Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? Anyone read it?

[winddance]

I have to admit that I peeked at the last chapter after I was over halfway through. Bad me. But, I was glad I did. I finished early yesterday afternoon.

My friends and I are debating whether books 5-7 are actually appropriate for children. What do you think? I mean, I'm just happy to see kids (and adults of all types) reading, but there was an awful lot of life/death going on in the final 3. Very, very interesting.

[Zen]

I'm more of a Nancy Drew fan

[Mr. Bloom]

I'm more of a Nancy Drew fan

Yeah, but is Nancy Drew a billionaire????

[snapdragen]

Finished! No spoilers - it ended as it should have. I'm very pleased.

[Geonz]

I didn't read 'em for a while - usually what is popular with the masses is dross to me. My librarian friend said they were good stories... and they are.
I would definitely start with the first one... and it's a bit of a slow start, too. Hang on... once you're in, it picks up and is tons of fun.
THe fourth book or so things do change radically and go from kids' adventures to darker stories that involve the whole world.
I do sympathize with an English prof here who said she stopped at the third book because she was disappointed that the whole society had such strictly stereotyped roles, especially gender roles (but not limited to that). I'd already accepted that... that this was a story of heroic action by very imperfect people in a very imperfect society (and I love how the wizard world's "little issues" unfold... goblin politics and all...) tho' there are chapters where the teenagers are being so annoyingly Teenager that it's almost like watching a soap opera and I wish they would just GET OVER IT
Most folks I know figured that she'd find *some* way to give us a Snape Surprise. It was a little bit "out there," since Dumbledore's behavior wasn't quite typical of him... you'da thunk he'd learned... but all in all, very satisfactory.
Here, I could pay in advance and get in the "pre-paid" line with my ticket at midnight and trade ticket for book... *very* fast-moving line. Then ride home, read 'til 2:00 a.m., go to bed and get up and lead my bicycle ride, pause for reading occasionally (when we stopped to eat), back home for a nap, read, eat, finish it... gotta tell you, my dreams were sort of invaded and I had to sort out book from dreams at one point!
For kids? Welp, it gets pretty dark.
I read a post from a teacher and mom who had trouble 'cause of the "B" word, whereas I realized I had trouble with the situation wherein it was used; it portrayed vengeance-is-the-perfect-climax. (The idea that that was no problem, but saying B**** was rather disturbed me. It's okay to kill, but be polite while you do it ?!?!?)

[amymisk]

I haven't started my copy yet, too wrapped up in TdF.

My favorite story has been Goblet of Fire.

I can't wait to start this one, but I hesitate since it is the last.

[rocknrollgirl]

My pre-ordered copy arrived by owl Saturday morning and I finished Sunday night. Would have been done earlier, but training got in the way. I loved it.....
I am having post harry blues right now.

[slinkedog]

I have 3 under the age of 8 and I haven't read any of the books to them yet. Even the unicorn blood part in book 1 would freak them out. My almost 8 year old will probably be ready to read the first couple this year. I guess it depends on the kid.

[margo49]

After getting it 36 hours after Everyone Else due to the Theocracy I am living under *and* trying to fit it in with the TdF...I finished it last night.
The best book since the first one. Lots of action and wonderful themes about Life, love, racism, power going to people's heads, and teenagers biting off more than they can chew but surviving and winning through. Brilliant ending or endings.

[Mr. Bloom]

Without saying anything else, I think that Snape has consistently proven to be the 'richest' character in the sense of depth and dimension. While Harry is the star, JKR really made a masterpiece in his character...right to the end, we're still guessing, "is he or isn't he????"

Slinke, I agree that your kids are way too young...and a couple of the movies are way too 'dark' for such an age. But then, their 'age' will have its own epic blockbuster someday

PS: SilverSon finished it last night...that means I'm now fully informed

[jeannierides]

Ok, it looks like I may just be the last living human to not have read any of the HP books! I am an avid reader, just never thought I would be interested. Evidentally that's heresy (or close to it)! I was sitting by the pool Sunday, reading my latest who-done-it, when my SO saw that a nearby sun-worshipper was reading a HP book... needless to say... almost an hour later I was ready to hit him over the head for even asking, 'cuz she was still talking...
Ok, so here's the question... should I start now with the first... or just hop on the last one...

[Cyclo Kitty]

Begin at the beginning-- it won't be as much fun if you don't, and the foreshadowing and tension won't work as well. You'd need to at least start with the Prisoner of Azkaban, and the first two are so short (comparatively) that they'll be like canapes to the main course of the later novels.

The Deathly Hallows is really the best one, better written and constructed, I thought.I read the book straight thru on Saturday starting at about 7 pm...I was sleepy on Sunday! Then DH and I saw Order of the Phoenix yesterday on our one kid-free day. I will say that I was glad to have seen the movie after finishing the last book--it really made Snape so much more interesting and even a poignant character, even in his chilliness.

My 8-almost-9-year-old son loves Harry Potter, and wants to start reading the first one. It's a stretch for him (he's dyslexic) but I think worth trying.

[Mr. Bloom]

Ok, it looks like I may just be the last living human to not have read any of the HP books! I am an avid reader, just never thought I would be interested. Evidentally

Actually, you're wrong. I've never read a single one - cause I'm from Alabama and don't know how to read - why read when you can seen the movie?

Hey Meg!! You come up with the funniest avatar pics!!!

[Trek1500]

[QUOTE=Mr. Silver;226611]Without saying anything else, I think that Snape has consistently proven to be the 'richest' character in the sense of depth and dimension. While Harry is the star, JKR really made a masterpiece in his character...right to the end, we're still guessing, "is he or isn't he????"

I absolutely agree.