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The Deathly Hallows

Fri, 27 May 2011 13:23:50 -0400

I have to admit something about Book 7. I am addicted to it.

You probably thing this is an exaggeration, but unfortunately, I’m afraid it isn’t. In any free time I can muster, I am reading it. I have put off normal adult responsibilities, like cleaning, to make more time to read it. When my friends call me while I’m reading it, I jump at the sound of my phone because I forget where I am. Then I ignore their call because I just can’t tear myself away.

I bring it to work with me but leave it in my car. I find myself sneaking out of the office on my lunch break to read chapters of it, sneaking glances at the clock and hoping I still have more time. I read it before going to bed, staying up later than I should, and then I have dreams about it.

The good news is this has only been going on for one week, and with all that reading, I’m more than halfway through. I recently got past where the last movie ended, so I’m really trying to savor the rest, as this is the only part of the HP series that I have not yet seen portrayed on film. My own imagination still has free reign…mostly.

I’ve read some criticisms of this book, that it doesn’t have a lot of action, that not much happens for a very long time. I disagree. Things are continually happening, even if they aren’t duels or death.

I love so much of this one, I don’t even know where to start. I love the conflict and the struggle they all face, internally and with each other. I love how their friendship is really, truly tested, how much Ron and Hermione are possibly giving up to follow Harry. I love when Ron comes back, and how Harry tells him that Dumbledore must have given him the Deluminator because he knew he would come back to them. I am always impressed with Harry’s leadership, his gut instincts, his bravery, and how he still feels bad making people risk their lives for him. Hermione really shines here, with all of her intelligence, logic, and efficiency saving their butts numerous times.

The comparisons to the Nazi’s, deathcamps, and the Final Solution are more evident here than ever. Those elements of history have always fascinated me, and since taking a trip to Berlin and a concentration camp since reading this book the first time, I am seeing even more of that in the series this time around.

Rowling just amazes me. How did she do it? Make something so interesting, complex and detailed that it all seems so real, like it could have happened, or could be happening?

Tangent: Harry’s parents died in 1981, when Harry was one. That means that Book 7 took place when he was 17, or in 1997. I never thought about what year it might be when this was all occurring, but doesn’t it seem like it totally shouldn’t have been the 90s? Also, I always pictured Harry younger than me, I guess because I started reading when I was 14 and he was 10, but in fact, he’s older than we are…you know, if he were real. Which he totally isn’t.

Anyway, I am actually looking forward to finishing it so that I can get back to my normal life and stop thinking about this book all the time. Also the dreams are getting really weird. Although not as weird as Harry’s dreams, amiright?!

-E

"‘He accused me of being Dumbledore’s man through and through.’ ‘How very..."

Fri, 20 May 2011 17:49:09 -0400

“

‘He accused me of being Dumbledore’s man through and through.’
‘How very rude of him.’
‘I told him I was.’

Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again. Behind Harry, Fawkes the phoenix let out a low, soft musical cry. To Harry’s intense embarrassment, he suddenly realized that Dumbledore’s bright blue eyes looked rather watery, and stared hastily at his own knees. When Dumbledore spoke, however, his voice was quite steady.

‘I am very touched, Harry.’

”

- Book 6.

E

"And now, Harry, let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure."

Fri, 20 May 2011 17:45:00 -0400

““And now, Harry, let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.””

- Dumbledore, Book 6

E

Sometimes I wonder what will be left for me to look forward to...

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 21:40:05 -0400

Sometimes I wonder what will be left for me to look forward to in life after I see this movie.

-E

The Goblet of Fire

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:04:45 -0400

You guys. This book is taking me FOR.EV.ER to get through.

I started it at the end of February! This is crazy. I’ve finished these books in just a couple of days in the past. I think it’s because I’ve seen the Goblet of Fire movie way more times than all the rest of them, so maybe I just know what’s going to happen and can’t get into it?

