my thoughts on Harry Potter 7 and writing (!spoilers within!)

[shamguy4]

Well I'm sure most of you have read Harry Potter?
Its funny- I always read books at a readers point of view until i began writing.

Now whenever I read books, I analyze them and try to think whats going on in the writers head.
I loved the book, like I did the rest of them.

I just feel the storyline was a bit shaky- like she barely made all the loops connect. I remember rolling my eyes a few times during my reading. Like when Ron saves Harry from drowning in the water trying to get the sword -way too coincidental for him to find Harry in the whole world at the right second!
Also Harry becomes all knowing in his last and final chapter as he tells Vol-I mean He-who-must-not-be-named (Lol) about the wand and all... Just the chapter before he was himself- an unsure yet brave teenager. she changed him in just a few short pages! When you get rid of the flesh of the book and have a look at the story line i think you'll understand what i mean when i say its shaky. It folds and twists over itself and almost looks like she just tied in loops at areas.

But this just made me feel good. All this time Im trying to write a book and make sure the story line is perfect. There are parts I love in my own story but i took them out feeling they just wont fit. But now i see anything could fit, and be stitched in, if done properly and disguised into the book well..


I did love certain parts I never believed imaginable!
Dudley saying goodbye to harry -the main fight actually taking place in hogwarts in front of everyone! These were thoughts I had that I thought could never be -it was just fun to think of them -like its fun to think of flying -but it aint happening!
What I did think would happen was that Harry had to point a wand at the scar and say avada kedavra and it would kill them both... I wasn't far off...

I just don't understand why Harry died the first time if the elder wand was his? And how he figured that out at the last second.... Which reminds me-

How in hell did Harry realize that to open the locket he had to speak in parstletongue -at the last second when they wanted to destroy it??? In the other book and this one they spent a while trying to open it, but they couldn't. They get the sword and all of the sudden he just knows!!?? I believe j.k rowling realized she had not made a way of opening it -so she just let him realize how so she could move on in the story -thats what i mean by shaky storyline

I also loved how she made her world seem small.
Everyone knew each other. I felt like its a community or neighborhood of people who love to gossip about each other! This one says this guy has become a death eater... this one knows all about dumbledores family and it now its all over the news...


Again I love the story and i believe that this book will make me "chill out" as I write mine and I wont freak out if something just "doesn't feel right".
All those threads i started were because i was afraid I had to make it fit to a t. But I can do what I want and I will.
Of course i will make sure it makes sense or no one will read it
...
Well i have vented enough -that will be all.
​

 

[Theed]

I stopped reading the Harry Potter books after the third one, so I can't comment on this one. But, I do agree with you about trying to fit everything together. While we should always try to make everything as best as possible, it's inevitable there will be things that can be improved.

I don't think there's a book out there that couldn't be improved some way or some how.

 

[igloo15]

I agree as I read the newest Harry Potter book I was quite annoyed at how all of a sudden these powerful objects called the Hallows all of a sudden appeared out of no where. Coincidences like the sword coming out of the hat or that fire that destroyed the Diadem just seemed like quick fixes to a plot point. Overall it seemed like the beginning with the camping and running was drawn out and the good parts like getting the objects and fighting Voldemort were rushed.

 

[vintagefury]

There was also the part of how Snape died. </3

In general, Rowling is not a writer. She's a world creator, character maker, storyteller. Writer, she is not. The books were making improvements between 1 and 3. Book 4 it began to go downhill, and kept sliding down after that.

Nontheless, I went to a midnight release and stayed up until I had finished the thing. Never let it be said that poor writing can't be covered by a comfortably familiar yet slightly different story.

 

[Carpe Diem]

I have to agree with all the above, although i think her writing improved in the last book because somehow i could tell she was enjoying writing it and it wasn't just for money (although i think it was still a big part of it) like the books after 3/4.
What i don't get is WHY she killed off Bellatrix Lestrange and a few other death eaters and made Draco Malfoy good???!!! It would have been a much better ending if some of the death eaters escaped, so a threat remained, and then she just left it on a HUGE cliffhanger, that everyone would love as they could just imagine future storylines themselves, and have the joy of that rather than the whole thing ending so happily and good because there's no fun in that! Now noone can have the nice feeling that they can just delve into their imagination and continue the story somehow; only if they could find the resurection stone and bring back the villians...

 

[shamguy4]

the resurrection stone... the one that was used for two seconds in the whole book just to bring back his paents for seven seconds
what was the point of that thing anyway? she made a big deal out of it the whole book and then she barely used it?...just to help him die?

 

[Sapheron]

I think, personally, that there were two books in there. The remaining storyline could have done with more. Some bits, admittedly, dragged on (in the tent), but the important bits were all strangely short and under explained. Things happened, appeared, and the like for no reason where it was convenient, and she'd have been much better off making it make sense.

