OOP: General impressions (spoilers)

[ncdavis1]

No: HPFGUIDX 62881

Hello all,

I'm new, so I should "do the proper" first.  I'm Nina, a librarian 
from OH, and nothing like Madame Pince. :)  I have to say, though, 
after hoisting 240 lbs. worth of OOPs to process them, let alone 
trying to get the holds triggered, I'm all for setting a word cap on 
the next books.  I'm also a writer and reviewer for a professional 
publication, which I admit colors my interpretations.

I'm like some others on the list.  I finished OOP early Mon. morning 
and am still trying to get a firm handle on my feelings.  I can't 
shake the sense that, in some ways, OOP should've been the book 
*before* GoF, because GoF brings us closer to the edge.  OOP is a 
step back.  After the Triwazard Tournament, after Cedric's death -- a 
much better "senseless" death than Sirius's, which became redundant 
in that light -- the only things that really furthered the overall 
story, imo, was Harry's post-Cedric trauma and the new revelations 
about Snape and the Marauders.  

Staying with Sirius for a moment, I too figured out he was The One 
(sorry, Neo) early on in the book, and was prepared for a good cry 
over the emotional scene.  I cry at the drop of hat.  I got nothing.  
In fact, I'm still trying to figure out what killed him.  Did he not 
get hit once with a stunning charm while McGonagall took four and 
lived?  I assumed it had more to do with his falling behind that 
veil -- Dept. of Mysteries is clearly a dangerous place -- but we get 
no clarification.  Nor do we get to feel shock, sadness ... I didn't 
expect a grusome scene, but some emotional tug.  Some indication of 
why Sirius and Sirius alone was the only character whose death would 
do.

I also don't get how the action plot hinges on the Prophecy, not 
after reading what the Prophecy actually said.  Harry and Voldy 
may've been a bit slow on the uptake, but Harry wouldn't be the hero 
if he wasn't the one destined to showdown with the DL.  And I must've 
missed this, so please someone point out to me where Harry's eye 
color is crucial, as previewed by JKR, though perhaps that got edited 
out in the final draft, saved for a later book.  What does seem more 
and more crucial is Harry and Snape's relationship.  They will have 
to both come to terms with the past and the present as part of the 
resolution of the story.

Enough rambling from me.

Regards,
Nina, who really will have to reread that death scene....