Wow, I got this book yesterday after searching for ages because everywhere was sold out!
Despite being smaller than the previous two books, it is in fact a spectacular read so far, I'm really enjoying the style in which the whole thing is written.
Just one thing that annoys me though is the way that Rowling seems to think she has to add a different creature into the story every book. First giant spiders, then dementors and now zombies? Sounds a bit silly if you ask me.
Anyway, post your comments on the book and be sure to hide spoilers, ([ hide] and [ /hide]), I know some people have the tendency to get mighty peed off when certain things are revealed!
Page *** is the best.
Edit: Even if it is poorly written!
Edit 2: Sorry Hotspot, but that's naughty :P
Hush! I'm on page 399. The book is quite good so far, but the various spite romances are a bit overdone if you ask me *thinks back to age sixteen* yeah, definitely.
I went to the Midnight Magic release party, where I had my face painted (typical), got some neat specs and some other freebies. I know you won't believe me so here's proof-
(http://www.sitesled.com/members/impressiveowl/after%20book.jpg)
That's allegedly Hedwig, but someone half my age did it, no complaints.
I read it. I didn't manage to get it from a bookstore yet but I downloaded it off limewire (it was hard with all the spoofs and jokes pretending they're the real one). Of course I'm gonna buy it, but I just couldn't wait to get it.
This book kinda escapes from the pattern of the previous book, cause this time we know something Harry doesn't and it explains a lot of things. Also,
Spoiler
this time Harry's suspicions were mostly correct, unlike previous books
One thing I didn't like was that it was more predictable than it should be
Spoiler
I knew Dumbledore was gonna die, that Malfoy was given the task to murder him (or Harry, but I was wrong), that Snape (or Voldemort, but I was wrong about this again) was the Half-Blood Prince, that Ron and Hermione will have a crush for each other and that Harry Potter was going to fall in love with Ginny
i have a controversial theory about this:
Spoiler
I do NOT think snape is evil, i think he was purely acting on the unbreakable vow. Dumbledore had a reason to trust him, and i don't think it was "just because he said he was sorry". I also never thought dumbledore was a fool, i think it would be very hard to fool him, maybe harder than voldemort. Also, we haven't seen the last of DUmbl, hes got a protrait right?
Yeah, I thought it was very good, another great addition. I also noticed that it was very very dark, much darker than the other books. Especially in sequences such as:
Spoiler
The fight between Harry and Malfoy in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.
Spoiler
Ron convulsing after being poisoned
Spoiler
The Inervi in the water of the cave, grabbing for Harry and Dumbledore, coming to life etc...
Huh? JK Rowling? Shouldn't you all be reading Pratchett?
Chicky, go back to sleep -_- ... hehe.
I have, however, during my course of reading this novel, noticed what I think may be a few concorde errors ...
Finished it last night. Ã, Incidently, while all of the more expensive bookstores around here sold out of the books, I headed to Walmart at 2 am opening day to pick it up, and no lines, no sell outs, and half price compared to Borders and Barnes and Nobels! Ã, Can't beat that!
Anyway, being a tremendous Harry Potter freak, I loved it. Ã, Definately much darker than the others, but that was expected.
Spoiler
Ã, Actually, I thought that the Ginny/Harry, and Ron/Hermione relationships were inevitable. Ã, They've been alluded to from the beginning.
Spoiler
Ã, I have a theory on the whole Malofoy/Dumbledore/Snape thing. Ã, As someone said earlier, Dumbledore was not a fool. Ã, While he did make mistakes from time to time, when it came down to it, he was probably the smartest wizard that ever lived. Ã, We already know that he knew about Malfoy. Ã, I'm guessing that he probably knew about the unbreakable all along. Ã, It's possible that he told Snape to kill him to keep Malfoy from doing it. Ã, Dumbledore cares about his students, and even though Malfoy has been a jerk, Dumbledore didn't think he was pure evil. Ã, Malfoy is an intelligent kid, with a lot of contacts, and having someone like that on the good side would have been extremely helpful. Ã, So Dumbledore told Snape to kill him if he had to, Ã, in an effort to possibly save Malfoy and turn him. Ã,Â
Then again, Snape could be just an evil bastard, which is more likely
Also another question left at the end of the book...
Spoiler
R.A.B, the person who has the real locket/horcrux. The only person I can think who has the initials RB in the whole series was Sirius Black's brother... I can't remember his first name right now, but I'm certain it started with an R. Perhaps he turned away from Voldemort and stole the Horcrux years ago? Who knows...
Gonna get it once it comes out in my language...
Quote from: Chicky on Tue 19/07/2005 19:08:17
Huh? JK Rowling? Shouldn't you all be reading Pratchett?
Amen to that.
Harry Potter is actually our premier of the country The Netherlands, didn't you know?
(http://www.ad.nl/images/balkenende316,0.jpg)
(http://www.woldhek.nl/images/balkenende.jpg)
BUSH must be behind all of this!
(http://www.culemborgblues.nl/images/balkenende_bush_CB_Shirt.jpg)
BTW... Harry Potter svcks... it's a poor story, for people that aren't used to REAL lecture!
Well Minimi, I loaned the books to a woman who is in her late fifties, and taught classic literature for 20 years, and she adored the books. So to each his own.
Quote from: Minimi on Tue 19/07/2005 21:22:55
BTW... Harry Potter svcks... it's a poor story, for people that aren't used to REAL lecture!
What do you mean by real lecture? Any example (author or title) would do.
It's a lie! Minimi, that fellow is obviously Bill Gates! :P
Haven't read it yet. Gonna buy when I can. Heh...it required great willpower not to highlight the spoilers,.
Quote from: Minimi on Tue 19/07/2005 21:22:55
Harry Potter is actually our premier of the country The Netherlands, didn't you know?
Haha, get it? He has glasses so he's Harry Potter!
Oh man, that is the best joke I've seen in years.
That's all it takes Al. As I can unfortunately attest to. That magically spoilt child caused me to shave my nice shaggy mane off :)
Babar, keep up your willpower! I promise you, it will be so worth it to read it spoiler free!
I have noticed that 95% of the people who bash Harry Potter are those who haven't even read the books. 4% of the rest claim that Harry Potter is the Antichrist.
But anyways, as for the theories:
Spoiler
I did think about Snape being a good guy after all. Let's not forget that he did warn the Order in the last book when Harry told him "he's got Padfoot", but maybe he did that under Vol... *gasp* you-know-who's orders. I don't think the only reason he killed Dumbledore was the unbreakable vow, because he knows that Dumbledore is more way more important than he is. If he was a good guy after all, he would sacrifice himself for Dumbledore. Potch's theory is good, that maybe Snape murdered Dumbledore under his orders. But then again, it says that Dumbledore was pleading and that Snape "gazed for a moment at Dumbledore, and there was revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of his face." Which probably means that Snape is a butthole.
