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

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Whether my political or social views affect my reaction to what I read (or watch) depends largely on the source. Probably the writers whose views echo my own, at least in part, get my greatest admiration and affection, especially if their writing style is superior. Undestandably. If I name my favourite authors (from Dickens to Dunnett?) they probably echo my worldview more than other authors do.

K.J. Rowling's general attitude to society doesn't particularly echo my own, I think, so it probably makes me more likely to be judgmental in a call like this, than I would be if if I felt she and I had a closer outlook. I am not saying she is trying to be political - she isn't, and does a good job of avoiding that, and more power to her for it - but the assumptions and lifestyle of her characters doesn't reflect my life or views or experience particularly.

It brings us to the whole central problem of feminist principles: that if men and women are equal, it is nonetheless damaging to treat them equally, because of inequities and perceptions already existing. In terms of racism (the example you give), affirmative action is the same sort of catch-22.

And this is all getting rather heavy when Rowling's work doesn't warrant or deserve that.

Nonetheless, the things she says or doesn't say are what build (word by word) by perceptions of her novels and my reactions to them and the characters.