[the_old_crowd] HBP - first impressions

[Mike & Susan Gray]

Barry wronte,

> S
> P
> O
> I
> L
> E
> R
> S
> P
> A
> C
> E
> A
> N
> D
> A
> B
> I
> T
> M
> O
> R
> E
> 
> 
> Apart from serious outbreaks of totally unnecessary slushiness (Jo  
> seems determined to pair absolutely *everybody* off - even Filch and  
> Pince), this one is the best in the series so far IMO. 

After a second and third read of the last 40 or so pages in the train to
and from our football game, I'd like to second the notion. This book is
GOOD. Jo's writing is tough and robust and emotional. This passage
(despite Jo's CAPS troubles) really does it for me:

'DON'T - ' screamed Snape, and his face was suddenly demented, inhuman,
as though he was in as much pain as the yelping, howling dog stuck in
the burning house behind them, '- CALL ME COWARD!"

Harry, Snape and Draco move me deeply here. And Dumbledore's interaction
with Draco is off the charts.

For me at least, Jo's hit a home run. (BTW, and I think the lovey-slushy
stuff is cute, and also ironic. Jo's winking at us and snickering in the
background.)

Baaaaaa!

Aberforth's Goat (a.k.a. Mike Gray) 
_______________________

"Of course, I'm not entirely sure he can read, 
so that may not have been bravery...."