The Half Blood Prince

[poliphilo]

Order of the Phoenix is the best of the books- considered simply as a book or literary artefact. It's the one in which Rowling stretches herself and her readers the furthest-  the one that makes me think of Dickens.

Half Blood Prince doesn't make me think of Dickens. There's a falling back into the comfort zone.  It's like Chamber of Secrets on steroids.

Lots of back story. This is more Voldemort's book than Harry's.  We're marking time.  It's a transitional work, preparing us for what we all hope will be the whizz-bang climax of the Deathly Hallows.

Of course Harry had to fall in love sometime. I wish Rowling cared more about this side of things. I wish, actually, that she was more interested in her female characters. The ones who come alive are the eccentrics- Hermione, Luna, Tonks. She wants us to care about Ginny Weasley and we're eager to oblige- but do we? I'm afraid I don't.

Slughorn  is the best new character. I've known teachers like him. 

Boarding schools run on sexual energy.  All those adolescents. All that celibacy. I wish there could be more than hints of this in the books, but yes- I know, I know- not in front of the children.

The last hundred pages are riveting. But I don't see how I can discuss them without spoilers. 

Comments

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

I have heard on the news that JK says TWO main characters die in her next book.

The book must be bleak--the cover doesn't even have a picture of Harry this time--it's all black.

At least she finished it--I was afraid she'd get writer's block and put it off forever...

I've been enjoying your reviews of the series. It's true that Ginny isn't vivid for me, but I'd never thought before about how much I liked her odd characters more. Interesting!

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear. Harry and Voldemort. And Ron and Hermione will get married, and Ginny will get pregnant before Harry dies. And Dumbledore will come back as Fawkes.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

OMG, Laura. Say it isn't so...

I still have some warm feeling for Snape. Don't know why--maybe it's the actor in the movie.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

So which two characters?

I think Snape will be one of them- maybe he'll die saving Harry.

And the other will be one that's going to hit us hard- someone we like. Hagrid perhaps or Hermione.

I don't think she'll kill Harry, but I think she's going to make him suffer a lot- a bit like Frodo.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

I thought it might be Hagrid, but I guess she'll get someone we love best--probably Hermione is a good guess, and maybe Ron, but Snape is also a good thought.

Do you remember that there is a reference to Dumbledore's brother?? Was he a twin? Anyway, that cannon was surely dragged onto the stage for a reason.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

JKR has said that the thing she hears most often from kids is "don't kill Ron". She's also said she's given one major character a reprieve. I'll bet she's bowed to her public and it's Ron she's talking about.

There are a lot of brothers knocking about, aren't there? Sirius has a brother. Dumbledore has a brother. And then of course there are the Weasleys. I think there's something significant and thematic going on here