Originally Posted By HyperTyper >>> I didn't agree about Colin though. He didn't play that big of a part, at least not big enough to be considered the hero of the book. I even think Neville was more heroic than Colin. Oh, I know he didn't play that big of a part. Colin should have gotten more attention all around, and didn't. He and his brother Dennis were the only ones who would give Harry the time of day when the rest of Hogwarts was mad at Harry in "Goblet" and Harry wouldn't even acknowledge him then. We don't know how Colin died. Did he save someone else? I'd like to think the plucky kid died doing something quite valiant. We already know he was pretty plucky kid. I don't think one needs to have a prominent place in the spotlight to be a hero. Just thought of something else that REALLY bugged me, though: Dumbledore arranging to have Snape kill him ... to spare himself a more slow and painful death. I know it was also part of a larger plan, but Dumbledore admits it's pretty-much to make a less uncomfortable exit. It's basically assisted suicide. I know there are both sides to that issue, but I was very disappointed. The Dumbledore I thought I knew would never have made such a weak and early exit. Once I knew what he'd arranged, I found it an awfully cowardly and self-centered thing to do, especially for Dumbledore's character, especially when I have so many personal heroes in real life who have really died of long, miserable illnesses (cancer and ALS), who didn't even consider taking an easier way out. It's extremely disappointing that Rowling took that direction.
Originally Posted By HyperTyper On the plus side, I have to add that I think Luna was hilarious in this book. It was so funny when Harry slips (again) and says "Voldemort" and Luna perks up and says something like "Oh, are we allowed to his name again?" That really cracked me up. Another character I'd have liked to read more about.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney Yes, I liked LUna. I got the impressiong that Dumbledore wanted Snape to kill him to show Voldemort his loyalty and to keep Draco Malfoy from having to do it. Dumbledore didn't want Draco to have to murder, he thought there was still hope for him. But the fact that it would save him a slow and painful death was a bonus. The thing I didn't like in the book was the part where Harry was "dead" and talking with Dumbledore. This whole part made Dumbledore seem weak and more, human for lack of a better word, than we'd imagined him. Also Dumbledore praised Harry for basically being perfect, which I kind of thought was a bit much. I would have liked to see Dumbledore be the "perfect" one, perfect in the values that matter that is. That's just personal preference though.
Originally Posted By Mr X Great points, Hyper...about Harry's friends and their loyalty. Harry never did give the time of day to poor Colin, nor many other of his supporters (even at times where pretty much the whole world was against him, save that loyal few!)... At least he mourned him in death, sort of (I recall him regretting George, and Tonks and Lupin, but little Colin Creevey was never more than a side-note right?). I do think Rowling (Who ROCKS, by the way...LOVE these books...so any comments are just nit-picky stuff), could have added another chapter or two to conclude things...especially to pay tribute to the fallen brethren who died for Harry in order for him to destroy the dark lord. Dumbledore got his chapter, (so did Dobby *sniff* which was AWSOME!...where is that last chapter for Lupin, Colin, Mad-Eye, Tonks, and George? I must say I am slightly disappointed that they didn't get some more read-time, especially since if it weren't for them, Harry probably couldn't have succeeded (sure, he was "chosen", but all those loyal soldiers definitely helped him to fulfill his destiny). But, that's still minor stuff compared to an AWSOME book that fully completes the Hogwarts story! Kudos to J.K. Rowling, and a round of "thanks" for giving us a window into this wonderful, magical world!
Originally Posted By Mr X Great points, Hyper...about Harry's friends and their loyalty. Harry never did give the time of day to poor Colin, nor many other of his supporters (even at times where pretty much the whole world was against him, save that loyal few!)... At least he mourned him in death, sort of (I recall him regretting George, and Tonks and Lupin, but little Colin Creevey was never more than a side-note right?). I do think Rowling (Who ROCKS, by the way...LOVE these books...so any comments are just nit-picky stuff), could have added another chapter or two to conclude things...especially to pay tribute to the fallen brethren who died for Harry in order for him to destroy the dark lord. Dumbledore got his chapter, (so did Dobby *sniff* which was AWSOME!...where is that last chapter for Lupin, Colin, Mad-Eye, Tonks, and George? I must say I am slightly disappointed that they didn't get some more read-time, especially since if it weren't for them, Harry probably couldn't have succeeded (sure, he was "chosen", but all those loyal soldiers definitely helped him to fulfill his destiny). But, that's still minor stuff compared to an AWSOME book that fully completes the Hogwarts story! Kudos to J.K. Rowling, and a round of "thanks" for giving us a window into this wonderful, magical world!
Originally Posted By Mr X That would be a "doubling" charm that I used right there. Yeah...that works.
