the Specials said it best...

[orangerful]

you're wondering now, what to do, now you know this is the end

So I finished HP7 around 7:15pm today. I'm not a hardcore Harry Potter fan. I've read all the books once, seen the movies several times, and enjoy reading the blogs of more hardcore fans than myself. But I'm not really immersed in the fandom, so my ability to recall things from the other books has always been minimal. But anyway. Here are my random thoughts about 'Deathly Hallows'



- I'll admit it, I did cry. When Harry had the stone and his family appeared around him, I teared up. Even though I knew he would live because there were too many pages left in the book, I suddenly wasn't sure if he would make it and I cried.

- so Snape wasn't evil. But...I don't think passing on the memory was that huge a deal. I still think it would have been a lot cooler if he had really sacrificed himself to save Harry. His death just felt so...OMFGTHERE'SASNAKEONMYHEAD!

- JK was clearly working on the assumption that we knew someone would die and pretty much teased us the whole first half of the book. Which amused me until the death scenes finally came.

- It wasn't until a discussion on Friday that I even thought of JK bumping off Fred or George. And as soon as I said it, I had a bad feeling. spitefairy mentioned Joss' ability to kill off the comic relief to make you realize shit is going down, and I think Fred's death felt a lot like Wash's - a moment of WTF? followed so closely by action that you push it aside.

- I think it was a mistake to kill Tonks and Lupin. Even more of a mistake to kill them "off camera". She promised us big deaths, I wanted big deaths. Having Harry just see their bodies in a pile of bodies...I didn't feel as bad as I should have.

- Um...did JK read her own books? As cool as it was to see Mrs. Weasley finally kick some ass, I was disappointed that Neville did not get to take out Bellatrix. After all that build up...I do love Neville though. He might be my favorite character in the whole series.

- I think the book could have been a bit shorter. But, like lots of movies I've seen, it wasn't one whole part I felt that should be cut, just bits and pieces that could have gone to make the movement forward go a bit quicker.

- I probably just have Indiana Jones on the brain, but when the whole "Deathly Hallows" story was told, all I could think of was Indy and Hitler and looking for the ark/grail.

- White room was a bit cheesy. But I guess it was the "If we lost you earlier, here's what you missed" before she went to the end. If the scriptwriter for the film version is wise, he'll find a way to work around it....somehow. Might work better to just have Harry realize he's not dead, fake it, and at the END of the story, let Hermione, or Dumbledore's portrait explain the rest of it.

- I don't feel like Lucious got what he deserved. He was a pretty horrible person.

- Voldemort's death felt a bit anti-climactic for me. But I think killing curses are anticlimatic. Zap, you're dead. The end.

- And...I guess after all the build of up of having a main character die or Harry die...I felt sort of let down. I'd prepared myself for great loss.

- And, as many seem to be saying, the epilogue was sort of wha? But perhaps that was JK's way of saying "I'm DONE!" because clearly any stories after DH would be all about raising a family and such. (Though, if they time the market right, I suppose "Harry Potter and the Siblings of Doom" would sell well in a parenting section in a few years).

- Also, I would have liked a bit more closure on how things were fixed. If they defeated Voldemort and everyone went on with their lives just as it was before...that seems wrong. Like RotJ or LotR, I wanted a feeling of "well, we know things were wrong before, we're going to try to make them right now, and it will be a better place".

- There were lots of moments in the book that, while I was reading, all I could think was "This will be much cooler in the movie version."

- Hermione cried...a lot. A bit too much. And people also kept going pale. A lot. Even if they were already pale, they would someone become even paler.

- such language! I counted an "arse" and "effing" and "bitch"!

- also, as cheshire_c pointed out, where the hell is the rest of the world? If Voldemort is so evil, wouldn't someone outside of England want to help out?

But anyway. It's all over. Finally. I want to re-read all the earlier books now, just to go back to a kinder, gentler, funnier Harry. Rowling is not the best writer ever, but she tells a good story. I'm happy to know how it all ends. She really couldn't bump off Harry, I just can't see people encouraging their kids to read a story that spans 4000+ pages and has the hero die in the end. I think she made the right choice. It was an enjoyable read. Not my favorite of the series, but a fitting end to story.

Comments

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't be so paranoid, but I was spoiled last time. Someone in one of the communities online had an icon with the big event from HBP as the text of the icon! So I swore I would read book 7 before anyone had a chance to ruin it for me!

When you finish, make sure you share your thoughts! I want to know!

