Lots of good details that explain oddities in our world: For example, why you sometimes walk or drive down a street, and notice the numbering on the houses has missed a beat - as if a number was accidentally skipped or left out. (This was probably in earlier novels, too, but it was good to get that little insight again. One of the best things about science fiction and fantasy is their offering exotic but logical explanations for everyday oddities.)
My favorite line: Molly Weasley, dueling with Bellatrix: "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!" Yeah, all caps, and deservedly so.
Life and deaths: With a few exceptions, all warranted, and deeply satisfying.
Quibbles? Inevitable - no story, even the one J. K. Rowling has given us, can be perfect for every reader. But they're so few - indeed, just three, really - that I can put them here in one small paragraph: (i) Several good people died at the end, who didn't need to, or whose deaths were too off-scene and therefore didn't seem motivated. (ii) I don't get why Harry, Hermione, and Ron refrain from using killing curses on the villains, and confine themselves to stuns, etc. (iii) There was an unnecessary Epilogue.
But these are small reservations to an extraordinary ending to an extraordinary series.
I'm sure I'll be writing more about Harry Potter in the days, months, and years to come...
Article comments
1 - Jill Warner
Good review! I did like the epilogue - and even wanted more info though!
2 - Paul Levinson
Thanks, Jill! I was sort of getting at the same thing with the Epilogue - I would have loved a whole chapter set in that time. But, as it was, it was just a quick teaser.
3 - Nash
I just finished reading the book...
I didn't like how she used more adult language (when I say that I mean like... "sycophantically" and such), this is a book mainly aimed at children. how many children know what sycophantically means?
I did love the book though.. I cried heaps... even just seeing the "Nineteen years later" page made me cry :| i think it was the realisation that it was the end :P
x Nash
4 - Paul Levinson
Hey, Nash - I guess the language was just another indication that everyone had grown up...
5 - Paul Levinson
And for those who enjoy the spoken word, and a shot at the New York Times for its poor treatment of Harry, I just put out a 15-minute podcast on the above, with a little more...
6 - MISS
LOVED IT! I liked the Epilouge, it was a nice closure and brings a glimmer of hope that the books could continue with the Potter children! Oh and "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH" was also my fav line! It made me want to cheer!