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

[ibid.livejournal.com]

I seriously thought in the eraly days Dumbledore and Voldemort were the same, think about it Dumbledore led Harry into so much trouble...

OOTP was too long methinks. It did need cutting as there was a lot I thought was superfluous and I don't think anyone dares to edit Rowling.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I've had my doubts about Dumbledore too, but I suppose now that he's died gloriously and been tucked away in his white tomb we have to accept that he was basically who he said he was.

But I think there are still things to be revealed about his background.