Did anyone else feel let down by OOP?

[ggershman77]

No: HPFGUIDX 63992

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "ron_wizardchess_weasley" 
<RonWeasley_is at m...> wrote:
> 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.
<snip>

I agree.  I would have to say that overall, this one worked the 
least well for me.  The story was way to long, the whole Umbridge 
sub-plot was tedious, repetitive and only served to add example 
after example to the main theme of the book (trust).  This book 
could have been 350-400 pages, and still would have been a good 
story.

Also, Rowling tries the same tactic as she used in GoF, namely, 
Harry is at school and Voldemort is outside plotting something 
against him.  Only in GoF there was someone in Hogwarts that was 
trying to get Harry, and we didnt know who.  There were many 
possible candidates, and the answer ended up being a bit of a 
surprise.  This time, however, the two plot lines (Voldemort after 
Harry, and what is going on at Hogwarts) were completely 
disconnected and didnt flow well together.  They were unrelated.  
Harry kept having dreams, finally falls for one, and that is it.  I 
thought it was a bit weak, and the fact that the book was so long 
didnt help any.

Also, Rowling is falling for the Hollywood ploy.  Notice that 
Arabella Figg, an old woman, is replaced (she ends up a Squib, not a 
wizard) with the younger, more marketable Tonks character.  Tonks 
definetly would be better as a movie character than Figg (besides, 
we already have one old lady witch - McGonagall).

Also (breath), did anyone else feel like the fight scenes read more 
like a movie script than a book?  I felt like Rowling was trying 
more to convey the action than narrating the story.  It felt like a 
movie, less like a book.

And dont get me started on the whole "let's break into Umbridge's 
office again" thread.  Yeesh.

There is nothing wrong with not liking the book, or of being 
critical of it.  This is only one of 7 books, some are bound to be 
better than others.  I personally feel this was not one of the 
better ones, and that Rowling should try and keep the plots simpler, 
less convoluted and more focued.

I still enjoyed reading it though.

Greg

p.s. - Follow my OotP posts on http://hpprogs.blogspot.com/