Quote from: Guybrush Peepwood on Tue 19/07/2005 22:23:37
4% of the rest claim that Harry Potter is the Antichrist.
I belong to the 4% Harry Potter is the Antichrist, as he will take over our entire planet.
I've read Harry Potter.
I think it's pretty light and fun reading. Nothing wrong with that, but it's not - say - Tom Robbins. Or even Voltaire.
Also, I think at this point, JK Rowling could take a steaming shit on a binder full of paper, but a cover on it that says "Harry Potter" and 7 million copies would fly off shelves.
Bt
Quote from: Blackthorne on Tue 19/07/2005 22:51:11
Also, I think at this point, JK Rowling could take a steaming shit on a binder full of paper, but a cover on it that says "Harry Potter" and 7 million copies would fly off shelves.
She'd have too eat a buttload (;D) of high-fiber foods to do that. Sure, there would be about 1.76 million sickos that would buy it, but I sure wouldn't. Well.....at least I wouldn't pre-order it :).
Spoiler
I have another theory. Isn't it true that most ghosts come back because they are lamenting some horrible thing that happend surrounding their death? If Dumbledore WAS wrong about Snape, then he would be feeling incredibly remorseful and could possibly become one of the Hogwarts ghosts, and haunt until this whole business with Voldemort (I'm not afraid to say it ;) ) is finished.
Spoiler
Potch, you need to set yourself up to become a ghost before you die, I think ... ?
As for the Snape killed Dumbledore under his own orders theory, that's bollocks IMO. Dumbledore was intelligent enough to know the Malfoy could never have had it in him to kill him. Dumbledore's extreme, but he's not that extreme! Snape could also have just disarmed Malfoy there.
Spoiler
Made you look.
On the question earlier about naming some literature that beats Harry Potter, I've got a few. anything by Pratchett, but to be specific, Reaper Man, Interesting Times, and so on.
Oh, and since HP is a kid's book, Pratchett's kids books (A Hatfull of Sky, for example) are good reads, and the only thing that gives them away as children's novels are the swearwords.
I also reckon Shakespeare could beat JK.
On the issue of "95% of people haven't even read blah blah a friend of mine once tried to make me read one. When I started to get bored he even skipped ahead to a more exciting part, but I just didn't like it. The story, on the front, seems quite interesting (Boy becomes wizard) but JK's writing style is just....bleh. Theres no scintilating wit like Pratchett, no social commentary like Heinlein, etc.
Although, to be fair, it is a children's book.
Its probably okay for children, but I do find it a little bit wierd when you see adults going around reading it. I mean, when you could be reading something deep and meaningful, people choose children's books. Maybe the entire world wants to regress to childhood or something, I don't know. This is just my opinion by the way.
I read the first book, and didn't like it at all. Some writers that sure beat JK:
C.S. Lewis -> The Narnia Chronicles
Shakespeare
The Bible :)
Left Behind series
Quote from: Mr Flibble on Wed 20/07/2005 15:34:37
On the question earlier about naming some literature that beats Harry Potter, I've got a few.
I hope you don't mean this one:
QuoteWhat do you mean by real lecture? Any example (author or title) would do.
because I didn't say that JKR is the best author ever. My question was general.
Quote from: Mr Flibble on Wed 20/07/2005 15:34:37
I mean, when you could be reading something deep and meaningful, people choose children's books.
People can very well read both serious and "easy" books and find the good elements in each.
I know plenty of adults that adore the books. Ã, You are criticizing us because we are not reading something with a deeper meaning or more intelligent. Ã, Harry Potter is one of those guilty pleasures. Ã, Sure, it's not deep and meaningful (although, being a sappy girl, I really like how Harry can always beat Voldemort because of his ability to love...it gives me warm fuzzies), but it doesn't have to be deep and meaningful. Ã, It's like someone choosing to watch The cartoon network instead of The West Wing. Ã, You can read it, enjoy it, and not think about it. Ã, I read all kinds of books. Ã, I'm currently fighting my way though Les Miserables, and although it is an excellent book, after awhile I have to put it down, because frankly, much of it is boring. Ã, I don't think the love in the Potter books is about wanting to be a child, it's about wanting to escape. Ã,Â
On them being children's books... honestly, some of the content, especially in the last three, I think is too much for younger children. Ã, I mean, there is some pretty gruesome things in the newest book especially. Ã, Just my opinion though.
To criticize us for enjoying something that takes us away from our stressful lives, that billions of people also enjoy is, forgive me for this, but it's just snobbery.
Now, back to discussing the book itself....
Spoiler
Ã, I may have missed something, so feel free to prove me wrong, but if you have to set yourself up to come back as a ghost, then did Moaning Myrtle set herself up?
Spoiler
Ã, Why is it so far out of reach to think that Snape was acting on Dumbledore's orders? Ã, If he would've disarmed Malfoy, or helped Dumbledore, then the Death Eaters would've known that Snape was on the good side. Ã, I think that Dumbledore knew that he had to be killed, Ã, in order for Harry to realize that he had to step up and seek out Voldemort himself. Ã, Just a thought. Ã, I just refuse to believe that Dumbledore was that naive in believing in Snape. Ã, Unless... he knew along that Snape was on the wrong side, and he knew all along that it would come to this point, and everything is just preordained in the prophecy....hmmmm maybe there's more of the prophecy that Dumbledore didn't tell Harry.
Narnia ... pffff. Douglas Adams' Hitchhikers beats anything ever written. Excluding the bible ;D
Anyway, Potch:
Spoiler
I think Myrtle did mention the 2nd book that she set herself up to be a ghost so that if she dies she can haunt that one dude for the rest of his life because he was teasing her.
Snape Theory:
Spoiler
You have a point, Potch, but it does get a bit annoying all the time when Harry perhaps points out a place where Dumbledore might've made a mistake and he's all like, "Hey, I already know that, man, I like did it on purpose!"
Quote from: Zor on Wed 20/07/2005 16:13:30
Douglas Adams' Hitchhikers beats anything ever written. Excluding the bible
Debatable.
Good point about the 'guilty pleasures' of Harry Potter btw. (I know the feeling, Fairly Odd Parents rules) but I suppose I never got a handle on HP because there's no humour to my knowledge. Call me a hyprocrite if you will (after I pimped shakespeare) but I do prefer funny books. Like Pratchett.
