communication breakdown

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)

[ 8 / 10 ]

Disclaimer: I will keep my review spoiler-free; however, this does not mean that it is detail-free. I can't tell you anything useful if I don't elaborate somewhat on the storyline. So my promise is to give enough details to be mildly informative, while strictly avoiding the revealing of anything critical. But if you're the kind of person (like myself) who prefers to go into a book completely blind, such that every word is a complete surprise, read no further...

So, how do you bring a complex storyline to a proper conclusion, while fulfilling the hopes, dreams and expectations of millions of rabid fans? This was the modest task laid before J.K. Rowling for the final book in the Harry Potter series. Considering the enormity of the task, I would say that all-in-all she did a bang-up job. Somehow she finds a way to pack in several thrilling battle scenes, a lengthy sojourn for a group of exiles, and tons of critical backstory on several important characters - all while bringing everyone's storyline to a close. To even complete such a task is impressive; to do it well is remarkable. It might have its flaws, but I suspect all fans of the Boy Who Lived will find Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to be a fitting conclusion; maybe not perfect, but certainly worthwhile and fulfilling.

For the most part, the book feels like one big long good-bye: while we see most of the traditional haunts - Privet Drive, Grimmauld Place, Hogwarts, and so on - there is an implicit understanding that we will be seeing all of these for the last time. It feels as though each setpiece has its own farewell: the Dursleys saying goodbye to Harry (albeit smugly); the Weasleys and friends gathering together at the Burrow for the wedding; the whole wizarding world meeting at Hogwarts to choose sides before the epic finale. As if the book was not somber enough, this constant reminder that things are coming to a close only serves to sadden the mood.

At a high level, the story revolves around the trio and their pursuit of the Horcruxes, which is no surprise since Book 6 set up this storyline. But the introduction of the Deathly Hallows was a new angle to the story, the nature of which was a subject of much debate. Without revealing the true identity of the Hallows, I will simply say that they were a welcome addition to the story, and although not introduced until the seventh book, they were written in so well that they didn't seem like a late addition to the canon. The relationship between the Hallows and Horcruxes is a fascinating one, and this is the very impetus that brings forth the true leader in Harry.

A prime focus of this story is this pursuit of leadership, which is only natural, since it has always seemed a bit strange that the whole wizarding world should look to an immature teenager who lacks confidence and direction. Throughout a good portion of the novel Harry struggles with doubts, questions himself and his mentors, and really undergoes a hero's quest to find his true calling. He comes out on the other side prepared to do battle, as we have known for the last 10 years that he must. It is this final step in his development that, up to this point, has been sorely lacking and thankfully finally comes to fruition.

As I alluded to earlier, yet another focus is character development for two major characters: Snape and Dumbledore. In Dumbledore's case, I question the true relevance and necessity of the information that was revealed. It felt a bit out of place, especially so late in the game. Contrast this with the backstory on Snape, a character who has been shrouded in mystery for so long; his story is presented so powerfully, and timed so beautifully within the context of the novel, that it is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the book.

As you might expect, this novel is steeped in death; anything else would have been a disservice to the integrity of the story. People will die; forces of both good and evil, children, creatures, and so on. Major characters are not spared simply on the pretense of being important. The fallout is severe, and magnifies the reality of what is at stake. Half of the fun is finding out who lives and dies, but for each feeling of elation that accompanies seeing someone survive, there is the sadness of watching a close friend pass on. Somehow it's tougher to say goodbye in death than it is to reach the end of the book and know that there are no more pages for the stories of the living.

A thought that came to mind at several points while reading this novel was that it borrowed heavily from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. I felt this was noteworthy because, throughout the first 6 books I never had that feeling, because Rowling has done such a marvelous job of carving out her own fascinatingly creative universe. At first I held this against the book, but the more I thought of it, I realized the sheer inevitability of it. What makes Tolkien's work so unbelievable is its effect on everything after it; there has hardly been a fantasy story written in the last 50 years that hasn't borrowed heavily from it. Given the nature of Rowling's story - an epic battle between good and evil with an unlikely hero - to expect no parallels to Rings would be foolhardy. If anything, her conclusion is a testament and a tribute to the great work that Tolkien started and Rowling has continued, to the delight of countless fans.

Judged on its merits as a concluding piece, Hallows fits the bill. All of the major questions will be answered. Is Snape good or bad? Is Dumbledore really dead? Will Harry & Co. survive? All of these and more are addressed. That being said though, I cannot say it is my favorite book. It has significant weaknesses, including the lengthy focus on Dumbledore's past, and a seemingly interminable portion of the story in which the trio sit around aimlessly and listlessly, doing little but argue and sulk. While such plotlines would have fit well earlier in the story, both felt sorely out of place given the feeling of intense apprehension that was building throughout the book. In my opinion, it is probably the 3rd or 4th best offering - definitely behind Books 4 and 6, and around the same level as Book 3.

This is not said to diminish Rowling's work in any way; on the contrary, the Harry Potter series stands on its own as one of the finest literary series to come along in a great long while, and probably the best in its genre since Rings. There is no weak link, which is probably due to the fact that it is clear now that she knew what she wanted to accomplish from the very first book. The characters are well-developed and utterly real (sometimes painfully so). The surroundings are lush and fascinating, and for every tidbit that delights the imagination, there is an ever-present sense of fear and evil to contrast it. Her universe is truly a magical place.

With any good series, you hate to say goodbye; not just to the characters, but to the world itself. When you finish Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, it's like closing the door on a little portion of yourself - you're not going to want to put it down.