The Agony and the Ecstacy

[Steve]

"Carol, who thinks that the main list is taking the 
book's perceived failings too seriously and is hoping 
for some levity here."

I've already spoken about this with Carol off-line,
but it might be something worth discussing in the
group.

I speculated, as I often do, that the reason some
people are so vehemently outspoken and disappointed
in the 7th book, is because they've had so many years
of speculation about what they thought the book was
going to be about, that no book could ever live
up to it. 

I remember speculating about what the 6th book was
going to be about. I was absolutely convinced that the
central McGuffin was going to be a fight between 
Harry and Draco over the Black Family Estate, and
elaborated on it in many long posts. Imagine my 
disappointment when Dumbledore (and JKR) glossed over
the whole thing in a couple of short paragraphs.

I think it is critically important to live in two
separate and unrelated /modes/ with regard to 
reading these books or any other. 

Mode 1 is reader and only reader. When you read, you
simply accept that what is...is. Let the flow of the
story sweep you away and enjoy the ride. 

Mode 2 is analyzer. I keep my analysis of the books
separate from my reading and enjoyment of the books,
and I hope and pray when JKR sees some of the 
negative criticism of here last book, she understands 
that. Even though I my find things to criticize, that
is completely separate from my immense enjoyment of
reading the books.

People who blend those two modes, people who are 
unable to separate them, are likely the one who were
most disappointed. In their minds, after 2 or 3 years
of constant obsession and analysis, they think they
know what the books should be, and are disappointed
when they are not. 

There are many plot lines I would like to have seen.
I would like to see Harry and Petunia sit down and 
have a heart-to-heart. I would like to have seen what
was in Dumbledore's letter to Petunia. ...and many
many more subplots that never panned out. 

But, imagine what a mess the books would have been
if JKR had tried to satisfy the obsessions of every
fan? If she had tried to give every fan the plot 
lines they so desperately desired? It would have been
a hopeless mess. The only thing an author can do is
be true to themselves and to their story, and the
fans will either like it or they won't. But if you 
try to please everyone, in the end, you end up
pleasing no one.

As a Reader, I was thrilled with the books. More than
any other, I simply couldn't put this one down. There
wasn't a single dull moment in it for me. I know some
people complained about the endless Camping Trip, but
I liked that section of the books and really didn't 
think it was all that long. I'm sure in Analysis, I
will find things to complain about, but I hope I am
able to keep my complaints in their proper perspective.

And most of all, I hope JKR understands that I keep
'Reader' separate from 'Analyzer', and that even if
I find something to complain about, as a Reader I
still was thrilled with the last book. 

For what it's worth.

Steve/bboyminn