I don't know, there are places in the HP books that make me laugh at loud. Peeves the Poltergeist always makes me laugh. There isn't a laugh on every page or anything, but there are funny moments.... for example in Prisoner of Azkaban, when Malfoy and his cronies dressed up as dementors and tried to scare Harry at the Quidditch tournament, and Harry sent a patronous after them, knocking all three of them unconscious. But you're right, her writing style isn't funny, but there are humorous events.
Rowling's writing makes me laugh, although I'm sure it's unintentional.
I too have a theory of my own about the end
Spoiler
Could Snape have been discovered as a spy by the Death Eaters and put under the Imperius curse?
and another thing
Spoiler
Will Harry still love Ginny? He said he couldn't be with her because of Voldemort, but she didn't care about death, she wanted Harry. Maybe he'll marry her after he finds the horcruxes and kills Voldemort and the Death Eaters for good
Spoiler
I'm inclined to think that Harry and Ginny will end up together... unless Rowling goes the Joss Whedon way of thinking, in which no one will end up together and happy endings don't exist.... Ginny will probably end up tagging along with the rest of the gang while they search for the Horcruxes. She's a pretty headstrong girl, and I doubt she'll sit by while the rest of them goes off. I'm hoping that Neville and Luna tag along as well, because I really like those characters, and I thought there wasn't enough of them in HBP. Incidentaly, anything with Luna cracks me up.
One thing that annoyed me though: I hated the way Harry walked around popping boners at every girl he saw, I mean sometimes I swear he would've popped a boner so hard that it would've like pinned Ginny against the wall or something.
Quote from: Zor on Wed 20/07/2005 16:13:30
Douglas Adams' Hitchhikers beats anything ever written. Excluding the bible ;D
Dirk Gently beats Hitchhikers. :P
Quote from: Minimi on Wed 20/07/2005 15:44:16
C.S. Lewis -> The Narnia Chronicles
The Bible :)
Left Behind series
If you're going to get religious, might as well mention His Dark Materials. ;D
I finished the book the day it was published. Just couldn't stop reading.
My theory is a bit different to what has been posted here so far:
Spoiler
I don't think that Dumbledore was killed on his own orders. What sense would that make? He is far more valuable than Snape. But anyway, my theory is that Dumbledor is not dead at all, but that this whole killing scene was just a set-up. I still refuse to think that Snape is such an evil bastard. The way that his "real" attitude (being still a Death Eater) was shown right from the beginning, namely in the second chapter, made me think the most. Snape was suspected to be evil a various times before, but there was always a twist in the story and he turned out to be one of the good guys after all. My hopes now are that JKR just kept this twist for the next book. Dumbledore just can't have been so wrong about Snape. He trusted him to the very end. Both, Dumbledore and Snape are mighty wizards. My hopes are that they faked the whole thing. Voldemort would think he got rid of one of his worst enemies and would trust Snape even more.
Well, possibly I'm just making the whole thing up because I don't want to believe that Dumbledore is dead, but there are certain clues for ma theory and I'm just clinging to that last bit of hope.
Ok, I admit it. I bought this book and read it. And I enjoyed it. What the hell is wrong with reading them? Huh?? They are quality, reasonably well-written books, and unlike most kids books, they are focused more on the 16-19 age group than say 10-12 age group. The characterisation of the harry potter gang are quite believable, well, except for the magic stuff.
Just remember, even the Author said that she hasnt decided who will be the one who lives....
Somebody ought to make a Harry Potter AGS fan game. :D If i was in any way talented, I'd do it myself, but as I suck at drawing and programming.....
Quote from: Potch on Thu 21/07/2005 17:07:18
Somebody ought to make a Harry Potter AGS fan game. :D If i was in any way talented, I'd do it myself, but as I suck at drawing and programming.....
Actually, I was planning on making a parody of the first book...Jerry Plotter and the Archaeoligists Bone. Don't know if I'll ever make it though ;D
Some of my favourites:
Harry Pornstar and the Philosphers Bone :D
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secretions ;D
Don't you mean "Philopeda's"??
Anyway, moving on :-X
I didn't say JK Rowling is the best author ever, but there's simply nothing wrong with the books. The plot is simply amazing, with lots of unexpected twists and everything. And I love the style. Fred and George crack me up ;D
As for the Snape theory, I have some new evidence a friend of mine gave me
Spoiler
Someone told me that Snape was in the fake moody's foe glass.
in chapter 19, Hagrid tells the HRH gang that Dumbledore was angry about Snape not following orders. >>>I jus' heard Snape sayin' Dumbledore took too much fer granted an' maybe he -- Snape -- didn' want to do it anymore" ... "Dumbledore told him flat out he'd agreed ter do it an' that was all there was to it. Pretty firm with him. AND THEN he said summat abou' Snape makin' investigations in his House, in Slytherin"<<<. When I first read that I assumed that Dumbledore was angry because Snape wouldn't check Malfoy, but it seems like it was two different topics. So there's a possibility that the orders were to kill Dumbledore. Maybe Dumbledore thought that he was getting way too old anyways (Rowling said she pictures him around 150 years old :P), and since Snape is a very powerful wizard (good or evil still a butthole, but always powerful) he thought that if Snape gained Voldemort's trust he'd be more valuable than Dumbledore"
So I dunno what to believe, there's evidence about both ways. I'm dying to finally know, I hate it how she releases one book to find myself waiting for the next one even more than I waited for the previous one.
"Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody"
Followed by;
"Barry Trotter and the Unecessary Sequel"
Did those ever leave the UK?
Quote from: Mr Flibble on Thu 21/07/2005 21:25:29
"Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody"
Followed by;
"Barry Trotter and the Unecessary Sequel"
Did those ever leave the UK?
Yeah, saw them in the bookstores once.
Well, time for my two cents.
Regarding Snape:
Spoiler
I don't know what to think at this point. The whole killing Dumbledore on his orders idea seems plausible, but I just don't know.Ã, The one thing nobody seems to have mentioned that stuck out in particular for me that makes him more likely to be still on the side of good is that he didn't tell any of the Death Eaters about his private lessons with Harry in OotP. I guess them knowing that he had done that wouldn't be too good for Snape...but we'll see what happens!
Quote from: Grundislav on Fri 22/07/2005 19:06:16
Well, time for my two cents.
