Jul 29, 2007 08:07 PM
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MSians..today finally the time has come when I have reached a century of reviews....It's beena thrilling journey of over 16 months and I have made many friends along the way. Thanks for the great times that this site and its members have given me:). I really do appreciate it.
Coming to the topic of this review, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows , the last part of the seven book series which made JK Rowling, its author, a household name. Phenoimenal pre-launch publicity and unprecedented hype ( Crosswors dedicated a whole morning t oa Potter Party...Sorting Hat ceremony et all!!). kids, parents and in-betweens (teenagers like yours truly) waited with bated breath to know the fate of the Boy Who Lived. Although some spoilers had been revealed courtesy certain Harry Potter communities on orkut, I ddin't have much idea how the book was going to shape up.
JK Rowling ends her best-seller series ina convincing way, with fascinating side plots to complement the main track, that of Harry Vs Voldemort. Harry is faced with new dangers and perils, not the least of which is the fact that the familiar and comforting figure of Dumbledore is now not there to guide him. The Order Of The Phoenix is now carring out an underground movement to usurp Voldemort (who has taken control over the Minsitry) but Harry, who is now in hiding, is central to overthrowing Voldemort. Along with his loyal companions, Ron and Hermoine, he sets out on the quest to destroy the horcruxes of Voldemort. The task, however , is tougher than anticipated as internal and external factors tests Harry. Although even in uneventful times, the book never drags, with interesting side plots of Albus Dumbledore's shady youth, Lupin's troubled marriage and ofcourse, Ginny's complicated relationship with Potter Jr.
The second half of the book marches at an unbelieveable pace, barely giving readers time to catch their breath....Harry destroys Death Eaters and evades Lord Voldemort with daring escapes. Once Voldemort relaises what Harry is doing, he is furious and he flies to his alma mater, Hogwarts to protect his remaining Horcruxes. It is inside the school that the final showdown occurs. And it is in the last 100 pages that the author really ties up all the loose ends and punches those people in the face who thought the yknew how the book was supoosed to end. Harry overpowers Voldemort, yes, the boy lives - not because he ias above Voldemort - but because he is human, a hero, not Voldmemort, an unfeeling villain.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Harry Potter has grown up: no longer an awe-strcuk boy who cannot face his destiny, instead he is a mature man capable of facing good ol' Voldy. Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore's characters go through severe cutting and chopping although both are present in the book themselves for barely a few pages....we read a lot about Snape and Dumbledore although we barely ever see them in the book. I, for one, grossly missed Sirius Black, the reckless Godfather who lent a different charm to the book. Lord Voldemort's character remains unchanged: he is still the arrogant archetypical villain who sows no remorse.
CONCLUSION: JK Rowling has outdone herself by putting in intelligent stoirylkines and enough twists and turns to make a roller coaster ride look like a walk in the park. Also, Harry Potter is everyones favourite boy-next-door. A winner in all respects.
