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Re: *spoilers for book 7* focalisation and why I'l accept it this time, the power/powerless issue Legolas Send a noteboard - 20/10/2010 02:58:54 PM
Yes. I am still not quite happy with this strange and erratic switch of focus. But I'll forgive the first one because it (as the one in book 4 did) shows how magic intrudes so horribly into the world of powerless muggles, which has grown to be a major sub-theme (if there is such a thing). The very casual way in which it can be arranged that the President of some country can "forget" to call, and remember to do it tomorrow instead, for example. Not to mention the obvious problems that the Death Eaters are causing. It also shows up in the third chapter, if obliquely: Dumbledore's wand by its mere presence subdues the Dursleys, who dare not express themselves as they would otherwise have done. It is problematic. Unavoidable, perhaps, but still. Interestingly, the forced (more overtly) lack of expression in Kreecher echoes this. In my mind, at least. It ties the two together.

Good point. And of course it has the advantage of giving us an idea of just how hard Voldemort is going at it now that his secrecy has ended - by showing how much even the Muggles are noticing, it's stronger than it would've been with just Prophet reporting. He really has come out guns blazing now, I never really fully appreciated the contrast before - iirc one of the final chapters of book four is called "The Second Wizard War Starts" or some such, but it's only here that it has really started, almost from one day to the next.
Actually, my main problem with the alternative focalization stems from the way she used it in the first three books to keep information from the reader, making it read like a detective story. She moves away from the detective story pattern in the fourth and fifth books, and I suppose that while it is present to a certain degree in this book, it is also radically changed. Seeing as Harry is right for a change, for instance (which is confirmed even before he is right). Still.

True, there are less detective elements in the final books, though obviously we still have the big plot involving Draco and Snape that we'll get clues about in the usual style. But it's not Harry's main concern.
Also, I forgive the second one because it shows Snape outside of Hogwarts, doing something good that looks bad. I love that. It makes me giddy.

Yes, it is interesting. I find it interesting for all three of them, really, though it gives us little new insight into Bellatrix. But Narcissa - I commented on her above in my reply to Seriana, but I skimmed the chapter again now and it really goes even further than what I said. It's not just that the Malfoys are opportunists, I am beginning to think they are actually afraid and not happy at all with Voldemort's return. Certainly Narcissa, but perhaps Lucius as well. And why should they be - they have little to gain, but much to lose.

Which makes it really kind of shocking how easily Voldemort can gain power during this book and the next one. When even a crucial ally like Malfoy is serving more because of fear than any real enthusiasm, the conclusion is Voldemort really has little more than a handful of outcasts and breakout convicts plus those he intimidates into supporting him, and that's enough to take over wizarding Britain. I'm now kind of reminded of the Catiline Conspiracy (yes, an odd connection, I know, but I'm reading a biography of Caesar, soon to be reviewed), only with an obviously more exceptional leader and with actual success. Or, I suppose, the inevitable Nazism comparisons, but you know, they started out a similar way perhaps (charismatic leader with a handful of lieutenants and a bunch of outcast losers) but only got real power after getting a massive popular following.

And to think his best people are actually in jail while he's doing all those things, so he's left with really close to nothing besides Bellatrix.
In the third chapter, it is interesting to see how close the papers are to the truth about the prophecy. I suppose one narrative pattern fits another. We also get the rift between Dumbledore and Scrimgeour, and inferi are introduced.

Yeah, which kind of proves the Prophet is quite good when they want to be, and they just didn't want to be earlier...
It also occurs to me that Dumbledore's "we have corresponded, of course" to Petunia means something other than what Harry attributes to it (shock) -- as is revealed in book 7, I think?

