IT'S finally over.
Being the crazy bookworm that I am, I finished the final book on the day that I bought it, which was the day it was released. Despite lacking the charm of Rowling's first few books, I personally felt the ending was satisfactory and just enough. All the unanswered questions were, as expected, answered as Rowling tied up all the loose ends left from the previous books. The pieces of the puzzle all fall beautifully into their places, but it is the way in which they fitted into the giant picture that was thrilling.
The plot structure, as has been pointed out by many other people, differs from its predecessors in that Harry does not return to Hogwarts. Normally you have this fixed template, where the book begins with Harry with the Dursleys at Privet Drive; and a fiasco of some sort happens; then Harry goes off to Hogwarts; we get a glimpse of the Sorting Ceremony and are introduced to new teachers (usually a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher) and other quirky characters; made aware of some event involving Voldemort brewing in the near future which would inevitably involve Harry and his companions; a bit of Quidditch; confrontation between Harry and Voldemort; success!; end of another school year and back to Privet Drive.
This time however, Harry doesn't return to Hogwarts, a decision which has been made clear at the end of the sixth book. From the beginning, we are hurtled into an exhilarating ride where Harry and the Order of the Phoenix escapes from the Death Eaters - that was quite thrilling, but Hedwig's death (Oh, Hedwig!) was quite a shock. Mad-Eye Moody's death is a sad event as well, but I wasn't too moved over it.
Then we hit the middle part of the book, which is a drawn-out, long excursion of Harry, Hermione and Ron looking for the remaining pieces of the Horcruxes. It felt quite tedious to me, and the addition of the Hallows to the plot complicated things further, although it was rather interesting. Except for the Elder Wand's part in mending Harry's original wand at the end, and the role it played in Voldemort's quest, the Hallows didn't really seem significant, since ultimately Harry decides to destroy the Horcruxes after all, rather than seek after the Hallows.
The slow plod of the middle part was made up for by the rise in action again with the breaking in of Gringotts by Harry and gang. I particularly enjoyed Hermione role-playing as Bellatrix Lestrange with the help of some Polyjuice Potion (and I have to mention here, Helena Bonham Carter makes for an awesome Bellatrix in the fifth movie - I love how evil and deranged she is).
And of course, the question of Snape's loyalty is finally answered. His character is redeemed in this book, and I confess - I've never liked Snape. When he was finally (expectedly) killed by Voldemort's snake, Nagini, towards the end, I was secretly happy that he received what he deserved at last. But the next chapter proved me wrong, oh-so-wrong, and I instantly regretted any ill feelings I have had towards Severus Snape.
J.K. Rowling had mentioned before that Lily Potter's green eyes (which Harry inherited) plays an important role, and although it isn't explicitly answered, after reading Snape's story (through the Pensieve) and finding out with much shock that he had been in love with Lily all along, and then remembering back to Snape's dying moments where he asks Harry to "look at me", it all fits. Snape is one of the most misunderstood characters, and because of that, his story is one of tragedy. I've never felt so much sorrow for a character in that moment as he gazes into Harry's eyes to have one last glimpse of Lily in him. That his Patronus is the same as Lily's augments that tragedy.
It is only fitting then, that Harry names his son Albus Severus - after the two great men, who have sacrificed and done so much for him.
Dumbledore certainly lives up to his status as being one of the most brilliant wizards ever, even after death. It's amazing how everything, every single detail, has been planned by him, right until the moment of Voldemort's defeat (which wasn't such a huge thing, after all). Voldemort went down relatively tamelessly, I thought. Which was quite a let-down, since we imagine a huge battle between Harry and Voldemort, with fireworks and all. Lol.
And remember the "gleam" in Dumbledore's eyes in the fourth book? Well, it's finally answered here, and that's linked to Harry's "death" and "resurrection". Dumbledore has always known, even right down to the details of his own death. I'm blown away at how everything fits almost perfectly. As complicated as Rowling had written the plot, everything makes sense in the end.
I have to admit that I cried a few times reading the last few chapters. Fred Weasley's death was unexpected. I can't believe Rowling killed one of the twins off, who have provided so much comedic relief since their introduction. Lupin and Tonks' deaths are probably the most tragic, especially since they have just given birth to their one and only son. From the moment Lupin was introduced in the third book, and Tonks in the fifth book, they have become two of my favourite characters. (Yeah, I cried over their deaths too.) There are a few other deaths, but I mourn over these three the most. Dobby's death was sad as well (speaking of house elves, I'm especially amused by Kreacher's 'conversion').
I'm glad to see that Neville is the one who kills Voldermort's final Horcrux with Godric Gryffindor's sword. It's fitting somehow - knowing that he could have been the Boy Who Lived (as revealed from the prophecy in book 5 - something they left out in the movie) and how similar he is to Harry, it's a nice touch by Rowling there.
With all these deaths and the theme of death itself resonating so strongly throughout the book, the only bright moment was probably Bill and Fleur's wedding, but even then, their celebrations were marred by Scrimgeour's death (hooray) and the fall of the Ministry. I kind of miss the lighter moods of the first few books, but seeing that the plot from the very beginning has been an inevitable lead-up to the final confrontation between Harry and Voldemort, it isn't surprising then that the books have grown progressively darker.
My favourite book is still The Prisoner of Azkaban but Deathly Hallows come close enough. It's been a wonderful journey and the final book is well worth the wait after all these years. It's almost cathartic, now that it's all over.
It's sad to say goodbye, but it's comforting knowing that the books will always be there, to be reread, over and over again.
(And now to finish reading the growing pile of non-related Harry Potter books still waiting on my bookshelf.)
