Harry was. Bravo for him. And his grandmother kicks ass in every way, shape and form....
I loved the callback to Sorcerer's Stone. In that book, Harry, Ron and Hermione were trying to get past Devil's Snare, which can be repelled by fire. Hermione laments that they don't have any wood, to which Ron replies, "have you gone mad? Are you a witch or not?" In this book, while trying to get past the Whomping Willow, Ron moans that if they only had Crookshanks with them, they could hit the secret knot and freeze the limbs. To which Hermione replies, "Crookshanks? Are you a wizard or what?" Bless Rowling's heart for trusting us to be paying enough attention to get that joke.
I really wish we could have seen Dolores Umbridge get her comeuppance. Imagine this scene from chapter 31, The Battle of Hogwarts....
Umbridge dashed as quickly as her legs would take her through the carnage. She was nearly hit by blast after blast of green light coming from wands carelessly aimed. Her thoughts ran on one track - I have to get out of here. She turned the corner and ran into a resilient, pinkish wall. She barely had time to register what it was before Grawp clenched his fist around her. "Release me!" she screamed. "I am the senior assistant to the Minister of -"
And then Grawp ate her.
Ahh, the poetry. She was an evil word-that-rhymes-with-runt and deserved to be punished.
Oh, also, Pansy Parkinson: "But he's right there!" Winner of Hogwarts' first Slowest on the Uptake Award. That was a great moment. I would have liked to have seen a few of her fellow Slytherins stand up as well, but I guess it's tough to go against your own House.
The epilogue was a good idea, if rushed. There was a flood of information that needed to be processed in only a few pages, and I see no reason why she couldn't have let it out for a few more pages. It's not like we were going to get to "Nineteen Years Later...." and just give up because the epilogue was too long. But it serves its purpose - it lets us know that after all that we'd seen, everything eventually works out. Not right away, and not perfectly - note that after all the talk about not allowing themselves to be divided, there are still houses at Hogwarts and Slytherin is still the "evil" one - but all in all everything's okay.
Which brings us to my final thought, at least for now: I said at the beginning that Rowling has earned herself a nice break. She's put in a lot of work and reaped massive rewards, both tangible and intangible. But I suspect that she won't be able to rest for long. There is so much Story there, just waiting to be told. The fans will certainly take a stab at it, and I wouldn't be surprised if someone's already written a threesome between Albus Potter, Scorpius Malfoy and Teddy Lupin.
Anyway, that's a whole lot more than I was planning to write, and I'm pretty sure I left things out. But there it is, my thoughts on Deathly Hallows. A good end to a good series.(less)
What can I say but genius? All along I have considered myself a mild Harry Potter fan, but once you get to the end and Rowling wraps up all the minute details she plants from book one you cannot help but be amazed at her creativity. Building on each of the books, writing each one at a slightly higher level as the characters grow up, all the details, and lets not forget the insignificant matter of the entire world evolving to hold a joint consciousness of Harry Potter. Children's literature has b...moreWhat can I say but genius? All along I have considered myself a mild Harry Potter fan, but once you get to the end and Rowling wraps up all the minute details she plants from book one you cannot help but be amazed at her creativity. Building on each of the books, writing each one at a slightly higher level as the characters grow up, all the details, and lets not forget the insignificant matter of the entire world evolving to hold a joint consciousness of Harry Potter. Children's literature has boomed and for that alone I give her immense credit.
We are finally rewarded with Ron and Hermione. I am finally justified in Snape being my favorite character. We get to see the emotion to McGonagall and the history of Dumbledore. And of course, we finally, after 4100 pages, get to see the face off between good and evil, see what powers truly lie in Harry, and discover how strong our own allegiance to the boy really are. Rowling satisfies both camps on Harry's fate (without having to scar the boy with a task like Snape's) and even me who cared more about Snape's destiny than Harry's.
Yes the book is long and there are a few scenes in the Forest of Deans and at Bill & Fleur's that drag, but they are spaced out and there is so much else packed in to reward you for a few pages spent just as frustrated as the hero trio. Besides my favorite scene happens in that lonely forest when Harry finds the sword. But once the action winds back to Hogwarts, the book is nearly impossible to put down. The wand loyalties could have been explained better, but overall the complexity of the plot and resolution were impressive.
