Month: July 2007

This will be the last Potterblog post. I’m taking time off the rest of this week and next week The Naked City will return in this spot.

Yes, I finished the book. It was 4 a.m. Sunday. Our daughter finished it at 6 a.m. Saturday, after getting a midnight copy at a Potter party at Borders near SouthPark. It was a memorable event: Little kids, teens, young adults and gray-haired folks all gathered in one spot for one reason. Some of the costumes were quite creative. One young guy had rigged up a centaur costume.

It was a good cross-section of society, in many ways. You had obvious nerds (having been one in high school, I can say that), obvious “popular” teenagers, and lots of regular folks in between of all ages and shapes. My husband came, too, although he hasn’t read any of the books, doesn’t like fantasy fiction and hates costume parties. He lasted until about 11 p.m. and said later said it had reminded him of being in a remote, inland country somewhere in South America where you didn’t understand the language, the people or the culture.

We stood in line next to Voldemort. And then we got the book and as we waited for a ride home, a friend who had been with us in line called from the nearby Teeter to report that the books were on sale there, too, with no line at all.

But the book? OK, spoilers to follow. If you haven’t finished it, stop now.

How would I review the book? As a work of literature, I’d give it maybe 7 on a 10-point scale, with popular but not very well written stuff like “Da Vinci Code” down at about 3. It kept me attentive — of course — but the long exposatory passages, where Harry reads Snape’s memories and where he has his disembodied lecture from Dumbledore, made me question why Rowling wasn’t able to clear all those things up without having to resort to the “egghead explains” technique.

As I noted early in the Potterblog, I was afraid we’d endure one of those cheesy scenes where the dead come back in ghostly, translucent forms to communicate with the living, and I was right to be worried about that.

The very last chapter — the one that Rowling has said she wrote at the very start of writing the series — sounded, in tone, much more like Books 1 and 2 than Books 5 and 6. It was, dare I say it, a shade too cute? All those cutesy little kids saying cutesy things. And I knew right off that someone was going to be named Severus. But to name Draco’s kid Scorpio was a great touch!

On the other hand, was I right, or what, about Snape and Lily? Ditto Lupin’s death, sad to say?

Is it accurate to note that all of Harry’s “protectors” ended up dead? His parents, his godfather, his mentor Dumbledore, the respected Auror Mad-Eye Moody (he was Tonks’ mentor, so maybe that’s why she had to die, too), even Dobby the annoying house elf who kept showing up to help him out of tight spots. Even the majestic owl, Hedwig. So I spent much of the book thinking both Ron AND Hermione would be snuffed. I’m very glad I was wrong.

The doe in the woods was a wonderful touch — and the revelation about whose Patronus it was and why. I liked the introduction of the goblins — they were a cultural group (a race? a species?) that we hadn’t learned much about. I liked it that we FINALLY learned more about Ravenclaw, and saw the Ravenclaw ghost. I LOVED Molly Weasley’s great scene with Bellatrix.

Aberforth was a nicely drawn character. I wish we could have seen more of him earlier in the series, just because he was good company. Ditto Ted Tonks.

Agree? Disagree? Put in your own thoughts below.

Final note: If you want to read more thoughts about Book 7: LeakyLounge.com and HarryPotterspage.com. And try potterforums.com. I couldn’t get the page to load, but you may have more luck.

You would all like me to tell you exactly what happens in books six and seven and then to erase your memories so that you can read them. — J.K. Rowling, 2004 interview

What follows are excerpts from an August 2004 interview in Edinburgh, after publication of “Order of the Phoenix” but before “Half-Blood Prince.” Upon rereading it this morning, I’ve pulled out some hints/clues/advice/fun stuff.

First, though, if you’re interested in a long but well-thought-through essay on the Snape question, try “Severus Severed.”

Now, back to those interview excerpts. To read the full interview, here’s the link. The full transcript has some good tidbits, such as Rowling all but confirming that, yes, Aberforth Dumbledore is the barman at the Hog’s Head Tavern, and explaining the origin of the avada kedavra curse (it’s Aramaic.)

J.K.Rowling said:

[One question] I am surprised no one has asked me since “Phoenix” came out – I thought that people would – is why Dumbledore did not kill or try to kill Voldemort in the scene in the ministry. I know that I am giving a lot away to people who have not read the book. Although Dumbledore gives a kind of reason to Voldemort, it is not the real reason.