[Spoilers abound, so proceed at your own risk, especially if you still do not know the ending or do not want to know the ending if you are still reading it]
Being the crazy bookworm that I am, I finished the final book on the day that I bought it, which was the day it was released. Despite lacking the charm of Rowling's first few books, I personally felt the ending was satisfactory and just enough. All the unanswered questions were, as expected, answered as Rowling tied up all the loose ends left from the previous books. The pieces of the puzzle all fall beautifully into their places, but it is the way in which they fitted into the giant picture that was thrilling.
The plot structure, as has been pointed out by many other people, differs from its predecessors in that Harry does not return to Hogwarts. Normally you have this fixed template, where the book begins with Harry with the Dursleys at Privet Drive; and a fiasco of some sort happens; then Harry goes off to Hogwarts; we get a glimpse of the Sorting Ceremony and are introduced to new teachers (usually a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher) and other quirky characters; made aware of some event involving Voldemort brewing in the near future which would inevitably involve Harry and his companions; a bit of Quidditch; confrontation between Harry and Voldemort; success!; end of another school year and back to Privet Drive.
This time however, Harry doesn't return to Hogwarts, a decision which has been made clear at the end of the sixth book. From the beginning, we are hurtled into an exhilarating ride where Harry and the Order of the Phoenix escapes from the Death Eaters - that was quite thrilling, but Hedwig's death (Oh, Hedwig!) was quite a shock. Mad-Eye Moody's death is a sad event as well, but I wasn't too moved over it.
Then we hit the middle part of the book, which is a drawn-out, long excursion of Harry, Hermione and Ron looking for the remaining pieces of the Horcruxes. It felt quite tedious to me, and the addition of the Hallows to the plot complicated things further, although it was rather interesting. Except for the Elder Wand's part in mending Harry's original wand at the end, and the role it played in Voldemort's quest, the Hallows didn't really seem significant, since ultimately Harry decides to destroy the Horcruxes after all, rather than seek after the Hallows.
The slow plod of the middle part was made up for by the rise in action again with the breaking in of Gringotts by Harry and gang. I particularly enjoyed Hermione role-playing as Bellatrix Lestrange with the help of some Polyjuice Potion (and I have to mention here, Helena Bonham Carter makes for an awesome Bellatrix in the fifth movie - I love how evil and deranged she is).
And of course, the question of Snape's loyalty is finally answered. His character is redeemed in this book, and I confess - I've never liked Snape. When he was finally (expectedly) killed by Voldemort's snake, Nagini, towards the end, I was secretly happy that he received what he deserved at last. But the next chapter proved me wrong, oh-so-wrong, and I instantly regretted any ill feelings I have had towards Severus Snape.
J.K. Rowling had mentioned before that Lily Potter's green eyes (which Harry inherited) plays an important role, and although it isn't explicitly answered, after reading Snape's story (through the Pensieve) and finding out with much shock that he had been in love with Lily all along, and then remembering back to Snape's dying moments where he asks Harry to "look at me", it all fits. Snape is one of the most misunderstood characters, and because of that, his story is one of tragedy. I've never felt so much sorrow for a character in that moment as he gazes into Harry's eyes to have one last glimpse of Lily in him. That his Patronus is the same as Lily's augments that tragedy.
It is only fitting then, that Harry names his son Albus Severus - after the two great men, who have sacrificed and done so much for him.
Dumbledore certainly lives up to his status as being one of the most brilliant wizards ever, even after death. It's amazing how everything, every single detail, has been planned by him, right until the moment of Voldemort's defeat (which wasn't such a huge thing, after all). Voldemort went down relatively tamelessly, I thought. Which was quite a let-down, since we imagine a huge battle between Harry and Voldemort, with fireworks and all. Lol.
And remember the "gleam" in Dumbledore's eyes in the fourth book? Well, it's finally answered here, and that's linked to Harry's "death" and "resurrection". Dumbledore has always known, even right down to the details of his own death. I'm blown away at how everything fits almost perfectly. As complicated as Rowling had written the plot, everything makes sense in the end.
I have to admit that I cried a few times reading the last few chapters. Fred Weasley's death was unexpected. I can't believe Rowling killed one of the twins off, who have provided so much comedic relief since their introduction. Lupin and Tonks' deaths are probably the most tragic, especially since they have just given birth to their one and only son. From the moment Lupin was introduced in the third book, and Tonks in the fifth book, they have become two of my favourite characters. (Yeah, I cried over their deaths too.) There are a few other deaths, but I mourn over these three the most. Dobby's death was sad as well (speaking of house elves, I'm especially amused by Kreacher's 'conversion').
I'm glad to see that Neville is the one who kills Voldermort's final Horcrux with Godric Gryffindor's sword. It's fitting somehow - knowing that he could have been the Boy Who Lived (as revealed from the prophecy in book 5 - something they left out in the movie) and how similar he is to Harry, it's a nice touch by Rowling there.
With all these deaths and the theme of death itself resonating so strongly throughout the book, the only bright moment was probably Bill and Fleur's wedding, but even then, their celebrations were marred by Scrimgeour's death (hooray) and the fall of the Ministry. I kind of miss the lighter moods of the first few books, but seeing that the plot from the very beginning has been an inevitable lead-up to the final confrontation between Harry and Voldemort, it isn't surprising then that the books have grown progressively darker.
My favourite book is still The Prisoner of Azkaban but Deathly Hallows come close enough. It's been a wonderful journey and the final book is well worth the wait after all these years. It's almost cathartic, now that it's all over.
It's sad to say goodbye, but it's comforting knowing that the books will always be there, to be reread, over and over again.
(And now to finish reading the growing pile of non-related Harry Potter books still waiting on my bookshelf.)