Originally Posted By HyperTyper >>> This whole part made Dumbledore seem weak and more, human for lack of a better word, than we'd imagined him. Also Dumbledore praised Harry for basically being perfect, which I kind of thought was a bit much. I would have liked to see Dumbledore be the "perfect" one, perfect in the values that matter that is. That's just personal preference though. I agree. Though I never saw Dumbledore as perfect, I did look up to him a lot more before I had read this book. But at least he's man enough to admit his failings. Early on in the series, I told other people how annoyed I was at Harry's attitude, and people thought I was crackers. But then I read an interview where Rowling said she made him that way on purpose ... that he could easily get a bit arrogant and self-centered, and self-pitying. Later on, as we get a glimpse of what James Potter was like in his youth, we see it ran in the family. I'm glad Rowling didn't make Harry too perfect, and that she allowed him to grow out of that as he matured. As big a deal was made of Harry's brave sacrifice, it has to be remembered that Harry was one of MANY who willingly stared death in the face on behalf of others and of freedom. It's a heavy thought to remember that there are real young people not much older than they who are likewise losing their lives to fight evil and oppression. Pretty sobering. I thought there was a huge similarity between the end of "Hallows" and the end of C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." It's almost the exact same setup, and resolution. Even the settings are strikingly similar. Rowling would probably be the first to admit the influence. I think I read she's a fan of C.S. Lewis. It didn't bother me all that much, though, because I still thought that once Harry went ... he wasn't coming back.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 I guess I can understand J.K. not focusing too much on Colin or any of the other peripheral characters too much. I think it's because Harry was so young and still dealing with how to act, and also because there just wasn't time to go into detail. I do agree that Tonks and Lupin were more than side characters and could have had more time spent on their deaths...it was just so sudden and then nothing mentioned until the epilogue with Teddy. The circle of friends things is true too, we all know people like that. There are friends who are loyal to you, but you aren't as close because there just isn't that much in common. They share your passion, but everything else doesn't match. I saw that with Luna too. They all grew to like her, but didn't really want to spend great lengths of time with her. However, if she was in trouble, or being picked on, Harry, Ron, and Hermione would come to her aid. That happened in book 6 when a bunch of girls tried to get Harry to ditch the "losers" on the Hogwarts Express. He told them that those "losers" were his friends, and he sincerely meant it. So, even though J.K. didn't focus too much time on everyone that stayed at Hogwarts in book 7, or those that showed up for the final battle, I do think that Harry knew their sacrifice, and appreciated all of them. He couldn't have sacrificed himself if he didn't care. After all, everyone was protected at the end because of his love.
Originally Posted By JenniBarra >>Oh and the scene with Dobby was probably the closest I've ever come to crying whilst reading a book!!<< The whole burial chapter got to me - I *did* cry. The epilogue also made me mist over. >>Best "Here comes the cavalry" moment: Kreacher bursting through the kitchen door with all the house elves.<< Yeah, I thought that was a great surprise.
Originally Posted By JenniBarra >>I love how the relationship between Lily and Snape was played out and that he loved her until the minute he died. It showed a different side of him that I really would have liked to see more of because he was one of my least favorites.<< Before going into Book 7, I had been curious about how things would end up with Snape. I like that he has always been a character that we aren't quite certain about as that makes him more of a real person to me. I suspected he might play a very important role in the final book, but I had not expected to find out that love of Lily would have been his motivation all this time.
Originally Posted By DAR I finally finished the book today. Some thoughts, it's hard to say where I would rank this book but it is up there. I would probably put Prisoner of Azkaban as my favorite. But Rowling created a world as rich and complex as Middle-Earth, Narnia and a Galaxy Far Far Away. Like those prementioned stories, Rowling allowed us to meet characters who had the same insecurtities fears, hopes and dreams as the rest of us. That's why her characters were human which is why we loved them so. Another thing I loved about this story was that she recoginized and respected that her audience was growing older. By doing this she allowed her story to grow with it. I don't think it would have become as beloved if it had stayed in that children's literature mode. Instead it became just literature that will stand the test of time. To do something like that takes talent and heart. That Rowling was able to,in the world of iPods, iPhones, PC's, PSP's, get people to do some old fashioned reading is really a testament to her true talent. And though the story of Harry Potter is done, she still has many stories left to tell. I for one can't wait to see what she has in store for us.
Originally Posted By Mr X >>I would probably put Prisoner of Azkaban as my favorite<< Interesting choice. I really can't put my finger on "which" book is my favorite...although Order of the Phoenix is probably pretty low on my list (I like them all though). I thought it was interesting that "Azkaban" was the only book where Voldemort never made an appearance...so in a way it was sort of a "set-up" book for the rest of the series. Adding new characters, new bad-guys, new heros, and sort of setting up things for the war.
