JKR's writing in OoP (was Re: Sirius's Future)

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 118006



I'm going to have to split the difference on this one.

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "cat_kind" <cat_kind at y...> 
wrote:
> 
  Why do deaths have to be significant or life-lessons?
> They aren't in Real Life, perhaps that is the point JKR was trying 
to
> make? No, Sirius' death doesn't make much sense, and that's exactly
> why I think it might be well written after all.  

I think this is true.  Death, particularly in war, often is sudden, 
random, and SEEMINGLY pointless (although remember that JKR has said 
there was a reason for Sirius death).

 
> I agree that OotP is odd and jumpy and frustrating and plotless. 
Then
> so's being fifteen years old. Significant?

Actually, no, I don't think it's significant, or if JKR meant it to 
be she did a terrible job of pulling it off.  I'm going to have to 
side with the legions of OOTP detractors and say most of the faults 
you mention aren't some extended metaphor for being 15 but really are 
a sign of laziness, poor planning, shallow thinking, and generally 
very poor writing on JKR's part, an extraordinarily ill-conceived and 
badly executed project considering her splendid work in the previous 
four books.  Even worse, I suspect it is a symptom of burn out on her 
part.  After all, she first began the "brain work" on Harry Potter 
back in 1989, and after fifteen years of dealing with these 
characters, I think she is growing tired of them.  Hopefully she will 
rest, reflect, and learn from her mistakes next time (although 
frankly the title "Half-Blood Prince" doesn't give me a great deal of 
confidence, as it sounds like a bad fanfic).

Lupinlore