[blu-harvest.livejournal.com]

I agree with pretty much all your points. I knew Snape was going to buy it, but ... yeah there's a snake on my head is how I feel about it. Sigh. And I like the ending but I'm pissed at the whole Slytherin are basically evil scum vibe that I was getting from the entire series. Sigh. Where are the non stereotypes. that's why if she writes a new series set in the future about the Potter family I hope that Albus actually does become a Slytherin because you know what? I don't even like that house but I always root for non stereotype, you know? But yeah, a worthy end. The movie will rock. I absolutely LOVED " not my daughter you BITCH!!!! :)

[jellibean.livejournal.com]

I knew one of the twins would die.. out of all the Weasleys, it would have been a bigger blow for one of the twins to die, cause then the other one would have to live on being the lone twin. But it was still sad! :(

The Epilogue was so fanficcy. "Everyone got married and had babies. THE END." I would have liked to hear about their professions at least.

And I was so proud of myself from remembering the name "Peverell" from HBP. I couldn't remember who it was, but I remembered it was important..

And there was a bunch of language! Hells and damns and bastards, in addition to the effing and "NOT MY DAUGHTER YOU BITCH!" Mollywobbles wins at life.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the Slytherin thing bothered me too. Because if they are all inhierantly evil, why would you invite them into the school in the first place? Plus, Dumbledore made that comment "We sort them too soon." Bothersome.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I wanted to know what job Harry ended up getting, after all that talk about becoming an Auror. At least I know what happened to Neville. :D

Yeah, perhaps that's what was so odd about the end, just a bit too tidy. Too perfect.

Yeah, good moment for Molly. Finally got to see her do something more than cook dinner and make silly sweaters. :)

[spitefairy.livejournal.com]

I agree that the off-camera death of Lupin was a total gip. I think it's okay that he died, horrible and sad, but okay, the "time" of that generation was over, all his friends were dead, he would be sad to be left behind. It's the next generation of maruader's time to shine and whatnot. Plus as soon as Harry was made Godfather you knew he was doomed. However, we should have seen him go down fighting, in fact, he should have gone down fighting Bellatrix and Neville finishes her off, or killing Lucius, because he totally deserved to die.

White Room was such crap, ugh. It's been done to death and it's so sloppy that she has to use a play-by-play to tell people what is going on, rather than revealing it through the story. Bleh!

I also got that feeling about it would be a great movie. I hope to GOD they do not do a Young Jedi Knights kinda thing, where the kids wander off into the woods and find the stone and blah blah blah. It was certainly set up to do that, please have some decency!

But yes, I agree with the overall review, good, but not the best.

[dstntp1lgr1m.livejournal.com]

I agree with most of this review.

The ending is WAY too clean for me, and yes, the defeat of Voldemort, anti-climactic. Sort of a bit too much talking, yet fitting. I don't know.

I've heard Rowling writes her endings first and then fills everything else in from there. In this book I could kinda see that formula. Even though I did not predict the ending per se, it still felt entirely formulaic according to the ending.

I, right now, am confused about the whole Elder Wand thing.... How was it really Malfoy's? I completely missed that. Is there something in book 6 that I forgot?

Also, not enough Hagrid. AND, in the beginning it was mentioned Hagrid was letting secrets slip. That would have been an excellent character to follow through with. And then in the end.... Everyone's telling their kids to give Neville a hug, but what about Hagrid? lol Harry's first real friend? Jeez. lol

I was okay with Neville not defeating Bellatrix. His growth as a character alone was more than enough to make up for that. I love him dearly b/c of his progression throughout the stories. However, the whole Mrs. Weasley calling Bellatrix a Bitch. I don't know. That was awkward for me. Maybe if there had been and equivalent but opposite name for "Mudblood" to use against her I would have liked it better. Also, don't need all the "effing." lol It felt weird in the last book, feels weird here. WE know what she means, so to me "effing" is just as bad as writing "fucking." Just drop the whole thing altogether. There are teens who don't cuss. Raven is one of them!!!!!!

Yes, too much screaming from Hermione. IT started to feel like that little blond girl from War of The Worlds. Way too much screaming. Just not necessary. Hormonal Hermione.

And the white room.... I think was established then as a "train station" from Harry's perspective, which just made me think about The MAtrix movies when neo was in limbo. lol Kinda cliche.

Though there were wasted chapters, it did feel like Rowling tried to put SOME piece of info in each chapter to make it worthwhile. Worked in some cases, not in all.

Lastly, lol, Narcissa.... when she checks to see if Harry is alive. Very fitting for her not to give him away I think. She was worried about Draco in book 6 with the whole threat of Voldy killing him if he failed and by her asking Harry if he lived, I felt it was the truest mother-thing to do, which was then Rowling's way of showing I guess, that there are shared sentiments between Slytherins and other households. I could just see a true parent, good or evil, casting everything aside for the sake of her own child. This made the story circular for me. What Harry's parents did, any true parent would do.

Good book. Not the best. But good.

