After being on the injured reserve list for the passed 6 days, I watched Deathly Hallows pt 2 (I think I’m going to watch it again), finished reading Book 6 and just finished Book 7 a few minutes ago (I practically ate the book..I did it in like 4 days). That’s the 3rd time I’ve read Deathly and the first time I’ve read the whole story in a row. It’s a hell of a story man! Seems kind of passe to talk about it now since it’s been over for years now, but it really stands up. Rowling had a really clear vision from the start of the journey she wanted to write. There’s all sorts of plot points that thread around every book and most of it is explained well (there’s a lot of world lore that comes into effect in 7). Considering the story goes for around 4,000 pages (US Hardcover editions) it’s amazing that Rowling manged to keep everything so strong for that long.

The first 2 books can certainly be called children’s books, but the further you go the more complex and adult it gets. There’s a lot of intense real world adult content that takes place. It’s a story that took 10 years to write so the audience grew with it. If I gave it to a kid, I’d probably start around age 8 and give them each book a year apart. I’d blather on more, but there’s so much to cover, it’s easier to talk about in person. Years later I’ve come to appreciate the ending more. I still feel like it was cut short, she could have easily written more, but I think I understand her intent. It’s still a powerful and focused finale. That said if Rowling ever wrote more, whether that be filling in gaps at the end of 7 and the epilogue or anything before or after the story, I’d be there day one. I have a couple problems with the books (she sticks very closely to a timeline and event formula), but I can’t honestly call out anything that really bothers me about what she’s written. It completely grabbed me the same way it did when I first read it which is amazing. I’m such a fan that I pretty much shrug off any criticisms I hear or read about it…you have to read every word of the books to understand it.

The movies are a big success too. Cast and crew did they’re all out best and it really shows (I see the main cast when I read the books now). Sure tons of stuff was taken out, but that always happens from page to screen. I question some things more than others, but it all works in the end. Anyone can say they’d do better if they had a crack at it, but I think very few could. It’s a daunting task to start, and hindsight is always 20/20 so you have a finished product that you can easily criticize about what did and didn’t work. I wonder if the books will ever be done in long animated form. The fan in me would love to watch every bit of the journey; there are so many great characters and moments in there. Will they ever remake the movies? Seems hard to believe but you gotta think that some decade down the line they will.