Indeed.
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The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book Six, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - 18/10/2010 06:12:40 PM 2730 Views
General comments on the book. - 18/10/2010 06:14:10 PM 1582 Views
I am enjoying this a lot more than I thought I would. - 22/10/2010 07:25:17 PM 1705 Views
Yes, I'm loving that I can read in English again. - 22/10/2010 10:10:32 PM 1816 Views
Me too - 01/11/2010 02:11:28 PM 1568 Views
Suggestions. - 18/10/2010 06:18:46 PM 1624 Views
Re: Suggestions. - 20/10/2010 03:20:18 PM 1776 Views
*cough* - 09/11/2010 09:24:21 AM 1501 Views
Oh yes. I'm being distracted by Towers of Midnight. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:11:22 PM 932 Views
Shocking. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:43 PM 875 Views
Are we having a break right now? - 12/11/2010 06:48:10 PM 1671 Views
Re: Are we having a break right now? - 12/11/2010 10:05:30 PM 1940 Views
Chapters 1-3: The Other Minister, Spinner's End, Will and Won't. - 18/10/2010 06:21:55 PM 1843 Views
Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 18/10/2010 06:25:12 PM 1848 Views
Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 18/10/2010 06:55:06 PM 1849 Views
(minor book seven spoilers) - 19/10/2010 11:27:53 AM 1811 Views
Re: (minor book seven spoilers) - 19/10/2010 05:26:50 PM 1578 Views
*spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 01:01:35 AM 1803 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 11:39:44 AM 1608 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 11:48:45 AM 1900 Views
I rather enjoyed the new characters. - 22/10/2010 07:30:03 PM 1588 Views
Re: I rather enjoyed the new characters. - 22/10/2010 08:33:44 PM 1706 Views
Plotting and writing. - 18/10/2010 06:27:40 PM 1344 Views
*spoilers for book 7* focalisation and why I'l accept it this time, the power/powerless issue &stuff - 19/10/2010 01:02:53 AM 1615 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* focalisation and why I'l accept it this time, the power/powerless issue - 20/10/2010 02:58:54 PM 1580 Views
Oh, her writing is glorious in these chapters. - 22/10/2010 07:31:14 PM 1657 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 18/10/2010 06:28:16 PM 787 Views
Dumbledore-centered. - 19/10/2010 01:03:05 AM 1721 Views
Re: Dumbledore-centered. - 22/10/2010 07:31:56 PM 1686 Views
Re: Dumbledore-centered. - 22/10/2010 07:33:34 PM 1681 Views
Chapters 4-6: Horace Slughorn, An Excess of Phlegm, Draco's Detour. *NM* - 20/10/2010 03:44:39 PM 936 Views
Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 03:46:47 PM 1761 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 05:27:26 PM 1764 Views
(Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 09:25:20 PM 1797 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 09:46:08 PM 1719 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:20:28 PM 1593 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 21/10/2010 12:04:23 AM 1334 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 10:20:28 PM 1705 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:23:38 PM 1599 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 10:15:58 PM 1737 Views
On Ron's reaction to Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:30:48 PM 1671 Views
Re: On Ron's reaction to Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:58:45 PM 1731 Views
Fleur - 23/10/2010 05:11:08 PM 1556 Views
Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins. - 20/10/2010 09:23:04 PM 1619 Views
Characters. - 25/10/2010 03:10:35 AM 1550 Views
Plotting and writing. - 20/10/2010 03:47:55 PM 1678 Views
*minor spoilers for book 7* - 20/10/2010 09:23:44 PM 1720 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 20/10/2010 03:48:07 PM 778 Views
Dumbledore's Stephen Fry moment... or maybe that's just me. - 22/10/2010 07:35:59 PM 1513 Views
It's not just you - 22/10/2010 08:34:25 PM 1501 Views
Chapters 7-9: Slug Club, Snape Victorious, The Half-Blood Prince *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:03 PM 930 Views
Characters *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:24 PM 873 Views
Harry, Romilda, Malfoy (in luuuve), Snape, Lavender Brown, McGonagall, Hermione and Slughorn. - 22/10/2010 07:26:19 PM 1759 Views
Thoughts about your thoughts. - 23/10/2010 05:28:10 PM 1511 Views
Re: Thoughts about your thoughts. - 24/10/2010 09:18:37 AM 1541 Views
More characters. - 25/10/2010 03:21:33 AM 1519 Views
Re: More characters. - 25/10/2010 10:27:33 AM 1518 Views
Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 07:54:35 PM 1697 Views
Re: Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 09:04:24 PM 1629 Views
Re: Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 09:54:46 PM 1554 Views
Slytherin had been in need of new blood for a long time. (And assorted other comments.) - 22/10/2010 10:34:49 PM 1714 Views
Neville. - 23/10/2010 05:30:39 PM 1615 Views
Re: Neville. - 08/11/2010 02:35:57 PM 1699 Views
