Whew. I'm done. HOORAH!!! You can't see me, but I'm doing a little dance. You know, that "I survived The Order of the Phoenix" dance. I mentioned earlier the trouble I had getting this book from the library, but I finally snagged it. (That little kid didn't really want it anyway-- he was very happy to hand it over, honestly. And he wasn't crying. That was something in his eye.)
What an achievement! I sustained minor damage to my vision, my family lived solely on sandwiches and chips for days, a weeks worth of laundry is waiting on me, and I haven't bathed in four days, but it's done. (I'm kidding about the bathing thing.) But, man, what a whopper of a book.
I'm going to talk about it now, so don't read anymore if you haven't caught up yet. Or if you're bored beyond belief. Or if you're too busy. Or you're just too lazy to click the link.
Oh good. You're still here!
I went back and read Aaron's odd thoughts on the subject, but haven't read anyone else's. I'm lazy. So, let's rehash this and save me the trouble of searching everyone's archives again.
I know Harry has had a load of trouble, I feel for him, I really do. But, I have to admit at one point I was wondering if he'd ever stop whining and snapping at everyone. I was glad to see that by the end of the book, he seemed to come to terms with some of it. I guess all 16 year olds are pills, not just the Muggles. I guess having all your family killed can make you cranky, too.
And man oh man, that Professor Umbridge-- I can't think of the last time I disliked a character in a book so much. I was fuming over her. I kept thinking that the quill that Harry had to write with, and the subsequent slight scarring from the words, would play out to something, but I guess I was wrong. Still, what a witch! I mean, not the good kind either. Oh you know what I mean. What exactly HAPPENED to her with the centaurs?? (what a superior lot those are, huh?)
Do you think Harry can make it through the Auror requirements? Obviously, he's got the Defense Against the Dark Arts down, but I don't know about the other stuff...
What would Hermoine choose as her career choice? Will it be something with S.P.E.W? Is there going to be a further story line with the house elfs?
Is Percy going to eat crow and make amends with his family? That jerk. I hope he gets his comeuppance.
And let me say, I just love Professor McGonagall. She is so freaking awesome. I wanna be her when I grow up.
Anyway, I just wanted to unload some of my Harry Potter energy. Now, I've joined the rabid mob of impatient fans, counting the days until the next book or movie. Sigh. I knew this would happen. Dang you, brain! I told you no more long series, and you just went right ahead and did it anyway!! I hate you, cerebral cortex. You'll pay for this. Oh yeah. Your days are numbered, buddy.
I'm going to bed. It's getting a little too silly in here for me.
Posted by Shannon at November 21, 2003 12:24 AM | TrackBackHarry annoyed me, too. I don't think he will pass Auror training, because he doesn't have the brains to put clues together. (He was really dumb in Goblet of Fire.)
Hermione will do something socially aware for her career. The whole wizarding world will have a cultural revolution (not the Little Red Book type), which is foreshadowed by the destruction of the Fountain of Magical Brethren.
Percy won't eat crow and make up. He'll die. Draco will also be another "traitor" and will go over to the good side.
These are just my opinions, of course.
And to burn off your HP energy, go to and read many people's opinions of the future of the Harry Potter universe.
Have fun!
Posted by: Krista at November 21, 2003 03:54 PMHarry was a lot darker and moodier in this book. Hopefully in the next one, JKR will let Harry lose some of that teenage angst he's developed. Check out www.hpprogs.blogspot.com for some good HP analysis and predictions!
Posted by: peninah at November 24, 2003 10:35 AM