HP7 time: ca. 3:30 - 10:30 AM
*cries*
*laughs*
*cries*
*cries*
*laughs*
*cries & laughs*
Lather, rinse, repeat.
To sum up: I was right, and I was wrong, and I was right. Desperately wish I'd been wrong, was impressed that unstated suspicions were confirmed, was very happy I was right.
Very first thing that impressed me: no blurb. Not on the dustjacket, not on the back of the audio version, nothing. And a nifty dedication.
I realized Remus was going to die as soon as Harry found the old picture in Sirius' room, and the daddy-celebration clinched it. Never suspected Tonks would go, too. Absolutely positively never saw Fred coming.
Was impressed that people were right on the money about the curse on Dumbledore. Was actually okay with Snape being redeemy and Draco not necessarily being redeemy so much as continuing to be a big ol' coward.
Was absolutely traumatized by Hedwig and Dobby, the first of which happened so damn fast and early I had no preparation at all, the second of which was completely heartbreaking.
Use the Force, Luke, indeed.
There were two lines that had me laughing hysterically at earlier points in the book, neither of which I can remember at the moment (ETA: one was "Norberta"), but it doesn't matter because:
Hands-Down Best Line: "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!"
My least favorite part, amazingly? The epilogue. I figured it would be something like that, especially once I heard there *was* an epilogue. In principle, I don't have a problem with it. I simply wish she'd done something more along the lines of "five years later" and hit on more of the characters. ie, Luna, George, etc.
And at the end of it all, all I can really say is that I am unbelievably impressed with JKR. Whether you liked how she brought it all to a close or not, you have to admit, the complexity, the layering, the overall concepts? Freaking amazing to have all of that in one person's head.
And now I'm going to bed.