I haven't yet composed a deeper response to the book, so be forewarned. This post is a frolic that delights in the high of resolution. I gambol like Hermione's otter Patronus, enjoying the what a wild trip its been.
In short, I loved the Deathly Hallows. (Whoever came up with the reference to All Hallow's eve was obviously dead on, incidentally.)
I loved a lot of the same stuff as other people:
Dobby's burial; I'm not sure that I buy Kreacher's transformation. it was endearing, but awfully quick.
I found the wand lore and the Deathly Hallows concept interesting-- nothing like a compelling glyph to make my day--and I'm glad that Ollivander was significant to the plot; it's going to take me a while to process the physics of wands.
<by the way, in response to the question of the cloak representing a triangle, for what it's worth I visualized it draped over someone. the head would make a sort of top point, and the drapes of fabric would flare at the bottom.>
Luna did not let me down
the Gringott's breakin was glorious
Delores was delightfully appalling; the Naziness of the Ministry was hard to take, but in a good way... using hatred of the other as an opportunity for self-advancement, characters like Delores who actually believe in their superiority...Arthur's touching refusal to give any appearance of supporting such nonsense...
Hermione's A+ brand of magic satisfied; I also thought it was funny when she and Ron were turned on in the heat of battle.
I found it noteworthy that Mrs Weasley called Bellatrix a bitch; isn't that the only time one reads a swear in the series? I imagine the more conservative readers might have a problem with that, but it suited my craven sensibilities.
My questions about the text might bore you guys because they aren't linked to speculations of a cosmic nature, but if you have any ideas about them you'd like to share...
- Why did Snape bother to complain to Dumbledore in the forest that AD took SS's willingness to AK AD for granted since he really had no choice but to carry out his assignment given the Unbreakable Vow? Incidentally, ever since (I think it was Hans) pointed out the parallel between Snape's forest confabs with AD and Prof Quirrel, I had little doubt about the substance of the conversation.
- I need to check back in Book 6, because my recollection of Snape's Patronus is that it was looming rather than doe-like.
- What is the cover of the American version depicting? If it's the final battle, where are the wands? Why does Hogwarts look like the Colosseum? WHy are HP and V surrounded by Death Eaters? If it's the previous battle, again: what's with the building structure? For some reason the curtains don't bother me, although they are hardly plot consistent. I'm a girl who can take a pictorial depiction of the end.
- Why would Teddy Lupin be snogging Victoire on the Hogwarts Express if he's 19?
It's nice that Rowling responded with some answers about the professions. Hermione will be a sublime lawyer, I'm sure. And I absolutely agree with her reaction to the NY Times review. I only saw the blurb on the Web site home page and I found that spoileresque enough (as you may have seen from my post). I just don't understand how people can be careless about this sort of thing, but I thought it was funny when JKR said she found it amusing when people hung a huge sign that said Dumbledore Dies! off an overpass in England the day after Book 6 was released. At least that shows some style!
I'm *not* sure what events I'd ask Rowling to describe in the intervening 19. I would be interested to see how the Death Eaters will be prosecuted. Will Lucius be able to buy his way out again? Speaking of the Malfoys, I greatly enjoyed Narcissa's haute compliance. Ever since Book 6 she's interested me more as a character. She seems quite cunning, brilliant and powerful as she leads Lucius and Draco through their encounters with the big V. Even Voldemort doesn't seem to dare to take her on!
Mothers are awesome in this book.
Superduelist Molly
Subtle survivor Narcissa
Gryffindor-brave Tonks
You go, girls!
I haven't compiled a list of favorite moments in the book, or the series for that matter---I think it would be moments or scenes or settings, rather than whole books, at this point. With time may evolve a more holistic view. And I wonder if those favorites will also change over time.
I don't think I could ever quite visualize the Department of Mysteries; so it fascinated me. It was amazing learning about the Marauders. I liked the way we were encouraged never to see characters in a one dimensional way, such as Dumbledore and James, and most certainly Professor Snape. I liked learning about the alchemical underpinnings of the plot, and the freedom with which Rowling set up expectations, only to bait and switch (such as refraining from killing red Rubeus and opting for Rufus and FRed; I think it was Bill who said so? Thanks for that insight).
JKR is brilliantly inventive at creating a compelling alternate world and engaging characters. For me, Book 7 was a good, even meaningful, time. Even as I explore its flaws with greater attention, I don't think anything will diminish that fundamental gratitude for having the Potter experience in its time, or my sadness that that narrative universe will no longer continue.
HogwartsProfessor pointed me toward the Sword of Gryffindor site which, in turn, led me to a BBC interview: Stephen Fry/JK Rowling. It's especially nice since there's a transcript so one can have the experience of hearing their voices while not worrying about missing content because of the accent thing. At one point Rowling describes going off to write more Harry to the sound of Fry's voice emanating from her daughter's room.
Sword of Gryf's discussion of the complexity of Harry's universe, the paradoxical nature of a warrior infused with spiritual leanings, makes it a little difficult to see where Harry should draw the line in terms of combat tactics.
I wonder why I never questioned him using the unforgivables. I just assumed that as in WW2 it would have been criminal to claim the high ground of pacifism given the consequences of holding back. But that attitude worries me, because it's an insufficiently complex response, in retrospect!
I appreciate the intensity and openness of the list. As ever, thanks to Hans. I'm still taking in the details, so I'm not the best equipped to respond from an elaborately conceived alchemical paradigm. I'm still trying to get a hold of the details.
It was hard not to be blinded by all the gold. I'm not sure what was going on with the purple references (to royalty, perhaps, in Bill and Fleur's wedding)? But then I believe Bellatrix's polyjuice was purple, as well as "Luna's" soup: both sounded quite acrid. I'm sure there's lots more...
I must say that the spider metaphor eludes me. We had spiders in Harry's closet/bedroom, the Weasley's shack, Spinners End...the list is unbelievably long. I'm going to search the HPfS list for that discussion.
I found I think it was Bill's observation of the white webs really cool. I love it when someone is able to evoke and enrich visualize aspects of the text, because I tend to process information more conceptually.
So that's my ramble. I hope it's lack of structure didn't totally bum you out, Hans! As Tim, the great boddhisattva of Project Runway would say: Carry on!
(¡And enjoy!)
Nancy
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