Harry Potter: A Review of Deathly Hallows
- July 19th, 2007
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I’m finished with the book. Below are my immediate thoughts. I don’t spoil anything important, but give my general impression of the book. If you are the “tell me nothing until after I read it” sort, please go read some other post.
On the whole, the focus of this book shifted quite far away from Hogwarts. Only the last few chapters take place there, and all other Hogwarts info is carried only via news reports to the main characters. While this is a welcome change, I do feel that some of the most interesting bits of the book are things we find about thirdhand from those actually at Hogwarts.
There is a wealth of information revealed about Snape, over two entire chapters. I feel mostly positive about this–it was new, yet seem to fit and explain his character well. Several things I had predicted, but some I had not. There is even more information revealed about Albus Dumbledore’s past (over a quarter of the book). Rowling took significant steps to break his archetype, and while I can understand why she dealt him the cards she delt from an author’s perspective, I would have taken his character development in a distinctively different direction.
I can assure you that the unknown Horcrux proved to be most satisfactory, possibly the most well-written part in the entire series. Many have predicted it, but none have predicted quite the fantastic turn of events which take place. The “almost” unknown Horcrux (described as something of Hufflepuff’s or Ravenclaw’s in book 6) was something I predicted. While it is not Snape’s potion book, a careful read of its origins and destinations will identify it quite cleverly. You will kick yourself if you don’t find it.
Harry’s character development was phenomenally brilliant, wildly exceeding my expectations. I’m sure it is highly archetypal, but it certainly doesn’t seem that way at the time of read. Harry’s experiences help shift the book away from HBP’s (and many fans’) obsession with death, specifically that of Dumbledore, but also of several other characters whodie. I will say no more here about that, but this novel places a certain respect and awe upon Harry that I had previously reserved for Dumbledore, and this turn of events was highly unexpected.
Voldemort, at least at the beginning of the book, is completely frightening. This is not your standard “Voldemort is out there lurking” book; I’m positive Rowling drew inspiration from the Nazi Holocaust. Voldemort is faced with an interesting decision in the last chapter and I would have been most interested to see what would have happened if he were to have chosen otherwise, however I can understand why Rowling made him do what he did.
Incidental information about Lily, Aunt Petunia, etc. help bring out these minor characters a bit more.
Harry gains an additional task in addition to destroying the Horcruxes, that which bears the book’s title. For some reason Rowling’s “Oh by the way…” manner of introducing new magic out of thin air (Philosopher’s stone, etc.) has always struck me as cheating, and she continues that tradition… a bit. However, once it is introduced, the task of the Hallows is completely believable, and its shocking twist will have me rereading on the 21st with everyone else. I keep telling myself the only reason I didn’t figure it out is because I haven’t slept in over 24 hours, but that’s probably not true.
The epilogue provided fairly good closure to the series. I do wish that it was longer; I would have liked to have known what had happened to some of the more minor characters. There are a few minor loose ends Rowling obviously forgot about, however 99% has been covered. It is highly unlikely that this series will be continued by Rowling. This is truly the last book.
Original post by Drew Crawford
