[Why Not start with something that will make everybody hate me?]
This is the kind of book for which I wish I had the phone number of all its hardcore fans – and by extension the series – just to call them up, say “really?” in the most high pitch, smug voice I can concoct, and immediately hung up after that. I honestly fail to see how it managed to reach the level of popularity it did.
The plot has the depth of a mud puddle. It was one of the emptiest, flattest books I’ve read in a while. It just felt like a movie turned into a book. Books are supposed to be books, and movies are supposed to be movies. They both tell stories, but they aim at completely different things. HP limited itself to telling a story; a fun, entertaining story, but a just story nonetheless. I don’t think it’s possible for the readers to get something out of the book other than the story itself.
Regarding the story itself... well, I just don’t think I get it. Yes, it was fun sometimes, and the last chapter was so eventful that nothing but those pages exist when you’re reading it. But, I still found the book to be dull. Most of the book lacked tension, so I didn’t really felt compelled to continue reading it. And after ploughing through the book, the story itself proved not to be that exciting.
All this aside, however, Rowling is an amazing writer. When it comes to pace, few other books can keep up with hers. She paints images and pictures simply wonderfully. So well, that no reader can say they lost any of the action because of her writing. And she has this something that I can’t manage to pinpoint that somehow explains her success.
All in all, the book was... a kid’s book. A meaningless, yet undeniably fun book. Something that you give your 12 year old to make them read something. Something to pass the time while commuting to school, or waiting at the airport.
1 comments:
I like your take on how you felt this novel to be "a movie turned into a book." I felt the same in the sense that the author was sort of out there to get the plot out; event after event with little left in between. I also agree that Rowling's ability to capture one's imagination is what makes her books so appealing to such broad range of audience.
Overall enjoyed reading your review; very honest, and controversial. DFDBA
- friendly neighborhood hero
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