[the_old_crowd] What are our expectations?

[susiequsie23]

Snow:
>>> I tend to agree. many persons I have viewed on the main list have
already teetered in this direction.in fact some time ago. Many have
stated that if this or that does or doesn't happen they will sell,
burn or otherwise mutilate the books. <<<

SSSusan:
MANY have stated?  Or just one rather vociferous & forceful person whose 
favorite word is "reprehensible"?

:-)

In all seriousness, I guess over at Main I *haven't* seen so many people 
saying they will ditch, burn, mutilate or barf upon their books, other than 
that one person who insists upon telling us that every whipstitch.


Snow:
>>> How sad that these very people do not acknowledge how much these
books have accomplished by bringing together so very many different
ethnicities and religions to a common ground to learn from each
other. JKR has created much more than a book series, she has
connected friendships that will last long after the books and its
world (no matter the outcome) have ceased.  I'm fairly certain that
no one can say that of Dickens. This is the first time in history
that fans can and do interact with the author in such a manner as
this. <<<

SSSusan:
D'accord.  It's a certainty that numerous of us will be peeved or 
disappointed to *some* degree at the end, some seriously so, others (and I 
place myself as most likely being in this group) only slightly so.  Even 
with those annoyances or frustrations, it's been a KICK to be a part of this 
whole experience.  I have made some incredible friendships along the way.  I 
have contemplated things I never dreamed I would contemplate.  Wouldn't 
trade that for the world.

Also, whenever people dish on JKR for her failings, while I am willing to 
listen and to commiserate with some bits of it, overall I'm still stunned at 
what she has done.  Can anyone really imagine pulling off what she is 
pulling off?  An UNpublished author, coming up with an idea she's unsure 
anyone will buy into, then discovering the whole world is interested and 
having to finish the thing?  And not just a trilogy or something, but a 
SEVEN-book series.  Talk about daunting.

Not to mention how truly amazing it is that she has developed a character in 
Severus Snape that has people -- after SIX books of him in a pretty damn 
major role -- arguing tooth & nail about who, what and why he is.  Not just 
kids, but adults.  Intelligent, thoughtful, well-versed-in-the-series 
adults.  We argue for DDM!, ESE!, OFH! possibilities for this man, and 
frankly, each argument has tremendous strong points.  How has she DONE that? 
It's amazing!  She's given us a ton but no true slip-ups.  She's given us 
that brilliant line about "Where would I be if I had not known how to act?" 
and it captures it all.  Aha -- so he's a good actor!  But just when is he 
acting and when is he not?  We. Don't. Know.

No matter where the series goes, how it concludes, what she leaves hanging, 
how annoyed I am with her for what she does or doesn't do, I'm going to 
appreciate the jewel she's given us.

Call me a sap.  I don't care. :-)


Snow:
I have, and will remain to be totally gripped to the ending whatever
she has had in store for any of the characters. JKR is a phenomenal
writer and whatever place she needs to take me, no matter the
outcome, I will admire that should stood by her own convictions.

SSSusan:
Yep.  Me, too, Snow.

Siriusly Snapey Susan