The emotion in the book is so strong. Maybe it's that after all these years and all these books, you feel so committed to the characters, but you can't help but feel so full of emotion, and even I'll admit it cry, at the height of the story. I don't think there's an emotion you don't feel in reading this book, but the strongest one is in the end when you have to close the book and say goodbye to the chapter in your life tied up in the story. I can't read this book without feeling sad at the end that it is over.
My favorite thing about book 7 is the way it ends, back at King's Cross where your view shifts from seeing Harry's adventures as a lost 11-year-old about to have a fantastic journey to a caring adult guiding a broken boy through the pain and challenges he is about to endure and conquer on this spectacular journey. What can I say but genius?(less)
Recommends it for: Teens and Adults, It is not for ALL CHILDREN
IT IS NOT FOR ALL CHILDREN some SHELTERED CHILDREN might not be permitted by parents to read such harsh language and killing scenes.
Some CHILDREN might not be educated enough to understand the plot and deep messages this book does have, which are intended for adult readers.
Yes, some CHILDREN may be ready for this type of story, but many are not, due to parental restrictions in their lives.
I firmly believe if a child has lived through horrid events then they will be able to read...moreIT IS NOT FOR ALL CHILDREN some SHELTERED CHILDREN might not be permitted by parents to read such harsh language and killing scenes.
Some CHILDREN might not be educated enough to understand the plot and deep messages this book does have, which are intended for adult readers.
Yes, some CHILDREN may be ready for this type of story, but many are not, due to parental restrictions in their lives.
I firmly believe if a child has lived through horrid events then they will be able to read this.
I guess sometimes it was hard for me to imagine that there was someone writing these remarkable stories. I really started to feel the characters after seeing the movies. I could hear them in my head their accents and everything!
I forgot that there was a WOMAN behind the scenes. Someone a lot like me.
J.K. Rowling was a single mother of two kids and on welfare! She started the books not really understanding what an impact they would make in people's lives!
She never thought her books would be banned and hated my many people.
Or that many billions more would LOVE her and her brilliant writing skills.
I have learned that we all are magical beings. No matter what religion we are, we have love, bravery and imaginations...we are creative and romantic...There is a story in all of our hearts. I found that I have been fighting DEMENTORS and Voldemort's for a long time. I found that my own life struggles are a lesson for me. A journey I must take sometimes alone and sometimes with friends or family.
Before I read Deathly Hallows I understood something, Death is a part of our Lives. We cannot survive one without the other.
If we are not born we would not die.We must do both.
I knew this before reading the last book.
I have the Magic in me to survive death, by walking right into it when the time comes.
It will not be a terrible thing, only leaving behind the ones we love and knowing that they will miss us sorely. Knowing that and end of our journey here the end of our story...the book will be replaced on the shelve and maybe not read again for a long time...When someone we love takes a photo of us or a letter we wrote long ago while we lived, and read it and for a moment remember us and we will be alive again in a memory in a heart beat in the tears...
We will be once more remembered and for a few moments alive...and then we will rest again...a memory for another day. Inside the hearts of those who love us we will remain alive and warm and LOVED...
Our spirit will have long journeyed on to a new place a new time making more friends and families and stories...
I love my mind how it is.
I might not be societies perfect person but who is?
I have flaws.
I am moody and emotional. I love too much and give of myself. I am a great friend and mother. A healer and artist and creator of stories and I grow plants and care for animals...I am human.I am me.
And J.K. Rowling where ever you may be, THANKS I did enjoy my travels with you and Harry and ALL those wonderful people you created to become a part of my life and memories. Because it will add some excitement to the pages of my life-book! I am sure my girls will always remember my nerdish obsession with HARRY POTTER.
THIS BOOK: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS
Is not for ALL children under the age of oh let's say 10.
It is full of death and killing. Of course it was coming, all this drastic drama, but I really do not see a reason for J.K. Rowling to feel she needed to kill certain people.
I will not spoil WHO gets the axe, but I have never cried so much in any of these books!
However in LIFE there comes DEATH, and some people must stand up and choose between what is RIGHT and what is EASY!
And I will always remember the ones who gave their lives in this book to make the Witch & Wizarding world safe once more!
A great read, I am planning to keep this as all the books in my collection for as long as I live.
I will re read them all again and again.
I wait for the MOVIES 6 and 7!