NEWT Potions - 24/10/2010 03:24:42 AM 1689 Views
Re: Characters - 24/10/2010 03:41:30 AM 1756 Views
Re: Characters - 25/10/2010 10:44:00 AM 1581 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:37 PM 876 Views
Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job. - 22/10/2010 07:27:23 PM 1641 Views
Malfoy and the DADA job. - 22/10/2010 10:51:03 PM 1549 Views
Re: Malfoy and the DADA job. - 25/10/2010 11:31:57 AM 1574 Views
Re: Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job. - 23/10/2010 05:32:27 PM 1563 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:50 PM 896 Views
I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 22/10/2010 07:28:04 PM 1517 Views
Re: I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 23/10/2010 05:33:27 PM 1639 Views
Re: I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 25/10/2010 03:06:43 AM 1624 Views
Chapters 10-12: The House of Gaunt, Hermione's Helping Hand, Silver and Opals. *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:00:02 PM 931 Views
Characters: The Gaunts, the Trio, Hagrid, and many more. *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:02:07 PM 900 Views
Harry's continued insistence about Malfoy really irritates me (even though he's right). - 25/10/2010 06:15:23 PM 1790 Views
*lol* - 25/10/2010 06:39:19 PM 1649 Views
I don't hide from my faults. - 25/10/2010 08:01:39 PM 1487 Views
Re: I don't hide from my faults. - 28/10/2010 04:59:54 AM 1653 Views
Re: *lol* - 26/10/2010 09:50:09 AM 1642 Views
~geeky moment~ - 26/10/2010 03:14:52 PM 1536 Views
Re: ~geeky moment~ - 26/10/2010 09:49:12 PM 1500 Views
Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 25/10/2010 10:23:55 PM 1586 Views
Re: Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 26/10/2010 11:56:59 PM 1675 Views
Re: Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 27/10/2010 08:14:42 AM 1684 Views
Plotting and writing. - 25/10/2010 05:03:16 PM 1648 Views
Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight. - 25/10/2010 05:37:28 PM 1686 Views
Re: Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight. - 26/10/2010 09:46:47 AM 1584 Views
The smuggling and Trelawney's rambling. - 27/10/2010 12:05:48 AM 1631 Views
Re: The smuggling and Trelawney's rambling. - 27/10/2010 08:10:46 AM 1556 Views
Things - 25/10/2010 10:24:19 PM 1658 Views
Re: Things - 27/10/2010 12:01:17 AM 1680 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:03:32 PM 721 Views
Dumbledore still sounds like Stephen Fry. And reflections on the nature of Potions class. - 25/10/2010 05:11:24 PM 1501 Views
It's like baking, I think. - 25/10/2010 05:32:42 PM 1635 Views
Good analogy - 25/10/2010 05:52:38 PM 1482 Views
Yes, exactly like baking - and advanced baking involves experimenting, substituting, improvising. - 25/10/2010 06:42:42 PM 1687 Views
But not at high school. - 25/10/2010 07:57:44 PM 1596 Views
Also - 04/11/2010 09:29:47 AM 1555 Views
Also, Parseltongue - is Harry that thick, or is it a magic thing? - 25/10/2010 05:18:41 PM 1617 Views
I think it's a magic thing. - 25/10/2010 05:34:09 PM 1604 Views
It can be learned actually. Dumbledore implies he knows it and Ron uses it in book 7 - 25/10/2010 05:55:28 PM 1568 Views
Huh. I completely missed that. Good thing we're doing a reread. - 25/10/2010 05:57:38 PM 1567 Views
Speaking of Dumbledore and Parseltongue. - 28/10/2010 05:03:10 AM 1843 Views
parseltongue - 25/10/2010 10:24:46 PM 1719 Views
Interesting how many of our remarks are along similar lines. *NM* - 25/10/2010 10:27:30 PM 762 Views
Indeed - 26/10/2010 09:20:43 AM 1612 Views
Chapters 13-15: The Secret Riddle, Felix Felicis, The Unbreakable Vow *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:16:28 PM 890 Views
Characters: The Trio, Ginny, Tom Riddle, Draco,... *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:12 PM 876 Views
Dumbledore, Voldemort, Ron & Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Luna - 27/10/2010 10:31:39 PM 1587 Views
My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around. - 29/10/2010 01:47:20 PM 1563 Views
Girls. - 29/10/2010 05:54:25 PM 1596 Views
Draco: Not as confident as he appears, surely. - 29/10/2010 02:02:01 PM 1752 Views
Re: Draco: Not as confident as he appears, surely. - 29/10/2010 09:01:56 PM 1727 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:26 PM 692 Views
plot and writing. - 27/10/2010 10:30:14 PM 1615 Views
Re: plot and writing. - 28/10/2010 05:07:03 AM 1767 Views
Draco can dissemble rather well, just like his parents. - 29/10/2010 02:08:35 PM 1635 Views
Re: Draco can dissemble rather well, just like his parents. - 29/10/2010 09:00:36 PM 1643 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:42 PM 725 Views
Re: Anything else? - 27/10/2010 10:30:55 PM 1750 Views
Re: Anything else? - 28/10/2010 04:56:10 AM 1698 Views
Harry comments on that when in Snape's memories in book five. - 28/10/2010 10:42:08 AM 1555 Views
I wonder if that's actually true, though. - 28/10/2010 10:39:20 AM 1741 Views
