lowered expectations

[ironymaiden]

the link is full of spoilers for books that are already out.
the link is full of spoilers for books that are already out.
handy summaries of Harry Potter 1-6

i'm not very excited about Deathly Hallows. i haven't reserved a copy. i didn't reserve one for the last book either. i'm browsing back through Half-Blood Prince as a refresher, and i'm probably going to walk down to the nearby midnight sale and pick up a copy, but i'm feeling like it's paying bills or renewing a library book or something. like reading HP7 on the first weekend is my geeky duty, not my pleasure.

right now, i'm admiring Rowling's plotting craft, but i don't love Harry anymore, and Hermione and Ron aren't enough of a presence. i've reread the bad thing, and it does still elicit tears. now i'm reviewing all of the penseive bits. i'm trying to whip up some excitement in the face of ridiculous hype.

i really want to believe in a satisfyingly orgasmic conclusion, but wish we could skip over this cultural moment and get on to Bad Monkeys and then fast forward to A Dance With Dragons.

Comments

[matt-ruff.livejournal.com]

Zombie Dumbledore lives!

[steve98052.livejournal.com]

I've only read through book five (in anticipation of the movies, like I've done with the first four), so I appreciate your spoiler-safety.

Anyway, I wonder if it's even possible to deliver a satisfying climax to the whole series when each book is an element of the same continuing struggle. I don't see where it can go to escalate.

I know Rowling has said that she doesn't plan to continue the series after book 7. However, if she remains fond of the setting there are ways she could use the setting in a spin-off. One that I think would be a bit amusing would be for Hermione to set up a wizards' university. She has the passion for education, but might not have the personality to teach. "Harry, your evaluations for last year's masters-level Defense against Dark Arts seminar were great. Can't you do another one this year? There can't be that many enemies out there that you can't take three weeks off from your Auror duties, can there?"

[shadow-and-veil.livejournal.com]

That's pretty much how I feel about it. I'll read L's copy after she buys & reads it.