THANKS! Nikki Jo(less)
FrancesThis book is certainly for children. Bellatrix is about to kill Ginny, and what is Mrs. Weasley supposed to say? "Not my daughter you rude girl!"...moreThis book is certainly for children. Bellatrix is about to kill Ginny, and what is Mrs. Weasley supposed to say? "Not my daughter you rude girl!"?(less)
Oct 21, 2011 07:44pm
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.When I first read this book, my only caveat was what I thought of as the protracted, sagging middle of the story, in which the trio travel around the country, trying to figure out what to do without really doing much. They break into the Ministry, they revisit Godric's Hollow, they obtain the sword of Gryffindor, but mostly they just relocate, camp in the woods, and try to interpret the intentions of the dead and departed, or deal with their legacies by interpreting the artifactual evidence the...moreWhen I first read this book, my only caveat was what I thought of as the protracted, sagging middle of the story, in which the trio travel around the country, trying to figure out what to do without really doing much. They break into the Ministry, they revisit Godric's Hollow, they obtain the sword of Gryffindor, but mostly they just relocate, camp in the woods, and try to interpret the intentions of the dead and departed, or deal with their legacies by interpreting the artifactual evidence they left behind. Regulus and the locket; Grindewald and Dumbledore and the fragments of their story indirectly derived from Belinda Bagshot; Lily's letter to Sirius; the deer patronus; the anonymous missives of support left at the grave of Harry's parents in Godric's Hollow; learning about the DA and the Order through the Potterwatch broadcasts, etc.
One example of this was the scene at the Lovegood's, when Harry discovers Luna's private mural of himself, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny, intertwined with a golden ribbon of the word "friends" repeated over and over. There were some other important narrative elements introduced in this scene, and some action, but the description of this mural had me tearing up. As I read that passage, Luna transformed from an adorably oblivious but ultimately irrelevant side character to this formerly lonely, abandoned human being for whom the DA's friendship was as novel as it was profoundly essential. And I was actually filled with grief that Harry learned this too late, that this crisis was exposing the unbreakable strength underlying all Harry's friendships too late to acknowledge and cherish those bonds for what they were worth.
Except... it wasn't too late, because Luna and many of the others were still alive, and still fighting. So why did I feel like they were dead? This brought to mind a passage from Netherland (which I now feel more inclined to finish):
An ancient discovery was now mine to make: to leave is to take nothing less than a mortal action. [...] after Mama's cremation I could not rid myself ot the notion that she had been placed in the furnace of memory even when alive and, by extension, that one's dealings with others, ostensibly vital, at a certain point become dealings with the dead.
For me, this cast the middle section of the book in a completely new light. Now it became an examination of the way the departed, both dead and alive, continue to touch us and affect our lives through the memories and thoughts they leave behind. In Netherland, O'Neil was pointing out the tragedy of this, how even the living can become as distant from us as the dead, but I think Rowling wants the reader to see this as a profoundly important part of being alive, that seeking out and understanding these kinds of evidence makes bearable the void left by the absent. The influence of the dead is important throughout this book and throughout this series, but in this seemingly humdrum plateau of the novel, I think it becomes paramount.
There are lots of other incoherent things I could blather on about, mostly the difference between self-sacrifice and martyrdom and the merits of happy endings, but this review is approaching the edge of "long" with "pointlessly long" well in sight, so I'll finish. I loved this book as I love the whole series, and its existence has made my life better.(less)
Amazingly, I managed to secure a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows from the Arlington Public Library. I was 69th in the queue when I put my name on the waiting list in February but they ordered enough copies so that I got mine on the first day it was available. I love the public library! I read the book in a rush last weekend and have been going through it more slowly a second time.
Amazingly, I managed to secure a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows from the Arlington Public Library. I was 69th in the queue when I put my name on the waiting list in February but they ordered enough copies so that I got mine on the first day it was available. I love the public library! I read the book in a rush last weekend and have been going through it more slowly a second time.
Adding to the pile of commentary available on the internet, my random thoughts on the book are after the link below. Beware, SPOILERS ahead!
* Overall, I thought the Deathly Hallows was an exciting and satisfying finish to the story and an excellent conclusion to the themes and ideas introduced in the first six books. Was it the best of the 7? Eh. I still lean towards Book 3, the first of the grown-up storylines, and Book 5, which I loved the second time after mildly disliking it at first. However, most of my complaints are pretty minor.
