24 hours on....

[heidi]

I'm just going to dance around LJ and reply variously, but this book was shining, and it was everything I wanted OotP to be and wasn't and while I think I wept my way through the last two chapters (gah, Grawp. Dolores.) I feel light and shining in a way that I haven't about the series in two years.

God, I miss Sirius, still. Draco is a woobie snoo and damaged beyond belief but I've known that for years, so it was expected. Remus and Tonks can get married, and Boys Own Camping Adventure will still be canonesque in my universe, and so will its sequel. I can't say I'm surprised regarding the Objects - Cassie and I have YMs on that concept that are almost five years old - but I didn't think I'd ever like Dumbledore again after OotP, and I did, oh, I did. He's made mistakes and he knows it but he is determined to give his life to rectify them. Can Snape do the same? Did Regulus? I don't know, but we'll learn, maybe in 2 years, maybe in 3.

For now, oh, I just can't wait to see what all of you create with this.


ETA's:

Eleven interesting things about Remus Lupin
Oh, and yes, I think Snape acted on Dumbledore's orders in the end. I really do, yes. I still think he's a total git, though, although I would've enjoyed more DADA classes.
Did Dumbledore leave Harry his pensieve? I am sure we'll get more from him in there, and perhaps that will be what brings Harry back to Hogwarts for his seventh year, at least in part. And I predict Bill will teach DADA.
Love for Anna Maria's ficlet about Dean (who, btw, is, I am sure, going to spend Book Seven snogging Seamus, right, jlh?)
I want Hugh Grant to play the Muggle PM, please. We need more Love, Actually incorporation into the Potterverse.
I thought it was clever how she put some of the arguments by those who are not fangirls of R/Hr into the book, into Harry's perspective, and it clarified for me why I feel the way I do - and why I felt the way I did after GoF, but that's for a longer post on another day when I'm not in the skip-400 zone. All I will say now is that this Ron was not the Ron of GoF in many ways, but it's clear to me that JKR is telling Harry's and Riddle's stories - Now Featuring Dumbledore as Basil Exposition! - and much of the surrounding material is more plot-pointed than actual realism. And that is, actually, ok.
And speaking of romances, does anyone else think that Harry taking the Felix is what caused the breakups that same evening?
I adore Myrtle glomming onto the cute boys. And her memories of Harry in the tub. But we never *see* Harry use the prefect's bathroom even though it's mentioned that he can - was he so traumatized by her presence that he never does it? Alas.
Oh! The Passionate Trousers reference! Thanks, candyprisonbars for the reminder! OMGYES!
musesfool's post here should be the Puppyshipper Manifesto for the next few years. And like her, I am memoryizing many HBP posts, although I am going to sleep now and opening everything in tabs so I can read it tomorrow...


Also, this? So not a kids' book. Maybe now they'll stop writing it up as such.

Lastly, to quote longtimegone, "I feel really bad that some of you were disappointed with the book. I completely loved it (more than I expected to) and I feel sad that not everyone shared that joy." Is it weird to feel joy about something that made me sob in the final chapters? Perhaps, but c'est la vie. I'm off to find a beach and reread the book with fellow fandomers in tow. And a showing of PoA might be just what my heart needs. Anyone coming to Santa Monica tomorrow, other than the three of you who've already confirmed to me that you'll be there?

Meep! One more thing! Wonderful ficlets are already being posted in FA's HBP writing challenge center - if you've written one, go add yours!

Comments

[longtimegone]

YAY! I'm so glad you liked it! <3<3 I was beyond pleased.

[misako.livejournal.com]

I'm scrolling fast past your spoilerish comments, although I don't quite care, but my friend said exactly the same thing - that it isn't a kids book.

[florahart]

What *is* a kids' book? I DO think JKR is writing FOR THE SAME AUDIENCE SHE STARTED WITH--who are now in their twenties--and not current ten year olds, but also, my kid is reading now (I got it first cos I'm faster). He's 12. The other one is finally getting around to finishing OotP (on his own). He's 11.

MANY books that have fantastic elements are classed as children's literature because they fit neither as hard sci fi not just "fiction." Many of them deal with dying, betrayal, rape, torture, scary creatures, etc.

This is no less, and no more, a kids' book than any of those.

[prettyveela.livejournal.com]

but I didn't think I'd ever like Dumbledore again after OotP, and I did, oh, I did. He's made mistakes and he knows it but he is determined to give his life to rectify them.

Took the words right outta my mouth. Dumbledore earned my respect back in this one.

For now, oh, I just can't wait to see what all of you create with this.

You think we might have another golden 3 year summer in the fandom? I know the first is always the best, but I have a feeling that the next 2-3 years are gonna be great.

Also, this? So not a kids' book. Maybe now they'll stop writing it up as such.

