Jul 19, 2005 11:52 PM
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(Updated Jul 20, 2005 01:07 AM)
Revelandus plotika!
Well…don’t go looking for this spell in the book because it isn’t there…I just happened to discover this very ancient spell which, I believe, even Dumbledore or Voldemort are not aware of because this spell can only be cast on authors and not on characters in their books. For once, I think, Rowling became a victim of this spell which she so successfully managed to avoid while writing her earlier books. Anyway, “Revelandus plotika” is a harmless spell which makes the person under this spell reveal important information and missing links... which had become absolutely necessary to clear the mist of doubt and ignorance amongst the fans of Harry Potter, and readers in general.
In case you don’t remember… after the fifth book in the Harry Potter series “The Order of the Phoenix”, there were more questions than answers…and so Rowling decided to take the cue, or so it seems, and has made certain startling disclosures in this penultimate offering in the series which provides links that were missing in books 1 to 5. At least, some of the questions have been answered and the remaining may have to wait till the release of the final book.
HP&THBP seems to be more a book of revelations than action. In the previous books in the series there was considerable action and the story unfolded at a brisk pace. But, HP&THBP is a little different in this regard, the story is narrated at a comparatively leisurely pace and the readers will find less action in it than that they have come to expect from the Harry Potter series. But, the strong point of this book is the underlying emotions of the various characters who try hard to come to terms with the situations they are in. Surprisingly, despite its slow pace and lack of action the book makes an engrossing read. Like the previous books in the series it is still a page-turner and that goes to show the exceptional writing skills of Rowling who proves that the storyline can still be made interesting with minimal action if it is in competent hands.
In the previous book, we witnessed the death of a major member of the TOP (The Order of the Phoenix). In this book too, we have to contend with the death of a major member and that is a devastating blow to the TOP. It was widely expected by many that Rowling would knock off somebody important belonging to the Order, and so she does. But, Rowling kept me guessing as to the identity of the Half Blood Prince till almost the end and when the identity was revealed it was more shocking than surprising.
The sixth year at Hogwarts shows Potter growing into a young and desirable man. Though still crazy about Quiddich, he begins to understand what love really is, and surprisingly his love interest is not the oriental beauty Cho Chang on whom he earlier had a crush. More importantly, Potter understands the true value of love in general and the role it could play in his crusade against the Dark Lord. Contrastingly, Hermione and Ron seem to fall in and out of love at the drop of a wand. Potter’s immediate adversary, Draco Malfoy has grown up too and has lost some of his childishness. He now, has his sights trained on to bigger things and that is a cause of concern to Harry as he has to contend with not only studies but keep a close watch on Malfoy which becomes more and more difficult what with Professor Snape giving Harry detentions; Professor Slughorn giving invitations for lunch, dinner or whatever; and Dumbledore giving him personal lessons
The sixth year at Hogwarts is a tough one for the young wizards because of the additional security arrangements and precautions taken by the school. There have been murders, people vanishing, and loss of public property. This time, the violence has spread even to the Muggle world and there is an outcry against the incumbent government. It has become increasingly hard for the Minister of Magic to explain to the Muggle President that the happenings in the Muggle world is the result of chaos spread by Lord Voldemort in the Wizarding world. Lord Voldemort has grown more powerful as he has wooed all the death-eaters to his side and many wizards too. There is a general mistrust in the air as it is difficult to know who is working for Voldemort and who is not. Even the highly secure Hogwarts is not safe from his cronies.
The story picks up pace as it nears the end, and once again we see the mastery of Rowling in matters of magic as Dumbledore and Harry go on a very secret journey. Potter believes that the normally highly perceptive Dumbledore has made a mistake of judgment in relying on Snape to look after the security of Hogwarts during their absence. But Dumbledore brushes aside Potter’s lamentations with an all knowing air that is far beyond the cerebral capacity of Potter.
Has Dumbledore really goofed up this time or was he right after all? Many might think after reading this book that Dumbledore did make a mistake. But, I personally believe that Dumbledore had a far reaching plan which many of his enemies as well as his close supporter have failed to grasp. We have no way of knowing at present…for that we have to wait for the release of the final book in the series.
“Revelandie unplotika”… Ah… the spell is broken!
MB Farookh.
