flip the mood switch of doom

[gravidy]

Do not read this if you don't like hearing speculation about the HP books, or if you haven't and aren't going to read the latest (June 27th) J.K. Rowling interview. It's just speculation, and a few facts about the 7th book, but still, it's speculation that pissed me the hell off

Comments

Reasons why I don't think that will actually happen

[margotlefaye]

If the HP books were marketed mainly to an adult audience, I would not be surprised to see Harry himself killed off. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Draco redeemed by his love for Hermione. But I just don't see any way in hell either of those two things will happen (fortunately in the former case, tragically in the latter).

No matter how wildly these books appeal to adults, the fact remains that they are marketed by a children's publishing company (or, by a larger publishing company's imprint for children's books) to children. The adults came along for the ride. I don't care how popular she is, or how much money she makes for them, I think her editors would have to be suicidal to let her kill Harry off. If she hands them a manuscript with that in it, they should point out the HUGE backlash she can expect from parents. Because once word gets out, they will refuse to buy it on the grounds of the trauma to the tots. Let's not even think about the hate mail and death threats she'll get from the more extreme elements of the fandom.

If she does want to kill Harry off, she'd be smart to change the ending to keep her editors and audience happy, then release an "unexpurgated" version a few years down the line, for those adults who don't mind being traumatized by the utter wrongness of Harry not getting to live Happily Ever After given the sheer hell his life has been (outside of, and too often within, Hogwarts).

Seriously, though, I think her comments are just to keep people from being complacent about Harry's survival. It will be a much more interesting read if you go into it wondering if the author might just be brave enough (or suicidal enough) to kill off her beloved protagonist. It makes the threats Harry will face "real" in a way they aren't if you just know he's going to get through it, somehow. As to her killing off two characters...well, I certainly hope she kills off Voldemort. Then again, if those of us who don't believe for a New York Nanosecond that Dumbledore is really dead are correct, she can always bring him back in order to *really* kill him in the climactic battle at the end.

Hope that helps.

Re: Reasons why I don't think that will actually happen

[gravidy]

OMG!!!! 0_0

OMGOMGOMG!! It's Margot!!!!!! My fanfiction goddess! I'm not worthy! XD ::hides in shame::

Wah! It's been forever. I hope everything's great on your end of the cosmic spectrum.

Heh. Very good point about HP being a children's book. I mean, that's EXACTLY what was wrong with the sixth book (it was cliché day in camp stupid). So I do feel much better. But I also fear the seventh book.

If Harry actually kills Voldie with "love" I'm afraid I'll be rather pissed. (Unless it's the kind of "love" that requires buckled on leather attire and lube--that would be effing hilarious. I'd pay ten times over to see that movie)

Anyway, I loooooovvve you!