Regarding Snape:
Spoiler
I don't know what to think at this point. The whole killing Dumbledore on his orders idea seems plausible, but I just don't know.Ã, The one thing nobody seems to have mentioned that stuck out in particular for me that makes him more likely to be still on the side of good is that he didn't tell any of the Death Eaters about his private lessons with Harry in OotP. I guess them knowing that he had done that wouldn't be too good for Snape...but we'll see what happens!
yeah, but..
Spoiler
we still don't know if Snape wasn't actually trying to weaken Harry's mind, like what Ron suspected in the previous book.
Spoiler
Well, the 6th book said that Voldemort was blocking Harry's mind out anyways, so it wouldn't matter. Perhaps if Harry had made minimal progress, it could have, but seeing as he didn't...
;)
Spoiler
What about Harry saying he wouldn't return to Hogwarts? He made it seem rather clear that he would rather pursue Voldemort. I wish he attends his 7th year anyways, it wouldn't be as fun a book without Hogwarts.
Spoiler
No, it does matter. In the previous book, it was important that Harry seals himself from Voldemord so that he won't be used or something. Harry didn't make any progress in Occlumency and so in the end Voldemord interfered in Harry's dream to lure him into the Department of Mysteries
Spoiler
Personally I don't think that Dumbledore would have told Snape to kill him. That would be pointless. Plus you can feel the sincerity in his voice when he is begging Snape not to kill him. Dumbledore wouldn't ask Snape to cast unforgivable curses in any case. Especially seeing as he made the unbreakable vow to help kill Dumbledore before the beginning of the school year, which surely would have been much sooner than Dumbledore would have asked Snape to kill him...and if he broke it then he would have died. And he knew that. So seeing as he made the UV long before Dumbledore might have even potentially encountered him with this, he was clearly planning to do the job.
As for Harry, Ron, and Hermione not returning to Hogwarts, I don't think that we can doubt them in their statements that they won't return. I personally think that they should (both for their reasons, and mine as the reader), but it will make for an interesting read either way. At the beginning of the series there was a lot of talk about a potential eight book taking place after Harry graduated from Hogwarts...perhaps this is just J.K.R.'s way of telling the story of what happens after Hogwarts, but while remaining true to the original '7 story series'. Of course, that would mean that this next book will be the last in the series. And we all know that this means Voldemort's Horcruxes will all be destoyed as will he. So at this point, I think I could probably tell the story of what will happen in the seventh book:
Harry defeats (kills?) several Death Eaters.
Harry destroys Horcruxes.
Harry defeats (kills?) several Death Eaters.
Harry destroys Voldemort.
Harry goes on to become an Auror.
Harry becomes Minister of Magic. (LOL, j/k)
Well...that's it folks. HP7 in a nutshell.
Like the past 3 books, it will be 600 pages of filler then a death.
LOL...Indeed. Not to say I don't like the books, because I do enjoy them...but that does pretty much sum up HP4-HP6...
And HP7. One person is gonna die at the end - either Harry or Voldemort. I mean You-Know-Who. I mean He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. I mean ... wait. Never mind.
Yakawahawamanabana?
Spoiler
YKWHWMNBN
Spoiler
Voldemort
On various forums - as well as here - I have read through people discussing the ending of the book and combing over evidence to suggest there's something more twisty to it. Has anyone considered that Rowling is just a bad writer? :P
Quote from: Dark Stalkey on Sat 23/07/2005 22:45:54
On various forums - as well as here - I have read through people discussing the ending of the book and combing over evidence to suggest there's something more twisty to it. Has anyone considered that Rowling is just a bad writer? :P
Why do you think we spent so much time in the various HP forums suggesting plot twists?? Doh!
Quote from: Dark Stalkey on Sat 23/07/2005 22:45:54
On various forums - as well as here - I have read through people discussing the ending of the book and combing over evidence to suggest there's something more twisty to it. Has anyone considered that Rowling is just a bad writer? :P
Yeah, we may as well try to find something twisty and sneaky in the end of Monkey Island 2.
Touche, you smart arse :P
Quote from: Dark Stalkey on Sat 23/07/2005 22:45:54
Has anyone considered that Rowling is just a bad writer? :P
Yes.
The biggest twist I'd expect from her is "Harry dies, then the tears of his weeping friends bring him back to life!"
I haven't been reading many of the convulted and twisting theories listed here, largely because I don't know who the characters are (Well, theres glasses boy, Ginger and little spoilt brat with cruel parents, oh and the tall dude) but I feel a lot of people here are reading too deeply into it.
If you want plot twists and subtle subplots and under currents, go read Pratchett :P
(More specifically, Night Watch. You know, for it's sheer awesomeness)
Unfortunately I can't read any other Discworld's after Nightwatch, the cutesy humour grates too much when you know he's capable of greater subtlety.
If you like J.K. Rowling, than might I suggest Piers Anthony..
But on topic, why the hell is everyone saying "Read Pratchett! w00t!" This is a HARRY POTTER/J.K. ROWLING thread. Talk about pratchett in your own thread. Yeesh.
I suggest you go start your own Piers Anthony thread then if people can't talk about Pratchett.
The point is that this thread was created for people to talk ABOUT HP6...not their opinions of how terrible a writer J.K.R. is as an author. Everyone has their own opinions of these things...some will like it, and some will not. But like I said, this thread is about HP6, not about other books, not about other authors, and not about the atrocity that is J.K.R.'s writing.
Note: I am not trying to act like, or pretend to be, a moderator, I am simply stating opinion. Should a moderator/administrator of these forums see fit, I do not object to any of the above being removed. Not that my objections would mean anything, but, still...
On topic, however, I do think that a lot of people are searching too deeply into the story for plot twists. Having read the book, I would say that any plot twist within the story would have been self-evident upon reading it, and would not require hours of research or brainstorming to discover. For an example from HP5:
HP5 Spoiler Below!!!
Spoiler
My younger sister is still somehow convinced that Sirius never died. She concocted the idea inside her head somewhere that he was "too important to die".
HP6 Spoiler (you have to read the above spoiler to understand it):
Spoiler
In much the same way that people have speculated that Dumbledore told Snape to kill him. Snape took the unbreakable vow long before Dumbledore could have even guessed that Voldemort would be sending a student after him. Dumbledore would not have possibly told Snape so early on to kill him at the end of the year. People are reading too deep into this and missing these self-evident truths. The only way that I can see for this to have possibly been true would have been if Snape had been confident that he would have given his life trying to stop Malfoy from killing Dumbledore until after Dumbledore told Snape to kill him. And personally I don't think that Snape is that noble...
Yeah...I know I've already said that second bit...but I still think people are reading WAY too deep into it.
