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| Potter-mania |
| Monday, July 23, 2007 |
Blogdom is overflowing with Harry Potter posts, try as I might to not do the same, here it comes.
When the Half Blood Prince came out, two years back, myself and the friend who introduced me to the world of HP, got the crazy idea of going to Borders at midnight to get the book. The line was serpentine long, and it got only longer and longer, doubling up on itself. we were standing in line from about 9PM to 1AM, and we were nowhere close to getting the book,We got so bugged that we left. The next day morning I got the book from Wal-mart.
With that, this time I had no plans to go to Borders in the night, but my friend convinced me. After all, its the last book. :--(
I preordered the book at Borders, only because I got this email, from them, (yes I do sometimes read junk emails) to preorder a copy. I have to thank DH now, otherwise he will kill me, he is this membership-freak, gets memberships from anywhere and everywhere, applies for cards from anywhere and everywhere. Well, I am exaggerating, but you get the idea. It was because of the Borders membership that I got the email.
So Friday evening we went to Borders, picked up the Silver band, which guaranteed a place in the line for us, looked around the children and adults in various Harry Potter costumes, and headed to a Birthday party. It was a dance party. To cut the story short, as a proof of Potter-mania, one girl said she loved me, bcos I told her I can give her the book on Monday. She had known me for an hour then.
We left that place about a quarter to 11, to Borders. The place was too darn crowded. The costume competition was going on. It was really nice to watch, kids and adults of all ages dressed up and acting like the Harry Potter characters. I should say the movie really gave huge clues on how each character would look like. Prof Trelawney seemed to be a favorite this time around, with Harry and Hermione being the most common.
At one minute past 12, the first book was sold, it sure was an exciting moment at Borders.
This friend of mine and her husband, they had a different plan. They slept until midnight, and came to the store at half past, only to realize if you hadnt preordered the book, you are not guaranteed to get one! So they left hoping to try other 24hr stores like Walgreens.
In the meantime, me and DH were standing in the line. Thankfully the bands were color coded and numbered, that way it was in a first come first serve basis, and we didnt have to stand in the line all the time. With each color selling 300 books, I must have gotten the 493rd book sold in that branch of Borders. I saw kids lurking around even after buying the book. Whereas myself, we just rushed back home to start reading the book.
I though I should read all night. But of course that was not to happen. I suck at staying up late. I read three chapters and I fell asleep.
Saturday dawned. I woke up and I was like. Hm, there is some happy thing about today. I saw the hefty book beside me and I was like, yeah!! I started reading the book right away.
We had other things to do also on Saturday, which were important too, but I was so impatient to get done with them soon, so that I can continue with my book. DH was very understanding. He did all the printing stuff, making my life half easier. He also did not pester me as much as he does normally, left me alone to read my precious book. :--) I did cook in the evening, simple Upma and chutney, afterall DH was being a darling.
My plan was to finish the book over the weekend. Oh no, I couldnt leave the book midway and go to work, leave alone do anything else. So I finished almost half the book, just when it started getting interesting, and slept off.
The next day I read for a couple of hours before going to the Church. DH was a darling and made lunch, while I read the book like I was reading for an exam. I didnt want to log in to the internet, for fear I might read some spoilers. And yes, I did keep telling DH what was happening in the book everytime he came to me to get the status.
Finally I finished the book and went to DH. I was all smiles, so happy, the last chapter really brought a fuzzy feeling. Ok, so it was sissy, and kiddish, but hey it is supposed to be a children's book right. I am fully by JKR's side on the last chapter.
I am not going to review the book, just jotting down my feelings about the book.
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
The first half was definitely dark and scary. The air was filled with hopelessness. It dragged a little when Harry, Ron and Hermione where just moving from one place to another, making no progress whatsoever.
I was praying all the time, for JKR to not kill Hermione. I like her more than Harry. I remember JKR said Hermione character was based a lot on how she herself was when she was young, so I kinda knew she wouldnt kill her. Everytime something happened to Ron or Hermione, my heart skipped a beat. Especially when Hermione was tortured by Bellatrix.
Every mystery is explained in the book, every string tied. It was awesome.
It felt like a typical kid book when Harry, Ron and Hermione, somehow escaped every obstacle they faced, at the Ministry of Magic, at Gringotts, at the Godric's Hollow. Also I was surprised the Death Eaters werent prepared for impersonation, with the Polyjuice portion. Fancy Hermione posing as Bellatrix to access her vault. But of course, I will lap anything JKR has to offer, she can write a gripping fairy tale.
I simply loved the Three Brothers Story. The Deathly Hallows was a brilliant idea. I was hoping for it to have more impact on the plot that it had. I love plot with kids solving puzzles.
The part about Harry himself being a horcrux of Voldemort, was just a superb plot, although I suspected it all along. ;--) The Elder Wand twist was superb as well, I mean you really had to know your story right to understand it.
About the deaths, I knew it was coming, thankfully none of the reallly crucial characters died. So I am okay.
The chapter in 'heaven' or in Harry's mind, was just for us, I think. To tie up lose ends. The Prince's Tale was my favorite chapter, only because it had a lot of answers.
About how Harry 'dies' and comes 'back to life', it is just like JKR to pull it off without leaving the readers in utter disbelief. It was a palpable plot. :--)
I loved the last chapter. I found it really cute. Ron telling, "Dont let it worry you. Its me. I am extremely famous" was soo like him.
All in all, I am happy with everything in the book, it could have been pruned a little, but all the same I think everything was essential. JKR writes in a way that you can almost feel what the character is feeling. Love that.
Here ends my Potter-mania, now I can live my life peacefully. Until of course, when JKR decides to write her next series, if ever she does. |
posted by SK @ 6:46 PM  |
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| 7 Comments: |
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hey sk... ;)..hittin ur page after a long long time....
nice write up... .. could feel ur passion ...though namakkum HP kathaigalku romba distance....
saw the recently released part in IMAX ...was good..did drive me to know abt the other parts..
"I was praying all the time, for JKR to not kill Hermione. I like her more than Harry"
Me too ;)
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I was praying hard that Ron should not die! If Ron did, I would never hand over the books to the next generation ;)
Thankfully, he did not. And the last chapter (epilogue types)was cheesy, I still liked it. I just loved the fact that Harry spoke about the orting Hat :D
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did anyone escape the potter mania ? i was there at the Borders too, it surely was exciting.
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Hey daks, Thanks for visiting. :--))
Oh did you like the movie? I enjoyed it. :--) Hermione is cute la?
Rebel,
Hahh Ron fan! :-)) Yes I liked everything about the book.
Maverick,
Really, you went at midnight too? Are you done with the book?
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Skipped the whole post, in fear of spoilers :)
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Twisted,
Hahah. Thought of catching some folks unawares. ;--)
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hehe I'm a huge Potter fan 2,I'm a student frm London btw...Read Harry Potter n da Deathly Hallows da day it came out but ryt @ da end in dat chapter where he dreams bout dying, i virtually cud feel myself ripping da page coz i woz soo angry dat JK Rowling cud actually make happy Potter die, thank god right at that moment my sista stoppd me ripping da book up though! She told me Harry survives n he woz only having a dream; Idiot, she read it in a forum ;)
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hey sk... ;)..hittin ur page after a long long time....
nice write up... .. could feel ur passion ...though namakkum HP kathaigalku romba distance....
saw the recently released part in IMAX ...was good..did drive me to know abt the other parts..
"I was praying all the time, for JKR to not kill Hermione. I like her more than Harry"
Me too ;)