Oh wait, yeah, sorry. I have Stardust on the brain. And when Tristran's adventure was over, he and the star still just wanted to journey more and more for years to come until they were both old and claimed their castle. So I guess, b/c of Harry's spirit, and Ron and Hermione, there would still be an urge for adventure. There's got to be something more. lol Not this happily ever after ending. lol

[bittertwee.livejournal.com]

I just finished today, and I'll have to admit that I'm a little grumpy that I felt like I had to race through. It would have made a nice 2 week read. I tend to read for theme and message and character more than plot, and it's harder to "spoil" those things, so I could have taken the risk. But as you know, there are some key yes or no plot questions in this book, and I knew my reading of it would be diminished if I knew the answers. The hype doesn't bother me, for the most part. It does bother me that it seems like the entire world is reading the same book as me at the same time and having the same emotional reaction. I tend to think of reading as a more private experience. But there are worse things that draw hype, so if it goes to a better-than-average (and in some ways, I do think, brilliant) kids book series with a great message and an author that seems, from what I've seen, to be a really decent person, then I'm all for it. Not crazy about all the money Scholastic and WB are making off it, but oh well.

Anyway, I'm just rambling since I can't say anything about the book. I'll be interested to hear your opinion when you do read it. Now I must go argue with Sam..

[bittertwee.livejournal.com]

I think the fact that Slytherins don't have a good track record might fit in with one of the main themes? JKR makes a point of saying that the wizarding world has suffered because of their treatment of difficult-to-love creatures like giants and goblins. And then there's the house elf thing, especially the way Sirius' error was to not treat Kreacher well, and then Harry makes sure he doesn't make the same mistake, even tho there seems to be nothing likeable about Kreacher. So it kind of goes along with the themes of tolerance and giving others a second chance that a House with seemingly no redeeming qualities is allowed to remain at Hogwarts. Still, I agree that to make the point better she needed to add some complexity to the Slytherin students. I mean, are there any non-evil Slytherins besides Slughorn, Regulus, and Snape? And they're all kind of sketchy..

What would have been cool is if at least a few Slytherins had stayed for the final battle- to fight with the good guys, that is. That might have made the point better.

[bittertwee.livejournal.com]

Damn, I had a whole reply written, then I hit a mystery key and it disappeared! Effing hell! Probably a good thing, since I started to get into politics. Anyway, my point was just that I don't think Dumbledore meant that comment so much as a slam on Slytherin- I think he was just pointing out that Snape's bravery was starting to outweigh the qualities that had gotten him sorted into Slytherin. OTOH, Dumbledore is not high on those who seek power, so we can guess how he feels about Slytherin. But he keeps them around anyway, that's the point. (which I elaborated more on in the comment I posted probably just above or below this one. I just finished the book this afternoon, btw. I plan to post something, but right now I'm content bothering everyone in the comments here :-)

[bittertwee.livejournal.com]

hey, I just realized that Albus Severus Potter's initials are ASP- maybe a sign that he will be sorted into Slytherin after all?

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was hoping Malfoy would at least fight in the battle. As I've said many times, just because you're an asshole doesn't mean you're evil! I could see him fighting with Harry and being a smartass about it the whole time. That was all I asked. Instead I was left feeling very confused about Slytherin's an why we would keep them around. Give me a few more scenes where Slytherins are fighting alongside the rest of the Houses!

Again, I'm HOPING this might work better in the movie version...

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

yeah, I raelized that the other day when a buddy and i were discussing how horrible that name is. Doesn't roll off the tongue. and ASP? Oh yeah, he's in Slytherin.

I just hope that JK never feels the need to make a quick buck by writing the stories of Harry's children...because she really did leave it open for that.

[demonqueen666.livejournal.com]

Though, if they time the market right, I suppose "Harry Potter and the Siblings of Doom" would sell well in a parenting section in a few years.

*gigglefit* Okay, now I kinda really want to see that.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

and you know they want to make it. Scholastic is probably copyrighting the name right now....

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

Did Malfoy actually cast the 'expellaraimus' spell that knocked the wand out of Dumbledore's hand? That's why he's the owner of the wand now.

Not enough of ALL characters. Hagrid, Neville...everyone. I wanted to see them have one last chance to shine and instead I got 400 pages of the trio. :\

probably my least favorite chapter is 'the train station'. Just seemed so cliche and out of place. I'd almost prefer Harry pull a Buffy and tell us where he was after the fact.

[dstntp1lgr1m.livejournal.com]

Dude, the train thing totally reminded me of Neo in the white train station in the Matrix. guh. lol

Sorry I've been offline. our internet is down and won't be back up untill Wednesday, and that's a maybe.

:(

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

I've totally blocked out the Matrix sequels. They were just so bad...but now that you mention it, that does sound familiar.

No worries about being offline, you only miss me rambling about Indiana Jones while drinking. Good times. But something I'm sure you'll see in person soon enough ;-)

[dstntp1lgr1m.livejournal.com]

I must say I do look forward to a new Indiana Jones movie!