Harry Potter reaction thread

[FrustratedPoet]

Don't ... make ... me ... choose! Aarrrghhh!

Yes, it is an interesting conundrum indeed.

[Harry Seldon]

I'd rather the detailed ending. I've read other series, most notably David Feintuch's Seafort series, that had detailed endings like this but still continued the series after the purported end of the series. Having an idea of how the story ends doesn't mean the road to get there isn't interesting.

[ajbera]

Rowling could end book 7 as John Irving ended the World According to Garp - detailed descriptions of the characters futures and deaths... possibly the saddest book ending I have ever, ever read, though so painfully honest and realistic.

Actually, I kinda hope there are no more HP novels after the series is over - some stories have to end to retain their magic. I mean, I would love to read about Middle-Earth in the Fourth Age after Frodo & Co. sail into the West, but I wouldn't want anything that diminished the magnificence of the LotR, and that's a damn hard act to follow. I feel the same would be true of HP. I do like the idea of an encyclopedia/history book that explores the character's lives to an extent, but largely provides more details about the wizarding world. It would be a nice coda for the series, and it wouldn't have to trump the coolness of the series.

Now we just have to wait for books 6 and 7... DAMMIT I HATE WAITING.

Probably my favorite part:
*SPOILERS*

Spoiler:

Filch elbowed his way closer to Umbridge, almost crying with happiness.
“I’ve got the form, Headmistress” he said hoarsely, waving the piece of parchment Harry had just seen him take from her desk. “I’ve got the form and I’ve got the whips waiting… Oh, let me do it now…”
“Very good, Argus,” she said. “You two,” she went on, gazing down at Fred and George, “are about to learn what happens to wrongdoers in my school.”
“You know what?” said Fred. “I don’t think we are.”
He turned to his twin.
“George,” said Fred, “I think we’ve outgrown full-time education.”
“Yeah, I’ve been feeling that way myself,” said George lightly.
“Time to test our talents in the real world, d’you reckon?” asked Fred.
“Definitely,” said George.
And before Umbridge could say a word, they raised their wands and said together, “Accio Brooms!”
Harry heard a loud crash somewhere in the distance. Looking to his left he ducked just in time – Fred and George’s broomsticks, one still trailing the heavy chain and iron peg with which Umbridge had fastened them to the wall, were hurtling along to corridor toward their owners. They turned left, streaked down the stairs, and stopped sharply in front of the twins, the chain clattering loudly on the flagged stone floor.
“We won’t be seeing you,” Fred told Professor Umbridge, swinging his leg over his broomstick.
“Yeah, don’t bother to keep in touch,” said George, mounting his own.
Fred looked around at the assembled students, and at the silent, watchful crowd.
“If anyone fancies buying a Portable Swamp, as demonstrated upstairs, come to number ninety-three, Diagon Alley – Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes," he said in a loud voice. “Our new premises!”
“Special discounts to Hogwarts students who swear they’re going to use our products to get rid of this old bat,” added George, pointing at Professor Umbridge.
“STOP THEM!” shrieked Umbridge, but it was too late. As the Inquisitorial Squad closed in, Fred and George kicked of from the floor, shooting fifteen feet into the air, the iron peg swinging dangerously below. Fred looked across the hall at the poltergeist bobbing on his level above the crowd.
“Give her hell from us, Peeves.”
And Peeves, whom Harry had never seen take an order from a student before, swept his belled hat from his head and sprang to a salute as Fred and George wheeled about to tumultuous applause from the students below and sped out of the open front doors into the glorious sunset.

In a book full of excellent imagery and splendid moments, this one filled me with joy. I was honestly proud of them. Kudos to Rowling.

[Drake Tungsten]

That was my favorite part as well.

[Imran Siddiqui]

In the interview, she also said that she would explain where everyone went after Hogwarts at the end of Book 7. Looks like we're getting the lame "Animal House" style ending.

Lame? That was a great ending .

I wouldn't mind having something at the end of Book 7 detailing their lives. I'd rather not have 'adult' Harry Potter books. Chances are it'd end up being something like the Foundation books after the 1st trilogy. Just cannot even possibly compete with the original story (which has been throughly planned out).

[Drake Tungsten]

Lame? That was a great ending.

The "Animal House" ending was great and not lame in any way. I just think that that style of ending would be lame for a book, especially a series as lengthy as Harry Potter. "Animal House" wasn't the deepest of films, which made that kind of ending work.

I wouldn't mind having something at the end of Book 7 detailing their lives. I'd rather not have 'adult' Harry Potter books.

I actually think that a better idea would be to have a new series of books with new characters set in the Potter universe. You'd be able to follow the stories of new characters while at the same time seeing glimpses of what Professor Potter or world Quidditch star Ron Weasley are up to. Could be very cool.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I actually think that a better idea would be to have a new series of books with new characters set in the Potter universe. You'd be able to follow the stories of new characters while at the same time seeing glimpses of what Professor Potter or world Quidditch star Ron Weasley are up to. Could be very cool.

It would probably just suck .

[Drake Tungsten]

Well, aren't you negative today?

[Japher]

I finished ToOP about 2 weeks ago, really good

Can't wait for the next one...

I think Drake's idea is good. Yet, follow a lesser character in the current books, i.e. Neville Longbottom as he becomes and Aurer would be kewl...

[Adalbertus]

We all overlooked the fact that JKR knows Apolyton and especially Ecthelion:

... a couple o' mad trolls on the Polish border ...

(British(?) version, p. 377)

[chequita guevara]

Why are you still using spoilers over a month after the book was released. Anyone who hasn't read it by now is a loser!

It was definately the best book so far.

[FrustratedPoet]

I'm rather partial to #3 myself, but I need to go back and read them again to refresh my memory.

4 and 5 have both advanced the series far more than the first 3 did, though.

[Jaguar]

IMO, in order, from best to worst, its 5, 3, 1-4 tie, 2.

[SpencerH]

Here's a question that I have seen answered, where did all of the Potters gold come from? Maybe it'll never be answered.

[FrustratedPoet]

Originally posted by SpencerH
Here's a question that I have seen answered, where did all of the Potters gold come from? Maybe it'll never be answered.

Good question.

It's worth remembering that it was sitting idle in Gringott's collecting interest for more than a decade before Harry got hold of it.

James and Lily may also have had some kind of life insurance ... or perhaps there's an agreement in the Order of the Phoenix to set up a trust fund for children of members Killed in Action?

All kind of boring answers there, but I'd like the matter to be addressed at some point. Interesting.

Anyone care to re-read the passage in book 1 where Harry realises he's got all that gold? Perhaps there are clues there we've forgotten about. I don't have a copy here.