When I mentioned that question to my husband – I told Neil that I was going to mention it to you – he said that it was because Voldemort knows that there are two more books to come. As you can see, we are on the same literary wavelength. [Laughter]. That is not the answer; Dumbledore knows something slightly more profound than that. If you want to wonder about anything, I would advise you to concentrate on [that question]. That might take you a little bit further.

How did Dumbledore get his scar in [of?] the London Underground?
You may find out one day. I am very fond of that scar.

Also, will we see more of Snape?
You always see a lot of Snape, because he is a gift of a character. I hesitate to say that I love him. [Audience member: I do]. You do? This is a very worrying thing. Are you thinking about Alan Rickman or about Snape? [Laughter]. Isn’t this life, though? I make this hero – Harry, obviously – and there he is on the screen, the perfect Harry, because Dan is very much as I imagine Harry, but who does every girl under the age of 15 fall in love with? Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy. Girls, stop going for the bad guy. Go for a nice man in the first place. It took me 35 years to learn that, but I am giving you that nugget free, right now, at the beginning of your love lives.

… [later, answering another question] Why do people love Snape? I do not understand this. Again, it’s bad boy syndrome, isn’t it? It’s very depressing. [Laughter]. One of my best friends watched the film and she said, “You know who’s really attractive?” I said, “Who?” She said, “Lucius Malfoy!”

Is there more to Dudley than meets the eye?
No. [Laughter]. What you see is what you get. I am happy to say that he is definitely a character without much back story. He is just Dudley. The next book, Half Blood Prince, is the least that you see of the Dursleys. You see them quite briefly. You see them a bit more in the final book … I am sorry if there are Dudley fans out there, but I think you need to look at your priorities if it is Dudley that you are looking forward to. [Laughter].

Will there be a book about Harry’s Mum and Dad, about how they became friends and how they died?

So it would be “Harry Potter: Episode One”. [Laughter]. No, but a lot of people have asked that. It is all George Lucas’s fault. You won’t need a prequel; by the time I am finished, you will know enough. … I think that by the time you have had the seven books you will know everything you need to know for the story.

[answering another question] People ask questions like, “Will there be an eighth novel and will Harry be in it?” There are questions that I simply can’t answer. Fans are very good at that, and I have to be very awake. I think that you want to know, but you don’t want to know as well.
You would all like me to tell you exactly what happens in books six and seven and then to erase your memories so that you can read them. I know, because that is how I feel about things that I really enjoy. I would kind of like to do it, but at the same time I know that I would ruin it for everyone.

Here’s how it ends:

Luke and Leia are twins!

The bad guy is his father! And the cute little kid grows up to be …

Rosebud is his sled! (AND a Horcrux.)

Uncle Vernon wakes up in bed with Suzanne Pleshette and says, “Honey, you won’t believe the dream I just had ….”

But seriously. I’m not going to post anything to give away the ending of Book 7. For one thing, I don’t know what happens, and I’m not going looking. As you probably know, some people have posted online supposed pages that have been photographed – which may or may not be authentic. Here’s a link to an article about that.

It will spoil the fun for me if I know in advance. (But as many of you have noticed, I figure anything that happened in Book 6 or previous books is fair game. After all, it’s been two years since HBP.)

Two of the biggest Potter fan sites, MuggleNet.com and The Leaky Cauldron swear they’re not going to post any spoilers and will try to make life miserable for anyone who does.

But is it news?

Believe it or not, newspaper journalists take ethical issues seriously. So here’s an ethical question:

If J.K. Rowling has killed off Harry Potter in “Deathly Hallows,” is that news? And if so, should newspapers report it on Saturday, July 21? Or should they withhold the information from their readers (who are surely hearing it on TV and radio) because it will spoil the book for the huge majority of interested people who won’t have had time to read 784 pages between midnight and when the newspaper arrives?

It’s even been a topic of discussion at the Poynter Institute, a journalism think tank in St. Petersburg, Fla. Here’s a link to audio of an interview between Poynter’s Al Tompkins, who specializes in online and broadcast issues, and the institute’s Bob Steele, who teaches ethics issues.

Now, what newspapers decide to do and what Fox News or WBT radio or CNN decide to do often are entirely different. You think of it as “the media,” but we who work in it know that we make all kinds of decisions, and other news outlets make other decisions.

