Thoughts after reading HP book 7
It’s 6:23am and I finished reading book 7 a couple of hours ago. My mind is kind of frazzled, due to emotional overload and no sleep, but I’ll try and touch upon what I can remember at this hour. I really feel the need to talk about what happened, and waiting for any mental clarity can’t wait, so here I go.
Started reading late Saturday afternoon. Rather an explosive start to the book. JKR starts with the scene at the Malfoys’ manor. The death of the muggle studies teacher, and JKR’s continued efforts to try and convince us Snape is truly bad. I must admit, and this continues for a while, she does a pretty convincing job. But I wasn’t buying it - I will return to this point a bit later.
Nice to see Dudley in his round about way be “nice” to Harry. Followed by the great scene where Harry leaves Pivet Drive and the fight with the Death Eaters. Why poor Hedwig? And the death of Moody. And George loses an ear. And Remus and Tonks are married? Then the wedding between Fleur and Bill. All kinds of stuff, action packed start. Great opening, so good job JKR!
I found the middle on the whole dragged on a bit. However, I loved how we finally learned a lot about Dumbledore, which she revealed over the course of the book. We knew nothing about his family, interesting to learn he was also living at Godric’s Hollow. Of course, we want to know the truth about his past because it’s not like Skeeter is reliable. And I just about died when Snape was made Headmaster of Hogwarts….YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!! Oh, and a word for RAB/Kreacher story. So touching, and very, very said. *sniffle*
Moving right along. Fast forward to the scene were Harry sees the Doe patronus that lead to Godric’s sword. It was at this point that I KNEW, with absolutely NO doubt, that it belonged to Snape and he was helping him complete his task to destroy the horcrux. I knew it. You can not fool me JKR, and when this happened it was proof right there. SNAPE GOOD. Never knowing what his protronus was, it screamed from the pages of the book. Nice to see Ron here have a bit of a “moment of glory”, seeing as he’s one of my fave characters. I have to say, his running off seemed like a bit of a plot device, a convenient way to learn what else is going on away from Harry. I digress.
Fast forward to the scene at Malfoy Manor. OMG…the whole Hermoine torture scene has me in tears. The way Ron was reacting and hearing her screams…I broke down. And from this point on I was basically tearing up quite a bit.
Now, obviously, this being book 7 and the end of this long journey, reading it in general was going to be an emotional experience. I have grown with these books, been invested in this story for years. This was all a big moment for me. Just laying my eyes on the book, holding it in my hands. Can’t describe it. Like it was all coming to an end. And now we get to the most harrowing parts of the book, and it’s night as well as I’m reading this. All gut wrenching.
Then for Dobby to die. OMG. How Harry buried him. Utterly heartbreaking. Dobby…wouldn’t say I was a big fan (ok, I felt he was annoying!) but how could you not be touched by this? Goodness. Bellatrix evil bitch. This sequence was quite something.
Jumping ahead to Hogwarts now. Goodness. Learning more about Dumbledore from Aberforth. Such a sad, sad story about his sister.* cue more tears*. And now onto the battle inside…and an absolutely incredible finish to the book. I was happy Percy came to his senses. I couldn’t believe she killed Fred. Cry. She killed Remus and Tonks. Cry. So senseless. Dead Colin Creevy. Cry. And this leads me to talk again about Snape…
Must talk about the scene in the shrieking shack. I knew the odds of Snape surviving were basically non-existent, even if I could hope against hope it wouldn’t be the case. But just the way it happened. The snake just bit him. Just like that. You could see him trying to get out of there, kept going on about finding Harry. But I knew he wouldn’t leave again. And then he was bitten, and then Harry came out and told him to look at him. Looked into each other’s eyes. God…actulally, I didn’t cry here. Maybe shock, but then we come to the next chapter.