I have to admit, this was the first book that I've ever stopped at some parts and thought "Kids should not be reading this!" It's not a children's book anymore. Teens and up!

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

What did it for me was when she used the word "slut" after hinting towards it in the Ron-and-Ginny-yelling scene. I've only seen it in another children's book, and that was a version of Cinderella that I read somewhere in 4th grade. This is a YA novel, if anything categorizable is required. It's not for seven year olds.

[snarkattack.livejournal.com]

There was a Passionate Trousers reference? Where?!

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

It may've just been a coincidence, but it was in the joke shop, in the girls' products section, IIRC.

[snarkattack.livejournal.com]

*grins* Ah yes, the 3W store. Fred and George are such geniuses. Really, they don't get the accolades they deserve.

[cleverthylacine]

Don't feel bad for me or quizzicalsphinx or theladyfeylene or trdsf or anyone else who doesn't like this book.

We're going to be fine, and speaking for myself alone, I'm glad so many people did enjoy it.

There actually were rather a lot of things about the book I liked; and there were many things that I had predicted. But there were a few things that broke the back of it for me--one in particular, that I would never in a billion years have guessed, that made it clear to me that not only was this series not what I thought it was four years ago (I had after all begun to figure that out with OOTP), a lot of the things I saw in it that I liked were basically a result of coincidence--that there were facts I had in my head that happened to line up with things that Rowling put in the book that have a real world meaning she never intended to be there. And I knew all along that it was possible she never intended that meaning, but I allowed myself to hope, because people said that to me about Sailor Moon, too, and I was totally right about Sailor Moon.

And unfortunately, what she actually did intend just doesn't interest me all that much any more. I'll read book 7. And ironically I'll probably enjoy it more than this one, because I'll have no. expectations. at. all.

I love Severus and Draco more than ever. I love Narcissa. I just...well, it's all in my journal.

[schnoogle.livejournal.com]

does anyone else think that Harry taking the Felix is what caused the breakups that same evening?

I thought that was fairly obvious - because wasn't it Harry bumping Ginny on the way out that caused that particular break up? It was a lucky reaction to something he did. I can't remember the Lavender/Ron break up though.

But we never *see* Harry use the prefect's bathroom even though it's mentioned that he can - was he so traumatized by her presence that he never does it?

I was annoyed that Hermione's comment about Harry being on the same level as the prefects was never followed up. (I also wanted more explanation for Umbridge.)

Also, this? So not a kids' book. Maybe now they'll stop writing it up as such.

I don't think they ever will, but I'm wondering if JKR will be critised for using "slut" in a "kids' book". I get a bit worried about how they're still seen as a kids' series - all those adorably excited 8-year-olds in their costumes who might be a bit surprised with the actual content (and their parents, who might be even more surprised!). I've got a cousin that age, I might see how she reacted.

[enelya-oronar.livejournal.com]

I want Hugh Grant to play the Muggle PM, please. We need more Love, Actually incorporation into the Potterverse.

So glad I am not the only person who put Hugh's face on the PM. I completely did this!

[dragongirlg.livejournal.com]

Same here! Also re Love, Actually incorporation: McGonagall's quote at the end about Dumbledore not minding a little more love in the world, re Lupin/Tonks? SO Love, Actually.

[dragongirlg.livejournal.com]

I thoroughly enjoyed the book; I'm sad that others had. And I agree that this is definitely not a "kids'" book. GoF scared me when I was 13. Imagine reading HBP at that age!

I thought Hermione's bathroom reference would be followed up with something to do with snogging, since hormones are apparently raging in this book. Maybe it was edited out?

[enelya-oronar.livejournal.com]

:o) !! <3 All you need is love! (and Hugh Grant!) *grins*

[tetleybag.livejournal.com]

Hm. I think there are different definitions of what is suitable for children in different places, though. American audiences tend to get worked up far more easily about references to anything pre-, peri- or quasi-sexual.

Thanks for clarifying that point for me, though. :)) When I got to that phrase, I wondered briefly whether it would pass through in the American version, too.

[oxnardbrian.livejournal.com]

I was thinking that the whole way through it -- that the kids who started out reading them would have matured in due time, but those who picked it up later may not have.

Any piece of literature can be categorized, compartmentalized, and labeled as anything with the proper focusing of lenses.

--

However, I was also thinking the whole way through it that Christian groups will absolutely HATE this book even more than all of the others -- teachers giving students drinks, all of the other scenes with alcohol, the paranoia and the vindiction in Harry, etc., etc. I can't wait to see what the PR reports are from these groups!

[chthonya]

this book was shining, and it was everything I wanted OotP to be and wasn't [...] I feel light and shining in a way that I haven't about the series in two years.

Seconded. I feel satisfied after this one, with none of the 'was that it?' I felt after OotP.