What should the Observer and Charlotte.com do, if the news gets out about how the story ends?
Jeri Fisher Krentz, the Observer’s book editor, told me Tuesday that in the book review the Observer will publish Saturday, she’ll edit out anything giving away the plot.

But what about a day later? Two days later? How long before the newspaper should reveal details?

What clues has J.K. Rowling herself dropped? Is Harry a Horcrux? Snape: Villain, hero or something else? Who dies in Book 7? And is Umbridge the worst villain of all? If you’re interested in those topics, see previous posts, below.

I found several interesting viewpoints on the Harry Potter phenomenon published over the weekend. One is from a self-confessed Potterhead, in her 20s, who spent years scorning the books and then succumbed. Here’s a link. Another, also from the Post, is a book editor who is less optimistic than many about whether the Potter phenomenon will translate into more kids (and later, adults) reading fiction. Here’s a link to that one.

And here’s a link to a column, published on today’s Viewpoint page in the Observer, in which a book editor in St. Petersburg, Fla., ponders whether the fact that so many adults are reading the Potter books with their kids will make a difference as those kids become adults themselves.

Finally, I got this missive, via e-mail, from Tom Nie of Iron Station, who describes himself this way: “I’m a well-adjusted, ex-businessman, ex-corporate executive, 65-yr. old grandfather with a crew cut and a Harley. I ordered my new book months ago, as I did book 6 :)”

Nie has some theories. See if you agree.

Important is the butt-kicking Harry received at Snape’s hands in the finale of book 6. He was completely inept. No longer will Dumbledore be around to bail him out in a fight. He must improve his skills in some unusual, fast, almost miraculous manner.

He’s very weak in Occlumency and, clearly, has to achieve silent cursing skills like Snape and Dumbledore. So, how’s he to do that if he’s skipping his last year or Hogwarts closes? Snape was the one who was brilliantly creative at the same age. It would seem relevant that Harry has always been a learner of what was before him while Snape and Voldemort were the creators of additional wizardry. How then does the student get a leg up on them?

For him to be the hero he’ll have to develop superior strength and tactics – as opposed to RAB becoming his next Dumbledore. Something akin to Matrix’s ending maybe.

I find it interesting to consider Harry receiving bottles through Dumbledore’s Will to use in the Pensive so that he can receive further training and edification on the Horcruxes. This, I think, will be the way Dumbledore reappears, including providing the explanation of his burnt hand.

Doesn’t it seem odd that he’s splitting with Ginny, yet Hermione and Ron appear to be joining him, even if they’re not at Hogwarts? Especially considering the strength that Ginny exemplifies? Wouldn’t you think that their love could be a factor?

Notice the ending of the latest movie and consider that unspoken answer of “love.”

I finally saw the “Order of the Phoenix” last night. I’m not sure if I liked it, mostly because I watched at Charlotte’s Imax theater at Discovery Place and, I’m embarrassed to admit, I couldn’t see it very well.

We got there 20 minutes before showtime, but that was much too late to choose a good seat. Upshot: We sat in the second row. I have a crick in my neck today, and I know I will never again watch another regular movie on an Imax screen until I’ve watched it in regular format first. It’s possible some of the scenic shots, such as the broomsticks flying over the Thames, were fabulous. I really couldn’t tell. And my aging ears did not get along well with the sound system.

All that said, Imelda Staunton as Umbridge was almost perfect. The small, pink, plastic, kitten-shaped buttons on her fuzzy pink sweater were a masterful touch.

A few days ago some of us were asking who was the worst villain in the Harry Potter books (other than Voldemort, of course). Is it Draco Malfoy — the spoiled, rich and smarmy bully? Is it Lucius Malfoy — his father who combines the syncophancy of Jack Abramoff, the ethical business sense of Ken Lay and the compassion of David Duke? Is it Snape? Is it Filch, the creepy and whip-loving janitor? What about Bellatrix Lestrange, the deranged sadist torturer?

To me, Umbridge is worse. It’s the banality of her bureaucratic maneuvering, and the way she (and her boss, Cornelius Fudge) close their ears to reality.

Maybe she’s so scary because of some eerie parallels to the current White House administration, which muzzles its scientists and, like Fudge and Umbridge, just sticks its fingers in its ears rather than notice reality. (Sorry about the political digression, but the similarities are hard to ignore.)

A fellow Potterhead described her as a dripping sweet snake — a type we’ve all encountered. Science fiction writer Orson Scott Card, in his review of the movie (He loved it! Go figure) says, “She personifies every slimy, evil person you have ever known.”

