Deadly Hollows Discussion - ***SPOLIERS***

[SpinyNorman]

Well, around 4:30 this afternoon I finished the book.

Who else is finished and wants to talk about it???

[SpinyNorman]

Hmmm...no one yet??

[RumTumTugger]

I finished it yesterday. :smile:

[SpinyNorman]

I finished it yesterday. :smile:

What did you think?

[Jaltus]

I thought it was not the best book. The climax was fun, but the rest of the book really lacked in my opinion. The Epilogue was pretty poor as it told us nothing of Harry's career. I am rather disappointed.

[RumTumTugger]

What did you think?

I liked that she didn't kill off Harry, Ron or Hermoine. I'm not so sure she needed the extra plot line of the Deathly Hallows but it was very enjoyable even with that.

I especially like how Ron showed he did indeed belong to Gryfindoor and got to use the gryfindor sword. I cried when Fred, Tonks and Lupin died but knew Tonks and Lupin were doomed hte minute they made Harry the Godfather of thier infant son. dont have time to add more have to head off to work will add more to the discussion when I get home.

Michele.

[Sir-Think-A-Lot]

I made a few comments in the ampathetre(perhaps the mods would be kind enough to move them here). But basicly it boils down to this:

Overall I loved the book. I loved the darker atmosphere(granted 5+6 were darker, but this one really kicked it up a notch), I liked the way she tied up the loose ends, and how much we learned about Dumbledore's past.

I didnt like how she ignored obvious lead-ins from the previous books(particularly the veil. Did anybody not believe Harry was going to pass through it?) And she didnt really explain what being the 'master of death' actually ment.

Oh and I though the Deathly Hallows was a place. Seriously it sounds like the name of a place.

[Em7add11]

The Snape resolution left a lot to be desired. Other than the Snape/Lily thing which I didn't expect to be the cause of his massive loyalty to Dumbledore, the rest of the pensieve scenes weren't much of a surprise.

I can't imagine anybody really expected Snape to end up as a bad guy.

[SpinyNorman]

I enjoyed the book. Not sure which one I would call my favorite of the series...gotta wait to read them all 1-7 at one time for that. I will probably wait till December or thereabouts to do that.

I didn't have many dislikes. I did find the middle a bit slow in spots, but that just made the pay off when they finally return to Hogwarts all the better. The final quarter of the book was awesome, except for the epilogue. I see no reason to include it at all unless she was setting the stage for a return to this world somewhere down the line. I DID however really like that Harry middle-named one of his kids Severus. Saying that he (Severus) was the bravest man Harry had ever known was a great tribute to Snape.

The death of Bellatrix at the hands of Molly was awesome.

The friendly deaths were sad, particularly Fred and, yes, Snape.

The part that really got to me and even made me mist up a bit (Yes, I am secure enough in my manhood to admit that) was when Harry is witnessing Snape's last thoughts in the pensive. He is watching one of the conversations with Albus where Albus is telling him the ultimate price Harry will have to pay. Albus asks Snape if he has actually come to care for Harry. An enraged Snape shows Dumbledore his patronus. Deeply touched Albus asks him "After all this time?" Snape's reply, "Always."

I thought this book was a fitting and well written end to the series.

[Sir-Think-A-Lot]

The Snape resolution left a lot to be desired. Other than the Snape/Lily thing which I didn't expect to be the cause of his massive loyalty to Dumbledore,

Really? I'd actually prediced that. It made the most sense out of why Volderment hesitated to kill LIlly. I did not, however expect Snape to be working on Dumbledore's orders.

[ApologiaPhoenix]

I liked the unity in the wizarding world the most I think. It was so amazing how nearly everyone from the earlier books showed up somehow in this one. (The only ones I can think of as absent were Gilderoy and Moaning Myrtle.) I too was saddened by the deaths and I think one of the most gripping was the death of Dobby, which I'm surprised RTP didn't mention.

I also found the epilogue disappointing. I like the name of Albus Severus and the comment as was said earlier, but I think that more should have been said about what was going on. How did things turn out between Potter, his friends, and the Malfoys. Harry obviously wasn't teaching (Which he should have been teaching Defense against the Dark Arts unless he was headmaster.), so what was he doing?

The resolution of Snape was a good touch. There never seemed to be any question about Snape's guilt throughout which made me wonder a bit. I was holding out that he was a good guy and I wasn't disappointed. It makes you wonder what Snape would say to Harry at the end if he could have said anything.

I have had a chance to think about my faith in response to the books and I have been writing about such lately. I think the Christian world could learn a lot about how to face evil from the HP books.