There's a lot of evidence that the Snape twist exists, but I'm still not convinced he's good. But I do agree that there are a lot of people claim things that are simply way too much. For example:
- Dumbledore and McGonagall are Harry and Hermione from the future
- Dumbledore is Harry's grandaddy
- Ron's dad or Harry Potter is going to be the next Minister of Magic
- Malfoy and Hermione are going to fall in love
- Some others (some of them even weirder) I can't think of right now
Rowling replied to these rumours with "you watch too much Star Wars"
I've just finished it, and must say I liked it, it's always a fun read.
Spoiler
Still, a few things:
JK Rowling usually finishes her novels quite neatly, like everything falls into place at the end.
But this time, a few things go unexplained:
- What's the go with the Zabini kid? At the beginning of the book, he looks like he's going to play a part, but then he suddenly disappears from the plot.
- The same goes for McLaggen, although he hangs around a bit longer.
- Dobby and Kreacher report to Harry Potter only once, then, when I expected them to come back, they also disappear.
- Why does Slughorn stop throwing parties all of a sudden?
- What happens with the Death Eaters at the end?
- Not to mention the whole thing with the false Horcrux and all that.
I guess some of these have to do with the fact that the 6th and 7th books are meant to be a unit.
Other stuff:
I found the lucky potion to be the easy way out for JK (in regard to Harry having to recover Slughorn's memory), and that she could not be stuffed about the Quidditch comp this time around.
Besides. there are some characters who look like fillers to me, like Greyback, or even Scrimgeour.
Finally, I think the author has gone a bit overboard with the romance bit (Lupin/Tonks, Harry/Ginny, Fleur/Bill, Ron/Hermione, Malfoy/Pansy, Luna/Neville(?)) and the way she "carries" these stories... I think she could have got much more out of them. For instance, the way Harry and Ginny get together! Using the lucky potion to break up Ginny and Dean is just too easy and the kiss after the Quidditch was a bit of an anticlimax, wasn't it? I would have expected something a bit more elaborated.
Still, as I said, I enjoyed it.
Remember the mirror thing in book 5, which could have voided the entire end of the novel had he used it, but became a pointless subscript?
It's called bad writing.
Aussie:
Spoiler
Quote- What's the go with the Zabini kid? At the beginning of the book, he looks like he's going to play a part, but then he suddenly disappears from the plot.
Agreed. But maybe he'll take an important part next book
Quote- The same goes for McLaggen, although he hangs around a bit longer.
McLaggen was mentioned in the previous book, if I'm right. But this is not the point, I think McLaggen was there only to help the Ron/Hermione romance (he was used twice for that, once because Hermione jinxed him to help Ron out and the second time she asked him out to make Ron jealous)
Quote- Dobby and Kreacher report to Harry Potter only once, then, when I expected them to come back, they also disappear.
Dumbledore told Harry to focus more about getting the memory out of Slughorn, therefore Harry stopped following Malfoy around.
Quote- Why does Slughorn stop throwing parties all of a sudden?
Probably to avoid Harry and prevent him from getting the memory? Harry noticed that as well. The mentioning of Cruxthingies seems to be traumatic to him
Quote- What happens with the Death Eaters at the end?
Those who did not escape got probably arrested.
Quote- Not to mention the whole thing with the false Horcrux and all that.
Having read 6 books so far, it's very logical to assume that it will be explained - and probably take a significant role - in the next book.
I also think the romance was overdone, but it had to be there anyways; if she left it out it would be worse, since most characters are teenagers and there's bound to be romance. Rowling said that Neville and Luna will never love each other like that, btw.
I believe that Greyback and Scrimgeour will take a bigger role next book. One character I didn't like was Slughorn, I thought his club was a bit lame.
As for the mirror, it keeps bothering me. Instead of making Harry forget the mirror existed she could just say that he tried it out but he left it in his bedroom or something so Sirius couldn't answer.
QuoteAs for the mirror, it keeps bothering me. Instead of making Harry forget the mirror existed she could just say that he tried it out but he left it in his bedroom or something so Sirius couldn't answer.
Well, I think it was fine the way it was. Personally, I too forgot about the mirror. It was more of a "D'oh!" factor than a "You idiot! Remember that mirror?" Unless you can honestly say you remembered it the whole time.
My question is this.... those of you that have been bashing the books, and bashing those of use who read them... in some cases on the verge of calling us unintelligent, because we don't read what you read.... why bother? If you dislike the books so much and think that the author is so horribly bad, then why even enter a thread about Harry Potter? We are here to have a discussion about something that we love, and you guys come in here and make things unpleasant. I've seen this in other places as well, and I just don't understand.
I personally think that Rowling is a wonderful writer. She has created this fantasy world that is loved by young and old alike. Billions of people love her stories. Billions of people that don't read anything else, will pick up an 800 page book and read it all the way though. I think anyone that can cause that kind of reaction in a world of movies and video games is amazing. When I see kids that would rather read Harry Potter than play Xbox, that is a GOOD thing. In many cases, it gets them reading other books as well. Reading is such an important thing to do, especially for kids. I would never shun anything that encourages them to read like this.
And yes, we theorize and we come up with all kinds of twists that could be in the book. And sure, most of us with theories KNOW that they're probably way out there and there isn't a twist, but we are just having FUN. There is nothing wrong with that.
Couldn't agree more, Potch.
While the JK Rowling may not be Shakespeare, she's still a pretty good author - better than a lot of other authors at least.
I was very skeptical about the books. Kids I knew were all enamoured with them, but they'd also been in love with the Goosebumps series (which I'd read if I saw around but always was bored by - both writing quality and enjoyability). I quite enjoy the HP series. It's not superb writing but quite acceptable and it does something that many authors (even accomplished ones) don't manage to pull off: The ability to lose yourself in the writing and almost forget that you're reading a book. I've read 1-5 and will, undoubtedly, read the 6th.. I just have to make sure they put it in a non-descript paper bag for me so I can hide it in public.
I'm certainly not very well-read as I can't stand many of the books referred to as "Classics." Remember, Classic just means old, it's not the antithesis of crap. Recently enjoyed authors: Margo Dockendorf, Terry Pratchett, Albert Einstein, George Orwell, John Shirley, E.B. White, Orson Scott Card, Douglas Adams.
Books 1-4 managed to keep up a pretty surprising twist at the end. Book 5 I found the end rather dull. Not read #6 yet. Before #5 I had thought that JKR had a great twist waiting at the end of book #7 but now I'm not so sure, and it seems that a lot of people pretty much guessed the plot of book 6 in advance, so my hopes for the series as a whole are low.
