tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post3835476028559280624..comments2024-03-09T11:10:46.978-05:00Comments on Brooklyn Arden: Some Thoughts on "Deathly Hallows"Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05972029478350879112noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-74626186811688364082009-05-13T20:31:00.000-04:002009-05-13T20:31:00.000-04:00I simply must say this to someone sometime, despit...I simply must say this to someone sometime, despite the tackiness of such late commenting:<br /><br />I <I>love</I>JKR's adverbial dialogue tags. LOVE them. I find them droll, and playful, and witty, and fitting in perfectly with her style, and definitely <I>not</I> intrusive.<br /><br />Plus, adverbs are people too, and they need someone to hug them :)Lisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-85632970925640995162007-11-19T08:08:00.000-05:002007-11-19T08:08:00.000-05:00Loved the book, the commentary, all the news - yup...Loved the book, the commentary, all the news - yup Dumbledore/Grindenwald, who would have thought that was possible?- and here's some parts - <BR/>-Page 113 or 116, whichever one's Ginny<BR/>-Page 625, "Oy!There's a war going on here!"<BR/>-Greenery vs Death Munchers and their Dark Tosser<BR/>-Epilogue!<BR/><BR/>What left me a bit mad (well, I read in five hours so duh I was overwhelmed about Fred, and Harry Bombarda-ing Hedwig's body [I totally agree with John from PotterCast and Leaky; it's just pretty rude]) was the fact that Harry just defeated good ole Moldyshorts, gave up the Elder Wand, wants to go have a sandwich (I don't blame him, sandwiches are good), and then it just skips to nineteen years later. That's a huge leap! I mean, what happened with Ron and Hermione and Harry and Ginny? Comments on the Epilogue-<BR/>-My favorite pairings. Yay!<BR/>-Teddy Lupin/Victoire...yay!<BR/>-who married Draco?<BR/>-Scorpius Malfoy...how do you get away with naming a kid that?!?!?!<BR/>-Albus Severus Potter. I feel sorry for the kid! I mean, Albus is okay, SEverus is odd, but Albus SEverus is just... I'd rather not comment on that any more...Harry matured a lot!<BR/>Love it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-35916528209262618902007-08-11T18:19:00.000-04:002007-08-11T18:19:00.000-04:00Oh, yeah, that was an AWESOME kiss, there, by the ...Oh, yeah, that was an AWESOME kiss, there, by the way. Really subtle. Thanks for that, we <I>love you right back</I>. <BR/><BR/>You know the one I mean, right? The twisted, evil, OOC-spawned-from-the-NIGHTMARES-OF-THE-WICKED!one that needed to be stabbed to death in horror? Yup. Right. I say again; <I>subtle</I>. Thanks. We appreciate you too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-43160057756344657882007-08-11T17:58:00.000-04:002007-08-11T17:58:00.000-04:00I disagree with most of your points, but most of m...I disagree with most of your points, but most of my reasons have been restated time and time again; I will not reiterate. However, one thing that agitated me greatly about the book was one thing that you pointed out--that Harry rejected power in lieu of a sandwich.<BR/><BR/>But it was that part that I hated the most; after an epic battle, where Kreacher led the house elves into battle and ultimately, aided in securing a much-needed victory--Harry asked Kreacher for a sandwich, without any consideration to the house elf's own possible injuries and losses.<BR/><BR/>So, yes, Harry rejected power, but this was some sort of rich metaphor for choosing normalcy instead--that normalcy seems to be prejudice against, or, at the very least, a lack of consideration for non-human creatures.<BR/><BR/>And considering that this book emphasized acceptance and a rejection of prejudice, it was that tiny request that disappointed me the most in the book.<BR/><BR/>Aside from that, I wanted to see the social, psychological, and physical reprecussions of the war; the ending as is romanticized war, and the impact that it had on people. Life very rarely ends that sweet, and I would have preferred an ending like "La Vita e Bella" ("Life is Beautiful")--an ending where not everything is picture-perfect, but life continues to go on.Trudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09780566797384750477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-86821828876929077362007-08-10T11:31:00.000-04:002007-08-10T11:31:00.000-04:00The epilogue is disliked for many reasons,and I th...The epilogue is disliked for many reasons,and I think all of them are valid. <BR/>One: Jo had promised several things in her interviews she did not deliver. This is an obsessive fandom. They remember things like that. She had told us that the epilogue would tell us what happened to the survivors and that we would soon know everything. No one really expected everything, but we got info on only a few survivors, and nothing on the aftermath of the war in the wizarding world. Obviously they're still sorting too soon, and Slytherin is still considered a black hole, so that interhouse unity we had heard about for several books went out the window with a lot of other things. <BR/>Two: Most people accuse epilogue haters of being disgruntled shippers. especially anti-H/G shippers, of which I concede I have always been. No one would be calling Ginny some of the names they are calling her