Originally Posted By Mr X >>And though the story of Harry Potter is done, she still has many stories left to tell. I for one can't wait to see what she has in store for us.<< I hope she writes more Harry Potter stuff eventually (how about "Albus Potter and the...). Although she wrote it as though everything turned out "happily ever after", so that might not work. Maybe prequels? I don't know if I'll like her other work or not. She has nothing else now, right? Usually I enjoy an authors work entirely, but sometimes just a particular series will catch on with me and I don't really care for anything else by that author (nothing against them, it's just my personal style I guess). Piers Anthony springs to mind. One thing is for certain, whatever her next book is will have a gigantic hype attached to it, and it will be number one on the best seller list well before it hits the shelves...whether it's good OR bad. (the question will be when her SECOND "next project" comes out)
Originally Posted By quincytoo I like the Xanth series, the early part of the series to about book 13. I am going to start rereading the Potter books again.
Originally Posted By jasmine7 <<I like the Xanth series, the early part of the series to about book 13.<< Yeah, that's about where I sort of lost interest, too, around Demons Don't Dream. I'm actually rereading some of them now, my favorite storyline that started in Heaven Cent. I also love the Incarnations of Immortality series (his best, imo), but if there's any book I would steer someone away from, it's Firefly. **shudder** I picked that one up from the library when I was a teenager, having loved the Xanth and IoI series, and, boy, did I ever regret that! But getting back on topic, I still can't get Snape's story and other aspects out of my head. I'm just amazed at how perfectly Jo ended this series. I'm going to start listening to the audio books later this week (the British version narrated by Stephen Fry), and I can't wait.
Originally Posted By smeeeko I wanted to say I enjoyed the book but I didn't care of the epilogue at all. It was too short and didn't wrap up enough of the characters I actually cared about.. More Neville would have been nice.. Also if she chose to actually write about other characters from Harry Potter, I'd like to see a Luna & her family story. Bringing in the Quibbler as a background and the Death Eater angle would be cool. I personally don't care whether Hermione & Ron hook up because I think Ron's character always seemed out of Hermione's league. Ron, despite being a 'hero' of the Order still seems like a whiny 'git' of a character.. but whatever. I'd have rather Rowling have left out the "19 years later" thing. If she really cared about what happened with Ted Lupin, she'd have given him his own chapter or something. Another 300 pages would have tied it a bit better. Seriously. I would have read that. I always trusted Snape. =) (Dumbledore trusted him so why not me?) *VBG*
Originally Posted By Shooba In an online chat, Rowling reveals what happens to some of the characters after book seven: <a href="http://entertainment.tv.yahoo.com/entnews/ap/20070730/118582986000.html" target="_blank">http://entertainment.tv.yahoo. com/entnews/ap/20070730/118582986000.html</a> SPOILER ALERT: Those who do not wish to know what happens to the characters after the book ends should stop reading here. Rowling said the world was a sunnier, happier place after the seventh book and the death of Voldemort. Harry Potter, who always voiced a desire to become an Auror, or someone who fights dark wizards, was named head of the Auror Department under the new wizarding government headed by his friend and ally, Kingsley Shacklebolt. His wife, Ginny Weasley, stuck with her athletic career, playing for the Holyhead Harpies, the all-female Quidditch team. Eventually, Ginny left the team to raise their three children James, Albus and Lily while writing as the senior Quidditch correspondent for the wizarding newspaper, the Daily Prophet. Harry's best friend, Ron Weasley, joined his brother, George, as a partner at their successful joke shop, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Hermione Granger, Ron's wife and the third person of the series' dark wizard fighting trio, furthered the rights of subjugated creatures such as house elves in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures before joining the magical law enforcement squad. The couple had two children Rose and Hugo. Luna Lovegood, Harry's airily distracted friend with a love for imaginary animals who joins the fight against Voldemort in the Order of the Phoenix, becomes a famous wizarding naturalist who eventually marries the grandson of Newt Scamander, author of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." And what Muggle, or non-wizard, song would have been played at the funeral of Albus Dumbledore, the most brilliant and talented wizard the world had ever known? "Surely `I Did It My Way' by Frank Sinatra," Rowling told her fans, referring to the song "My Way," written by Paul Anka but popularized by Sinatra, among other singers. As the chat wrapped up, Rowling thanked readers for their loyalty to the series. "What can I say? Thank you so much for sticking with me, and with Harry, for so long. You have made this an incredible journey for Harry's author."
Originally Posted By DAR After reading this book and the entire series one thing was very apparent. Rowling knows how to write action scenes very well. Those last few chapters flew by. Which leads me into my next question, does anyone think that the final film will have to be at least three hours or maybe split into two films?
