[kittenb]

oktobersky, the link doesn't work.

[octobersky]

For any of you that found the epilouge too vague JKR touches on a few things in this interview. I had kinda figured these out, but it's nice to get confirmation from the author.

JKR interview

[culturehandy]

Octobersky that is exciting!

[octobersky]

YES!!! *pumps fists into air* JKR said that she will write an encyclopedia about the characters - giving backstory and such! YIPEEE!! We might me waiting awhile for this but - oh happy day! Here's the link to http://mugglenet.com/ where I saw the article.

I knew she couldn't just walk away from her characters and the world she created. Is it too much to hope that "Hogwarts: A History" could be written? But an encyclopedia of characters works for me!


Yeah Llamas I did see the Dementor - there was a woman who was dressed as Madame Hooch that was flawless! I actually stared at her, I think she thought I was crazy. I kinda did want to dress up but the clothes would have been so hot.

Moxie - too bad you can't talk in spoiler boxes! BLACK BOX Hogwarts BLACK BOX when they went....

[moxiegirl]

I also finished last night...I was sad and thrilled all at once! Our BFF just finished it, too, but her 11 year old is still reading. I told him this morning that he'd better finish fast, so his mom and I can talk openly!

[jasmine77]

Finished the book last night. Loved it but still want more. (though I think there could be a hundred books and I'll want more). Feeling some serious Post-Potter Depression today. Waaa!

[llamas]

Octobersky, I definitely enjoyed Wilmington, and the costumes were awesome! Did you see the hugeass Dementor? (I was a Hermione myself, as I never pass up the chance to wear knee socks in public. ) We only stayed until 10, so we could get back in time to get our books locally too!

[zora]

In my second reading, I came across something that I forgot about. Kreacher and Harry questioning Fletcher and Kreacher hitting Fletcher with a skillet. Hilarious.

[kittenb]

I really think that the second paragraph was Jo's way of saying "Okay you dorks, stop already. They're DEAD."

What? What second paragraph? And where can we see your fan art?

[LustfullyPink]

The poem and paragraph at the beginning gave me absolute CHILLS. They really set the tone for the book.

I really think that the second paragraph was Jo's way of saying "Okay you dorks, stop already. They're DEAD."

I agree, I think I cried the hardest for Dobby. And Harry of course.

I've taken my fan art to a whole new extreme.

[kittenb]

I guess I was right in guessing that the epilouge was going to be the real divisive part of the book. So: I think that the book could have ended without it and no one would have thought anything of it. After all, how often do we, the readers, ever find out what happens to the characters after the last page? So, if the epilogue had not been written. would anyone have been upset that we didn't have follow through on all of the characters? Or do you feel that we needed follow-through on everyone? Some of them only?
If at some point Rowling decides to revisit this world and write another story, maybe out Lupin and Tonk's child, then I fear for her . The expectations on a follow up would be even higher than they were for this one.

[octobersky]

I definitely could see that as a possibility...JKR is sooo good at tying things together that I can't see some of the gaping holes in the epilogue being left there nonpurposefully! So much room for further stories. I'm especially intrigued by lil' Teddy, the color-changing werewolf.

And did anyone else get all sniffly at the beginning of the book when Dudley actually showed concern for Harry?

I loved in his baby picture that he had a little tuft of turquiose hair - too cute!

I got the impression at the end that Shackelbolt stayed Minister, McGonagall became the Headmaster and that perhaps Harry, Ron and Hermione became Aurors. Just 'cause Voldy's dead doesn't mean that evil can't pop up somewhere else!

Yeah Dudders actually showed some heart and after Snape's story I felt empathy for Petunia.

My heart broke for Snape and his unrequited love for Lily - Harry was just a reminder of what he never got to have. I KNEW Snape wasn't all bad

As I read the epilouge, I kept thinking of possible story lines for future books. I felt that JKR was being vague to leave openings for more. Glad I'm not the only one thinking that!

Llamas - did you enjoy Wilmington? Some of the costumes were really, really good. We stayed for a bit and then went to her house in Cincy 'cause we didn't want a 1/2 drive to delay reading the book! We even took our books to brunch the next morning! Yeah we are that geeky

[Arcadia]

Of course I had to add my take on this book. I just finished it this afternoon because I was too busy to read the whole thing in one day, but OMG.

Can I just say how much I am in love with Severus Snape now? I really didn't ever believe him to be that evil or working for Voldemort, but now that I know the whole story it's just too bittersweet and beautiful! And especially because Harry named one of his sons after him! Good Lord, I cried like a little abandoned child at the end of the book, during the epilogue.

Also, Hedwig, Dobby, Fred, Lupin (one of my most favourite characters!), and Tonks AFTER THEY JUST HAD A BABY?! They all produced tears pouring in rivers down my cheeks. I didn't for one second think I was going to start crying during this book at all. Oh and Mad-Eye . . . . I didn't really like him anyway, but I kind of can't believe he died.

I am also disappointed with the eiplogue. It left too much out. I hope she starts something with the Potterverse again because I hate thinking that this is the last we will get to see of Harry and his friends.

AND! Why didn't she talk about the fate of Draco and his parents? I mean, I know he was mentioned at the end, and the whole the-Elder-wand-belongs-to-Draco thing, but he was such an intrical part of HBP that I think more should have been said about what happened.