In 50 years time, I don't think that the Harry Potter series will be as popular as LOTR.
My original guess for the end of #7 was that Harry would have to cast a spell that removed magic from the world altogether as the only way to stop Voldemort. That would explain why there wouldn't be a book #8....
Lisa: "Miss Rowling, what happens in the last Harry Potter book?"
JK: "He grows up and marries you, is that what you want to hear?!"
Lisa: "...Yes..."
Quote from: SSH on Tue 26/07/2005 11:08:32
In 50 years time, I don't think that the Harry Potter series will be as popular as LOTR.
I don't think they are real litterature neither extremely good written. I feel I could had skipped some pages in book 5...
Rowling keeps putting spicy details and wannabe twists for people who like reading too much between the lines , but this doesn't mean a deeper meaning exists.
But I don't think HP was ever meant to be a classic , as in Hugo, Shakespear, Tolstoi or others of that kind. It is a teenagers' book with well researched, believable second characters. (My favourite is Ron, because he's soÃ, clumsy). This may be why adults like this book.
I haven't read the new one yet, but I enjoyed the previous ones, as we enjoy a shallow but well made cinema film , with nice settings, nice music and a drop-dead gorgeous heroÃ, :P I had fun and that was it.
HP books would last longer in time if there wasn't that silly marketing craze, which makes the most of products and then discards them for the next one...Rowling may become rich, but her books won't last in popularity. Which may be a good thing, because then, some people may read them just for pleasure and this is a nice thought...
Reading books for pleasure, I mean. Children will buy a book to read not a book to boast to theirÃ, friends that they bought it at the exact time it was released...along with mugs, notebooks, T-shirts and the rest of the marketing suppost products...
Signed: your devoted bookwormÃ, Ã, ;)
Well, I dont suppose many writers write their books saying "Oh yes, THIS one will be a classic"... or on the other hand, maybe ALL writers do that.
But on the subject of the films, the 3rd one was waaaay better than the first two. Even if he did overuse the bird flying into whomping willow joke.
Quote from: SSH on Tue 26/07/2005 14:47:39
But on the subject of the films, the 3rd one was waaaay better than the first two. Even if he did overuse the bird flying into whomping willow joke.
I haven't seen the last film yet.To be honest, I didn't like the HP films. They left all the important things out and focussed on magic tricks and love affairs. But again, I rarely like films based on books...
As for the aspirations of the authors...I guess you need both guts and a big ego to publish your inner thoughts, so, yes, I think they believe "theirs" will be a classic...in its kind at least. I don't think they'd publish otherwise. Thanfully, there is also the Reader, who can distinguish <censored> from classic/palatable and keep a balance in the books universe...
Quote from: SSH on Tue 26/07/2005 14:47:39
Well, I dont suppose many writers write their books saying "Oh yes, THIS one will be a classic"... or on the other hand, maybe ALL writers do that.
I suppose it's sort of the same when thing when one makes a game ...
Quote from: Tiki on Fri 22/07/2005 19:29:12
Spoiler
What about Harry saying he wouldn't return to Hogwarts?Ã, He made it seem rather clear that he would rather pursue Voldemort.Ã, I wish he attends his 7th year anyways, it wouldn't be as fun a book without Hogwarts.
Spoiler
I assume that #7 will take place in Hogwarts anyway, at least partly. After all, Harry and the others have to get their NEWTs, I guess you should have them in order to become an Auror and could anyone imagine Hermione refusing to take her NEWTs?
But of course it would be different, if they closed Hogwarts entirely, which is unlikely, IMO, for didn't the teachers say that they will continue as long as one single student wants to come?
LOTR is badly written as well.
And I like it as well. Our conclusion is that enjoyment is not primarily a function of writing quality.
On the films, I think the third was of higher quality because it was less fauthful to the books, insofar that Columbus directed two paint by numbers adaptations, whereas the third was actually made as a film.
Quote from: cp on Tue 26/07/2005 14:56:12
To be honest, I didn't like the HP films. They left all the important things out and focussed on magic tricks and love affairs.
The HP films had love affairs? I must've missed Harry and Hermoine going at it in the second one.
Quote from: Pumaman on Tue 26/07/2005 22:43:24
Quote from: cp on Tue 26/07/2005 14:56:12
To be honest, I didn't like the HP films. They left all the important things out and focussed on magic tricks and love affairs.
The HP films had love affairs? I must've missed Harry and Hermoine going at it in the second one.
It was no Harry AND Hermione as in "together"...
That's funny. I liked the first two movies better than the third, BECAUSE they stuck more to the story. The third movie left out so much history that it really took away from some of the emotional parts of the story.
I preferred the first two than the third as well. I don't like the movies as much as the books, but I'm still gonna watch them all. The third had some parts that were very lamely done, such as the aunt Marge and the Boggart scenes... But the dementors were awesome.
I heard that the fourth movie is so far the most expensive production ever. That's only what I heard and I don't bother checking if it's true. I hope it's a good one, and I really hope the cemetery scene will be as it's described in the book (which is not kid friendly at all). I saw the teaser though, and those Mermaids are screaming "hey look, I'm made in Maya"
Quote from: Guybrush Peepwood on Sun 24/07/2005 14:51:20
There's a lot of evidence that the Snape twist exists, but I'm still not convinced he's good. But I do agree that there are a lot of people claim things that are simply way too much. For example:
- Dumbledore and McGonagall are Harry and Hermione from the future
- Dumbledore is Harry's grandaddy
- Ron's dad or Harry Potter is going to be the next Minister of Magic
- Malfoy and Hermione are going to fall in love
- Some others (some of them even weirder) I can't think of right now
Rowling replied to these rumours with "you watch too much Star Wars"
Hehe. some people....
actually, I always thought maybe Harry would become the new Headmaster of Hogwarts when he grew up. I couldn't see him as an Auror.
I'm also one who thinks the third film was much better than the first two. When I watch the movies, I don't expect the books. If I wanted the books, I'd read them (Which I have, all 6). But the fact of the matter is that film is an entirely different medium, and there's going to be changes.
A perfect example of this, in my opinion, would be the first LOTR movie. I don't think it was as good as the other two because it tried to put TOO much of the original book in it. There was so much information trying to be crammed in the film, that the whole thing felt rushed. Yet if you just take some things out, it allows you to pace a film better.
Read books if you like books. Watch movies if you like movies. But don't watch a movie based on a book, then throw a hissy fit because a couple things got cut out.
No hissy fits have been thrown by anyone. We were simply discussing which movies we liked better and why. You don't have to get so defensive.
