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Reader Comments: (Page 17)

I've read the book and I have only one word: WOW.

Posted by Anita from Oosterwolde, the Netherlands on July 23, 2007 05:49 AM

had JK ever said (i cant remember where i read) that after reading HP7, we'll understand (1) why some ppl become ghost while some simply "move on", and also, (2) what lies beyond the veil that sirius fell through?
are these related to the white king's cross? why was dumbledore there? i thought for a moment whether dumbledore had become a ghost who chose not to take that "train" that come to pick up harry should he choose not to "move on"
any clues?

Posted by parnparn from Hong Kong on July 23, 2007 05:53 AM

I think JK has slipped in lots of Christian references quite casually. (I was expecting this with the 'love conquers all ' theme)

- Harry is at King's Cross when he 's' - he chooses to go back and suffer as Christ did.
- Love and forgiveness strong themes in book.
- The only master of is one who is not afraid of it, which Harry is not.
- Harry never really curses, only disarms - takes down the other's defences
- Harry gives everyone, even Voldemort, the chance to redeem themselves and saves Draco from the fire (of hell?) at risk to himself
- and LOTS more quite spiritual content I found going through.

Well done JK - that should shut up the radicals out there. Also my favourite thing was that the minister for magic was called Pius Thicknesse - genius! I've always loved the names in these books.

And Hagrid carrying Harry brought us right back to the beginning of Book 1, where he brings him to the Dursleys. Very fitting.

Posted by Chris from England on July 23, 2007 06:00 AM

I found out about this site just one day ago, and I simply love it! Thanks for making it and creating yet another possibility for all Harry Potter fans to meet each other and discuss things.

Now, the book. I bought it Saturday morning (I couldn't buy it right after midnight, because here in Holland it wasn't released yet then, or at least not in my place). I had to do work for a little while, then started reading. I finished it Sunday afternoon. I felt sick. I really did - I could hardly eat. Not because the book was so bad. I think it was the book itself, the events happening. I was so shocked when I found out Lupin, and Tonks, were . He was one of my favourite characters, and finally having someone who accepted him, loved him, for who he is must have been one of the best feelings he's ever had. Also the parallels with Harry's own family struck me: Parents d fighting, doing good, son left alone... Though of course, Harry and Teddy didn't grow up the same way, I guess. I didn't cry when I found out, but I was on the edge. And Fred - it's like others have said, the twins belong together. Fred and George Weasley... they were always together. I had a thought that one of them would , though, ever since George lost his ear.

All the s were essential, I believe. First his parents, though he doesn't really remember them, "introduced" Harry to and its unfairness. Then Sirius and Dumbledore, showing that even the people who seem strongest can . And in the last book, showing that no big battle such as this one can happen without painful s. A lesson for us, too.

Like most people here, I too thought that the search for the Horcrux took more time than necessary, though I think I may be able to explain a bit why it was that way. They (being Harry, Ron and Hermione) had to cope with the shock and pain of leaving almost everyone, everything they know behind. This isn't really much shown in the book, but I think it's true, especially if you consider Ron who loves(loved) his family a lot, though he may say otherwise in previous books.
And they had to change into the role of "hero". May sound strange... I can't really explain, my English isn't good enough for it, but I hope others can understand.

As for the unanswered questions - what jobs did the survivors take, what happened to Hogwarts, what about the Weasley family - I think that be explained by JK Rowling some day. Or not, to let us dream on, even though the series are finished... I hope she tell us, though. I would really like to know. Maybe in the Encyclopedia she's probably going to write, or interviews.

I must say I was a little disappointed by the epilogue too, but that was completely overshadowed by a rush of appreciation of all she has done in the past years. For me, the books were a way to relax, distract and escape the "real" world. It must've been tough for JK Rowling too, having to say goodbye to her penpal(literally!). She's done such a wonderful job - I can't remember any other book being so famous, so wanted.

I found the romance also very touching. The moment in Hogwarts, when Hermione ran to Ron and kissed him, and he kissing back, doing what I think they've suppressed(? Not sure about this word) for a pretty long while... And Lupin telling about the baby, Bill and Fleur's wedding...

This book somehow seemed more realistic to me. Probably because it's more in the Muggle world, when they're on the run, but also because it didn't happen in Hogwarts. In the previous books, you knew for certain he would return, and it was like the basic of the book, the main location... You know? The last book, however, was totally different, shining a different light upon some people and FAR more dark and grown-up.
A great difference.

Posted by Diantha from North-Holland, the Netherlands on July 23, 2007 06:16 AM

Magnificent ending to a wonderful series.

I believed Snape had ed Dumbledore on Dumbledore's orders, and that Dumbledore really WAS , so felt vindicated there. I'd had my eye on the "gleam of triumph" since I read the book for the first time, so again, vindication. But I definitely poo-poohed the Snape/Lily shippers - oops! Actually I interpreted the silver doe as having something to do with Ginny (YES, I got the doe-stag connection, but reached the wrong conclusion!), how wrong could I get! I have eagerly awaited Neville coming into his own, and his moment of triumph over Voldemort was not nearly as huge for me as the fact that he had been an underground leader for the past year and his incredible courage.

