The Agony and the Ecstacy

[dumbledore11214]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <bboyminn at ...> wrote:
<SNIP>
> 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. 
><SNIP>


Alla:

I do not know if I would go for **critically important** - everybody 
reads differently, but for ME, for my experiences what you said is 
definitely true.

It is true in a sense that my experience can be described in a sense 
that somebody told me offlist.

"All the theories I hated are now canon, but she did it so well". 


I mean, not all theories, but certainly several big ones.

I mean, absolutely, I am actually quite proud of myself that no 
matter how much I wanted some of my wishes to come true, I was still 
able to live in separate reader mode and enjoy the book immensely.

I cannot guess, no, if I was still able to enjoy the book if my major 
wish would not have come true, BUT I also wanted several other things 
that did not come close and I still love it, love it, because I am of 
the opinion that good story is ALL that JKR owes us, nothing more and 
to me JKR delivered that good story. Opinions differ of course.

Again, I fully accept everybody's right to criticise the story, each 
and every angle of it.

After all people who are dissapointed spent many years as well 
analysing the books, awaiting with the baited breath how the story 
ends, I feel it is their right as readers to have their say and I 
certainly find some things to criticise, BUT am I changing my opinion 
of the worth of the book as a whole?

Nope, I think it is a fascinating story, with all plot holes and 
awkwardness in it.

JMO,

Alla