* The middle chapters where Harry, Hermione and Ron are on the run from the Death Eaters were hard to read, but very effective. Rowling really makes you feel their fear and hopelessness. They have no idea what they're doing, Harry won't accept help from Lupin or anyone else, his faith in Dumbledore is severely tested, they bicker amongst themselves because they're stressed out of their minds, and then Ron walks out and they're ambushed by Voldemort. Holy crap, this just might be too scary for younger readers (like me). And then when they bottom out Rowling uncorks that beautiful scene with the silver doe, and Ron returns and you're like, ahhhh, I think it's going to be OK. Nicely done.
* Snape's death. I loved that sinister Severus Snape turned out to be a heroic spy for the Order motivated by an unrequited love for Harry's mom - indeed, I would have been annoyed if he hadn't. As one character put it: the world isn't divided into nice people and Death Eaters. But, I was a little miffed that he didn't have a larger role in 7 and was offed so perfunctorily by Voldemort. I was hoping his backstory would have been integrated into the plot a little better (like, saving Harry and dying tragically or something), rather than being told in flashback.
* The entire ending of the book felt a little rushed, like Rowling realized she had dozens of loose ends to tie together and only 200 pages left to do it. At times there was a little too much tell, not enough show. Like when Harry and Dumbledore have their question-and-answer session after Harry gets avada kedavra'd. I mean, it was nice to have Dumbledore's presence back for one last reassuring conversation and the scene works certainly works dramatically, but it still seemed a little ad hoc.
* I wasn't a fan of the whole complicated Elder Wand genealogy that gave Harry his big advantage over Voldemort; in fact the three Deathly Hallows themselves seemed almost like red herrings for all they mattered in the end. But I did enjoy the exciting mano-a-mano showdown. Talk about closure.
* Two things that kicked ass: house elves and Mrs. Weasley. It seems like they could have made better use of the house elves throughout.
* The epilogue was a little lame, I thought. I mean, I was happy to see Harry and Ginny's and Ron and Hermione's families, but it was a little clunky and all the interesting questions were left unanswered (although Rowling does give a little more information in this interview and she is reportedly writing an encyclopedia of Hogwarts, or something, for those of us wanting more details).
In the few hours since I finished listening to Stephen Fry's narration of the last episode of the saga of Harry Potter and his friends, I've been letting the novel wash over me and trying to determine my impressions not only of this book, but of the series as a whole.
There were times when I felt irritated by the way the narrative was progressing. I know I'm not the only reader to wonder whether the book should have been called Harry Potter and the Awfully Long Camping Trip. The thr...moreIn the few hours since I finished listening to Stephen Fry's narration of the last episode of the saga of Harry Potter and his friends, I've been letting the novel wash over me and trying to determine my impressions not only of this book, but of the series as a whole.
There were times when I felt irritated by the way the narrative was progressing. I know I'm not the only reader to wonder whether the book should have been called Harry Potter and the Awfully Long Camping Trip. The three heroes really did seem to spend a lot more time in a tent than was strictly necessary for the telling of the tale. Harry Potter and the Bickering Housemates is another possible title which came to mind after yet another session of yelling, pouting and stalking off.
I was also irritated by some of the plot devices introduced into the final instalment which seemed to come out of nowhere. (view spoiler)[For example, I could accept that the wand chooses the wizard. After all, that was established in Book 1. But mastery of the wand goes to the person who defeated its previous owner? Seems to me that a lot of wizards and witches were defeated during the course of the previous six novels with no real indication that they lost mastery of their wands as a result. (hide spoiler)]
There's lots to criticise in this book: plot holes, heavy-handed religious symbolism, stretches of tedium interspersed with episodes of crazy activity culminating in deus ex machina-engineered escapes. However, there's also plenty to love. And I've decided that it's the things that I love about the book - and about the series - which will be my lasting impression of reading all seven books one after the other.
So .... I love that Rowling created characters I care about. To me, the characters were much more successfully achieved than the overarching themes of love, loyalty, sacrifice and death. Lots of writers have done a better job writing about those themes. But the characters are great creations. I loved seeing Harry, Ron and Hermione grow up. I loved Ron's family and Neville, Luna, Sirius, Remus and Tonks, Hagrid and even Dumbledore and the Hogwarts teachers. I wanted to know what happened to all of them. I wanted to know the mystery of Severus Snape. (view spoiler)[ And I was very glad that I was right about him all along. I found the revelations about his motivation and his role unsurprising, but very moving nonetheless. In fact, I suspect that Snape's story will stay with me the longest. (hide spoiler)] And I really loved the way in which Stephen Fry brought all of these characters to life.
