Tango
Finally! In between my determined efforts at re-learning to move my neck(crrrrunch crrrrrunch) and my even more determined efforts to do some much-needed RL work, I finally managed to read "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince".
Spoilers will be here.
Probably a lot of them.
So if you don't want to be spoiled, don't read the rest of the post.
continue to review >>
General impressions:
I really liked it. Rowling seems to have regained her sense of humour, and this book is not nearly as dark as book 5 or, indeed, 4. A lot of the time I caught myself laughing out loud, and I noticed others doing this as well -- I can't imagine this happening in either book 4 or 5! The pace is also much tighter: a good 20% of book 5 seemed like a lot of waffle (although enjoyable waffle) and even the first part of book 4, the Quiddich Cup, was on the verbose side. This book, on the other hand, is impeccably paced -- every bit as well as book 3 (still my favourite), and the story doesn't descend into too many unnecessary details or gratuitous sadism. Unfortunately, this does have one drawback: while on the whole I was relieved that there was less dark stuff, I was also a bit disappointed that the story never plumbs the emotional depth of some of the most gut-wrenching scenes from book 5 -- like the "St Mungo's Hospital" scene with Neville's parents, which moved me to tears.
Kiddie Pairings:
Ron/Hermione -- no surprises there, Harry/Ginny -- also nothing surprising. I liked the desсriрtions of Harry fighting the 'monster' inside him who wants to kiss Ginny: it's very nicely done, and provides a deceptively fluffy hint at the theme of obsessive love.
Obsessive Love:
Clearly this is THE theme du jour. While not terribly original, it's always fun to read and let's face it, it beats gratuitous sadism a la Umbridge. Tonks/Lupin and Fleur/Bill demonstrate all the nicer facets of unconditional love, but then we also have the tragic (sob sob
) story of Voldemort's mother and her obsession with Tom Riddle Senior. While I liked the duality, I really wish that there had been a bit more showing and a bit less telling... I really can't say I felt anything much for Merope, but it's a story where you should feel something, isn't it? I suppose there was a limit to how long the book could be, but I would have liked that particular story to have had more heart and less "information dump" about it.
Other aspects of the same theme -- quick list because I'm too tired to be analytical: the love potions, Narcissa's love for her son, Dumbledore's mercy, and of course, Harry's ability to love as contrasted with Voldemort's lack thereof. All nicely setting up the final confrontation. Ta-da-da-dummm.
Dumbledore:
Had to clear the set for Harry, obviously -- but still sad. Sadder than Sirius' death, for me, because I never cared much for Sirius (especially in book 5). Even knowing this was coming, I still hated that poor Dumbledore had to go. The fact that he imparts all his information to Harry suggests that he knew it was coming, but whether that was an obvious precaution against the inevitable or an actual Plan remains a mystery.
Snape:
I liked the ambiguity, but at the same time, I would be very surprised if Snape turns out to be on Voldemort's side. The main reason is the emphasis on his having a 'good' reason for every seemingly 'bad' thing he does -- even when he talks about the Dark Arts in a "caressing" voice, Hermione points out that he sounds like Harry, because Harry, too, gets something of a kick from the mental challenge. This happens every single time Snape does something suspicous -- of course, this is to emphasise his being a 'double agent', but if he was truly as bad as all that, JKR wouldn't have bothered, IMO. Evidently the purpose of this is make sure that Harry hates him again, because it's more interesting/dramatic that way.
Idle speculation: there is absolutely no way in hell that Dumbledore would have believed in Snape's genuine remorse unless Snape had brought him what Harry and co. call "ironclad proof" of his good faith. After his role in reporting the prophecy, I don't believe Dumbledore would have taken something trivial: it had to have been important, and probably an object of some sort rather than information. (I'm almost tempted to guess 'horcrux', but I don't think that theory holds water).
More idle speculation: Snape's comment about Pettigrew listening at doors ("I can't think what he means by it"
suggests to me that Voldemort doesn't trust him completely and is using Pettigrew to spy on him. Snape is aware of this, obviously.
A question that occurred to me -- why does Snape leave his Potions book, complete with notes, lying around in the classroom? Perhaps he has forgotten about it in the intervening years, but surely he would have kept something like this private if possible. Particularly as it has his own nickname written on it. On the other hand, he couldn't have known who would pick it up, so it seems unlikely that he planted it deliberately. Either way, rather odd.