The Prince’s Tale - not only my favourite chapter in the book, but probably the whole entire series. I know I talk a lot about Snape, but that’s because he’s my fave character. The most interesting and complex (although I think JKR did a wonderful job of fleshing out Dumbledore in DH). And always being so strongly adamant that he was good and was loyal to Dumbledore above all else, this chapter was vindication. This chapter also explained everything. I had guessed the Snape loved Lily factor, and after HBP I was sure that they were friends at one point at least. Learning he was half-blood, and the events that transpired in his worst memory in OOTP, were all evidence that led me to believe this was the case. And I was right. However, I did not expect that he knew Lily before Hogwarts, and seemed to be best friends. I couldn’t help but notice how he said “muggle born” and it just made my heart melt. But circumstances led them apart, and god, so sad. Stupid mistakes by Severus that he would regret for the rest of his life. But we also see him redeemed. I mean I knew he was a hero, but to see it written there and proof positive was just amazing to read. And in the headmaster’s office when he told of Nigellus for saying “mudblood”. Flail. And his protection of Harry. And I was right about the protronus of course. Yes, I cried throughout this whole chapter. Everything confirmed, even though it was all figured out beforehand.
Must give love for the best line in the book, courtesy of Molly Weasley. Kick ass moment. “NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH”. FTW.
I also want to give love to Neville. He was god damn awesome as well!! Totally brave and cool.
The Malfoys, as bad as they were, I was happy that in the end what they cared most about was each other. Just wanting to protect their son. There was good in there somewhere.
And finally, the epilogue. Cheesy, but I liked seeing them happy and married with kids. And more crying at the mention of Albus Severus. God damn, I don’t care if that was cheesy, the fact that Harry recognized Snape, and Dumbledore, and…cry. I wish we could have learned a bit more about their jobs, and what happened to Luna etc. as we don’t really know what happened to a lot of the characters in the book. Maybe JKR will answer some of questions that remain. Also, the end, before the epilogue, it was just kind of like Fred and Lupin and Tonks died but that was it. How did the Weasley’s deal etc.
The only thing I haven’t mentioned is the whole Deathly Hallows concept. Don’t really have much to say about it I guess. I think she did a good job on the whole.
I don’t know if I can say this is my fave book. Ultimately, too much sadness there, which I knew would be there, but still…sad to read even if the ending is ultimately a happy one. I knew she wouldn’t kill the trio. I’m glad that the kids by and large weren’t killed off just for the sake of it, and Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione would go on to lead happy lives.
This was looooooong. And with very poor grammar. All I can say for now.
Started reading late Saturday afternoon. Rather an explosive start to the book. JKR starts with the scene at the Malfoys’ manor. The death of the muggle studies teacher, and JKR’s continued efforts to try and convince us Snape is truly bad. I must admit, and this continues for a while, she does a pretty convincing job. But I wasn’t buying it - I will return to this point a bit later.
Nice to see Dudley in his round about way be “nice” to Harry. Followed by the great scene where Harry leaves Pivet Drive and the fight with the Death Eaters. Why poor Hedwig? And the death of Moody. And George loses an ear. And Remus and Tonks are married? Then the wedding between Fleur and Bill. All kinds of stuff, action packed start. Great opening, so good job JKR!
I found the middle on the whole dragged on a bit. However, I loved how we finally learned a lot about Dumbledore, which she revealed over the course of the book. We knew nothing about his family, interesting to learn he was also living at Godric’s Hollow. Of course, we want to know the truth about his past because it’s not like Skeeter is reliable. And I just about died when Snape was made Headmaster of Hogwarts….YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!! Oh, and a word for RAB/Kreacher story. So touching, and very, very said. *sniffle*
Moving right along. Fast forward to the scene were Harry sees the Doe patronus that lead to Godric’s sword. It was at this point that I KNEW, with absolutely NO doubt, that it belonged to Snape and he was helping him complete his task to destroy the horcrux. I knew it. You can not fool me JKR, and when this happened it was proof right there. SNAPE GOOD. Never knowing what his protronus was, it screamed from the pages of the book. Nice to see Ron here have a bit of a “moment of glory”, seeing as he’s one of my fave characters. I have to say, his running off seemed like a bit of a plot device, a convenient way to learn what else is going on away from Harry. I digress.
Fast forward to the scene at Malfoy Manor. OMG…the whole Hermoine torture scene has me in tears. The way Ron was reacting and hearing her screams…I broke down. And from this point on I was basically tearing up quite a bit.
