Sarah Monette(SPOILERS) and JKR WAS: Re: JKR's Opinion

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 179932

> >>Alla:
> <snip> ...but I guess I wonder how do you know that JKR did not let 
> the story go where it wanted to? 
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
I know it from the books.  There are too many dangling plot lines, 
characters that pop up only to fade out, character issues that are 
quickly forgotten (or, possibly even worse, treadmilled through again 
and again and again), world-building issues that get brought up and 
then dropped.

Obviously this is just my opinion, but the series reads like a battle 
between the story and the author that the author (to the detriment of 
the story) won.

> >>Alla:
> Do you seriously believe that Monette is writing a story with no 
> outlines in mind? Or do you mean something totally different?

Betsy Hp:
I'm quite sure Monette has outlines.  I'm just equally sure she's not 
a slave to them. (Though of course I have to wait for her final book 
to get the definitive answer. <g>)

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > And to me it's all same old, same old. Harry does his saving      
> > people thing, and he's cool with those who are cool with him. I   
> > didn't see much gray in the books, so I don't see much gray in   
> > Harry or in his world-view.

> >>Alla:
> Same old? Harry hates Snape initially and then Harry forgives       
> Snape. I guess, it is very far from being same old for me. Snape   
> hates Harry till very end and Harry still forgives him. Cool with  
> those who are cool with him?

Betsy Hp:
After finding out Snape dedicated his entire life to Harry's safety, 
Harry forgives him.  That forgiveness doesn't move me much.  It's not 
like it was hard, or anything.  Especially with Snape dead.  So no, I 
didn't see any moment of character growth for Harry here.  (I suspect 
this is something we plain old disagree on though. <bg>)

****MAJOR MONETTE SPOILERS TO FOLLOW****

> >>Alla:
> > <snip>
> > Harry does not kill, even when Lupin scolds him.
 
> >>Betsy Hp:
> > As Mildmay would say, them's weasel words. <g> Harry does what he
> > thinks he has to do. He's just incredibly, amazingly, sheltered
> > compared to either Mildmay or Felix. Harry had options neither
> > Mildmay nor Felix had. And in the end, dead is dead, and Voldemort
> > is dead because of actions Harry took.

> >>Alla:
> Yes, you are right. Them's weasel words. And the words are, in fact 
> facts are that Harry is not a killer and Mildmay and Felix are 
> killers. Harry has an option to use Avada Kedavra on DE and he does 
> not, Harry has an option to use AK on Voldemort and he does not.

Betsy Hp:
Harry had options *other* than killing.  That's why I think the fact 
that Harry doesn't kill is something that sounds pretty while at 
heart means little to nothing (ie weasel words).  I've never killed.  
But it's not something I'd point to as a remark on my character.  I 
live in a civilized nation at a civilized time where kill or be 
killed has never been a question I've had to grapple with.

I'm not a pacifist.  I don't look askance at either soliders or 
police who have had to kill.  I'd like to think that if it came down 
to it I *could* kill to protect myself and/or my own.  But I 
seriously doubt I'll ever have to find out. (And I'm quite grateful 
for that.)

Felix and Mildmay live in a world that would eat Harry alive.  Under 
Felix's Keeper, Harry would have either drowned or burned.  Malker 
would have killed him if they'd ever clashed (though I seriously 
doubt Malker would've had much use for Harry).  Under Mildmay's 
Keeper...  Yeah, Harry would have killed or stolen or done whatever 
she wanted him to do, based on his behavior with Dumbledore.  And he 
would have screwed up in one of the myriad ways you could scew up in 
that lifestyle and either been killed or executed.

> >>Alla:
> <snip>
> The bottom line for me is that sympathetic as I am to Sarah 
> Monette's characters, I do consider them to be quite psychos.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Whereas I'd say both of them (yes, even Felix) are more moral than 
the Trio.  And I'd point to the rescue of Gideon, Benard and Van 
Mortan (I think is his name?) as an example of that.  You could also 
include Mildmay's rescuing that little prostitute from the boat guy 
and Felix rescuing the ghosts of Nera on the list.

The Trio did nothing to help the captured Luna until they were 
literally thrown in with her.  It didn't even cross their minds, 
IIRC.  And of course, we saw their total lack of action with the 
Ministry.  And with Snape for that matter.  Or the suffering students 
at Hogwarts.  Or the underground movement (such as it was) in the WW.

I think the Trio do what benefits them personally.  And, fortunately, 
what benefits them personally also benefits the WW.  But if it's 
nothing to do with them, they don't get involved.  Which is part of 
the reason I don't care for them all that much. <g>

Betsy Hp