And one more random idea:
- The note in the fake horcrux had to have come from someone who knew how to get past the obstacles, especially the potion. The obvious theory, the note's signature notwithstanding, is that the person who stole the Horcrux was Snape (because who else could have gotten past the potion?) I toyed with the idea that perhaps this was the thing Snape gave Dumbledore to prove his good faith, but then Dumbledore would not have gone searching for it -- unless he either didn't know where it came from, or had some other reason for taking Harry to look for it. For instance (getting into wild-guess territory here) he may have wanted Harry to see that note. Or, he may have thought that one of the other Horcruxes was in there.
That's probably enough rambling for now. More coherent thoughts may follow, eventually, after I've had a chance to think about it some more.
Tango
Spoilers will be here.
Probably a lot of them.
So if you don't want to be spoiled, don't read the rest of the post.
continue to review >>
General impressions:
I really liked it. Rowling seems to have regained her sense of humour, and this book is not nearly as dark as book 5 or, indeed, 4. A lot of the time I caught myself laughing out loud, and I noticed others doing this as well -- I can't imagine this happening in either book 4 or 5! The pace is also much tighter: a good 20% of book 5 seemed like a lot of waffle (although enjoyable waffle) and even the first part of book 4, the Quiddich Cup, was on the verbose side. This book, on the other hand, is impeccably paced -- every bit as well as book 3 (still my favourite), and the story doesn't descend into too many unnecessary details or gratuitous sadism. Unfortunately, this does have one drawback: while on the whole I was relieved that there was less dark stuff, I was also a bit disappointed that the story never plumbs the emotional depth of some of the most gut-wrenching scenes from book 5 -- like the "St Mungo's Hospital" scene with Neville's parents, which moved me to tears.
Kiddie Pairings:
Ron/Hermione -- no surprises there, Harry/Ginny -- also nothing surprising. I liked the desсriрtions of Harry fighting the 'monster' inside him who wants to kiss Ginny: it's very nicely done, and provides a deceptively fluffy hint at the theme of obsessive love.
Obsessive Love:
Clearly this is THE theme du jour. While not terribly original, it's always fun to read and let's face it, it beats gratuitous sadism a la Umbridge. Tonks/Lupin and Fleur/Bill demonstrate all the nicer facets of unconditional love, but then we also have the tragic (sob sob
) story of Voldemort's mother and her obsession with Tom Riddle Senior. While I liked the duality, I really wish that there had been a bit more showing and a bit less telling... I really can't say I felt anything much for Merope, but it's a story where you should feel something, isn't it? I suppose there was a limit to how long the book could be, but I would have liked that particular story to have had more heart and less "information dump" about it.Other aspects of the same theme -- quick list because I'm too tired to be analytical: the love potions, Narcissa's love for her son, Dumbledore's mercy, and of course, Harry's ability to love as contrasted with Voldemort's lack thereof. All nicely setting up the final confrontation. Ta-da-da-dummm.
Dumbledore:
Had to clear the set for Harry, obviously -- but still sad. Sadder than Sirius' death, for me, because I never cared much for Sirius (especially in book 5). Even knowing this was coming, I still hated that poor Dumbledore had to go. The fact that he imparts all his information to Harry suggests that he knew it was coming, but whether that was an obvious precaution against the inevitable or an actual Plan remains a mystery.
Snape:
I liked the ambiguity, but at the same time, I would be very surprised if Snape turns out to be on Voldemort's side. The main reason is the emphasis on his having a 'good' reason for every seemingly 'bad' thing he does -- even when he talks about the Dark Arts in a "caressing" voice, Hermione points out that he sounds like Harry, because Harry, too, gets something of a kick from the mental challenge. This happens every single time Snape does something suspicous -- of course, this is to emphasise his being a 'double agent', but if he was truly as bad as all that, JKR wouldn't have bothered, IMO. Evidently the purpose of this is make sure that Harry hates him again, because it's more interesting/dramatic that way.
Idle speculation: there is absolutely no way in hell that Dumbledore would have believed in Snape's genuine remorse unless Snape had brought him what Harry and co. call "ironclad proof" of his good faith. After his role in reporting the prophecy, I don't believe Dumbledore would have taken something trivial: it had to have been important, and probably an object of some sort rather than information. (I'm almost tempted to guess 'horcrux', but I don't think that theory holds water).
More idle speculation: Snape's comment about Pettigrew listening at doors ("I can't think what he means by it"
suggests to me that Voldemort doesn't trust him completely and is using Pettigrew to spy on him. Snape is aware of this, obviously.A question that occurred to me -- why does Snape leave his Potions book, complete with notes, lying around in the classroom? Perhaps he has forgotten about it in the intervening years, but surely he would have kept something like this private if possible. Particularly as it has his own nickname written on it. On the other hand, he couldn't have known who would pick it up, so it seems unlikely that he planted it deliberately. Either way, rather odd.
