[writing] Harry Potter and the Deep Breath
The Half Blood Prince is a good book, despite the fact that nothing really happens until about page 510 other than a bunch of teenaged romance and some speculation about various people's backgrounds and allegiances. I've heard it said that the book is like the deep breath before the storm, when the quiet is more of a promise of thunder than a peaceful calm. If so, book 7 is going to be a humdinger.
For those who haven't read it yet, you might want to look away.
SPOILERS
The last hundreds pages are quite the harbinger for the coming storm. Dumbledore's death, while necessary in a classic "Hero's Journey" sort of way, is a massive shock to the foundations of the HP universe. Things are changing. Next year at Hogwart's will not be like any of the others, if Harry returns to school at all. I rather think he will, simply because of Rowling's frequent statements that the series encompasses Harry's seven years of wizard schooling, but who knows? Snape must now die saving Harry to be redeemed in the eyes of Rowling's readership. Will it turn out that way? Who knows. Will Ron and Hermione end up together? Who knows. Will they even survive the final battle? Who knows. My money is on, "yes" but Rowling has demonstrated time and again that she is willing to let character death happen if it serves the story.
I read this book so damn fast that I nearly left scorch marks on the pages. It took me perhaps 5 hours all told. And now I'm going to read it again, and attempt to take everything in a bit more carefully - Rowling has left us clues about the 7th book, as she always does, and I want to get them all. Ollivander's disappearance is one, I know that much. Rowling keeps her stories as tight and streamlined as a racecar, and nothing happens without a serving a purpose.
Other than the endless snogging. But then, snogging really doesn't need a purpose, does it? That's why it's snogging.
Yes, I saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last night.
For those who haven't read it yet, you might want to look away.
SPOILERS
The last hundreds pages are quite the harbinger for the coming storm. Dumbledore's death, while necessary in a classic "Hero's Journey" sort of way, is a massive shock to the foundations of the HP universe. Things are changing. Next year at Hogwart's will not be like any of the others, if Harry returns to school at all. I rather think he will, simply because of Rowling's frequent statements that the series encompasses Harry's seven years of wizard schooling, but who knows? Snape must now die saving Harry to be redeemed in the eyes of Rowling's readership. Will it turn out that way? Who knows. Will Ron and Hermione end up together? Who knows. Will they even survive the final battle? Who knows. My money is on, "yes" but Rowling has demonstrated time and again that she is willing to let character death happen if it serves the story.
I read this book so damn fast that I nearly left scorch marks on the pages. It took me perhaps 5 hours all told. And now I'm going to read it again, and attempt to take everything in a bit more carefully - Rowling has left us clues about the 7th book, as she always does, and I want to get them all. Ollivander's disappearance is one, I know that much. Rowling keeps her stories as tight and streamlined as a racecar, and nothing happens without a serving a purpose.
Other than the endless snogging. But then, snogging really doesn't need a purpose, does it? That's why it's snogging.
Yes, I saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last night.
posted by Karla Andrich at
8:16 PM
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