Did anyone else feel let down by OOP?

[gabnai1]

No: HPFGUIDX 63979

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Debbie" <debmclain at y...> wrote:
> >   -Ron_WizardChess_Weasley writes: 
> > I was just not impressed by OOP the way I was by the first four 
> > books. Maybe it was the lack of sleep between going to work and 
> > trying to stay up late when I got home to read it but... I was 
> > finding that eventually the only reason I kept turning the pages 
> was 
> > to find out who died. In fact the only part of the book that I 
did 
> > really enjoy was Neville. The way that he is finally starting to 
> show 
> > his true potential is a long time a comin'. Overall I felt let 
down 
> > and disappointed. Did anyone else feel the same way? Let me know.
> 
> 
> "John Hatch" wrote: 
> > First, I will say I think you're brave for posting this :) 
> Seriously, it is refreshing to know there are people who won't love 
> something no matter what.
> > 
> > Having said that, I can't say I felt even remotely the same way. 
I 
> actually thought OOP was the best of the five books. JKR has 
written 
> a brilliant tale, IMO. I loved reading every minute of it. Now, I 
> might argue that this book wasn't as fun as the others, because of 
> the almost constant presence of Professor Umbridge, who just made 
> life a living hell for everyone. However, the fact that I blame 
> Umbridge and not JKR is a testament to her writing skills. I found 
> myself loathing Umbridge - not loathing JKR for creating her and 
> taking the story down this path - I hope that makes sense.
> 
> 
> Me/Debbie:
> Thanks for your post, Ron. I agree with John that you are brave to 
> post your feelings. Saying that, I somewhat agree with you. The 
> reason I asked others to rank the book was because I wanted to know 
> if I was the only one who didn't love it (apparently, I/we are).
> 
> I mean, I really like the book alot, but I had some problems with 
it. 
> Some of it could be attribuated to the fact that I read the entire 
> thing in one 12 hour sitting (1:30am-1:30pm). And I just recently 
> discovered I missed one full page completely - and it was a good 
one 
> (Sprout giving Harry 20 points for passing the watering can).
> 
> However, I am realizing others here at HPfGUs have the same 
> questions, so I'm not just being stupid and missing the point about 
> the "weapon" and why the prophecy was so important. Thank God for 
> this listing, because now I understand the book better. I really 
> think I'm going to like it even more when I read it again - and 
more 
> so with even further readings.
> 
> The anger Harry has, did not bother me. As my husband says, "it's 
> about time he acted like a teenager." I guess the only 
disappointment 
> (and I really would like to use a different word, but can't think 
of 
> any right now) I had was the lack of suspense. I'm not a mystery 
> reader, but I guess that's what I loved about GoF and PoA. Not to 
> mention the surprise endings! But JK knew we would be looking for 
the 
> same thing, so changed her tactics. 
> 
> I think the main point of this book was to get us ready for the 
next 
> two books. Maybe the reason for Sirius' death was to prepare us for 
> the ones to come. In her Today Show interview, JK said more 
> characters that we loved would die. So I'm looking at OoP as if 
it's 
> bridging the first part of the series to the second part.
> 
> I, too, have discovered I like Neville now, and Ginny doesn't annoy 
> me as much, although now that she's not interested in Harry now, I 
> think that Ship may happen (I think her comment about Dean Thomas 
was 
> to throw her brother off).
> 
> Anyway, I, too, have probably offended many. I personally rank this 
> book right in the middle, 3rd place out of the 5 books. However, I 
am 
> still very excited about the next two books. I think JK is a 
brillant 
> writer and will definitely be waiting in line for the next book.
> 
> -Debbie

Honestly people.  Stop worrying about offending others by not liking 
a book!  That is not offensive!  Calling people names or slundering 
their families is (see: Draco Malfoy).  This place is to exchange 
ideas and opinions!  I have yet to see anything that is remotely 
offensive.

All that said, I should say I was kind of dissapointed with the 
book.  But can I really say I was disappointed when I was so engaged 
I could not put it down?  No, not really.  I think I really loved it, 
and you are right, this board makes me think about it in a different 
light.  I think I will really love it when I read it again; perhaps 
this may turn out my favorite - happened with many things I have not 
liked first...  

So what is disappointing?  All that you said, the lack of suspense, 
too much Umbridge, too much of Harry's anger, the delay of the 
furthering of the plot, too little action... But maybe this is just 
because we expected a book like the others, all of which were a whole 
story in themselves, whereas this one is clearly a part of a series, 
devoted to character development and slow preparation of the next 
books.  

This book introduces a new side to pretty much all major characters - 
Harry, Sirius, Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Ginny, Ron, Neville, 
Aunt Petunia, etc.  We also see new locations - the ministry and the 
hospital, Sirius's house.  

I think I really love this when I read it again.

Marta