Whatever, I'm happy about the book. Oh, did I ever cry at the end!

Thank God there will still be movies!

And I think I am going to start the His Dark Materials series.
I saw the play at the National Theatre in London when I was living in England two years ago and it was amazing! I had never read the books so I think I will start before the movie comes out.

[llamas]

]
I could completely see her doing another series set in the same world with Ron, Hermione and Harry being teriary characters and perhaps Neville, Luna, George, Dean etc becoming secondary characters to the new crop of Hogwarts students.


Or am I just engaging in wishful thinking?!?

I definitely could see that as a possibility...JKR is sooo good at tying things together that I can't see some of the gaping holes in the epilogue being left there nonpurposefully! So much room for further stories. I'm especially intrigued by lil' Teddy, the color-changing werewolf.

And did anyone else get all sniffly at the beginning of the book when Dudley actually showed concern for Harry?

[octobersky]

]

Maybe JK will come out with something in the future which wraps up everything. I know she says she's done, but this can't be it!

Yeah I've been driving myself crazy trying to find the interviews on mugglenet where JK said that Harry Potter was through, but that there were other facets of the magical world to explore. I know I read it because I discussed that topic with friends! I'm not crazy - really!

With such a rich fantasy world to explore, I can't imagine her walking away for good. She did say there would be no prequels to HP, but has never flat out said that she wouldn't continue.


I could completely see her doing another series set in the same world with Ron, Hermione and Harry being teriary characters and perhaps Neville, Luna, George, Dean etc becoming secondary characters to the new crop of Hogwarts students.


Or am I just engaging in wishful thinking?!?

[LoveMyPugs]

but this thread looks HILARIOUS right now with all the spoiler boxes. like you all are robots talking to each other in code!

[culturehandy]

Maybe JK will come out with something in the future which wraps up everything. I know she says she's done, but this can't be it!

[roseviolet]

I just finished the book. I decided to take my time and savour it, reading some passages twice and taking breaks to think about what was happening.

I enjoyed it, but it wasn't really my favorite. There were some sections that down-right annoyed the crap out of me, actually.
1. The in-fighting between Harry & Ron & Hermione. It seems like they've been fighting like this for 7 loooong books. And yes, I know there's a point to it (they're young & not exactly emotionally mature & it was important to the plot that Ron & Harry faught & Ron abandoned them), but sometimes their bickering drug out for too long & it was so tiring and annoying that I chose to put down the book and do laundry. Laundry, people! That ain't right.
2. When they were in Hogwarts and Harry was told that Ron & Hermione went to "the bathroom" .... and Harry did not immediately think of The Bathroom! The Bathroom! The Bathroom that is also the entrance to The Chamber of Secrets! Fer crissakes, I know he's smarter than that.
3. And then while they're at Hogwarts, Harry is just lurking around in the great hall when somebody else has to remind him that, uh, he's supposed to be looking for something. And he's all, "Oh yeah! Uh, right!" Right, Assmunch, because the only reason why you are at Howarts is so that you can get your hands on that goddamn horcrux! Remember?!?!

Uuuuuuugggggghhhhh. I just wanted to reach across the ocean and slap J.K. for that stuff. I felt as though she was insulting the intelligence of her characters and her readers. Grrr.

But I loved getting a fuller story on Dumbledore & Snape. I appreciate that Albus isn't as perfect as he seemed & that Severus was capeable of more love than others could knowThey're human now and that's wonderful.

And I loved that it wasn't just Harry that broke all of the horcruxes - it was a group effort. Hell, even Voldemort broke a horcrux! At least, that's the way I interpreted Harry's "death" and the writhing thing (what I assumed to be a piece of Voldemort) under the chair.

Oddly enough, the death that really hit me was Dobby's. I think that's because he was so defenseless and so small. I was very proud of Harry for digging the grave himself. He deserved the most honorable burial they could give him. Sniff!

As for the epilogue, I'm glad that the ends were not tied up neatly. That would have taken too long. I would not be at all surprised if more of the details are filled in for us later. But I'm dying to know what they're all doing now! Are they all Aurors? Or something else? Who is the Minister of Magic? Who is the Headmaster of Hogwarts? I got the impression that Percy works there & that Neville is the herbology professor, but that's it. We don't really know what happened to tons of people. A bit maddening, but aren't we happiest when these books leave us with a few mysteries to ponder?


Hope you enjoyed International Harry Potter Weekend! I agree - it was so much fun knowing that I was reading this with millions of other people all around the globe!

[bunnyb]

I second kitten's recommendation of His Dark Materials if you are at a loss at what to read now. COMPLETELY different from Harry Potter but incredibly good; the film looks amazing too!

I have to remind myself that this isn't the end: we have two more movies to watch and there's lots of re-reading!

culture, my feelings are that it all tied up nicely, albeit a little too nicely, and that there were no real surprises but the way it ended pleased me. It was pacey and emotionally wrought with good moments of humour but that there were elements of the story and character development that weren't fully developed, which annoys me. I still loved it though.

[sassygrrl]

Finally finished it lasted night. Mcgeek isn't done yet (but did give me mine own copy, so we weren't fighting over one book)...Yet, I agree with kittenb about the sense of community that HP has brought(parties and the like)