If you’re wondering why I’m only reading this now, it’s because I’ve been collecting the series in paperback and the last one only came out this summer. I’ve been a year behind since the start which is why I was champing at the bit to find out ‘the ending that everyone else knew’. So what happens? I’m sitting on a beach and my brother from New Zealand who I see once a year comes striding up and shouts: ‘Oh, Harry Potter, doesn’t she kill him off in the end?’ Honestly, I could have killed him off then and there. Anyway, as you no doubt know it’s not as simple as that so, having got over my ire and well aware that you’ve all discussed this on 26 Books ad infinitum, here’s my twopenn’orth.
I loved it. OK, the first section drags on way way way too long but the dénouement more than makes up for it. I really don’t mind about the back-story possibly slowing down the ending – in fact, I think it’s essential that it’s there, particularly for paperback tortoises like me who have struggled to remember the plot from Day One. I like the fact that at the climax Harry gets to do something completely on his own for a change and do it with courage. The penultimate scene with “He Who Must Not Be Named” reminded me of the scene in The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe where Lucy and Susan watch Aslan’s ritual execution before his Christ-like resurrection. I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t a direct lift and again I don’t mind. After all, it means we get the ending we all secretly wanted.
I’m trying not to give the plot away here but it’s not easy. If I’ve failed miserably, I’m sorry. Must run in the family.
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