Now, obviously, this being book 7 and the end of this long journey, reading it in general was going to be an emotional experience. I have grown with these books, been invested in this story for years. This was all a big moment for me. Just laying my eyes on the book, holding it in my hands. Can’t describe it. Like it was all coming to an end. And now we get to the most harrowing parts of the book, and it’s night as well as I’m reading this. All gut wrenching.
Then for Dobby to die. OMG. How Harry buried him. Utterly heartbreaking. Dobby…wouldn’t say I was a big fan (ok, I felt he was annoying!) but how could you not be touched by this? Goodness. Bellatrix evil bitch. This sequence was quite something.
Jumping ahead to Hogwarts now. Goodness. Learning more about Dumbledore from Aberforth. Such a sad, sad story about his sister.* cue more tears*. And now onto the battle inside…and an absolutely incredible finish to the book. I was happy Percy came to his senses. I couldn’t believe she killed Fred. Cry. She killed Remus and Tonks. Cry. So senseless. Dead Colin Creevy. Cry. And this leads me to talk again about Snape…
Must talk about the scene in the shrieking shack. I knew the odds of Snape surviving were basically non-existent, even if I could hope against hope it wouldn’t be the case. But just the way it happened. The snake just bit him. Just like that. You could see him trying to get out of there, kept going on about finding Harry. But I knew he wouldn’t leave again. And then he was bitten, and then Harry came out and told him to look at him. Looked into each other’s eyes. God…actulally, I didn’t cry here. Maybe shock, but then we come to the next chapter.
The Prince’s Tale - not only my favourite chapter in the book, but probably the whole entire series. I know I talk a lot about Snape, but that’s because he’s my fave character. The most interesting and complex (although I think JKR did a wonderful job of fleshing out Dumbledore in DH). And always being so strongly adamant that he was good and was loyal to Dumbledore above all else, this chapter was vindication. This chapter also explained everything. I had guessed the Snape loved Lily factor, and after HBP I was sure that they were friends at one point at least. Learning he was half-blood, and the events that transpired in his worst memory in OOTP, were all evidence that led me to believe this was the case. And I was right. However, I did not expect that he knew Lily before Hogwarts, and seemed to be best friends. I couldn’t help but notice how he said “muggle born” and it just made my heart melt. But circumstances led them apart, and god, so sad. Stupid mistakes by Severus that he would regret for the rest of his life. But we also see him redeemed. I mean I knew he was a hero, but to see it written there and proof positive was just amazing to read. And in the headmaster’s office when he told of Nigellus for saying “mudblood”. Flail. And his protection of Harry. And I was right about the protronus of course. Yes, I cried throughout this whole chapter. Everything confirmed, even though it was all figured out beforehand.
Must give love for the best line in the book, courtesy of Molly Weasley. Kick ass moment. “NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH”. FTW.
I also want to give love to Neville. He was god damn awesome as well!! Totally brave and cool.
The Malfoys, as bad as they were, I was happy that in the end what they cared most about was each other. Just wanting to protect their son. There was good in there somewhere.
And finally, the epilogue. Cheesy, but I liked seeing them happy and married with kids. And more crying at the mention of Albus Severus. God damn, I don’t care if that was cheesy, the fact that Harry recognized Snape, and Dumbledore, and…cry. I wish we could have learned a bit more about their jobs, and what happened to Luna etc. as we don’t really know what happened to a lot of the characters in the book. Maybe JKR will answer some of questions that remain. Also, the end, before the epilogue, it was just kind of like Fred and Lupin and Tonks died but that was it. How did the Weasley’s deal etc.
The only thing I haven’t mentioned is the whole Deathly Hallows concept. Don’t really have much to say about it I guess. I think she did a good job on the whole.
I don’t know if I can say this is my fave book. Ultimately, too much sadness there, which I knew would be there, but still…sad to read even if the ending is ultimately a happy one. I knew she wouldn’t kill the trio. I’m glad that the kids by and large weren’t killed off just for the sake of it, and Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione would go on to lead happy lives.
This was looooooong. And with very poor grammar. All I can say for now.