There were scenes, too, both in this book and throughout the series that I will remember. Too many to chronicle, really. However, in this episode Neville's bravery, the return of Percy, Dobby's bravery and the scenes involving Snape stand out.
While over the course of the series I have found lots to criticise in Rowling's writing - including her tendency to jam large amounts of exposition into set speeches and dialogue - I liked some of the plot devices which allowed the narrative to be seen from different points of view, specifically the pensieve and the connection between Harry and Voldemort.
All in all, I'm glad I finally came to the Harry Potter party, even though I arrived so late. Still, I suspect that enjoying the series as one long party, rather than having to wait for a long time between each instalment, has had its advantages.
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I was stunned and dismayed by the time I finished this book. I have been a fan of the HP series since about 2000, when a friend recommended Book 1 to me as a cute little book that she was tutoring 5th graders with. I read it, liked it, and figured I'd pick up the next book when it came out.
As each book came out, many critics and fans commented that JK had a unique style of approaching her series; the way that her books grew with her targeted audience. The series became darker and ...moreI was stunned and dismayed by the time I finished this book. I have been a fan of the HP series since about 2000, when a friend recommended Book 1 to me as a cute little book that she was tutoring 5th graders with. I read it, liked it, and figured I'd pick up the next book when it came out.
As each book came out, many critics and fans commented that JK had a unique style of approaching her series; the way that her books grew with her targeted audience. The series became darker and more complex, the writing more intense as the series continued.
By the 5th book, I was well and truly hooked, and read each book voraciously when it came out. I re-read the entire available series just before the next book was released, and enjoyed them immensely.
When Book 7 came out, I was disappointed, but only in the way that a fan is when what they have enjoyed so long is at an end. There would be no more HP books to look forward to. As I had not been part of HP online communities, nor did I enjoy the movies, this was the end of the series for me.
Then I read the book, and I was furious. Six books she spent preaching about house unity, and how Hogwarts must unite or fall. Six books she spent warning of a terrible and devastating war that Harry would be in the thick of. Six books that were well enough written between plot and description that I could overlook her lack of characterization for antagonists or the fact that Ginny was essentially a flat character.
And then book 7, where she completely ignores everything she spent 6 books setting up, skips around the reality of war by having Harry wander around lost on the moors for a bit, and then pulls a religious analogy out of her hat.
Although the religious analogy did make me laugh -- I can't help but wonder if all those who said HP was the devil's work will be praising it like it's Narnia in 10 years.
Still, I couldn't believe what she'd done to her work. I don't know if that honestly was her vision from the beginning, as she claims -- if it was, then the entire series suffers for it, and her vision is severely limited. The other alternative is that she sold out or simply didn't care because she's already richer than a queen. Whatever the reasoning, it was an awful, disappointing end to a beautifully textured series.(less)
J.K. Rowling (Joanne "Jo" Rowling) is the writer behind the best selling "Harry Potter" series. The Potter books have gained worldwide attention, won multiple awards, sold more than 400 million copies and been the basis for a popular series of films.
Aside from writing the Potter novels, Rowling is perhaps equally famous for her "rags to riches" life story,...moreJ.K. Rowling (Joanne "Jo" Rowling) is the writer behind the best selling "Harry Potter" series. The Potter books have gained worldwide attention, won multiple awards, sold more than 400 million copies and been the basis for a popular series of films.
Aside from writing the Potter novels, Rowling is perhaps equally famous for her "rags to riches" life story, in which she progressed from living on welfare to multi-millionaire status within five years. The 2008 Sunday Times Rich List estimated Rowling's fortune at £560 million ($798 million), ranking her as the twelfth richest woman in Britain. Forbes ranked Rowling as the forty-eighth most powerful celebrity of 2007, and Time magazine named her as a runner-up for its 2007 Person of the Year, noting the social, moral, and political inspiration she has given her fandom. She has become a notable philanthropist, supporting such charities as Comic Relief, One Parent Families, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain, and the Children's High Level Group. Rowling's mother died of multiple sclerosis, and because of this she became severely depressed for a period of time.
She based her characters off of real people. One of the most famous characters she based someone off of was Gilderoy Lockhart--although she refuses to tell who she based it off of.
Harry Potter is her most famous debut, though she has written other books branching off of Potter, including The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Quidditch through the Ages, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them.
Rowling has many fans so if you write her a letter, don't expect her to answer it. Please note that she doesn't have an email address.(less)
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Jun 25, 2011 07:33am
Aug 29, 2011 05:32pm