Monday, August 6, 2007

The Seventh HP

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Magpie's Grade: B+

Not much can be said about the seventh and final installment of the Harry Potter series that other reviewers will say better and more thoroughly than I. I enjoyed it, it's worth reading if you're a fan of the series. It was a good end.

Ms. Rowling is not a lyrical writer. The joy of the book is not in the language per se, but in the imaginative and fast-paced action and in the character development - especially in this series of Ron and Hermione, and of doubts cast on Dumbledore's character. The writing is perfect for tweens and those adolescents who have grown up with Harry. James Joyce this is not (thank God).

There is more death in this one, more wholesale destruction, and an interesting angle reminiscent of Christian theology of choosing death in order to save everyone. I am sad in some ways to see the series end. I have fond memories of reading the first couple of books while driving between home and college (a blatant disregard for other drivers I do not recommend now - what can I say. I was young and foolish).

2 comments:

six-faced said...

You read? asks BK with THE grin.

Rob LeFebvre said...

i agree with your perspective on Rowling's writing. It's transparent writing, which makes her books all about the plot. However, I do think she hit some seriously good language near the end of the book, just when Harry makes his choices about the finale. Was some surprisingly flowing language.