Aside from the two moments that igloo15 mentioned, there's how Ron happened to arrive as Harry was drowning. Just seemed far too much of a happy coincidence to make sense, and it makes it worse that it came out of no where. Oh, and Ron managing to open the almighty chamber of secrets by guesswork, that's silly too.

Finally, the little epilogue thing was, in my opinion, rubbish. It especially could have made much more sense.

In short I think that Rowling should have taken her time and effort with it all.

All things considered, however, this was the fourth best of the set, so no where near the bottom, and it was, for all my ramblings, still readable.

 

[HappyHippo]

I think, personally, that there were two books in there. The remaining storyline could have done with more. Some bits, admittedly, dragged on (in the tent), but the important bits were all strangely short and under explained. Things happened, appeared, and the like for no reason where it was convenient, and she'd have been much better off making it make sense.

Finally, the little epilogue thing was, in my opinion, rubbish. It especially could have made much more sense.

In short I think that Rowling should have taken her time and effort with it all.

AMEN & HALLELUJAH

I have apologised for my scroogley views elsewhere, but I found it rather illogical and unsatisfying in the main. Certain parts were lovely - Neville kicks bum! - but the epilogue was pure tripe. Too neat and tidy.

 

[anomanderis]

I agree that the -19 years later- epilogue was absolutely unnecessary, maybe even a mistake, but i still thought that the seventh was the best book in the series. Admittedly, I've only read the 6th and 7th in the past 2 years. It just seemed to be so much better than the memories i had of the previous ones.
Although how she brought in the Hallows was rather precipitous, it gave a whole new dimension to the story that would have been lost with only the Horcruxes. The Hallows were also a very good way of adding certain "philosophical" contemplations into the story that were missing from previous books. I think the fact that Harry found out about the Hallows only in the 7th book is supposed to accentuate the failings of Dumbledore. Neither perfect nor omniscient, but an old man, whether flawed or not, doing what he thought was right.
The biggest misgiving I have is about how Ron appeared at the exact moment to save Harry. That was just too bloody good timing
Though I found nothing weird about Neville pulling the sword out of the sorting hat, since didn't one of the previous books state that the sword appears to those of valor and courage who are in need?
And I don't know whether this is because I am of almost the same age as Harry is in the book (and male), but I found the way he realized everything in the end one of the best moments in the book. When you are as young as we are , a moment of clarity can change the way you think and behave tremendously. This I am speaking of personal experience as an adolescent male.

 

[fire_elf20]

the whole point of the resurection stone was to prove a point I think I will let you go back reread and figure that out for yourself I loved the book personaly. maybe its just me but I thought there was plenty of forshadowing in the other books to make this whole book very plausible

 

[Vorthale]

I didn't really like the epilogue. To be honest I don't care about Harry and Ginny having kids, or these kids joking around on their way to Hogwarts - that was never why anyone read the books. No one ever read them expecting to see Harry have children and get married. They read them because of the characters that already existed, the characters they had spent years with, the ones that had developed over a decade. I want to know what happens to the Ron's family - how George deals with the death of Fred, I want to see what happens after Harry Potter slays Voldemort. Certainly people must near-worship him now.


In the end I think the epilogue would have been excellent, but she focused not enough on what the readers wanted to hear. We heard nothing about Hagrid's post-final battle adventures. Nothing of people's reactions when Harry reveals that Severus Snape was one of the bravest characters in the entire series - none of it. Just a scene where Harry and Ron joke around with their kids. Nice closure.


The whole tent ordeal kind of dragged on as well. With all the talk about Grindelwald being a wizard to challenge Dumbledore's power, he could have been a great help. I think having Grindelwald, the foremer evil tyrant, face off against the new tyrant would have been a cool plot twist. Instead Grindelwald just laughs at Voldemort and dies. (I realize that Voldemort was probably a much better wizard than Grindelwald by this point, but if 3 teachers can give Voldemort a run for his money, why can't a wizard who once rivaled the great Dumbledore?)


Anyway, those are my musings.

 

[anomanderis]

I think the reason she didn't want Grindelwald to fight Voldemort was to emphasize the point that Voldemort was flawed, too. That in his quest for immortality he had become blinded. Grindelwald on the other hand had already learned from his mistakes and accepted death. To become a master of it. That is what Voldemort didn't understand. For him, mastery of death meant eternal life, yet he was never really alive to begin with.
To have Grindelwald not fight Voldemort was to understand the choice of the third Peverell brother.

 

[MJRevell]

I completely disagree with the statement that J.K. Rowling is not a good writer - I personally think she's a very good writer. Throughout the entire series there are layers upon layers of texture, and hints, and little tidbits of information to ensure that guessing and thinking about the future of the story is fun. And to say the writing has declined in quality since book 4? I disagree again.. books 3-7 were far better in terms of writing, in my opinion. In fact, books 4 to 7 were my favourites.