I don’t know. I really want to get to 5-7 because I don’t remember a damn thing from those, especially 7. But I just can’t. find. the. motivation.

I still have 300 pages left, for god’s sake.

Any words of encouragement for me? Even if those words are “stop whining, suck it up, and GET TO IT.”

-E

"Nasty temper he’s got, that Sirius Black."

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:03:00 -0400

““Nasty temper he’s got, that Sirius Black.””

- -Peeves, the Poltergeist.

(One of my favorite ends of a chapter in the entire Harry Potter series, it gives you the sense of urgency immediately that you knew was coming. In this one sentence, you realize that Black has somehow gotten past the thought-to-be-impenetrable dementors and is IN THE CASTLE. Business has just picked up.

A)

"You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don’t recall them more..."

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:40:58 -0500

“You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don’t recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble? Your father is alive in you, Harry, and shows himself plainly when you have need of him. How else could you produce that particular Patronus? Prongs rode again last night.”

- Dumbledore

-E

"Er- shall I make a cup of tea?” said Ron. Harry stared at him. “It’s what my mum..."

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:38:00 -0500

““Er- shall I make a cup of tea?” said Ron.
Harry stared at him.
“It’s what my mum does whenever someone’s upset,” Ron muttered, shrugging.”

- You are my favorite, Ronald Weasley.

-E

HPPA: My Favorite One

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:36:19 -0500

I finished Azkaban last week. I really love this one. When I first read it it was my favorite of the first three, and it definitely still is.

Sirius and Lupin are some of my favorite characters, and we finally get to meet them in this book. Lupin being a werewolf continues with Rowling’s accepting-people-as-they-are theme, and I really love the story of his friends becoming Anamagi illegally just so they can be with him when he transformed. Again with all the friendship love!

I felt for Harry for those few seconds when he really thought he was going to leave the Dursley’s. I remember being so excited for him the first time I read this, and then being so bummed when it turned out he’d have to go back to Pivet Drive. Ugh.

And now a comparison of one of my favorite movie scenes to the one in the book: when Harry conjures the patronus to save his other self and Sirius. I absolutely love this scene in the movie. Every time I see it I get chills! The book, though, didn’t seem as exciting. I guess this is the effect of cinema- the CGI dementors are scary, the music is suspenseful, and there is so much anticipation build up in the movie when Harry is waiting, waiting, and Hermionie is pushing him, but he keeps saying his dad is coming, his dad is coming.

But his father doesn’t come, because he is dead. Instead, Harry conjures a patronus that is the same shape of his father’s Animagi, because although James is dead, he is a part of Harry and will always be with him, especially when he needs to protect himself. That’s some powerful stuff right there.

Another reason I liked this book was because the story really starts to mature without getting too dark yet. The official “cross over” when the story takes its turn to the dark side (for me, anyway) is when Cedric Diggory dies. That’s when you know this shit is real, and Voldemort isn’t fucking around anymore. He will kill children to get to Harry if he has to.

We’ve all been a bit absent around here lately, does anyone have any thoughts on this one? I bet you’re all happy to have moved on from the Chamber of Secrets.

-E

Mid-Chamber of Secrets Thoughts

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:13:42 -0500

Yeah, this is the worst of the series, no doubt, and I’m ready to move on to Azkaban.

Dobby is annoying but not in the likeable way he is later in the series.
The flying car isn’t as exciting as it used to be.
There is a lack of suspense with the diary now that I know what happens. (Could have complained about this other times I’ve read the series, it’s more apparent now for some reason.)
Polyjuice Potion: This was a cool idea, but I didn’t like that Hermione turned into a cat. She was sidelined for decent part of the story and just didn’t love this like I did other magical potions in the books.

