[OOP]Re: Did anyone else feel let down by OOP?

[donna_immaculata]

No: HPFGUIDX 64195

--- 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.
>                      -Ron_WizardChess_Weasley

I do agree with you that book 5 was different in many ways. But this was exactly what I liked about it. As I wrote in a previous message:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/63702,

I feel that OotP is a rather character-centred than action-centred book. It is (as someone on this thread already pointed out)clearly a part in the series and focuses on establishing the setting for further action rather than presenting one completed plot. The main plot is basically: waiting for Voldemort to act, and I feel that this creates an atmosphere of breathless suspence! The characters are trapped and condemned to passivity - they don't know what is going to happen and when it is going to happen. (Guarding the prophecy is one aspect of the waiting process.) The entire Umbridge-plot is somehow minor compared with the 'real' evil that is hanging like a sword of Damocles over their heads. (Although, for me Umbridge is the most frightening character so far. To paraphrase Terry Pratchett: Evil can fall over you at night with sharp claws and fangs, or grey, on a list, having an appointment at daytime.) Umbridge's presence has an paralysing effect: There are so many important things to be done, and this woman comes up with ridiculous obstacles, which - and that's the terrible thing - are legal and sanctioned.

Having written thus much, I've just come to the conclusion that OotP is about being trapped: Sirius is trapped in his house, Harry is trapped in his nightmares, Hogwarts is trapped in Umbridge's claws, and everyone is trapped in a more passive state than they could wish for. I bet, all throughout the book they all would welcome a real attack so they could finally be able to *do* something. And, indeed, as soon as Voldemort appears back on scene, the entire machinery of the side of Light can finally get in gear.

When I started writing this message, I actually intended to point out the character development. We get so much more insight into different characters and the ways they act and react: Harry in the first place; we learn so much about Sirius, Petunia, Ginny, Neville, Dudley (I'm looking forward to learning more of Big D's worst memory forced on him by the Dementor), Dumbledore, McGonagall, Molly... Not to mention all the new characters like Luna, Grawp, Tonks and Shacklebolt, who will hopefully be of more importance in future.

Donna Immaculata