Prologue (was Epilogue?) - Aside on *Remus* Lupin

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 41181

PROLOGUE

Erasmas wrote:

> In another interview Rowling said it's
> getting more and more 
> difficult to write in the essential background as
> required. Some of 
> it was a bit awkward for book 4; it's hardly
> surprising considering 
> how all the plot elements are so richly entwined.
> 
> Is anybody else expecting a synopsis for OOP? Would
> you prefer the 
> books to continue with the increasing number of
> asides so that each 
> book could be read easily without having read the
> rest of the series?

I assume you're talking about the increasingly long
bits where we learn what Harry looks like, what that
scar is all about, why he lives with his aunt and
uncle, how many times he's come face-to-face with
Voldemort and what happened, and who his best friends
are.  She divvied them up into at least two parts in
GF (basics in chapter 2, details of how James and Lily
died in the first DADA lesson).  I think that in GF
she did spare us the information that he's a wizard.

NO, I don't want these synopses, and wish to sweet
heaven she would leave them out.  She has described
the series as a novel in seven parts, and although I
know she's being a bit flip--obviously each book is
designed as a complete novel in itself--they are a
continuous story, and are meant to be read in order. 
Those who foolishly ignore this fact run the risk of
being confused and (at least in the case of reading 4
before 3) suffering major spoilage.

I know it's easy to say when you know the first four
books inside out, but honestly, is anyone going to
pick up number five and read it without having read
the others?  Don't we all know that before starting a
series, we should check with our friendly neighborhood
librarian and say "Do you have to read ____ in order
or should I just jump right in?"  Don't we do this
even with books that were written generations ago?  So
what exactly is Jo afraid of?

REMUS

At the risk of sounding like Amanda "Let Me Show You
This Handy Diagram Explaining Exactly What Snape Heard
in the Shrieking Shack, It's on Its 15th Edition"
Geist:  readers cannot deduce lycanthropy from Lupin's
first name for the simple reason that they do not know
it until after Hermione has informed them, and he has
confirmed, that he is a werewolf.  Unless we're not
only reading the books out of order but reading the
chapters out of order.  The first mention of the name
"Remus" is by Sirius in chapter 18, a few pages after
the revelation in question.  Those of us who guessed
he was a werewolf early on must have done so on the
basis of his last name or some other clue.  I'm not
just being a LOON--I'm trying to give JKR the credit
she's due, as she clearly held off on letting us know
his first name on purpose.

Amy Z

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