So many moving, amazing moments (leaving the s aside!):
Hermione's memory charm on her parents.
Dudley's farewell to Harry (I want to know more!).
The seven Potters (sob) (even before they left the ground their ingness to take the risk was so moving).
Neville. Every single second of Neville!
Percy's return to the fold - and the quick, open and total forgiveness he got from Fred.
Watching Kreacher thaw out under kind treatment.
The Malfoys in the Great Hall at the end (what happened to them next?).
Some incredible mother love - Lily, Narcissa, Molly (and Petunia's misdirected mother love).
Harry being "hard" on Lupin. He needed it.
Pretty much anything where Ron tried to deal with his feelings for Hermione.
Snape - an appreciation of what a difficult, lonely road he had trodden, particularly in the last year when he no longer had even one person who knew his true allegiance, and when he thought that "saving" Lily's son had been in vain.
The way destruction of the horcruxes was shared around - Harry, Dumbledore, Hermione, Ron, Fiendfyre and Neville.

And some really scary, hard ones too - the rounding up of Muggleborns (very Nazi-esque), Mad-Eye's magical eye on Umbridge's door (how COULD that woman wear that locket, I wonder?), the taboo on Voldemort's name - ugh, what an evil, frightening world it became. Remember Philosopher's Stone, where detentions and losing house points were a big deal? - how far we have come!

A few I'm still working on - Kings Cross Station filled in a lot of the gaps but maybe a too-clunky interlude?

And of course some really funny ones too. Everything with Fred and George (of course!), Ron was a consistent performer, and I just love the stunning "nononymity" of River Jordan, Royal Kingsley and Romulus-and-Remus Lupin. Hermione reminding Ron that he's a wizard (shades of Philosophers Stone!). Hermione's beaded bag - LOVE that girl!

I could go on forever but I'll stop here!

Posted by TBB from Sydney on July 23, 2007 06:20 AM

The best book yet! I'm terrbily sad that its all over and I hope JK continues to write so that the journey won't really be at an end. I think it would be really interesting to re-write this book back at Hogwarts with Neville and Ginny. I'd like to read more about their antics and what the teachers did to rebel

Posted by Jamie Lin from Kansas City, Missouri on July 23, 2007 06:30 AM

I loved the book but would have loved an emotional scene in the end where harry thanks ron, hermione and of course neville for their help but nevertheless it was great and tied up a lot of loose ends and I think it's fair to say that Neville is going to have the most butt-kicking scene from all the movies when film 7 comes out and I can see Julie Walters (Molly Weasley) rubbing her hands with glee thinking of that other wonderful scene that awaits us when she takes on Bellatrix. Before I leave on the hogwarts express I would like to say that when I read the epilogue I felt it could have been a bit more interesting and detailed but now I smell a sequel or two. After all, we've got a whole new generation of characters: James, Lily, Albus Severus (Love it!), Hugo, Rose, Teddy Lupin, Victoire and Scorpius Malfoy and let's not forget the ly hallows are still intact - all 3 of them. Hmmmm..... I wonder.

Posted by reese from blackburn, UK on July 23, 2007 06:33 AM

To Marjorie from New Zealand, I think the reason Voldemort's curse bounded back on himself was because the elder wand is not able to beat its master.

Also, to everyone, I think the epilogue is good, it is not necessary to know about Luna, and the jobs they had etc and who was headmaster (it would be nice, but is not essential to the story), and to whoever asked what happened to Hagrid, in the epilogue Harry says to James that he is invited to tea with Hagrid.

Also, to all those who think JK has left things unanswered, it is all there (this is not so much, as such, a childrens book) and you may have missed it or misunderstood, so go back and read again.

Posted by chana on July 23, 2007 06:34 AM

i never would have thought kreacher once belonged to Voldemort. kreacher also became a good elf. i was also shocked about all the good characters . Scrigemor, tonks, lupin, colin, fred, dobby. wow. I was so shocked that it showed 19 years later. i thought that hermione and ron would fall in love.

Posted by Jonesey on July 23, 2007 06:36 AM

i never would have thought kreacher once belonged to Voldemort. kreacher also became a good elf. i was also shocked about all the good characters . Scrigemor, tonks, lupin, colin, fred, dobby. wow. I was so shocked that it showed 19 years later. i thought that hermione and ron would fall in love.

Posted by Jonesey on July 23, 2007 06:36 AM

for all those wondering about Harry having no clothes in Kings Cross, read again! It says Harry wished he could have some clothes and as soon as he had thought of this, he was robed!

Posted by chana on July 23, 2007 06:38 AM

I was very disappointed with this book. All the loose ends that JK was hinting about... yes they were tied up, but it was as though she didn't put any effort into it. I mean after 6 books of the Harry/Snape hatred, they have one sentence and Snape give Harry all the answers! That hurt.
And the Wormtail ending was terrible. Dumbledore said that there would come a time Harry would be glad he saved Wormtail's life. But that doesn't really happen does it? All that happens is that Wormtail hesitates (he might have still ed Harry after) and Voldemort s him. I thought it would be much more complex than that... maybe telling Harry something about the Elder Wand or why Voldemort wanted it.
And then there's the ending. A bit fairytale-ish wasn't it? It just summed up the whole topic of the book. Everything is going to be ok.
I'm sure many of you hate me for saying things like this but it has to be said. I mean the book is split up very unevely. For most of the frist half of the book the only horcrux is the Locket. Then by the end of the book not only hav all horcruxes been found, but all of them were the same as Dumbledore had guessed.
Anyway I've had my say. Not saying the book was terrible... I was happy to see the answers to our questions but there were so many oher ways for JK to have done it.

Posted by jeremy on July 23, 2007 06:44 AM

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