’’The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.”
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is both one of the best, however sad, books I have ever read. It shows us the life of those who are living through a war, where every day another person muggle or wizard alike is effected by the evil of Lord Voldemort, and yet, through the book, Harry leads an almost normal life, with the same thoughts and wants as the next teenager. What makes this book one of contradicting emotions for me is that it is the most dark and truly sad book in the series I have read. You can no longer call Harry a boy wizard after reading this book, but a young man facing challenges that only a young man could. This book has shown that Harry has grown much in the book, although too much for some of its younger readers. The boundary between a mere children fantasy, and a major literary masterpiece has finally been crossed, and believe me when I say that some might need to wait a while longer before crossing with him.
Throughout the book, I felt a since of sadness, not just because I knew that this would be the second to last installment, but also also that the innocence of the former books has been almost wiped away. This book is fraught with many disturbing and shocking things that I don’t think young minds should be unwittingly subjected to. The things in this book have shaken me, and I don’t believe J. K. Rowling intends it for the very young. Why? Well, it says in the summary itself that “the war against Voldemort is not going well, ” and no one should take this lightly. A war is a war, filled much despair and hopelessness, no matter the perspective.
This book proves that both sides have those that wish that this war had never happened. Old enemies have be given a reason for a pure hatred not felt before in these books, and even those that deserve that hatred can be pitied for their dissent into evil. You even see the strong grow weak as the burden of the war bears down upon them, see the innocent be used unpittingly as weapons for the gain of others, and those that were trusted have not lost, but actually given that trust away through their malicious actions. Honestly, it would be a dreadful thing to allow anyone with a weak or too young mind to read this book without first helping them understand that the difference between good and evil is not a truly defined line at all times, but one often blurred by a person’s perspective.
However, I can’t say it isn’t a good book. The humor of it’s author is clearly seen, and many situations in it can put a smile on the face of both the young and old. Teenager as I am myself, I can’t help but enjoy the very teenage problems shown this time, from the desire to do well in school, (sometimes with a little help that could be considered cheating by some) and the desire for love or affection that most teenagers undoubtedly have. Harry and his friends are definitely growing up, which brings with it all the trials and tribulations of that growth from child to adult.
Just as the poem above says, dark is needed just as much in the story as the light. All things throughout all the books are coming together, both magical and not, and as skillfully woven as a beautiful tapestry in the brilliance of Rowling’s pen.
Once again I have to warn those who wish for a happy read that this is not always one. You will learn things that are necessary to the development to the story, but what you learn isn’t always(most of the time) pleasant. Believe that you will be crying by the end of this story. Crying for the loss of someone Harry was very close to, and for the fate that Harry must face by the end of the next book.
Whether he is alone or not, there are still things this young wizard will have to face. I hope it will lead to a happy ending, because I know I will be one of the millions of people wishing for it.