[RumTumTugger]

I liked the unity in the wizarding world the most I think. It was so amazing how nearly everyone from the earlier books showed up somehow in this one. (The only ones I can think of as absent were Gilderoy and Moaning Myrtle.) I too was saddened by the deaths and I think one of the most gripping was the death of Dobby, which I'm surprised RTP didn't mention.

I also found the epilogue disappointing. I like the name of Albus Severus and the comment as was said earlier, but I think that more should have been said about what was going on. How did things turn out between Potter, his friends, and the Malfoys. Harry obviously wasn't teaching (Which he should have been teaching Defense against the Dark Arts unless he was headmaster.), so what was he doing?

The resolution of Snape was a good touch. There never seemed to be any question about Snape's guilt throughout which made me wonder a bit. I was holding out that he was a good guy and I wasn't disappointed. It makes you wonder what Snape would say to Harry at the end if he could have said anything.

I have had a chance to think about my faith in response to the books and I have been writing about such lately. I think the Christian world could learn a lot about how to face evil from the HP books.

Nick I was at work during lunch and didn't have time to finish my thoughts.

Fred and Dobby were the 2 that made me tear up the most. I was ready for Lupin and Tonks when it happened. and yes the epilogue could definitely have been done better but on the whole this book was a good ending to the series. and has something to teach us about how we should fight the war between good and evil.

Like Nick I did like the unity shown in the book but I also liked how each person was willing to lay down their lives for the cause of good.

so what other things did people pick up in the books?

[SpinyNorman]

How about funniest parts?

One of the funniest parts for me was the first kiss between Ron and Hermione. The tension has been there since book 4. We have all been waiting for it to happen and what is the straw that breaks the camels back?

Ron standing up for house-elves.

Awesome!

[ApologiaPhoenix]

I was just sitting there though and waiting to hear that RumTum is Minerva's daughter.

[Stabbytheclown]

The epilogue was too brief. What did Harry do for a living? Presumably there's not much call for aurors anymore. Are the main three just high school dropouts, raising kids on minimum wage jobs? And what about George? He's probably sitting alone in the flat above his long-shut down shop; his missing ear a constant reminder of the loss of his brother, his youth and his love of life.

[Gabby]

I struggle with Neville's character in the book and then how Neville ends up with the Sword in the last battle. I feel it should of built up to it more. Neville played a significant role in destroying the last horcrux but it was anti-climatic for me.


I'm gonna have to read through it again more slowly and then maybe things will fall into place better.

[Sir-Think-A-Lot]

I struggle with Neville's character in the book and then how Neville ends up with the Sword in the last battle. I feel it should of built up to it more. Neville played a significant role in destroying the last horcrux but it was anti-climatic for me. .

I liked Nevile destroying the Snake. They've actually been building to that for the past 2 books(Neville was a lot stronger character from the 5th book onwards).

I was more dissapointed in how he never found a way to cure his parents. Its a little depressing to just leave that hanging.

[Pilgrim]

The middle 300 pages could have been cut from the book with out hurting it at all. How many pages can be devoted to three kids hiding out in strange woods going cabin and curse crazy?

And I loved the redemption of Snape, though it was kind of obvious. My very first thought upon reading the death of Dumbledore was that this was some sort of pre planned event between him and Snape.

I liked the epilog but too wished there was more detail. But I think the point was to show that the bonds of family and friends are what matters. Nothing else. Not professions, not Elder Wands or Resurrection stones nor fame and fortune. Just the love of family and friends. After all, in the end, that's what ultimately saves the day. So there you have it, Harry and Ginny, Ron and Hermione, and all their kids together, just being family.

Over all I agree with Jaltus, I don't think this was the strongest book. The continuity editor could have done a much better job I think and I think Ms. Rowling could have made it better if she had been more economical with her words.

Having said all that, I give the book a 3 and a half stars out of 5.

[RumTumTugger]

I was just sitting there though and waiting to hear that RumTum is Minerva's daughter.

:whack: :apnick:

[ApologiaPhoenix]

:whack: :apnick:

YAYYY! Purrrrrrrrrrr................

(Incidentally, what are spoliers?)

[JillPole]

I posted some comments in another thread, also. But, here's some comments.

I wanted some reconstruction at the end. The epilogue was useless and made the ending immature.

I really enjoyed Kreacher being a part of this story. He's been one of my favorite characters since he showed up in The Order of the Phoenix.

I've always disliked Dumbledore. However, this book made him one of my favorite characters now. He was too perfect before.