But! There are some good things that I’m glad to be refreshing myself on:

This is the first time you see a true wizarding house, in the Weasly’s. I think anyone who has read this book would not mind living there, even in poverty.
The increasing importance of Parseltongue and its proof of the still-living connection between Voldemort and Harry.
How classmates are willing to turn on Harry at the drop of a hat with the suspicious things going on. This comes into play later in the series. Harry has to learn how to deal with being an anti-celebrity to most people and I love the teenage way he reacts to it. So well-done by Rowling.
Colin Creevey. He wrecked me in the last book. I loved this kid; he’s Harry’s biggest fan through thick and thin and is impossible to dislike.
Polyjuice Potion: I know I mentioned it earlier as a dislike, but I’m glad it was put into this book because of its use later.

More to come!

-A

The Dursleys

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:02:00 -0500

“We had to write an essay about our hero at school, Mr. Mason, and I wrote about you.”

This was too much for both Aunt Petunia and Harry. Aunt Petunia burst into tears and hugged her son, while Harry ducked under the table so they wouldn’t see him laughing.

I don’t remember ever liking the character of Dudley. I know that I used to hate the kid just because of how annoying he was and just how much I identified with Harry and felt bad for him, but lines like the one above really show much how much of a great caricature and over-the-top comic relief the Dursleys are. They’re overly-cheesy and proper for their lifestyles, desperately trying to just be normal and fit in, much like the common person in life.

I guess on re-reading that I don’t loathe them like I did. I mean, they suck, yeah, but I understand where they’re coming from in terms of their goals in life and how they have a deeper back story. You don’t find out about Petunia’s true feelings until the final book, but knowing that has probably made me more sympathetic toward them and them being more enjoyable characters.

Seriously though, it’s like a slapstick comedy when the Dursleys are around. Uh oh, hundreds of letters are flying into the house! The chubby, unlikeable kid fell into the snake pit! A giant pudding fell on the head of the rigid clientele! It’s just funny and I feel like I can appreciate the humor more for what it is now than I originally did.

-A

"Voldemort cat" finds home.

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:53:00 -0500

"Voldemort cat" finds home.

"It it our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. -Albus..."

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:19:08 -0500

“

It it our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.

-Albus Dumbledore

-E

”

Cat-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:43:41 -0500

Cat-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named

HPCS: Boring, but Important!

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 20:21:58 -0500

It sure is quiet around here, you guys. I’m guessing you have all fallen asleep on your couches with your books in your laps?

There is not much action in this book, that’s for sure. But a lot of this stuff is really important! The fact that Harry finds out he’s a Parseltounge, for one. Introduction to Dobby. Also, the Basilisk, Dumbledore’s pheonix, the first time we see Dumbledore’s office, our introduction to the Bungalow, “mudblood/”pureblood”, some information about Hagrid’s past, a bit about Azkaban, and oh, a little thing about TOM RIDDLE.

Important to note is the introduction of the “Mud-blood”/”pure-blood” prejudices. This is another element that ties into the love/friendship theme that Rowling extends throughout the entire series: accept people for who they are and don’t judge them based on their heritage. Also, the Voldemort-Hitler comparisons (kill everyone who isn’t “pure”), racism, etc.

This is also the first time we see everyone in school (except for a few close friends) turn against Harry. Unfortunately, this will happen again.

Here we have another connection between Voldemort and Harry- they are both Parseltongues. Oh, and they are both orphans. We should be keeping a running list of these. Their wands, Parseltounges, orphans.

I liked the part where Harry puts on the Sorting Hat again, doubting if he is supposed to be in Gryffindor, if he really is good. I hated the part where Ron and Harry steal Mr. Weasley’s car. You couldn’t just wait!? Poor Mr. Weasley and his Muggle fascination. Got himself a bewitched car and the kids ruined it, getting him investigated by the Ministry of Magic. It sounds like I’ve turned into Hermione.

Ok, people, write your little something on this book and lets move on. We start Prisoner of Azkaban Sunday, Feb 13 (we should probably start adding on an additional week since the books are about to get longer, huh?). I remember that being one of my favorites, and we’ll finally get to meet Sirius, who is one of my favorite characters.

