Just dropping by from friendsfriends for a few random thoughts...
Aside from the Epilogue and a few other things I overall liked DH. However:
While reading DH it felt like I was reading about people I didn't know--perhaps because I am a re-reader of the series and I know the other books so well--but it just didn't feel like "home" to me if that makes any sense. In a lot of ways the book was a very uncomfortable read, with all the tent-pitching and arguing and being led into traps week after week, with no Hogwarts and no Peeves and McGonagall and sneering Snape. The book wasn't silly or very funny, and the other books take time to have a lot of light-hearted humor, so that in itself made DH a somewhat comfusing, whatthehell kind of read.
I did love Snape in this. I can see how expectations would have been very high for this story line, but the tragic nature of how it unfolded and ultimately ended was very fitting imho. He was not recognized in life for his heroism, died a spy's death, and yet still managed to change everything, beginning with asking Voldemort to spare Lily. What I really missed was Harry's prcoessing of this information after The Prince's Tale...we get nothing. I felt we really missed the big, Snape?! Loved? My MOTHER?!? I was WRONG about him!? If he hadn't loved her she would not have been given the chance to die for me, and therefore I would be dead....? There was no pause for reflection there.
Also, I fully excpected a Harry/Draco resolution--conversation included!--but, alas. Same with house unity. No revolution, so resolution. Naming your kid after Snape in the Epilogue does not count, imo.
But finally, I too hated the epilogue and see no reason why it had to be included. It was just a big, resounding WTF. Readers' imaginations can do a much better job with these characters' fates, and for Rowling to tell us that this is what happens to our beloved good guys YES THEY'RE STIL MARRIED WITH CHILDREN 19 YEARS LATER, SO DON'T EVEN TRY left a bad taste in my mouth. I will just have to try and forget that I ever read it.
Something I loved: I felt completely vindicated when the true nature of Dumbledore's chatacter was revealed. Finding out that he was so Machiavellian was wonderfully creepy. THANK GOD he wasn't the kindly, benevolent old man many people thought he was. In many ways Snape was a better human being.
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Date: 2007-07-23 03:02 pm (UTC)Aside from the Epilogue and a few other things I overall liked DH. However:
While reading DH it felt like I was reading about people I didn't know--perhaps because I am a re-reader of the series and I know the other books so well--but it just didn't feel like "home" to me if that makes any sense. In a lot of ways the book was a very uncomfortable read, with all the tent-pitching and arguing and being led into traps week after week, with no Hogwarts and no Peeves and McGonagall and sneering Snape. The book wasn't silly or very funny, and the other books take time to have a lot of light-hearted humor, so that in itself made DH a somewhat comfusing, whatthehell kind of read.
I did love Snape in this. I can see how expectations would have been very high for this story line, but the tragic nature of how it unfolded and ultimately ended was very fitting imho. He was not recognized in life for his heroism, died a spy's death, and yet still managed to change everything, beginning with asking Voldemort to spare Lily. What I really missed was Harry's prcoessing of this information after The Prince's Tale...we get nothing. I felt we really missed the big, Snape?! Loved? My MOTHER?!? I was WRONG about him!? If he hadn't loved her she would not have been given the chance to die for me, and therefore I would be dead....? There was no pause for reflection there.
Also, I fully excpected a Harry/Draco resolution--conversation included!--but, alas. Same with house unity. No revolution, so resolution. Naming your kid after Snape in the Epilogue does not count, imo.
But finally, I too hated the epilogue and see no reason why it had to be included. It was just a big, resounding WTF. Readers' imaginations can do a much better job with these characters' fates, and for Rowling to tell us that this is what happens to our beloved good guys YES THEY'RE STIL MARRIED WITH CHILDREN 19 YEARS LATER, SO DON'T EVEN TRY left a bad taste in my mouth. I will just have to try and forget that I ever read it.
Something I loved: I felt completely vindicated when the true nature of Dumbledore's chatacter was revealed. Finding out that he was so Machiavellian was wonderfully creepy. THANK GOD he wasn't the kindly, benevolent old man many people thought he was. In many ways Snape was a better human being.