Deathly Hallows - First Impressions

Well

I loved the book. But that’s cos like I said, it means something a lot different to me. I know I pre empted myself before even reading the book that it would be perfect. But I guess that is exactly how I see it, it was perfect. She did not make a Martyr of him (Harry) instead gave him the toughest task of all. Fulfilling people's expectations and living as an ordinary person thereafter. I find that satisfying. In life it is not only important to be extraordinary but also be ordinary. That Harry comes through all of this very human, that is the triumph. Wizard or no wizard.

I think the hardest part for me was all the deaths, yes. But Snape’s death in the end was hardest I had a feeling it was coming. Also had the feeling that he was going to end up being the true martyr. Of course the Pensive thereafter proved me right and made it all the more cringeworthy. He had to be a certain way all his life because that is what people thought of him. Regardless of whether he did right or wrong. So he gave up caring and acted on what people expected of him. He was no Umbridge yet he was always considered evil. In the end people see what they want to see. Dumbledore's own remark to him "sometime we sort too early" and Harry confirms it himself to Albus Severus "you are named after two hogwarts headmasters and he was the bravest man I knew". He hated Snape but finally saw what a lifetime of bitterness and rejection did to him.

Dumbledore essentially becomes the major part of the book. He is humanised to an extent where we realise that he was not perfect but that does not matter. That past actions have no bearing on the direction he took in the future. His ideas were not that far away from Tom Riddles yet somehow along the way they made different choices in their life. That made all the difference.

Last but not the least the entire play between Ron, Hermione and Harry finally brings out their differences and their strengths of being together. Harry grows emotionally stronger and his last showdown with TOM RIDDLE shows he has picked up his mentor's ability to appear cool and composed perhaps even garner that little twinkle in his eye.

I guess that was my first impression of the book. I am sure in the years to come I will chew on this more. As and when I return to the books I will probably learn and understand something new.

- I wrote this a few days after reading the final book sometime in 2007 . Those who know me know my passion for these books. So I thought this would make an apt first post.