if Harry had ever cared about anything except her snogging ability, and by extension her ability to reproduce. We needed covnersations about her feelings, her opinions and her desires to buy into this ship and believe it would last. Harry being happy is fine, it's great, but what's disturbing is he could never be happy without someone else devoting themselves slavishly to his happiness. He couldn't be happy on his own, so Ginny who was his fan girl from the age of ten, and by her own admission never gave up on him, had to be the prize he got for winning, never having any shining moment all her own. <BR/>Luna even stuns Alecto, but Ginny is not powerful like Jo says she was, not Harry's equal like Jo said she was- the special 7th child of a 7th child. She's his little trophy wife. <BR/>The epilogue read like fan fic, because it had the main mistake novice readers make in it. They think because they see something in their head, everyone else is going to see it just as clearly, and they don't write what is necessary for that understanding on the page.<BR/>I had to stop and think who the heck Victorie was, for example. There just wasn't enough there, on top of the other things that were left out. And that's not even getting into the other things that were confusing in the book.<BR/>I'm not anonymous because I'm trying to hide. I just don't have a google account right now. But if anyoen wants to know who I am, I'll come back and get one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-91133939386202792902007-08-08T20:34:00.000-04:002007-08-08T20:34:00.000-04:00I think I would have been disappointed without the...I think I would have been disappointed without the epilogue. I've followed Harry Potter from Book 1 and I was thrilled to see him FINALLY enjoy true happiness without the threat of it being taken away. He started out without a good father figure, and lost everyone he did have down the road. I felt I could "leave" Harry knowing he finally had the happiness he so much deserved. I mean, isn't this what we have been rooting for over the last ten years?Jennifer Gladenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10935446671788197607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-54069723553220736562007-08-08T14:08:00.000-04:002007-08-08T14:08:00.000-04:00Having read your blog, I look forward to rereading...Having read your blog, I look forward to rereading the epilogue and having a better appreciation for it. Overall, I was extremely happy with the book and was jolted by the simplicity of the epilogue. Having repeatedly been jerked in new directions throughout the book, the return to a simplistic time was unexpected, and I initially could not understand why Jo had chosen to end the book that way. I love the points that you make about how much Harry has matured. Thank you for your hard work on the series!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-77701794258677708502007-08-08T13:40:00.000-04:002007-08-08T13:40:00.000-04:00Well then, that just means that we have some truly...Well then, that just means that we have some truly great writers at FF.net, doesn't it? One of them may just be the next J. K. Rowling. <BR/><BR/>And on behalf of all Potter fans who wish to appreciate this great, beloved book unhindered by hurtful remarks like yours, please confine your book-bashing to your own forums in future. (Goodness knows you have enough of them!)The rest of us are here only to say thanks and discuss the book in the most civil manner possible. <BR/><BR/>Hasini. (ladymirth@gmail.com)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-13892833309086876942007-08-08T04:41:00.000-04:002007-08-08T04:41:00.000-04:00Rowling has an editor? The continuity in the books...Rowling has an <I>editor</I>? The continuity in the books as well as the at times clumsy prose suggest otherwise.<BR/><BR/>If you have to explain the epilogue, that means it wasn't executed properly. <BR/><BR/>The epilogue read like something out of fanfic net.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-43082264525673581312007-08-08T01:43:00.000-04:002007-08-08T01:43:00.000-04:00Can someone please explain to me what ASP means in...Can someone please explain to me what ASP means in relation to Albus Severus Potter? What does ASP mean, anyway? I looked it up on Wikipedia and it was quite unenlightening.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-24532237011485600132007-08-04T19:57:00.000-04:002007-08-04T19:57:00.000-04:00Hello, I heard about your blog through Pottercast'...Hello, I heard about your blog through Pottercast's latest podcast where Melissa went over your support for the epilogue. For the most part I agree, at least with the first four points. But the last discussing power and happiness bothers me because I really don't think that is the case. Of course I cannot speak for every individual but I know many didn't like it because of the lack of detail when we were expecting more tidbits than we received. I don't think it's true that Harry is no longer different, simply because he has grown up or has a family does not denounce his "boy who lived" title. He will always be that, will always be the so-called chosen one. I do not believe his status has changed because even as he stood there on the platform he was receiving stares from numerous stangers all looking at him as they did the first day he stepped into the wizarding world and as they will until he leaves it. Maybe J.K. doesn't explicitly tell us of his magical ability but he still is anything but ordinary or normal, any sense of normalcy has been achieved through finally acquiring a family but that can never remove the fact that he is the one who fought and defeated the greatest evil ever known. Simply because time has past and Harry has achieved his happiness does not mean he is normal or uninteresting, it shows us that even the greatest are in many ways simple and that is probably why they turn out to be so great.