I bought it the day it came out and read it within 8 hours - I tried to stretch it out but it just didn’t work out that way. Anyways, as a huge fan of the Harry Potter series I was thrilled at the length of the book not only because of the price of the book but because of the long wait between this book and the previous one. Unfortunately, I’m not sure the length of the book really helped it in the end. I’m afraid at this point there’s something to be said for ’short and sweet’.
Rather than bore you with the story line which you can get in any desired level of detail on the net, why don’t I bore you instead with my impressions: on one hand it’s great to be back with the old crew but on the other hand there were parts and characters that I think J.K.R succeeded in bungling. While I am listing my beefs in point-form below, I’d like you to keep in mind that I did like the book - and that I do not regret having bought it. But I don’t think it was perfect (unlike book 3) and these are my specific beefs:
Beef #1: What happened to Sirius Black?
Sirius Black was very very cool in books 3 and 4 - in fact he was one of my favorite characters. Did JKR really have to reduce him to a childish, annoying, irritating turd - was that really necessary - was there such a problem with leaving him as an adult? I can understand him chaffing because of his inability to do anything - and that would annoy everyone - but his transformation from responsible god-parent to someone saying things like: i was wrong - you’re not like your father or i won’t be your best-friend anymore if you don’t do this was ridiculous! Ok, I made up that last quote - but it was to make a point. He really changed and not in any realistic way.
Beef #2: What happened to Harry?
One of the things that drew me into the Harry Potter series in the first place was the character or Harry Potter: he was never whiny like most protagonists, about the Dursley’s mistreatment of him, about being the boy who lived. If you’re like me and this attracted you to Harry, DO NOT read this book.
Speaking of characters ’’changing’’ (more about that in my other beefs), Harry’s character changes. He yells at his friends, he whines, he complains, he wallows in self-pity, he’s resentful, and terribly irritating. The Harry Potter who used to be understanding and polite and bright has ceased to exist and I’m afraid I’m not impressed with what JK left in his place. Also I’m not entirely convinced that this complete, jarring, and sudden change is very realistic - does JK not remember what it’s like to be a teen?
Not only has Harry become sullen and resentful and quick to jump to self-centered conclusions - but he’s become downright self-destructive. One of my friends, while reading the book, remarked that Harry had a real problem with not telling anybody things that really shouldn’t be kept to oneself - this tendency is exacerbated horrifically in this book. Of course, the fact that he thinks he’s the only rational being left on this planet and everyone’s out to get him doesn’t really help the situation.
Beef #3: What’s with Ginny?
Ok, I may look like a complete moron if this doesn’t happen - and I’ve been wrong in the past but I think it’s become increasingly obvious that Ginny and Harry are going to end up together. Ginny has gained some characteristics that seem designed to gain the affection of readers. Personally they do nothing to endear her to me:
She’s now actively dating and dumping casually - this is supposed to be cool or at least render her desirable in Harry’s eyes - whatever.
She’s now lying casually - this too is supposed to be cool, I guess.
She’s actively involved in ’’plots’’ like helping Ron/Hermione/Fred/George get info about the Order.
She’s no longer intimidated by Harry (i.e. she breezily says hi to him and then immediately ignores him after not having seen him all summer.)
She’s in his defense against the dark arts remedial class and later helps save the day.
Beef #4: Mrs. Weasley?
I used to think Mrs. Weasley was kindly and caring - her extra attention towards Harry was sweet. Not anymore. Her attentions to Harry have become oppressive and demanding; she now tells him what to do and decides what he ’’needs to know’’ - even trying to supercede his guardian’s authority as, she claims, he’s ’’as good’’ as her own son. Her ’’mollycoddling’’ (Harry’s word - not mine) has become extremely annoying - in fact she seems to think, as Lupin notes, that she’s the only one who has Harry’s interests at heart. I have to admit I’ve lost all affection for this ’’mother’’-type character - her mothering has gone overboard and she seems to not have an identity apart from being ’’nurturing’’, demanding and annoying.
Beef #5: The final fighting scene....
I imagine the final fighting scene has been heavily edited or re-written several times - I suggest another re-write. Unlike the final fight scenes at the end of ALL the other books, this one isn’t clean, rather it’s abrupt, overly peopled and difficult to follow. Also the death was very sudden and seemed to be just another item on the agenda.
Beef #6: Tonks... what the...?
When we met Charlie Weasley in Book 4, I noticed that JKR was completely out of touch with what is ’’cool’’ - a fang-earring (eye-roll)?? Oh dear..... I forgave her this - because she’s our beloved JKR and I thought it was kind of cute. But I refuse to forgive her for Tonks. Tonks is clearly engineered to be ’’cool’’ along the same vein as Charlie Weasley’s earring. The problem is I didn’t really think she was ’’cool’’ - in fact I’m not looking forward to seeing her in upcoming books though it’s very clear that JK is enamoured of her and will definitely be bringing her back - possibly as a defense against the dark arts teacher... but who knows - maybe she’ll improve by then.
Beef #7: Dumbledoor?
Just a minor beef with Dumbledoor... when did he become so emotional and dopey? Also - that big debrief at the end with Harry seemed to be a lot of old news - nothing to really get excited about... in fact it was very disappointing after all that hype and buildup!
So now that I’ve completely taken apart some of the best-loved scenes and characters of Harry Potter let me reiterate that I liked the book though I was disappointed with some parts (see above for more info). Unfortunately I haven’t all the space in the world to go over what I liked about it so I’ll have to make that short and sweet, here’s a sampling of the highlights of the book:
A look at young-James/Sirius/Lupin/Lily.
New info about Neville and the prophesy.
Hand-cutting pen scene.
Hermione (the only non-hormonal person in the book).
Lupin and Mad Eye cameos.
Fred and George’s exit scene.
St. Mungo’s and the Ministry of Magic.
In the end I think it was wonderful but it was probably the devil to edit at 750-something pages and with half the world clamoring for its release so we’ll forgive J.K some of it’s less glaring faults (but I think I’ve spent enough time on those) and here’s hoping the next book will be released soon!