I agree.Ã, When a movie is made from a book, things need to be taken out.Ã, But, I also believe that the film should have the same story and emotion as the book.Ã, When I watch a movie based on a book, I don't want to see a different story.Ã, I like to see how they portray things from the page to the screen.Ã, Of COURSE things will be taken out.Ã, It would be impossible to put everything in.Ã, But, there was a lot of very important back story that was omitted from the script, that is vital to the plot and understanding the characters.Ã, In my opinion, the more of a good book that they put into the film adaptation, the better.
And with the better script and directing nothwithstanding, the child actors didn't suck nearly as much.
The whole shurnken head interview thing on the second DVD sucked for the 3rd movie, though. In fact, the shrunken head sucked in general.
Yeah, while I thought the shrunken head thing was funny, it was one of those things that was added, when something more important to the story could have been left in.
Heh...finally read the book
Spoiler
Why was Dumbledore's death inevitable from the start? I just never got that. Months and months before even the 5th book came out, people were on like "Oh yeah, Dumbledore's gonna die".
Well, Babar, maybe you and I missed something, because I didn't see that either!
Some guy on a Hitchhiker's Guide forum said that after a few pages of Mostly Harmless, he just knew that Adams was going to kill everybody, but Douglas Adams posted on the same forums just to say that he didn't know until a few chapters before the end.
Again, people read too deep.
Most people just guess with feigned authority. I mean, I would never have guessed from reading the previous books that Dumbledore was to DIE in the sixth one!
I heard that someone was gonna die in the 5th book before it even came out (I heard Rowling said it herself) and I guessed it would be Dumbledore. The same goes for the 6th book only this time it was Dumbledore. I don't think anyone would get it on his own, but when people heard someone was gonna die they went like "Dumbledore!" (including me :-[)
It is obvious that she was going to kill someone close to Harry and very much needed by him, but unless she had her book drafts ready from the beginning and inspiration never struck her since, I don't think she knew, either.
Sometimes I believe she keeps an eye on the various HP fan sites...
As long as Ron and Snape stay alive, she may do whatever she pleases as far as I'm concerned...
I feel like the only person who has not read Harry Potter.... seriously.
You ain't, pony.
Well, I did read the first, but that doesn't count because I was forced to and didn't enjoy it.
I think this page (http://pottercrash.ytmnd.com/) is quite appropritate and quite funny... Only works in IE btw.
Quote from: auhsor on Mon 01/08/2005 14:24:33
I think this page (http://pottercrash.ytmnd.com/) is quite appropritate and quite funny... Only works in IE btw.
Nooooooo! You bitch! :D
That's funny.
Page works fine in FireFox.
Oh man, I gotta do that with the next book. :=
Well, now having finished the whole book, my considered opinion is:
Spoiler
Well, having had it spoiled because I didnt think i would read the book, I think that it was still an enjoyable read. Also, when you know that Dumbledore's going to pop it, its pretty heavily hinted at all the way through the book.
I think, actually, that HBP is a much better book than the previous two. In fact, it is maybe the best book in a kind of Empire Strikes Back way, having a similar kind of hanging ending. Although it is also VERY similar to LOTR: Old wizard and mentor dying, Snape as Gollum, Harry (Frodo) trying to go off and do what he has to do and trying to leave the others behind him for their sakes. However, I don't think there's a parallel for Aragorn....
From what JKR says here: http://www.mugglenet.com/jkrinterview.shtml I think that Snape still being a triple agent is a bit optimistic
Quote from: Guybrush Peepwood on Tue 19/07/2005 22:23:37
I have noticed that 95% of the people who bash Harry Potter are those who haven't even read the books. 4% of the rest claim that Harry Potter is the Antichrist.
let me calc, 4% of (100%-95%) = 0.002
whats with the other 4.998%? ;)
well, i read the first two books. i found it boring, so i stopped. and i dislike stuff being hyped.. but guys who know me from #ags probably knew that.
oh, found a nice spoiling pic. won't post it for obvious reasons :P
Quote from: SSH on Tue 02/08/2005 11:19:28http://www.mugglenet.com/jkrinterview.shtml
Interesting read SSH. I've only read the first part, but, there's some good info in there. It's funny to hear from JKR that she likes to read people's theories...
Where else do you think she gets her ideas from?
I always thought it was the voices in her head... :=
Read it, enjoyed it a lot but got sort of p*ssed off over the following:
Spoiler
If Snape really turns out to be an evil bastard, I'm going to ritually burn all seven HP books. He's one of the few truly interesting characters in the books IMHO. I think it would just be too easy (in a way) to "write him off" as an evil wizard. Snape deserves better. Harry Potter having to cooperate with a man he really loathes is just so much more interesting than having him save the world with his buddies. Just my 2 cents.
Quote from: miez on Wed 03/08/2005 11:39:37
Read it, enjoyed it a lot but got sort of p*ssed off over the following:
Spoiler
If Snape really turns out to be an evil bastard, I'm going to ritually burn all seven HP books. He's one of the few truly interesting characters in the books IMHO. I think it would just be too easy (in a way) to "write him off" as an evil wizard. Snape deserves better. Harry Potter having to cooperate with a man he really loathes is just so much more interesting than having him save the world with his buddies. Just my 2 cents.
Spoiler
I absolutly agree.Ã, If Snape truly is evil, it's the easiest deus-ex-machina in the entire series, and it's a stupid way out.Ã, I'd call shenanigans.
Bt
Having read all of the books (so far), I can safely say (imo) that:
Spoiler
The whole point of the phoenix being Dumbledore's familiar was to foreshadow his inevitable death and resurrection. Wow, I didn't see that coming -_-. It's also fairly obvious that Snape did exactly what Dumbledore wanted. Rowling employs TOO MUCH foreshadowing in her work, often to the point that it becomes blatantly obvious far in advance how events will unfold. For example, I knew Snape would attack Dumbledore the moment he seemed to waffle a bit on Snape's loyalties (right after Harry discovers it was Snape who told Voldemort about his parents). Also, there are enough inconsistencies in Snape's unfriendly-but-protective behavior that it's impossible for him to be a true villain. He has protected Harry on multiple occasions when Voldemort would like nothing more than to see Harry dead, his claim that Voldemort wants to kill Harry was an utter crapstorm (Voldemort is afraid enough of the prophecy to want Harry dead by any means). It's just obvious that Snape was supposed to perform this act in front of the Death Eaters to prove his loyalty so that he could go back and spy on them whilst Dumbledore recharges in the safety of his tomb- which no doubt will be found empty in the next book at some point to the oohs and aahs of many a child reader.
