[HPforGrownups] Harry's fate WAS: Re: RE Snape and Petunia

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 155899

  KJ writes:

    I wouldn't re-read the books because of disappointment with the ending,
or dissatisfaction with the ending, at least I am trusting that JKR will
ensure that doesn't happen.  It is more likely to be a case of a book or
series of books that are so complete in themselves, tell the story so well,
and end the story with such finality, that there is no need to re-live it. I
also read LoTR, once in my high school days, with little understanding of
it.  When I read it thirty years later, it was with greater understanding.
It had the perfect ending, and no questions unanswered. I can safely say
that I will not read it again. It has nothing more to tell me. If JKR does
her job correctly, regardless, of the ending, the story will be finished. We
can not go back to the innocence of PS/SS because we have a much more
educated view of the WW. 
  We all re-read the books now looking for clues, and looking for
answers.Once we have those answers, I think most of us will keep the books
as an enjoyable journey, without having to make the same journey over and
over. I certainly would not burn, shred, slice or dice them as has been
threatened by some. Regardless of the ending, it has been a great ride.
KJ


Sherry now:

But I do reread for the fun, for the innocence and all the rest.  I actually
do not try to find clues or try too hard to figure out the plot.  I would be
horrified to guess it before the last book, though I always try to beat the
author to figuring it out before the end.  I guessed very early that Sirius
Black was not trying to kill Harry and guessed part way through that moody
was the person who put Harry's name in the goblet of fire.  However, where
she shocked me was Scabbers in POA, and the true identity of moody in GOF.
I expected Dumbledore to die in HBP, but was utterly struck speechless by
the how he died.  Yet still I reread, just for the fun, for the magic, for
the laughs, for the relationships.  Because the characters have become
friends, and because I like Harry and want to visit with him again.  That's
why I am an avid rereader of books, for the fun, for the characters.  I
reread anything I enjoy.  I even reread mysteries.  I reread LOTR at least
once every two years.  

However, if Harry dies, I won't be able to ever read them again, because no
matter how it is done, it will be too painful to know that this poor kid,
who had so much unhappiness in his life never got to be happy.  After all,
at the end of the action, he will still only be 17, not like Frodo in LOTR
who was an adult after all.  And Frodo wasn't necessarily the main
character, though he was one of the main characters.  For example, I can't
read OOTP, because knowing that Sirius is going to die is too upsetting for
me.  Not only do I love the character of Sirius, but his fate is so
dreadful, being in prison, at the mercy of dementors for a crime he never
committed, then dying before his name was cleared and before he could do
anything for his godson.  no, I don't mean like give him anything, but
before he could fulfill the parental role.  So, even when I do try to read
that book, I have to stop well before the ending.  I can't bear to think of
Harry's pain in those moments.  So, if Harry dies in the end, no matter how
well written the ending is--and I expect it will be well written--I will
never be able to read the books again, because I can't handle endings
without hope.  A book's ending doesn't always have to be happy, but there
has to be hope.  So, for me, an avid and constant rereader, to the point
that I can read my favorite mysteries many times, I just couldn't do it.
That doesn't in any way mean that it hasn't been a great ride, going through
these books, and I'll always love books 1 through 3, but just couldn't read
them again if we lose Harry.

Sherry