Newbie, difficulty getting into OoP

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 146683

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Sherry" <ladyluck41 at y...> wrote:
>
> Hi all, 
> 
> Thanks to my daughter's urgings, I finally started reading the HP 
> series and I am now starting Book 5...I read 1-4 in 2 weeks as I 
> could not put them down.  I am finding, however, that I am having 
> a difficult time getting into this book...I wonder why.  Any 
> suggestions?
> 
> "ladyluck41"
>

bboyminn:

I too found it harder to keep my focus while reading OotP and HBP. To
some extent I can make allownances though. GoF, my favorite book, was
written at the peak of JKR's creative expanse. At that point she could
go anywhere and do anything without limit, but now with book 5 and
book 6 she has to start closing down the story. 

It is like GoF was the wide end of a funnel and book 7 will be the
narrowest end. She doesn't have the freedom to expand the story
without limit. In fact the story, as I said, must contract. She has
specific clues that need to be laid, and specific things that must be
said, and that restricts where the story can go.

Now, after some time has passed and we are away from the hype and
anticipation, I find a leisurely read of OotP and HBP very enjoyable.
In fact, I just finished HBP last night and I found the final scene
very moving. 

Even though the last two books are not as captivating and enthralling
as the previous books, they are still good books, and I'm sure you
will find that later slower reads will indeed be rewarding. JKR's
worst book, is still better than 90% of the drivel that is published. 

As a side note, I would say that CoS and HBP are my /least/ favorite
stories, but Chris Rankin (Percy Weasley in the Movies) rated CoS and
HBP are the best stories in the series. So, to some extent, it is a
matter of taste. CoS and HBP had what Chris looks for in a story;
perhaps he likes darker mysteries, whereas I like action/adventure.

The point is that you would have to be inhumanly strong to stop
reading the series now. Regardless of the lower mood in HBP and OotP,
I still can't wait to find out what happens next. So, I say keep
reading and you will find a good story there as a whole, even if parts
of it drag a bit.

Just a thought.
Steve/bboyminn