[HPforGrownups] Are we being too critical? (was: Epilogue (was Re: Ron and Parseltongue))

[Lynda Cordova]

No: HPFGUIDX 183414

CJ:
I'd like to hear you elaborate on your point about the horcruxes not
being found without the DHs, as I'm of a different opinion, namely that
the DHs contributed almost nothing of value to the horcrux hunt;
certainly nothing to justify the plot line's page-weight.

Lynda:
It is not possible, anymore, for me to separate the horcruxes from the
hallows, because Rowling did include the hallows in the story. While Harry
was distracted by the new revelations of the hallows, the horcruxes were
looming in the back of his mind, and when he returned to hunting horcruxes,
the hallows remained a part of the story. Without the hallows, Harry would
not have had the support of his friends and family who had already passed
away, or the ability to wander unseen throughout the army of deatheaters and
without the elder wand in play, Voldemort would not have been defeated. So,
to my way of thinking, the hallows were important to the plot.

Now on the literary criticism. Certainly, questions about how well the story
worked as a story are well worth the time they've been given. I've never
claimed otherwise. Is Rowling the best writer in the world? No. Is she my
favorite writer? No. Not by a long shot, in fact. Is she my favorite fantasy
writer? No. Again, not by a long shot.
Do I think that she could have done a more thorough job with the story if
she had put her mind to it? Yes, I do and we would have gotten a better
story as a result. A much better story. Especially considering the last two
books. Each of them could have been better handled.

I'm not against all negative comments on the series. What I am against is
some of the nearly exclusive negativity that I am seeing on the list. I am
hoping that turns around to a more balanced discussion soon.

Lynda


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