That said, I wasn't particularly impressed by the book at all. As some have said, the love quadrangles are entirely too ridiculous and overplayed to the point where I was groaning for it to end. As an author myself, however, I tend to be overly harsh with the writing of others so maybe it's just me.
Spoiler
Although I'd like Snape to be good, I wouldn't feel betrayed or something if he turned out to be evil. What I like is his character, the way he reacts and the way he makes his own way through the book.Ã, A Voldemort follower or a Dumbledore one, it is of little importance to me as long as he keeps being the capable, cunning, intelligent, manipulating agent of whoever Rowling has in mind.
Maybe it's because I'm a girl, but I liked the romance quadrangles and all in this book. I mean, these kids are 16, it makes sense for them to be going through this stuff. I mean, when you're 16, love and dating tends to be one of the most important things in your life. You feel like you're going to DIE if so and so doesn't want to go out with you or whatever.
I don't know. I found it all amusing.... especially Ron and the love potion. That reallymade me laugh.
Finally finished the book (thanks sick day!). My (very long) thoughts:
Spoiler
I felt a bit let down by this entry in the series. Even though it wasn't as thick (page-count-wise) as some of the previous books, it felt a lot flabbier. The plot just wasn't as focused. In HP5, there was this constant reminder of the nearing and growing danger in the form of dreams that were slowly escalating. Here, it was more of a "Malfoy's up to something vague-yet-shifty! But first... some smoochin'!" I just didn't have the same sense of building tension that the previous entries in the series had.
The action was all very sparse as well, with Rowling opting to explore the multiple romances instead. Granted these romances had been building for a while and are important to the whole "love is the key to defeating Voldie" thing, but it resulted in what felt to me like a step backwards for the series. Each book from the beginning had been getting a touch darker than the one before it, but this one wasn't dark at all until the very end. I can't understand why the few people on the first few pages of this thread said that this one was "definitely" darker than the last few. This book fell into a bit of a romantic comedy pattern and then couldn't seem to get out of it. These scenes went on way too long with way too much repetition. I mean, how many scenes had no point other than to say "Look! Hermy is getting jealous about Won-won and his new girlfriend... did you notice? Yes? Well, here's another scene just to make sure it's been crammed properly down your throat." It was tiring and I felt it took away from the focus on the much more important plot of an evil-wizard trying to take over the world.
Speaking of Evil Wizards, how come Voldie went on a rampage over the summer causing a bridge to break in two and other violent stuff in the world of Muggles and then as soon as the school year started he kind of... stopped doing stuff. Hermione checked the papers every day and there were a few deaths and disappearances here and there, but nothing on that kind of scale. The back of my book ends the blurb with "[...] as the worlds of muggle and magic start to intertwine..." What intertwining? All of the intertwining (or at least the majority) seems to have happened before the events of the book, that hardly warrants the word "start" in that blurb. I felt a bit let down that this very epic-sounding promise from the back cover of the book was never fulfilled.
The ending finally got dark for all of three chapters. Dumbledore's death had been innevitable. And for whoever asked how everyone "knew" Dumby was going to kick it in this book, JK let out a hint on her website like a year ago that another person close to Harry would indeed die in this book again, which lead of course to a lot of internet chatter. Of course no one was sure but... c'mon it's the old rule of storytelling. I call it the "Rookie of the Year" rule. When someone has a special power (like being able to pitch a super fast ball or having a super-wizard for a friend) you have to lose that special power before you face your biggest challenge (like the last inning of the playoffs or the wizard who killed your parents) so that you have to achieve your goals using your own powers and smarts. (Though I don't think the hidden ball trick is going to help defeat Voldemort.). And as for Snape... we'll have to wait and see, but I'm guessing we have a bit more to learn about where his loyalties lie.
And on a side note: RAB is almost certainly Sirius' brother Regalus who was a death eater until he tried to back out and was killed (possibly) 15 years before the events of HP5 when they mentioned him. I'm guessing he (or his actions from before his death) will play an important part in 7).
Regardless of the shortfalls of this book, the very open ending definitely made me eager for the next one. I can't wait to see how everything winds up.
I really enjoyed this book, I like the whole series and I really do think she's a good writer.
A few things though,
Spoiler
As to the love stuff: I agree that it was really weak in the book and it kind of let me down a bit. I thought that if she was going to go into all the lovey dovey things she could have at least done it properly. However a friend of mine told me that there was an adult version of the book. This kind of makes sense to me, because if you think about it - This is still essentially a kids book (Or is meant to be)... maybe she homed in on that aspect more in the Adult version...
Something Progmax said also made me think: Dumbledore is closely affilliated with his phoenix, Fawkes in much the same way as Voldemort and his snake, Nagini. At Dumbledore's funeral it says that Harry thought he saw a blue phoenix rise out of the tomb. I really like the idea of Dumbledore being like a phoenix, the bird that ressurects from the ashes - Although I dont really have much hope of Dumbledore coming back to life.
Finally, there's also the Peter Pettigrew aspect that nobody has yet mentioned. He hardly played a part in this book and its therefore a given that he's in the next because the thing about Harry keeping him alive is supposed to have large significance too.
This last book is gonna be a doozy...
~Billy
And another thing: Dumbledore and everyone else could still speak to Phineas Nigellus after he died because he had a painting in his office ... Surely Harry can still speak to Dumbledore in painting form, right?
Well anything that Dumbledore didn't know at the time the painting was made would have been lost... :-\
Then someone could paint another painting, not ... ? Someone doesn't have to be alive for you to paint a picture of them, right? Or maybe they do for the magic to work? I dunno ...
The whole pictures-can-talk thing is pretty vague.
If you read the earlier books you'll find that these were all probably just for the magical effect.
I find it weird that there's a picture of Dumbledore on the wall and they're all worried about him being dead. You can talk to it and it can talk back...
I also think it depends what kind of picture it is ... Remember the first book - The pic of dumbledore on the bean card thingy never talked ...
My summer job (http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/17072005_181313_0.png)
Haha I was thinking something along the same lines as well earlier ...
Well I think that the way it works is...if the painting is enchanted when it's painted...it retains...I don't know...that doesn't make any sense. Why would she do this??? Explain yourself immediately!!!
For those who want theories on Dumbledore being dead or alive, check this site (http://www.dumbledoreisnotdead.com). (Sorry if it's already posted...)
before this gets locked http://www.mugglenet.com/books/futurebooks/book7/rumors.shtml
first line: Dumbledore is really dead. He is not in hiding and is not coming back. (Thats not a theroy JK sayd that)