I know many are avoiding LJ in case of being spoiled ... but if a few of you are still checking in over the next day or two, here's something I'm curious about
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Oh I'm with you. I've waited quite a while for this, steered clear of all spoilers and online copies purporting to be full leaked versions. I will go (with aerynstales to get my copy, which she kindly preordered for me as I was to be in the U.S with her at the time, and I will savour.
This is the final installment, there is no more. So like the last bottle of your favourite wine, or box of chocolates never to be made again, every bit of it should be lingered over and immersed wholly in. And woe betide anyone who spoilerises me!!
Oh and btw...I'm on option 3 for Snape too. *nods*
Dear Lian, I hope you and Claire have a lot of fun picking up your books together! And as for your reasons for savouring Book 7, I couldn't have put it better:
...like the last bottle of your favourite wine, or box of chocolates never to be made again...
I always read all books the same way... cover to cover, every word. This usually means (in HP books) that I'm spoiled in some way by the table of contents. But that's how I read every book, I'm not going to change my reading habits. I'll decide from there. I read book 6 slower than I would have thought because I could tell from two of the chapter titles who died... so I wasn't anxious to get there. We'll see how the ToC looks. If I can tell something big like that, I may just calmly read it (taking a whole two days instead of one). If I can't tell much, chances are that I'll go insane and read the last chapter when I'm about half-way through the book.
Interesting point about the TOC as a spoiler. But JKR seems to have a knack for picking cryptic headings. I remember looking at the TOC for Book 6 before I began to read, but not guessing in a million years what was going to happen in "The Lightening Struck Tower"! So perhaps she'll be able to keep those who want (or think they want) to read it slowly suspended in a delightful if frustrating state of "now what?"
I've decided that whenever I feel an urge to read the final chapter ahead of time, I'll have a glass of wine.
If it's not possible to spend July 21 doing nothing but mixing leisure reading with fine wine (and come to think of it, that does seem awfully decadent), then it makes perfect sense to read what you have to quickly so you won't be spoilt.
I find myself imagining what mayhem JKR would create if her books came out on a weekday! Millions of people calling in sick!! Economic chaos!
I conclude, like you, that Snape will most likely meet fates (1) and (3). I'd be amazed if he lives through Book 7. While I'd highly resent Snape's death, I grudgingly admit it makes sense from a literary standpoint.
With the other books, I read them beginning-to-end. With this last book, I'm going to read the epilogue first. If it doesn't make me sick, I'll read the entire book, cover-to-cover, no stopping, no breaks except for bathroom. If it does make me sick, I'll still read it, but I won't read it non-stop, and it will be with far less pleasure; I'm not going to ruin my entire weekend in agony with a book that I want to throw into a fire. Hey, when folks read Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" (or its source, Arthur Brooke's narrative poem, "The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet," 1562) they know from the very start that it's a tragedy rather than a comedy. I want that warning.
Oh, my--that could be a tough slog, reading a book you already know will realize all your worst fears. I highly recommend frequent doses of wine or another soothing beverage to dull the pain. I'm still going to plough through in blissful ignorance (I'm the sort who's afraid to go to a Tarot reader in case they know something I don't).
I share your conviction that Snape will be redeemed. If he dies redeemed, at least that means something. To nail Snape down as evil in Book 7 would be a terrible throw-away for a character who's only grown more complex and interesting (and attractive!) over the course of the series. So say we all!
All things considered, I think I'm going to savour it slowly, on the couch, with an ample provision of finger-food and wine at hand. It's the last one, after all. I've already warned everyone that I shouldn't be bothered for any reason except if the house is on fire.
I vote for 1) and 3), but I'll accept different solutions if the book is well written. If it isn't...woe betide JKR!
Ah ... that sounds so civilized! In some ways--regardless of what happens in the book--we're being invited by this amazing HP book phenomenon to take time for ourselves, enter a unique fantasy world, and indulge ourselves with a range of sensory treats. How often do we get that chance?
But ... if Rowling kills Snape off without redeeming him, she'll have to face legions of fans, wands raised high, shrieking Avada Kedavra! Reality bites!
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This is the final installment, there is no more. So like the last bottle of your favourite wine, or box of chocolates never to be made again, every bit of it should be lingered over and immersed wholly in. And woe betide anyone who spoilerises me!!
Oh and btw...I'm on option 3 for Snape too. *nods*
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...like the last bottle of your favourite wine, or box of chocolates never to be made again...
What an apt and lovely comparison.
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Interesting point about the TOC as a spoiler. But JKR seems to have a knack for picking cryptic headings. I remember looking at the TOC for Book 6 before I began to read, but not guessing in a million years what was going to happen in "The Lightening Struck Tower"! So perhaps she'll be able to keep those who want (or think they want) to read it slowly suspended in a delightful if frustrating state of "now what?"
I've decided that whenever I feel an urge to read the final chapter ahead of time, I'll have a glass of wine.
Salut!
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(The comment has been removed)
If it's not possible to spend July 21 doing nothing but mixing leisure reading with fine wine (and come to think of it, that does seem awfully decadent), then it makes perfect sense to read what you have to quickly so you won't be spoilt.
I find myself imagining what mayhem JKR would create if her books came out on a weekday! Millions of people calling in sick!! Economic chaos!
I conclude, like you, that Snape will most likely meet fates (1) and (3). I'd be amazed if he lives through Book 7. While I'd highly resent Snape's death, I grudgingly admit it makes sense from a literary standpoint.
Reply
I'm certain Snape will be redeemed.
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Oh, my--that could be a tough slog, reading a book you already know will realize all your worst fears. I highly recommend frequent doses of wine or another soothing beverage to dull the pain. I'm still going to plough through in blissful ignorance (I'm the sort who's afraid to go to a Tarot reader in case they know something I don't).
I share your conviction that Snape will be redeemed. If he dies redeemed, at least that means something. To nail Snape down as evil in Book 7 would be a terrible throw-away for a character who's only grown more complex and interesting (and attractive!) over the course of the series. So say we all!
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I vote for 1) and 3), but I'll accept different solutions if the book is well written. If it isn't...woe betide JKR!
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But ... if Rowling kills Snape off without redeeming him, she'll have to face legions of fans, wands raised high, shrieking Avada Kedavra! Reality bites!
Reply
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