An Awful Thought

[cat_kind]

No: HPFGUIDX 117316


> Siriusly Snapey Susan:
> While I agree that we'd be better off than w/ the Dickens example, 
> because the notes & final chapter exist, I take exception with the 
> statement that it probably wouldn't be that hard to do.
> 
> Think of the discussion these books generate here.  All the "what 
> if"s and "I wonder"s and "How is she going to"s that we discuss on & 
> on & on.  I think someone could package up the bare bones of what 
> happens to Harry & Voldy and how it all ends, because it's probably 
> there somewhere.  But to tie up all the loose ends we want?  To help 
> us know at the end which were really red herrings and which were 
> clever clues to be brought back in at a later point?  I think it'd be 
> incredibly difficult to do.


catkind:  
Interesting, SS.  Supposing, as I don't like killing off innocent
authors, that Rowling decides she's bored of HP and wants to spend the
rest of her life fly-fishing in antarctica. Who should they hire to
finish the series?  Or should it be a committee?

In answer to SSS - I'd think all the loose-end-tying will be in JKRs
notes for our hypothetical hired hand to use.  She must have been
pretty careful about what clues she's leaving where.

As for us poor punters, no I don't think we're going to guess very
near. Thus far there has been a huge number of new characters, new
creatures and new sorts of magic in each new book.  Whatever happens
next seems likely to involve new stuff and people too, so I don't
think we're going to guess particularly near by just tying up loose
ends.  Or what do people think? Will there be less new characters in
the last books? Might be necessary just to keep the size down...

(Another random question: where will the new characters in the next
books come from?  So far, we have obvious candidates like the new DADA 
teacher, new MoM. I suggest more Unspeakables. Goblins, maybe. What else?)

So yes, we could construct an ending to answer our current questions
and tie up as many loose ends as we can be bothered to tie, as loads
of fanfiction authors have, but I expect JKR to create more questions
and leave plenty of loose ends for discussion even after book 7. 

catkind