Busy week this week, Cambridge and London and now London again today and then tomorrow I will be glued to the TV watching The Wedding. So I have eschewed serious reading and have been reminding myself of the tortuous plot and solution to the Harry Potter series by re-reading the last one, the Deathly Hallows. I had watched the DVD over the weekend and if ever there was an example of a bad book being made into a good film this was it.
Now before I get engulfed in messages from Harry Potter fans about it being a 'bad' book, let me explain. First of all, here is a link to my review of the final book when I read it, and lots of interesting comments. Actually, I think 'bad' is the wrong word to use, but wanted an opposite to 'good' and there you have it (My favourite of the Miss Marple series on the BBC is Nemesis, quite brilliant but the book is not so marvellous from a writing viewpoint - just throwing this in as an example). I rattle through the latest HP when it lands in my hands, so eager am I to find out what is happening to Harry, Ron and Hermione and I find I have to go back and re-read as I have missed so much. My main gripe a bout the Deathly Hallows is not its length, loved HP and the Goblet of Fire which was just as fat, but the fact that on this occasion I do think some pruning would have been sensible. The middle section, where the three friends are wandering and dissaparating all over the place trying to find the Horcruxes, is far too long. Perhaps JK Rowling wanted to draw out the tension, I don't know but it does not work.
What does work, however, and is emphasised by the film, which I think is one of the best, is the friendship and love that exists between the three friends and how they stick together, despite arguments and unhappiness. The characters of the three are so well expressed: Ron, seemingly a bit gormless and not very good at magic but a true friend who overcomes his envy of being in the shadow of Harry all the time; Hermione, clever, smart and vulnerable who uses her cleverness to mask her insecurity and who sacrifices her family life to be with Harry and Ron; and of course, Harry brave and true and a great wizard. Together the three of them make one united whole who band together to fight Voldemort though, in the end, it is only Harry who can decide whether they live or die.
I have just finished reading the book and yes, the writing is clunky at times, the fight and confrontation scenes are confusing, not sure that JK can do this kind of descriptive writing, overly detailed but simply perfect for a film. The Battle at Hogwarts is going to be simply stunning and I am so looking forward to it. Did not see the last film in the cinema, other things got in the way, but will definitely be making sure that the final one is viewed at our local Odeon. I may even pop into a big cinema in London, we shall see.
Don't want anybody to think that I don't love the Harry Potter books - I do. They do have their drawbacks as above, but really how can I nit pick at the creations of an author who has made more children read books than ever before? And, what's more, these books are huge and require concentration to take it all in - the ending of the Deathly Hallows which I just finished reading this morning ties up all the loose ends and references from the entire series and I had to concentrate hard not to get confused. Each time the latest HP was published I would watch in delight at the queues of children waiting to get their copy when the stores opened at midnight, and then to see them plump down on the pavement, on the floor anywhere, and start reading, how marvellous is that? She created the most wonderful, enchanted world which I was very glad to enter and I do wish there were more Harry books to come, but there won't be and that is probably right.
And, finally one character that I stuck by through thick and thin came good in the end and I remember shouting YES, I knew it! when all was revealed. So pleased about that.
Off up to London now and then, as I said, will be on Wedding Watch tomorrow.
Have a good day everyone.