On top of that, whilst I also agree that some aspects did seem a little convenient... to the poster who offered Gryffindors sword as an example - We know, as a reader, and have for a long time, that the sword can present itself to brave, true Gryffindors in times of need.. I thought it was genius having Neville drawing it at the end there.

 

[Erin99]

I didn't really like the epilogue. To be honest I don't care about Harry and Ginny having kids, or these kids joking around on their way to Hogwarts - that was never why anyone read the books. No one ever read them expecting to see Harry have children and get married. They read them because of the characters that already existed, the characters they had spent years with, the ones that had developed over a decade. I want to know what happens to the Ron's family - how George deals with the death of Fred, I want to see what happens after Harry Potter slays Voldemort. Certainly people must near-worship him now.


In the end I think the epilogue would have been excellent, but she focused not enough on what the readers wanted to hear. We heard nothing about Hagrid's post-final battle adventures. Nothing of people's reactions when Harry reveals that Severus Snape was one of the bravest characters in the entire series - none of it. Just a scene where Harry and Ron joke around with their kids. Nice closure.


The whole tent ordeal kind of dragged on as well.


Anyway, those are my musings.

And those are the points that I noticed too.

Thank you! I don't need to sum up my thoughts -- you've already done it.

One thing I'll add is that I actually believe J.K has improved her writing with each book. She's now got her own style and is confident to use it, which makes the story more enjoyable to me, anyway, since I can't get my internal editor to switch off.

 

[Culhwch]

What i don't get is WHY she killed off Bellatrix Lestrange and a few other death eaters and made Draco Malfoy good???!!! It would have been a much better ending if some of the death eaters escaped, so a threat remained, and then she just left it on a HUGE cliffhanger, that everyone would love as they could just imagine future storylines themselves, and have the joy of that rather than the whole thing ending so happily and good because there's no fun in that! Now noone can have the nice feeling that they can just delve into their imagination and continue the story somehow; only if they could find the resurection stone and bring back the villians...

Well, Draco never really did turn good, he just became a non-combatant. If the epilogue had shown Harry and Draco slapping each other on the back in warm greeting, then I'd surmise he changed his ways, but there was still tension there.

I'm certain many of the Death Eaters did escape. Many probably weren't even at the battle. There is always going to be a threat, always going to be those who are against the natural order of things. For instance, the children of those Death Eaters slain...

And if JK had left it as a huge cliffhanger, I and, I'm sure, millions of others would have clamoured in protest - seven books and no definitive ending? I'd have considered that weaker writing than any other completion she could have delivered.

I enjoyed the book, and was sad that it has all now ended, but I won't deny that there are faults. For mine a lot of it dragged, and for a good third of it all three main characters were annoying me no end. And, yeah, a lot of it was convenient, to say the least. But to say she got this wrong, and this wrong... Well, in the end, she is the author, and sole arbiter of what did and did not happen. Whether it played out the way you wanted, or the way you'd have written it is immaterial. It is as it is. Everyone's going take from it their own experiences and make of it what they will. That's why these things called books keep us coming back again and again.

 

[Pyan]

But to say she got this wrong, and this wrong... Well, in the end, she is the author, and sole arbiter of what did and did not happen. Whether it played out the way you wanted, or the way you'd have written it is immaterial. It is as it is.

And that's about the most sensible thing I've read yet on the subject, Cul!

 

[Lacedaemonian]

Parts of the story were shaky. The Ron arriving on the scene was a little contrived, but also completely contrived by Snape. So I think you lot are wrong there. You can not blame the author for Snape's work.

The exciting bits were a little short. However, action tends to be quick and the kids really had to rush before Tom Riddle arrived.

As somebody else has pointed out already, many of you seem to have missed the whole point about the Hallows. Harry did not become a Hallow Quester. He did not seek the power the Hallows 'supposedly' contained. 'Supposed' being the key word.

The epilogue was quite clearly JK's way of silencing calls for an 8th book. It was also a ploy by her to stop herself from writing an 8th book.

I enjoyed the book a lot. Particularly the transformation of Neville, the redemption of Snape and Hagrid's Harry Potter party right in the middle of the war. Got to love Hagrid!!

There were some loose ends, but life is filled with loose ends.

 

[orionsixwings]

Very good observations y'all! And I thought I was the odd one. I think most of the Harry Potter books have a shaky storyline. The 6th one, half-blood prince, also had its moments of glory, but the Ginny-is-a-bombshell storyline just didn't seem right. It was too fanficky. I mean, since when was Ginny a major babe in Hogwarts? Sure she had the Weasley blood, and she has red hair, but she never stood out. I would have preferred if Harry fell for Luna instead. And Ginny acting all haughty and feisty was deeply annoying.

Rowling is clearly not the best writer out there, but her fame will benefit the better writers who have been struggling to get their work noticed and loved by the reading public--which, thanks to Harry Potter, has now ballooned.