From: Wendy Lanehart <WLanehart>
Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2007 13:29:06 -0400

   I'm surprised no one has posted on HPDH yet! I am quite the HP fan; I swore I'd take my time reading the last book as it was the last book, but read it in 2 days. I enjoyed it! Rowling says it's her favorite; I don't know if I feel that, but I don't think I actually do have a favorite. Although I enjoyed how each book became more complex and darker as Harry grew up, I also missed more of the fun and innocence in the first few in the series. Things I liked in the last book: how she tied up many loose ends but not everything (I was hoping Umbridge would go down in a big way!); the deathly hallows were very intriguing, both thematically and from a plot point of view (I was sure someone was going to die on Halloween!); the way Harry had to sacrifice himself but still lived was amazing; and it was very action-packed. I found the Elder Wand rather confusing; maybe after I listen to it (I have my copy of the audiobook on reserve!) it'll make more sense. I've read some criticism of the epilogue as corny. Etc., but I'm glad she did it. I still wondered if Harry ended up as an Auror and what everyone else was doing (I rather thought Hermione would be a professor).
    I also saw the movie and thought it was as good as a movie condensation of an 896 page book can be! They kept in the most important plot elements but had to cut a lot of interesting sidelines. The young actress who played Luna was excellent; overall, I miss the depth of characterization you get in the books. There's so much to include, the movies end up giving very little characterization, except maybe Harry. You'd think they would've managed to include a glimpse of the locket horcrux, since we know that's going to be important later. The final battle at the Ministry of Magic was pretty amazing special effects; I liked the way they sort of turned into magical smoke as they swished around in battle. Helena Bonham Carter was very disappointing as a way-over-the-top Bellatrix; I guess all of those years portraying subdued types, she finally decided she could let loose. I just thought she was silly, versus scary. The actress who played Umbridge -- I know I've seen her in other things -- was excellent! Just as I'd imagined old Toadface! The power went off in the theater where we were watching just as Umbridge screeched at the Centaurs, and we had a tense ten or so minutes wondering if the movie was going to get going again -- it did. I don't care for Michael Gambon as DD nearly as much as I did with the previous actor who died (John Gielgud? I can't remember), and the scene at the end where DD explains things to Harry was sappy in the extreme ("Because I care about you Harry" -- I doubt he said it like that in the book, although there is no doubt he does care about Harry, to me, anyway).
    I'm looking forward to sharing these books with my sons when they're older. I don't really think the later books are for children. More Young Adult. What's the consensus? I was abit shocked by Mrs. Weasley calling Bellatrix a B---- (in CAPITAL letters, too!:), but later liked it: she was protecting her child after Fred is killed. It felt very good to have Bellatrix destroyed. I figure if my son starts reading the Sorcerer's Stone when he's 10 (provided he doesn't read them too fast!), he can work his way up to the later, darker ones. I can't wait to read them out loud with him. By the way, if you've never listened to Jim Dale read any of the books, I HIGHLY recommend it. He is the BEST audiobooks' reader/actor I've ever heard, and he truly brings the books to life in a way that even the movies can't. Obviously, I could talk about HP all day, but I'll stop now.

Wendy Lanehart, Children's Librarian Central Rappahannock Regional Library Fredericksburg, Virginia
Received on Sat 04 Aug 2007 12:29:06 PM CDT