<BR/><BR/>I apologize if this sounds like an attack, I don't intend it to be but I really needed to get this off my mind.<BR/><BR/>Thanks, Simren.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-70266576639329897022007-08-01T12:15:00.000-04:002007-08-01T12:15:00.000-04:00It took me 3 days to get through all 118 comments,...It took me 3 days to get through all 118 comments, but I am glad I did. I "met" you through your Pottercast appearances, but I was referred to this entry by someone else.<BR/><BR/>I am not one of those who will say "I never cry at books" or "I only cried when". I will freely admit that I started crying the moment Hedwig died and only stopped during the laugh-out-loud parts.<BR/><BR/>I cheered out loud when Neville was mentioned near the start and then when he came through the portrait. I think I cried the hardest when Ron left. That just tore me up. I loved the ceiling painting in Luna's room. That brings me to my only problem with the epilogue.<BR/><BR/>When I finished the epilogue I was disappointed, but then as I thought about it I realized the only thing I really missed (not jobs, not weddings, not childbirth) was Luna. I would have given anything for one sentence about Luna.<BR/><BR/>As I read the book, I actually thought of you Cheryl. How lucky you were to have been a part of this process, how hard it must have been to keep the secrets, and what a great job you did keeping everything right. Thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-4360263336380795662007-07-29T23:02:00.000-04:002007-07-29T23:02:00.000-04:00I would just like to say that I agree with the pre...I would just like to say that I agree with the previous comment made about Snape. I think that this is what makes Snape such a powerfully tragic figure. All he has ever wanted or needed was to give and receve love but he never gets it; not from Lily (only a friend), not from his father or, I suspect, his sour-faced mother and he has no friends. He is unable, even, I am sure, to like himself. His readiness to cut himself off from all human contact is also perhaps a result of the fact that he sees himself as unworthy of love. I have just had a thought, these lines remind me forcibly of why I find Snape so tragic: <BR/>"I love thee with the passion put to use<BR/>In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.<BR/>I love thee with a love I seemed to lose<BR/>With my lost saints - I love thee with the breath,<BR/>Smiles, tears of all my life! - and, if God chose,<BR/>I shall but love thee better after death. <BR/>(XLLIII Elizabeth Barrett Browning 'sonnets from the Portugese) I know this poem is about requited love but I think these lines could be read as Snape's committment to his dead, unrequited love too.<BR/>I do agree that Dumbledore is rather ruthless in his treatment of Snape; but Dumbledore is shown in the book to have a ruthless, somewhat hard streak in him - look at the way he treated his family in his pursuit of glory. He is "not as white as his beard" after all and Snape is not as black as his hair. I have always been a Snape fan and I feel more emotionally attached to him now that I know how much pain and loneliness he suffered to remain true to the one person who a ray of light in his abused, loveless life. That's courage, love and heroism right there - she never loved him but that didn't seem to matter. I wonder what Sirius or James would have to say to that? This does not mean that I like him more than Harry, I have just always had a soft spot for him. I agree that Snape was on no-one's side but his own but - so what? Without him staring death in the face every time Voldemort's snake eyes looked searchingly at him and asked for information more of the good guys might be dead. O.K, he didn't quite put aside his feelings towards some members of the Order but then, neither did Sirius Black who took every possible opportunity to rekindle the old hatred. Yes, he is bitter and twisted and a bully but I don't think that Snape's contribution should be 'reduced' by a purely rationalist approach to his words and actions in the books. Yes, Snape had his (big) faults but JK balances this out with the revelations of Dumbledore's weakness where power was concerned, the revelations that James Potter was arrogant and a bully who picked on those who were vulneable, that Pettigrew was synchophantic, weak and treacherous, that Sirius exhibits the same lordly unconcern regarding house elves that is displayed by Lucius Malfoy. Sorry if this is a load of old crap but I really agreed with the comments and am glad that someone thinks that Snape deserves a break. I would have liked him to live on and find a kind, understanding witch who would heal the heartache!