I wish Harry would have died. It would have killed any chance of reviving the series later on. It also felt like an incomplete ending to me... and somehow that would have made it better.

There were too many questions... I posted some in the other thread... but another question we never got answered was how on earth the sword got back to the sorting hat and then to Neville.

[Sir-Think-A-Lot]

I wish Harry would have died. It would have killed any chance of reviving the series later on. It also felt like an incomplete ending to me... and somehow that would have made it better.

It would have been wrong if Harry had died. I'm amazed that there were people who actually thought he was going to.

[Em7add11]

I wanted some reconstruction at the end. The epilogue was useless and made the ending immature.
I have to agree with this. I would have much preferred seeing a 1-2 year jump to see the immediate consequences for survivors and how the wizarding community was coping.

The "everybody you expected to make little magic babies actually did" ending was a huge letdown after the massive battle.

[Gabby]

It would have been wrong if Harry had died. I'm amazed that there were people who actually thought he was going to.

Well really he did die in a way, no?. He sacrificed himself willingly and because of that he had the choice to return or to go on. Like Dumbledore had said something to the effect that death is just the continuation of the journey, it wasn't the end. The ghosts that refused to go on, who clinged to their life there stayed on as a wisp, as nothing substantial. Harry who was willing to go on, willing to die and leave that world and not cling to it ended up being able to return fully or go on.

Just my thoughts

[ApologiaPhoenix]

For funny moments though, I think of Victor and Harry at the wedding. Victor notices Ginny and asks who the pretty girl is. "That's Ginny Weasley, but she's taken already. Real jealous bloke. You don't wanna mess with him."

[Gabby]

I wish Fawkes had returned in the book.

[ApologiaPhoenix]

I wish Fawkes had returned in the book.

I've been too busy posting on TWeb.

[Gabby]

I've been too busy posting on TWeb.

:lol:

[ApologiaPhoenix]

:lol:

Hey! It's not like Dumbledore needed me anymore.

[Sir-Think-A-Lot]

Well really he did die in a way, no?. He sacrificed himself willingly and because of that he had the choice to return or to go on. Like Dumbledore had said something to the effect that death is just the continuation of the journey, it wasn't the end. The ghosts that refused to go on, who clinged to their life there stayed on as a wisp, as nothing substantial. Harry who was willing to go on, willing to die and leave that world and not cling to it ended up being able to return fully or go on.

Just my thoughts

Thats true. But also dont forget that Harry couldnt die, because the protection his mother gave him was kept alive by his blood that was inside Voldermort. In trying to make it so that he could kill Harry Voldermort had actually made it impossible for him to do so.

I dont think Harry could have passed on until Voldermort was dead and the protection on him was lifted.

Come to think of it, that actually makes sense of the last line of the prophecy: "Neither can die while the other still lives." Voldermort couldnt have died as long as Harry lived because the piece of his soul in Harry would keep him on earth. OTOH Harry couldnt die as long as Voldermort lived because his mother's protection was kept alive by Voldermort.

Okay my head hurts now.

[Pilgrim]

I'd like to point out that I was the only one who predicted that Harry himself was a horcrux in the predictions thread. Thank you very much.

[JillPole]

I'd like to point out that I was the only one who predicted that Harry himself was a horcrux in the predictions thread. Thank you very much.

Ya, I totally didn't see that coming. Good call. :smile:

[energyman]

It would have been wrong if Harry had died. I'm amazed that there were people who actually thought he was going to.

Actually, in the context of reading up on the "is Harry Potter from Satan?" debate, I heard that JK Rowling claims to be a Christian and that the reason she doesn't discuss her faith is because then everyone would know where the story was going. From this, I knew that Harry would have to sacrifice himself to stop Voldemort (combined that idea with the "Harry is a horcrux" theory) and that he would be resurrected to finally destroy him. Granted, I thought that his first act after his resurrection would be to kill the snake, but I can't be right on everything. :wink:

[Pilgrim]

Harry was a horcrux, it's not a theory. And in a sence, Harry did die but chose to not cross over right?

[Sir-Think-A-Lot]

Harry was a horcrux, it's not a theory. And in a sence, Harry did die but chose to not cross over right?

My understanding is that Harry couldnt die because the protection his mother gave him was still inside Voldermort Rather Harry was stuck in a sort of limbo between the worlds.

I might have been wrong on that, but its how I understood it.

[Pilgrim]

That's sort of how I understood it. But with the added understanding that it was Harry's choice to cross over. Ultimately It turned out that it was enough that he was willing to die for his friends.