Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Reaction Thread - SPOILERS!!!!

me | 7/21/2007 | me

[JenB]

So you finally know what happens to Harry. All our questions are answered. Or not. What are your reactions? Whose death hurt the most? Do you want more, and about whom?

SPOILERS are ok on this thread! You have been warned!

Wow. It's over.

[r9etb]

I don't see that there's a connection between Ron's terrier and Hermione.

Well no ... but then, I was more focused on making the yucky joke.

Likewise, James turned into a stag and Lily's patronus was a doe (as was Snape's).

Ah, I see. So you're suggesting a lot of Snape's nastiness was a result of his repressed homosexual attraction to James.... and that he'd have been much nicer and well-grooomed (not to mention a snappier dresser) if he'd simply been open about his feelings.... ;-)

[Tanniker Smith]

You see, know you’re finding the hidden themes. (No wonder those Christian groups find it all unfitting!)

[supercat]

They say in the book that house elf magic is different than human magic. That's why the house elfs can apparate in and out of Hogwarts. I don't think the Malfoys can block house elf magic from their house.

If wizards couldn't block elfs from aparating into/out of certain places, then anyone who had a house elf could go anywhere he pleased.

I think it works much better to say that wizards can, in general, block house elves but will often choose to make exceptions.

[EmilyGeiger]

Oh, one of my favorite Shakespeare plays was the Taming of the Shrew. It was great comedy. His other plays I came to enjoy more as an adult but that was because I lived in Montgomery, AL which has one of the most renowned Shakespeare Theatres. Some of the best Shakespearan actors go there to study. I got to see Hamlet, Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet and Othello. It really made me appreciate his writings even more. :)

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

well, I thought it was funny.

I LOL'ed. ;-)

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Thank you! And yours was a very good summation of the moral themes and allegories in the book.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

What I find interesting is that the books grew in sophistication as her original readership grew in age. I don't know if she intended it that way, or if it was just a coincidence as she grew in writing ability, but it meant that the original readership could be challenged by each book as it came out.

Unfortunately I think that may make it difficult for new readers to get into the series. Young readers will find the later books too challenging, while older readers will find the early books too simplistic.

[caseinpoint]

“Unfortunately I think that may make it difficult for new readers to get into the series. Young readers will find the later books too challenging, while older readers will find the early books too simplistic.”

FWIW, I read the books for the first time within the past month and I am an older (50+) reader. I had seen the first four movies so maybe it helped but I had no trouble getting into the characters, nor did I feel turned off by the earlier books. I knew it was a series and answers would come later. I bought the books for my own summer reading break and I figured it would be nice to have them on hand for my someday grandchildren (my kids are only 20 and 21). I think they will come in handy eventually.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

I first started reading the series myself last year (I was 42 at the time.) I like the charm of the early books. I've read a lot of people who say the first book was poorly written, but I don't agree; I feel it was written for children and is therefore written in a simplistic style. Unfortunately a lot of people apparently give up after trying the first and/or second books, and don't realize that the writing grows more sophisticated with each book.

I read the last one through in a single 12 hour session... it takes a good book to keep my attention focused like that, for that long. ;-)

[grellis]

"I hope it doesn't mean that Hermione's a bitch!"

TCHA! A big cyberslap to whomever would suggest such a thing!

Actually, I think what you discovered, about the otters, is quite clever. It has me wondering about several fo the other Patronuses that were mentioned, those of secondary characters. It also makes me wonder this: Did Ginny ever cast a Patronus?

I bet it would be something hairy, hahahahahhahahahhahahha

[HungarianGypsy]

A lot of people disagree with me, but the first thing I thought of when I read the first book was Roald Dahl. That’s how I got hooked in within the first few pages. Reminded me of the way Roald Dahl started James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

[Tanniker Smith]

It the movie, it's a horse. And Daniel Radcliffe has done "Equis". Where he appeared naked, and some slighty-too-old-for-Daniel-type ladies have commented that he's ...
Okay, that's strechting the metaphor past breaking.

Luna is a scwewy wabbit. Well, it's a hare. A mad hare? And as noted either above or on the other thread that I've read, other civilizations have seen a hare on the moon instead of a man.

Aberforth was a goat. I don't recall if we saw what Albus's was.

TS

[Tanniker Smith]

by grellis (Femininists for Fred!)

Grellis, grellis, PLEASE! Give it up. I feel your loss.
Look at the bright side. You still have George.

;-)

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Albus' was a phoenix. Wikipedia to the rescue! List of known Patronuses

[Tanniker Smith]

D'oh!! Yeah, that makes sense.
No connection between phoenix and goat.

[caseinpoint]

You just a youngun! ;o) I bought the book online and took delivery Monday afternoon. I finished it Wednesday morning cause I got lots of obligations not in my control and I don’t know if I could have spared twelve conscious hours to go through it nonstop. Perhaps if I took a vacation I could do it but right now my life is way too hectic and scheduled. I read it in the stolen hours. It was a nice break and I plan to slowly go through Books 5-7 again in the next few months. And I probably won’t see movie 5 until it comes out on DVD.

[TightyRighty]

and some slighty-too-old-for-Daniel-type ladies have commented

Hey, I resemble that!

But seriously now. The only thing I said was that it looked like the sausage was coming out of the casing. If you know what I mean.....

And that's ALL I'm going to say.

All the intellectuals on this thread are shaking their heads.

This post is so getting pulled.

[Redcloak]

Ah, I see. So you're suggesting a lot of Snape's nastiness was a result of his repressed homosexual attraction to James.... and that he'd have been much nicer and well-grooomed (not to mention a snappier dresser) if he'd simply been open about his feelings.... ;-)

I find the thought of Snape roaming the halls of Hogwarts whistling show tunes quite disturbing.

[EmilyGeiger]

I hadn’t thought about that, but it’s true. He is another good writer. I love his books and they make great read alouds for children. His books keep their attention.

[EmilyGeiger]

Wasn’t Albus’ a phoenix?