Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows...

[fajrdrako]

I finished the book. Now I have ten minutes to make a few comments.

Woo. Difficult to confine it to ten minutes.

It wasn't what I expected, even having read spoilers. It was loads better than I expected. I'm not a very enthusiastic Harry Potter fan in general: I have enjoyed all the books, but without passion. I cared far more for the characters and the action in this one than I've cared yet to date. I liked Harry this time, a lot. Never felt much empathy for him before. And Dumbledore! I have notoriously disliked Dumbledore from the beginning. But this book addressed all my problems with Dumbledore, in just the right way. I loved Dumbledore by the end.

Who'd have guessed it was possible?

A few more thoughts:

1. The book improved as it went on. It built on iteself and became quite suspenseful. I couldn't guess what was coming - and I always like that.



2. I thought Harry's non-death scene was wonderful. Powerful, interesting... Has Rowling's writing really improved, or is it just me?



3. I loved Mrs. Weasley's moment of heroic battle.



4. I hated Dobby and the house-elves previously. Loved the Dobby scenes here. Still don't look forward to them in a movie, but... my attitude has certainly changed.



5. I loved the way Harry seemed so adult and mature.



6. I've been a fan of Ginny since the beginning and a big proponent of the Ginny/Harry romance. Loved all the allusions to it. At the same time, it was a little disconcerting that Ginny was such a small part of the story. Harry loved her, but for the bulk of the book he didn't seem to even give her a thought. I was relieved when he finally did. Yes, I know, Harry Potter isn't genre romance, but Hermoine was such a strong presence in the book that it seems a shame that she and Harry weren't a match. I prefer the Ginny/Harry ship, but I'd consequently like to see Ginny as more of a presence and a personality.



7. Of all the characters I have never been enchanted with, the only one who didn't win me over by the end was Ron Weasley. He did have his moments, but I still think of him as the least interesting and appealing of the Weasleys. Percy surprised and delighted me by turning his coat and coming back into the fold. What happened to George after Fred died?



8. I liked McGonagall too - hadn't thought of her as a battle maiden.



9. I liked some of the set pieces, like the magic sword (and its double), and the statues, and the Lovegood tower.



10. Snape - always my favourite character, now redeemed. I am happy about this. Very happy.



11. I thought we were going to see the total downfall of the Ministry. I guess not. Or at least.... I am unclear about what follows. Perhaps it doesn't matter. Hogwarts continues. Harry continues. The children thrive.



12. Loved Harry's thought about himself, Voldemort and Snape being the homeless boys.



13. I liked the connection with the fairy tales and the history.



14. I never, never thought I would be moved by something Rowling had written, but the Doctor was right; I got slightly teary over the climax. Amazing!



15. I would still choose to be in Slytherin.

Comments

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was a wonderful review! I haven't read the books (I tried the first one, and found JKR's prose… lumpy), but I've kept up with the gossip.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Lumpy prose - good description! Rowling is fine with action but her writing style lacks finesse.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

I just couldn't get past the first chapter. I can think of so many better-written children's fantasies which haven't been hyped in the way the Potter books have. One of my favourites when I was young was John Gordon's The Giant Under the Snow (a sort of bleak twist on the 'Arthur's Return' myth, although the warlord isn't named: it's not actually a good idea to have Dark Age warlords trying to rise from the tomb with their mummified cohorts…). And I like Philip Pullman.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I don't like Philip Pullman but I think he's a better stylist than Rowling. So are any number of children's fantasy writers, Diana Wynne Jones being one I particularly like.'

But a zillion kids who love the Harry Potter books aren't just pretending. She has panache and style and more power to her. These books may not be entirely to my taste (though I do enjoy them in many ways) but they cetainly appeal to the world at large and I think that's great.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

but they cetainly appeal to the world at large and I think that's great.

Jeffrey Archer had a large readership, too! So does Dan Brown!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Oh, I agree. And I think Rowling's writing is loads better than theirs. Which isn't difficult.