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-41754345933702828182007-07-28T22:23:00.000-04:002007-07-28T22:23:00.000-04:00I loved the book; and on second reading, most of t...I loved the book; and on second reading, most of the questions i had are subsiding happily. But what is bugging me now is Dumbledore's treatment of Snape. <BR/> <BR/>Yes, one theme is that “it is our choices, Harry, rather than our abilities that determine who we are...” Snape chooses Slytherin, and continues throughout to be an unforgiveable bully. He never learns from his love for Lily to care about others, and JKR gives us only a couple of hints that he might have been capable of anything more. But whether or not he is written with that possibility, Dumbledore’s entire plan not only depends on his remaining closed, emotionally repressed, unloved and unloving (except for Lily); it ensures all that. Dumbledore uses him, specifically the only good part of him — his love for Lily — mercilessly, to isolate him utterly. Dumbledore’s plan traps Snape in his flaws.<BR/><BR/>The hints? When Dumbledore says “I sometimes think we sort too soon,” Snape looks ‘stricken. ‘ That's a pretty strong and suggestive reaction. When Dumbledore asks Snape to kill him in part to save Draco’s soul, Snape asks “what about my soul?” Dumbledore’s response -- essentially “a mercy killing won’t hurt you” -- certainly ignores any opening there. In another plot and another book, Snape’s question might have been an opportunity for Snape to be shown a little loving kindness and grace – what Dumbledore so unfailingly (after his repentance) offers others. <BR/><BR/>Snape promises “Anything” to Dumbledore in return for Lily’s safety. Dumbledore can’t deliver; yet Snape then vows to protect Harry. Every time he saves Harry, he is acting on the memory of love, however limited, and with integrity. Like Harry, he remains true even in extremis. Yet from the moment of his promise, he must be alone. His skill at occlumency, on which everything depends, cuts him off completely. Expressionless, rigid, blank, cold – if he ever did let down his emotional guard, not only would he be in mortal peril from Voldemort, but so would our good guys, all of them. The price of ultimate victory finally turns out to be not Harry but Snape. <BR/><BR/>I realize that this is an extra-plot-line protest. JRK says in an interview that he is brave but not a hero; she wrote him without the possibility of that kind of change, so I suppose that Dumbledore is off the hook. But… Snape looks stricken; he asks, however resentfully, about his soul, he wants Dumbledore’s trust. If Dumbledore had responded, rather than ordering him to ‘dangle like a bag from V’s wrist’ for 16 years…Snape’s fate is the best evidence that Dumbledore has never lost his ruthlessness, whatever else JKR writes about him.<BR/><BR/>And when Snape looks into Harry’s/Lily’s eyes, he doesn’t even get a beat, a pause, a semicolon before dying – just a ‘comma, but.’ Would a couple of moments have killed her?<BR/><BR/>It’s a wonderful book. But I would like some reassurance about Snape after death. Is there shampoo in heaven? Perhaps he does get a portrait, and he and Dumbledore play Snaps? Something...Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00227894778405342440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-24836748318761003332007-07-28T16:32:00.000-04:002007-07-28T16:32:00.000-04:00Yes! I definitely agree with everything you said. ...Yes! I definitely agree with everything you said. Deathly Hallows was lovely.<BR/><BR/>I just bawled so many times throughout it. I would cry at the most trivial things, too... like the description of Hagrid's hands being as big as dustbin lids just like in the first book. Luna's room was really emotional for me too with the "friends" painting. Wow.<BR/><BR/>The only thing that bothered me was that Hermione says that she hasn't ever done a memory charm before she does on those Death Eaters, but she already had done one on her parents.<BR/><BR/>-Courtney D.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-51242404805230399892007-07-27T13:04:00.000-04:002007-07-27T13:04:00.000-04:00Here via Pottercast's pointer too - thanks for all...Here via Pottercast's pointer too - thanks for all the insight! To follow up on Christina's point, I think my reaction to the Epilogue was similarly colored by the cathartic/exhausting effects of the DH roller coaster. I loved the book, but I had been through so many traumas in such a short space that when I read the final two sentences of the epilogue, I read them as threat rather than reassurance! I thought, "19 years - we're <I>definitely</I> due for another Dark Lord by now!" I swear, five minutes after closing the book, I had convinced myself that the last sentence said "All <I>seemed</I> to be well." That reaction came, of course, because Jo did such an amazing job of taking us from thrilling highs to despairing lows in this book. Perhaps there ought to have been a page before the epilogue that said, in large, soothing letters, "Before you turn the page, go take a break, have some chocolate, process what you've read a bit, and then come back." I did take myself out for a chocolate ice cream cone and it