Hmmm. What's your favorite *now*?

[hickengruendler]

No: HPFGUIDX 182971

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "cubfanbudwoman" 
<susiequsie23 at ...> wrote:
 
> 
> That question is:  Now that we're almost a year out from the 
release 
> of DH and the completion of the series, which of the books has 
become 
> your favorite?

The best written is IMO Prisoner of Azkaban. It has a very well 
structured and thoughtful plot. Even Snape's anger in the Shrieking 
Shack, which I always thought to be overdone, makes sense in lights 
of Deathly Hallows.

However, I think the one I enjoyed the most was Deathly Hallows. I 
loved the Trio in this one, particularly Ron, flaws and all. I 
enjoyed Badass!Neville and the Hogwarts rebellion (wish we had seen 
more of this). I loved Neville killing Nagini. I liked the 
Ron/Hermione kiss, Percy's grief about Fred, Narcissa Malfoy 
betraying Voldemort, I enjoyed that old nitch Muriel, and I loved 
what JKR did with Snape and Dumbledore. Even Snape's death I enjoyed 
in a cruel way, because I thought it was fitting. Not because he 
deserved it (definitely not), but because what this scene tells us 
about Harry, Voldemort and Snape. Harry, who showed compassion 
towards the man, who he still thought to be Dumbledore's murderer at 
this point. Voldemort, who had no problems killing the man, who was 
allowed to sit on his right at the beginning of the book, even though 
he didn't know, where Snape's true loyalties were. And Snape, where 
it became crystal clear for everyone, how much he risked everyday. 

I enjoyed Kreacher's Tale and Kreacher in general. And I liked 
Dobby's death scene. So yes, it's Deathly Hallows.
  
> Tangential questions relating to that one might be:  Has your 
> favorite changed over time, or since the series has ended?  Can you 
> explain WHY this book is your favorite?

Well, since DH came last, of course it has changed. For quite some 
time, GoF was my favourite, and I still find it a good read. But it 
lost to PoA and I think even OotP, because by time the plot hole 
regarding the TWT started me to bother more, than it did in the 
beginning.
  
> Then, if you're game, how 'bout these:
> *Which is/has become your least favorite book of the series?  
Again, 
> can you express why?

They all have their good parts and it's none that I really dislike. 
But my least favourite is Half-Blood Prince, because I found the 
middle part simply tedious, especially Harry sneaking after Draco and 
the romance subplots. The Pensieve scenes got too repetetive with 
time as well, but the House of the Gaunts is still one of my 
favourite chapters in the entire series. And I did like both the 
beginning and the end. @ Carol: You are not the only one, who 
likes "The Other Minister". We are at least two.

> *Is there a character you find yourself especially fond of now that 
> it's all over?  Any pourquoi to add?

I'm especially fond of Neville and Luna, and I always was. As a 
character, I'm also fond of Snape, and I always was.

> *Which character would you just love to follow from here on out if 
> you could?  Por que?

None, really. I think the storyline had a fitting end for most 
characters. Which is another reason, why DH is my favourite, because 
I thought, that most characters' stories came to a fitting 
conclusion. Maybe a very minor character from the books, like Euan 
Abercrombie, with whom we could start a completely new tale.

> *Are there chapters or scenes (or whole books) that you skip when 
you 
> (if you) re-read?  Warum?

Hagrid's Tale about the giants. I tried to reread that chapter one, 
and I literally fell asleep. Also basically all Harry/Ginny scenes, 
particularly in HBP.

> *Are there chapters or scenes (or whole books) that you find 
yourself 
> turning to again and again?  Perche?

Neville killing Nagini. Voldemort killing Snape. Neville visiting his 
parents in St. Mungo's. The chapter "The Parting of the ways" in 
GoF. "The Tale of the Prince."

> 
> *Are you surprised at any of your responses?  IOW, is there 
anything 
> about how you feel about the series now that you never expected 
you'd 
> feel?

No, not really.