-E

Oh, these two. -E

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:47:00 -0500

Oh, these two.

-E

HPCS: This Is Boring

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:04:05 -0500

This book is kind of a snoozefest, right? I’m over 100 pages in and it’s just not very exciting. Maybe we should just go back to talking about the first one.

AD- I don’t wish I lived anywhere except America, because I’m not a SOCIALIST (ok, political joke, which probably has no place here so let’s just move on). Although you know what I noticed? English food sounds so disgusting. Treacle pudding? What the crap is that?

Also, I view Quirrell as tragic, not evil. I saw him as pretty vulnerable with low self esteem, and here comes Lord Voldemort asking for his help, maybe giving him some glory, so he went for it. I always felt bad for the guy. I saw him as very different than the Death Eaters and other people who aligned themselves with Voldemort. The others just seem so…evil. I guess it was his stutter and nervousness that made me think otherwise about him.

Another note about the Chamber of Secrets so far. The books focus around love, friendship, family, etc, and it becomes pretty apparent how important it is during the scene where Harry arrives at the Bungalow. It’s obviously a bustling mess, but he loves it the moment he sees it because of all the straight up LOVE inside it. Even though he has all this money, and Ron is embarrassed about how poor they are and the state of his room (his door says “Ronald”! he’s so cute), it’s obvious Harry is jealous of him for having something all his money can’t buy.

Here’s something I’m working out in my head to make a post(s) about later: how the women in the series are portrayed. You know my feminist brain just can’t turn off!

-E

First Book Reflection

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:46:42 -0500

It’s been a couple of years since I’ve read this book, but going back to it was just as familiar as ever. The issues in the movies seem all the more glaring, but what I really loved was Rowling’s way of throwing seemingly random, insignificant items into the story and making them major parts later.

I remember before the final book came out, there was a ton of buzz on the Internet about Malfoy’s Hand of Glory and what it would mean for the finale. It meant nothing, honestly, but the fact that a passing glance at something that was mentioned in an earlier book could bring out such fervor in fans was astounding. And it’s all in this book. From the short references to major characters that come in to play later to even locations. Gringott’s Bank was a cool place, but when would Harry ever have to go back to a bank? Location mentioned in the first book, finally brought back into play in a major way in Deathly Hallows.

What I come out of reading this book is my love of the little things in this series: the mannerisms of people reacting to Harry on the street before he knows who they are, how a true friendship forms from the guilt of a fight between Harry and Ron and Hermione, and the splendor of a secret world full of magic and mystery.

It’s difficult to go back and be truly surprised by Quirrell’s evil turn, but more surprising is that you completely miss it in the first place.

For those reading this, do you find Quirrell to be an evil character or a tragic character?

Philosopher's Stone

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:34:47 -0500

Anyone else wish that we lived in England so we could have actually read Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone instead of Sorceror’s Stone? It sounds cooler.

Sorceror's Stone: Movie vs. Book (Dumbledore)

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:31:00 -0500

As already brought up on this blog, one of our esteemed cohorts does not like the feel of Dumbledore as played by Michael Gambon. However, what about Richard Harris?

Richard Harris had it to play this part. Rereading the series, Dumbledore is a grandfatherly figure to Harry, and he always just seemed so warm and so…genuinely content with everything. Richard Harris nailed it. He had the right voice that sounded soft and comforting; could he have done the same that Gambon has done with Dumbledore’s transformation later in the series from grandfather figure to most powerful wizard in the world?

Now that I’m thinking of it, I know that I have to take into consideration the fact that for an entire book in the series, Dumbledore virtually ignores Harry and he can’t always be grandfatherly…Harry’s growing up and needs someone to discipline him. My thoughts are scattered here (sorry), but I’ll write more as I progress through Chamber of Secrets.