Post-HP Depresssion/Indifference

[dwalker696]

No: HPFGUIDX 172933

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, xxshoeboxxx at ... wrote:
>
> Have you felt a feeling of indifference towards the story since 
> you've finished? 
>  
Donna answers:
Hello, yes, I understand a great deal of what you are describing. For 
the last few months I have joked with friends and family, after Book 
7 comes out I will have nothing left to live for, there will nothing 
left for me to read, etc. All completely said as a joke, mind you. 
But then when the Borders clerk handed me my book at 12:12, I 
actually burst into tears, quite unexpectedly. I was so embarrassed, 
I started laughing and babbling excuses, but this sensation of being 
very sad and nervous but elated all at once really took me surprise. 
When I got down to about 100 pages to go, the same feeling came over 
me, the ohmygosh the end is nearly here. When I finished the book 
Saturday evening, I was desperate to talk about it with someone, 
anyone. I couldn't wait to start re-reading it again. Then Tuesday 
came, and the HPFGU posts started, and I was devouring them, I thin 
in part to keep my DH "buzz" going. Then all of a sudden, this 
morning, I got online, opened the first HPFGU digest in my email box, 
read the post titles, and thought: good heavens, who cares? Why does 
this matter? Then, after feeling that emotional flatness in response 
to something that has always charged me up, I felt terribly guilty 
about feeling so apathetic about Harry et al.

Be it a testament to JKR that I am having post-book LET DOWN. Just 
like Christmas let down! Or vacation let down! I have never had let 
down after a book before. But, I do not think this let down will 
last. And when I say let down, I do not mean I am left disappointed 
by the book by any means! I am talking about the emotional void that 
is left after something big and wonderful has been occupying our 
hours and days.

But, already I can feel that apathy starting to slip away a wee 
bit...calling a relative of mine, a librarian and bibliophile who 
also loves Harry, and discussing the book, that helped - having a 
personal conversation with someone vs. reading stranger's posts on 
HPFGU, it got me a bit charged up again. Knowing JKR will be on the 
Today Show tomorrow (even if it is with Meredith Viera who I can't 
stand) has my interest peaked.  I think, clearly Harry has a new 
place in my heart - instead of like a dark, mysterious man of 
intrigue, now that I know all the secrets he has a place in my heart 
more like a comfortable, familiar friend. I told my husband, it's not 
unlike our relationship - went from an exciting roller coaster ride 
with adventure around every turn, into a secure and familiar place to 
cozy up, and explore further depths of the relationship. I know I 
will reread Harry again, and find more things to think about and 
wonder about. Don't be so certain you will feel this way forever. It 
really almost is like grieving, a loss. I know for me, it was such an 
emotionally intense experience, ran the gamut of everything from 
shock to joy to horror to painful sadness to beauty- it's like I used 
all my emotions up, and I need to recharge them. Plenty of people get 
depressed after Christmas, but that doesn't mean they don't get 
excited and happy for Christmas the next time it turns up, and I 
suspect the next time I go in to my daughter's room to listen to her 
still plugging away at DH I will regain my zest for it again. The 
fact that you do feel so down about it being over is proof of, 
conversely, how much positive emotion you felt about it before.

And, I too, have always convinced of Snape's true convictions. My 
children's friends are always asking me who my favorite characters 
are, and when I tell them Hermione and Snape, they are horrified. 
Snape isn't always nice, I tell them, but he is a GREAT CHARACTER. 
Nice doesn't always necessarily mean right, and mean doesn't always 
mean wrong. I had suspected since Book 1 that Sev would die for 
Harry's cause, but I still "miss him". 

Sincerely hoping you feel more cheerful soon-
Donna