I finished HP7 about 24 hours ago and woke up crabby this morning and with a strange sense of loss. The series was done. I pretty much know everything. Much like watching the last episode of Six Feet Under, I'm never going to meet up with these characters again. And I really loved them.
There were so many articles before HP7 was released about the marketing machine of HP and whether the books get kids to read or not and all I can say is, that is so not the point. JK Rowling has created a series that delights both children, teens and adults and how many writers have done that? It's my favorite thing in the world to find a child or adult and talk about favorite (or not so favorite) characters or scenes. And isn't that enough? Isn't it a rather medium-size miracle to create a story that has engrossed millions around the world for 10 years? And even nicer that it's a book?
Another friend and I are actually not all that enthralled with Harry himself. My favorites in the book are the Weasley family, Hermione, the DA, McGonagall and Hedwig. Oh and Olivander and Hagrid and Dumbledore and Sirius and Lupin. And Hogwarts, the school (a character in its own right). Ok, I love them all. And that's the second reason I love HP: Everyone has such a distinct and full personality, flaws and all. Harry has the weight of the world on his shoulders, but Molly Weasley is out to protect her family, no matter what…a feeling that any mother can understand. (One of the highlights of the book for me is when she cries out "NOT MY DAUGHTER YOU BITCH!") Each of these individuals contribute in significant ways to Harry’s journey. Without them, he would most likely be in the mail room at a drill factory. Harry just simply could not be Harry without the wisdom of his friends.
Finally, I love the moments when Rowling takes a break from hurtling the plot forward (and this final book is a page-turner) for some sly humor. Visiting Ravenclaw's common room for the first time (Ravenclaw students are known for their wisdom), Harry is stopped at the door by a question he can't answer. His friend Luna tells him that he can't enter until he learns something (even when there is a battle raging elsewhere in the castle), but helps him out anyway with this small task.
There are wonderful reviews out there that comment on this bildungsroman (I stole that word from the NYT) and the contemporary reframing of the archetypal quest story. But isn't a book successful in the end when author and reader are mutually satisfied? JK Rowling dedicates this last book to her readers who have stuck with her for 10 years. And I say simply in response, thank you.
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3 comments:
i consider hogwarts more of an entity than a charecter......... and this book was the first time i heard mrs.weasley swear!!
RL, thanks for the "no spoilers" behavior. I'm beginning to wonder whether I'll be able to read the book before I hear -- somewhere, from who knows where -- about the ending. Steven knows (I don't know how he found out), but he has strict orders to keep it to himself.
A good review with NO spoilers! I am impressed!
I am so in love with JK Rowling's creativity---I mean, could anyone else on earth have thought of Bubotuber puss? The screaming Mandrake babies when they're getting re-potted? Such great stuff.
I am waiting to read HP7.
I'm going to read it when I really, really need a book to take me away. (Knowing me, it won't be all that long.)
E.
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