helped.Tirunculahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16788199657297216288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-5298717951154470472007-07-27T11:24:00.000-04:002007-07-27T11:24:00.000-04:00I was one of those that thought the epilogue was a...I was one of those that thought the epilogue was a little sickly sweet the first time I read it. But on rereading, I realized that it was just because of the switch off from the battle was so fast (only 3-4 pages after Voldemort's death). My emotions were too strung up and the contrast was jarring. The second time around, my emotions weren't as keyed up and I really liked it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-65558313063291612302007-07-27T08:06:00.000-04:002007-07-27T08:06:00.000-04:00Kreacher didn't do any cooking in OOTP - Molly Wea...Kreacher didn't do any cooking in OOTP - Molly Weasley did. The reader has never seen Kreacher cook for Harry before DH.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-56035521607570960732007-07-27T05:41:00.000-04:002007-07-27T05:41:00.000-04:00Re Kreacher'S cooking abilitiesI'd say Harry was t...Re Kreacher'S cooking abilities<BR/><BR/>I'd say Harry was thinking about the times he spend at Grimmauld Place during OotP when Sirius was till alive. Probably Kreacher did a bit of 'cooking' then.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-83525107436566842062007-07-27T02:38:00.000-04:002007-07-27T02:38:00.000-04:00I totally agree with what you said about the epilo...I totally agree with what you said about the epilogue. After all, Harry said somewhere that all he really wants is a quiet life--and I think he deserves it. He deserves to be happy and have the family he never had when he was younger.happybubblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07851450871371488899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-51188664443882872482007-07-26T22:16:00.000-04:002007-07-26T22:16:00.000-04:00Anonymous - a "jumper" is a "sweater". Harry was ...Anonymous - a "jumper" is a "sweater". Harry was cold!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-67007043197639129652007-07-26T21:28:00.000-04:002007-07-26T21:28:00.000-04:00I know this may sound silly, but on page 364 (us e...I know this may sound silly, but on page 364 (us edition)Harry puts on a "jumper." Am I right in assuming that this is a british word for shirt or jacket? In the US, a jumper is a dress.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-75580616879929396642007-07-26T19:14:00.000-04:002007-07-26T19:14:00.000-04:00Cheryl,Many, many thanks for your excellent analys...Cheryl,<BR/><BR/>Many, many thanks for your excellent analysis of the epilogue, as well as your thoughts on the book in general. I, too, was one of the many who felt only lukewarm towards the epilogue after my first read <I>(That's it?!? Where's the rest? What are the trio doing for jobs? Who raised Teddy? How did George go on? etc.)</I>, but after some additional time spent thinking about it I was just deciding to give it another read through... and then I came across your blog. I'm pleased to say that you (and a few others) have completely changed my mind about it, and whereas before all I could see was what *wasn't* written, I now read it and see just was was there: A mature Harry who finally has just what he wanted, and has grown to appreciate all that came with it. Kudos to you.<BR/><BR/>There are many times over the past year or so that I've listened to PotterCast and thought that you had just about the coolest job ever. But I can now see how much of a struggle the past months must have been for you. I think after all is said and done I'd rather have stood in line at midnight and enjoyed being swept up in the mania - the predictions, the theories, the clue hunt - than read the story early. I hope you got some enjoyment out of watching the reactions, and not just felt the need to defend yourself or JKR.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for all your hard work, and thanks for letting us play about for a bit in your sandbox. Just because we may complain about the grittiness of the sand between our toes doesn't mean we'd rather be anywhere else at the moment. :)<BR/><BR/>-LindsayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-17342866256490661192007-07-26T18:14:00.000-04:002007-07-26T18:14:00.000-04:00One thing that bugged me in my Bloomsbury edition ...One thing that bugged me in my Bloomsbury edition was in the "Magic is Might" chapter:<BR/><BR/>"The quality of Kreacher's cooking had improved dramatically ever since he had been given Regulas's locket..."<BR/><BR/>Correct me if I'm mistaken but I'm sure Kreacher had not cooked for Harry until after he had been given Regulas's locket so Harry wouldn't have known what Kreacher's cooking standard was originally to be able to make the comparison.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-41401646045973947612007-07-26T17:37:00.000-04:002007-07-26T17:37:00.000-04:00"If Fawkes (reference to guy fawkes bonfires and a..."If Fawkes (reference to guy fawkes bonfires and ashes - nice) has healing tears then how come he couldn't heal Dumbledore's hand?"<BR/><BR/>Because pheonix tears heal wounds, not curses. Dumbledore's hand was like that because of a curse from the ring (that Snape managed to temporarily trap in his hand.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com