Just finished listening to the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince audiobook. The narrator was really good! I actually found myself laughing out loud at some of the mundane humor inserted throughout the book, which I knew wouldn’t be that funny if simply read and “imagined.” Amazing how far delivery can contribute in the immersion of literature.
Anyways, I’ve got nothing better to do this morning so I thought I’d like to talk about the book of course that is to say that:
POSTS UNDER THIS LINE CONTAIN MASSIVE SPOILERS!
You have been warned, so unless you’ve finished book, don’t continue.
Aside from the previous statements I mentioned earlier, the book was generally darker… well at least at the end of it all. I’d say right up to the last 3-4 chapters, the book was as “normal” as the previous ones.
If you’re still reading at this point, then I’m assuming I can save a lot of text by not repeating the important events in the plot which I will comment on.
ON SNAPE
I don’t think Snape is bad, though I am pretty pissed off at him if Dumbledore is indeed dead. I was kinda hoping that he was perfectly capable of doing a non-verbal spell that can at least dampen the effects of the killing curse, being as able a wizard as he is.
Anyways, back to my theories (which others share, and I’m sure you’ll agree to be reasonable) that support Snape being good is the fact that I believe Dumbledore was prepared for such a scenario and had already discussed to a disagreeng Snape. Remember that “scene” where Dumbledore had a heated verbal argument commanding Snape to do something the latter didn’t want to to?
Another was the fact he looked furious and disgusted at Dumbledore when he spoke Snape’s name pleadingly. Dumbledore, I gather isn’t a man to plead for his life, knowing fully well that he stands by his word… and didn’t he in fact tell Harry that “There are things worse than death”? So his pleading I could imagine pertained to the difficult situation he had put Snape (who had made an unbreakable vow) in… I guess he thinks that his life is less important than Snape’s cover being blown (or that both of them dying would be an utter waste of resources).
There is also the fact that the writing style simply begs of such want to divert attention. Even the earlier books wanted readers to believe the exact opposite of what eventually happened. Anyways, I simply stand by the fact that Snape will play a really big role on the last book.
ON HORCRUXES
I had a stupid feeling that along the way, Harry was a living Horcrux, given how “conencted” he is with Voldemort. The facts however make me think twice: Why is Voldemort trying to kill him then? Perhaps he was disappointed that Harry was capable of not being controlled by the former’s soul.
Of course there’s the other obvious contradiction that he was trying to kill harry at the said moment the latter could’ve been converted into a horcrux… perhaps it was an unintentional act of desperation in Voldemorts part?
ON R.A.B.
The closest I can get would be Sirius’ brother Regalus? What the hell is their middle initial anyways? He could be alive, but I’d gather he’s dead since Grimuald place’s enchantments prefer pure-blood kin over the rest of the family tree (or will for that matter).
In any case, there was a mention of an amulet in Grimmauld which they could not open (not sure which book mentioned it… not even sure if it was mentioned in the latest). Everything would make sense if that were one of the Horcruxes.
ON THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
One nuance was the consistency of the book’s origin. Harry wanted the prince to be his dad right? And one of the reasons the possibility was eliminated was because of the date attached to the book – about 50 years which, aside from James being pureblood seemed to be too young for the book. He had to be about in his late 60s by the time they died for that connection to work.
Having said that, weren’t Snape and James at the same year? Or at least neither them was that old. It would make sense that it belonged to Snape’s mother before, but she was a pureblood right, hence couldn’t possible use the half-blood title.
There’s no question however, about Snape being the Half-blood Prince, but what I’m simply trying to point out here is that we have some inconsistency in the information, which Rowling was supposed to be an expert at. How many times has she diverted our attention only to twist it around and have us find that even the past information fit the bill perfectly.
The only way to save this revelation would be that the book was a mixture of both Snape (to justify the invented spells and the half-blood title) and his Mother’s (the age of the book) notes.
CONCERNS ON THE MOVIE AND STORYLINE
With regards to the movie, I’m curious how they’re going to “pretty” Ginny up. Let’s face it, the actress that plays Ginny Weasley isn’t that pretty (and I’m being overly generous, to the point of lying through my teeth). She is supposed to have grown to be a woman too popular for her own good, as the the book states. I have to say she’d have to be hotter than Hermione, which I must admit has gotten pretty hot nowadays.
With regards to the remainder of the story – how long will book 7 be? Assuming that this R. A. B. person hasn’t conveniently destroyed the other Horcruxes already, how is Rowling supposed to fit those adventures into a single book? Also the fact that if indeed there is no Hogwarts the next book, then Harry would have to learn real advanced magic pretty quickly somewhere. Or maybe the next book will fast forward into the future where Harry, Ron and Hermione as older, wizer, wizards now ready to come out of the woodwork and do some real damage to Voldemort.
All in all, Rowling doesn’t fail to impress. The book is gripping enough to make you crave for more 🙂 Can’t wait for the last installment!