And one more random idea:
- The note in the fake horcrux had to have come from someone who knew how to get past the obstacles, especially the potion. The obvious theory, the note's signature notwithstanding, is that the person who stole the Horcrux was Snape (because who else could have gotten past the potion?) I toyed with the idea that perhaps this was the thing Snape gave Dumbledore to prove his good faith, but then Dumbledore would not have gone searching for it -- unless he either didn't know where it came from, or had some other reason for taking Harry to look for it. For instance (getting into wild-guess territory here) he may have wanted Harry to see that note. Or, he may have thought that one of the other Horcruxes was in there.
That's probably enough rambling for now. More coherent thoughts may follow, eventually, after I've had a chance to think about it some more.
Tango
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19.07.2005 в 19:18- oh yes!
I was also a bit disappointed that the story never plumbs the emotional depth of some of the most gut-wrenching scenes from book 5- and still, for me the "drinking" scene was almost unbearable to read.
The most popular version of "R.A.B." is now Regulus Black.
I have no clue (as usual))), but Snape seems somehow improbable, although I would (gladly))) agree with the rest of your speculations about him.
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19.07.2005 в 19:26I didn't think "R.A.B." would actually be someone's initials, and the fact that Hermione didn't stumble on a wizard by that name in her searches suggests that it's unlikely to be something quite so straightforward as a real name. But... Perhaps.
Tango
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19.07.2005 в 19:37- good point agains Regulus! Although some think it was he plus Andromeda (Tonks' mom).
Regulus was a Slytherin and a DEather who suddenly didn't like it anymore, so he dropped the whole show and was killed subsequently. Well...
This is exactly the case where I prefer not to make any guesses whatsoever and to wait patiently for a couple of years)))
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19.07.2005 в 19:44Same. I can't say it's eating me, exactly; I'm quite happy to wait. It's not like there is any way to find out -- and in the meantime, there is other stuff to do.
... Like write my thesis for instance. *ack* Or my poor slowly-slowly-progressing "Phantom" fic ...
Tango
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19.07.2005 в 19:51-
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19.07.2005 в 20:09There should be an emoticon for two people screaming very loudly in unison.
... or like finally go on reading your fic...
Don't worry, at the rate I'm going, you'll catch up before I even produce the next chapter. I feel like Indiana Jones, with a big ball rolling behind me. Must. Keep. Ahead.
or like translating WG and betting everything on sort-of-ressurected Albus...
As a friend of mine used to say about the Xenaverse canon -- Cuck the Fanon!
Tango
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19.07.2005 в 20:35I feel like Indiana Jones, with a big ball rolling behind me - my favourite scene))))))
Everyone is happy. - yes, that's the poit there anyway, right?)) Still I'm such a crazy perfectionist..)) But I'll figure smth out. Or at least a disclaimer))
BTW, did I understand correctly that Dumbledore was not just burnt, but his actually bursted into flames by itself? (That's why shrieks?). Just like Fowkes, you know..?
(Not that I really want or expect him to be reborn or smth - The idea immediately reminded me of Pratchett's Thief of Time where the main Time-Monk was a bubbling baby and a wisened Teacher simultaneously)))) - but in some way... :shy
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20.07.2005 в 06:24Tango
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20.07.2005 в 10:10-
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20.07.2005 в 11:32Regulus "Abramovich" Black has a ring to it.
Brilliant! Actually, I didn't think about Regulus. But then he should be alive, shouldn't he? It seemed to me no one doubted his death.
Ah, I see you're not a Snape-fan, that's why your perception is likely clearer than ours
Obsessive Love: Clearly this is THE theme du jour.
True!!!
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20.07.2005 в 12:49Wait a sec -- something just occurred to me. Isn't Sirius also alive in WG? (Isn't he the guru?) Or am I remembering wrong?
Juxian
I can't quite take the credit for "Abramovich", that's from Dolly's review (only she meant Lucius, since his father's name was Abraxas).
I don't think Regulus needs to be alive: the note says "I will be dead when you read this", and we don't know how long ago the real Horcrux was stolen. I still don't think R.A.B. are anyone's initials -- and the note said "I" and not "we", so I doubt it's Regulus and Andromeda working together (although anything is possible). My bet is still on Snape.
Tango
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20.07.2005 в 13:01No, it was you who invented "Abramovich", I just honestly wrote "Lucius Abraxasosvich"
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20.07.2005 в 13:07Really?
Oh -- I remembered about Sirius, after I wrote this, but I wasn't completely sure.
Tango