That’s why she raises just about everyone’s blood pressure. If I know someone like Voldemort, I don’t know it.But we’ve all known an Umbridge. And that’s truly scary.

When Snape killed Dumbledore, did the majestic wizard really die?

Tolkien’s resurrection of Gandalf in “The Two Towers” gives a shiver of hope to any Harry Potter readers who don’t want to see the end of Hogwarts’ headmaster.

Most of us would love to think Dumbledore isn’t really dead. You have to love a guy who uses candy (“lemon drops,” “Fizzing Whisbees”) as the passwords to his secret office. And who, when asked by Harry in Book 1 (“Sorcerer’s/Philosopher’s Stone”) as they stand in front of the Mirror of Erised (it’s “d-e-s-i-r-e” backwards for newby Potter readers) what he most wants he says, a warm pair of socks. And who has a brother who’s been in trouble with the law for what may be a rather perverted habit. Fun fact for newby readers: Dumbledore is an old English West Country (King Arthur territory) term for bumblebee. Albus means white. Here’s a link to the Wikipedia entry on Dumbledore, which includes the meanings and allusions for all his names, including Percival Wulfric (think Beowulf) and Brian. And here’s another link, to an excellent compendium of Dumbledore lore, including the allusion to the scar on his knee that was a perfect map of the London underground. I had forgotten about that.

All this — the Gandalf reappearance, the affection most readers have for him, the symbolism of his pet and his Patronus being a phoenix, which arises from the ashes — has led to a fruitful but, I believe, misguided thread of theorizing that Dumbledore will return. But how?

Author J.K. Rowling has said many many times, generally when asked about Harry’s parents, that when you’re dead, you’re dead. Even in the wizarding world. She has said she always knew Dumbledore would have to die, because Harry must make his way alone. That’s in keeping with the heroic epic genre in which she’s writing.

Of course, knowing she’d have to kill Dumbledore doesn’t prove he won’t come back. Maybe she knew she’d have to kill him off because she knows his return plays a role in the climax? See, even I can try to make myself believe it.

But sorry. I’m afraid that when Dumbledore died, he died.

What clues has J.K. Rowling herself dropped? Snape: Villain, hero or something else?
Who dies in Book 7? Ralph Fiennes — born to play Lupin, not Voldemort? If you’re interested in those topics see previous posts, below.

Other than the discussion about whether Harry will have to die in order to kill Voldemort [(n)either can live while the other survives: Trelawney’s prophecy recounted in Book 5 (OotP)], the next most common line of speculation seems to be whether Harry himself is a Horcrux.

Note to slacker fans: You have to read Book 6 (HBP) to learn about Horcruxes. In brief, a Horcrux is an item that holds a piece of a wizard’s soul, making said wizard sort of immortal. To make one the wizard has to A) Be to magic as Wayne Gretzky is to hockey and B) Kill someone. Voldemort has made six Horcruxes, Dumbledore speculates. Some are accounted for, some aren’t.

A very astute Potter reader with whom I’m close is exasperated at all the people who believe Harry is the last, missing Horcrux and that’s why Voldemort couldn’t/didn’t kill him as a baby and why Harry and Voldemort seem to share some mental connection.

I’ll see if I can extract a paragraph or two from the “Harry’s No Horcrux” side and post it, but it won’t be until later today.

If Harry IS a Horcrux, that might mean he has to die for Voldy to die. Because otherwise Lord V wouldn’t really be dead as long as Harry is alive.

After all, Voldemort could have used Lily’s death to make Harry into a Horcrux. The question is, why would he do that if he wants the baby Potter out of the way? UNLESS someone else was there, perhaps hiding under an invisibility cloak that belonged to James Potter, and did something to make Voldemort’s spell go weird. Dumbledore? Snape? Could Voldemort have been using James’ death to try to turn Lily into a Horcrux? Does anyone know whether the Horcrux death has to happen before the Horcrux spell, or after?

Could Harry use the Prior Incantato spell (used by Amos Diggorgy in Goblet) on Snape’s wand to get Dumbledore’s ghost back? And if he does it, wouldn’t that be too cheesily close to the Obi-Wan and Yoda ghosts who show up for Luke in “Star Wars”?

Is/was Dumbledore the Heir of Gryffindor? What does that mean for Aberforth, and his goats?