From: Monica R. Edinger <edinger>
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 08:50:12 -0400

Here a few observations after having read 3/4 of the book. (Nothing like a 12 hour train ride from Toronto to NYC for this: I'd be done, but I slept a lot too.)

1. It does seem very long and I wonder whether younger kids who aren't already avid fantasy/HP readers will stick with it after the current hype fades. I missed Hagrid tremendously as there seemed no new or old character to provide what he does throughout the other books. That is, a sort of sweet comic relief as well as a sort of maternal/paternal presence. Sirius doesn't do it for me much as he is being developed more in this book as the significant father-image for Harry. I will be very, very curious as to the readership of this book in a few months. No offense to those who write of enthusiastic young readers, but as I wrote in my earlier post, I think many current enthusiasts are being drawn in by all the publicity. The real proof of the book's appeal to younger readers
(who would be otherwise unlikely to read such a long book) is yet to be determined, in my opinion.

2. Umbridge (what a great name!) and her actions at Hogwarths feels very, very, very real to this teacher. What I'm looking forward to discussing with students next fall is what they think about the way she deals with the teachers. I would imagine most of us who have been in schools have seen situations of mediocre teachers who were left along for years until someone like Umbridge came along. The complex feelings for kids of watching the firing of someone like Trelawney. I know how horrible it can be as do kids. You (kids and teachers alike) have a sweet, but incompetent teacher and complain and complain about her. But then when the authorities do come in and do something? How horrible. Or the pain of watching someone you so admire like McGonagall be treated as she is by Umbridge. Kids are all too aware of this. I've had kids tell me they got teachers fired. They constantly talk about who is good and who isn't. They hear their parents talk. But how painful to watch those who are supposedly keeping things safe for you unable to do so. One major adolescent awakening. I think all of the slow dismantling of Dumbledore's lovely school world is very, very well done. Fortunately, having gone through similar ups and downs at my school and can assure you all that it can be easily repaired, better than ever!

3. Given the previous month's topic of "edgy YA" this is a whole different sort of YA. Someone said to me they felt Harry acts younger than his years. I don't think so. He reminds me of my 15-year-old nephew. If he ever got near a girl I think he would handle it no better (and probably a lot worse) than poor Harry does with Cho. (I'm not finished yet, but must say I hope Cho becomes further developed --- so far she seems pretty limited to me.) I love Harry's brooding and all. There are still plenty of teens like that. Feeling hurt that Dumbledore isn't approaching him and so refusing to go to him. Well done! Seems to me this is just the sort of teen book those who don't like the edgy YA are calling for.

4. I'm more aware of Rowling's attachment to adverbs this time. (e.g.
"said Professor McGonagall tartly." or "said Umbridge sleekly." )

5. I peeked before starting so know who dies. I did so because I felt there had been too much about it and it would compromise my reading ---I mean I want to savor this book, not dash through to find out the death. This way I'm reading it more thoroughly. And what I notice is a ton of red herrings. Rowling was very, very shrewd in hyping the death this time. Last time it was a disappointment, but this time it is right. Well done, I say!

6. Got 200 pages to go. (Robin, I couldn't imagine having to read this overnight and then write a review for publication. That NYTimes reviewer MUST have had an ARC. Not fair I say.)

Monica




Monica Edinger The Dalton School New York NY edinger at dalton.org monicaedinger at yahoo.com
Received on Wed 25 Jun 2003 07:50:12 AM CDT