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To Be Read

July 23, 2007

Good Job, Harry

I spent last weekend curled up sprawled out on the couch reading the seventh (and, for those of you living under a literary rock, the last) Harry Potter book. I’m not a hardcore fan in any way. I’ve read all the books, but I make so claims to be a superior fan. I’m casual in every way. I also appreciate Harry’s magical world. I can’t talk specifics, but however JK Rowling weaves her world it certainly works well on me.

I’ll just start out by saying I simply love The Deathly Hollows. I was engrossed for over 700 pages in a two day period. Even getting up to grab food was a horrible chore. How could I break away from such a story? It’s not hard, after reading this book, Rowling’s love and devotion to Harry and his fans. She loves us. Hear me? Loves us. The amount of effort and detail put into the whole series speaks wonders of her devotion to us. Sure, she enjoys creating deeper plots within her personal world, but I believe it’s Harry’s fans that have pushed her so far.

Going in I was afraid of a few things. Was Snape really the traitor we saw in Half-Blood Prince? Would we ever get to hear Dumbledore’s voice again? What about Dobby? Hogwarts? The Ministry? Oh, and Harry living or dying. That, too.

I can’t even list them all. Every question I had was answered. Thanks Rowling. You’re a doll.

For the life of me, I’m in no way sad the series is over. Fini. Done. This is it, folks. We were spoiled rotten, but seven is the magic number. I thought after this book I’d crave more. I don’t. I feel the story has been told. The arch complete. Harry’s journey is over. For God’s sake, let’s leave the poor kid alone. He hasn’t even been laid yet.

Nah, I really don’t mind the series being over. Some stories, even at seven books long, need a finite ending. Not to relate the two, but I don’t like how Star Wars keeps growing and growing with every new novel and spin-off. Too much! Stop it! I like knowing Harry’s journey (and his world) are wrapped in one neat package.

So, a few notes about my place in the series:

  • I’ve always like Snape. Even passed the sixth book. Why? No idea. He certainly was a bastard throughout, but I always had faith he was trusted for a reason. And maybe because he’s played by a favorite of mine - Alan Rickman. The guy’s great.
  • Rowling seemed to bring some human qualities to Dumbledore later on in the series, rather than his perfect-and-true persona early on. That’s just fine, and probably a good idea, but I’ll consider him trustworthy even if he went on a shooting spree in downtown LA. Now isn’t that a vivid image?
  • Been wondering this one: how do you miss with a spell? Just doesn’t seem to make sense that the one thing a great wizard can’t do is aim well. Huh?
  • Isn’t nice to honestly admit to a perfect stranger you’ve read 700+ page novels? Hey, not everyone can admit as much. Most people on my block don’t even read.
  • From a geeky graphic design standpoint, I love the “Potter” font. Totally inappropriate in any other realm. Which is perfect. Also, gotta love the type usage on periodicals found throughout the movies. Love, love, love it.
  • Sirius Black shouldn’t have died. Shouldn’t have. Nope. No way. He’s too damn righteous for that.
  • Tonks’s hot. At least, that’s how I feel after watching the Order of the Phoenix movie.

I don’t regret reading it so quickly. Whether I finish it in two days or two years, it is what it is. Most, most enjoyable.

Clamoring






    
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