Re: I wonder if that's actually true, though. - 28/10/2010 10:44:22 AM 1604 Views
It's more than that, though. - 28/10/2010 10:55:49 AM 1665 Views
Re: It's more than that, though. - 28/10/2010 11:48:19 AM 1487 Views
Chapters 16-18: A Very Frosty Christmas, A Sluggish Memory, Birthday Surprises *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:40:39 PM 863 Views
Characters: The Trio, Fleur, Scrimgeour, Percy, Remus, Slughorn,... *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:43:02 PM 951 Views
Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 08:51:58 PM 1747 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 11:24:02 PM 1572 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 11:51:06 PM 1581 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 31/10/2010 09:14:46 PM 1818 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 31/10/2010 09:07:19 PM 1675 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 02/11/2010 06:23:04 PM 1636 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 02/11/2010 07:20:26 PM 1331 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 04/11/2010 04:03:02 AM 1571 Views
And - 04/11/2010 10:46:37 AM 1588 Views
Plotting and writing. - 29/10/2010 05:43:49 PM 1513 Views
Re: Plotting and writing. - 29/10/2010 08:52:34 PM 1669 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:44:04 PM 760 Views
My comments on Potions class were heeded! Excellent. - 29/10/2010 11:28:43 PM 1583 Views
Re: My comments on Potions class were heeded! Excellent. - 29/10/2010 11:52:12 PM 1669 Views
Chapters 19-21: Elf Tails, Lord Voldemort's Requests, The Unknowable Room *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:00:22 PM 656 Views
Characters: The Trio, the elves, Draco, Dumbledore,... *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:00:56 PM 982 Views
the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 02:08:32 PM 1478 Views
Re: the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 05:10:11 PM 1725 Views
Re: the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 05:16:30 PM 1806 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:01:13 PM 762 Views
Dumbledore, little girls and the house-elf issue again. - 01/11/2010 02:09:35 PM 1799 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:01:27 PM 780 Views
Chapters 22-24: After the Burial, Horcruxes, Sectumsempra - 03/11/2010 09:50:17 PM 1884 Views
Characters. *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:50:33 PM 903 Views
Malfoy, Ron & Hermione, Slughorn, Voldemort, Snape and Ginny. - 04/11/2010 12:12:57 AM 1642 Views
Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. - 04/11/2010 02:02:04 PM 1666 Views
Re: Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. - 04/11/2010 02:16:17 PM 1683 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:50:50 PM 795 Views
Harry wrong again, house elves, horcruxes, free will, well hidden clues and some irony *DH spoiler* - 03/11/2010 10:35:20 PM 1607 Views
Re: Stuff. - 04/11/2010 04:28:04 AM 1662 Views
Re: Stuff. *spoilers for book 7* - 04/11/2010 09:10:19 AM 1669 Views
This "we'll see in book seven" thing is getting old, but still that's what I have to say here... - 04/11/2010 01:23:01 PM 1506 Views
Yes, I think you are right - 04/11/2010 01:24:41 PM 1670 Views
Well, I'm back. Some comments inside. *DH Spoilers* - 08/11/2010 02:28:11 PM 1646 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:51:04 PM 778 Views
Chapters 25-27: The Seer Overheard, The Cave, The Lightning-Struck Tower - 05/11/2010 05:37:42 PM 1498 Views
Plotting and writing. - 05/11/2010 05:39:27 PM 1338 Views
*spoilers for book 7* - 05/11/2010 07:55:07 PM 1547 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 05/11/2010 05:39:43 PM 804 Views
I like how good magic is not flashy. Also, a Tolkien thing - 05/11/2010 07:55:27 PM 1589 Views
I didn't take the comparison as far, but the gate thing did remind me of Moria, yes. (DH spoilers) - 05/11/2010 10:03:16 PM 1816 Views
yes - 05/11/2010 10:06:43 PM 1574 Views
Chapters 28-30: Flight of the Prince, The Phoenix Lament, The White Tomb. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:12 PM 904 Views
Characters. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:25 PM 740 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:40 PM 870 Views
Spoilers. - 09/11/2010 02:26:38 PM 1519 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 09/11/2010 04:49:06 PM 1573 Views
I'm assuming not even the Ministry knows 100% what she did. - 13/11/2010 12:26:14 AM 1670 Views
Very true. - 15/11/2010 01:48:36 PM 1660 Views
Not much, no, but there's one fairly crucial mention. - 15/11/2010 04:37:23 PM 1629 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 13/11/2010 12:22:22 AM 1777 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 13/11/2010 09:38:09 AM 1916 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:53 PM 750 Views
We did the Harry Potter marathon thing on Sunday - 09/11/2010 02:28:08 PM 1644 Views
I vaguely remember something of the sort, yes. - 09/11/2010 02:57:56 PM 1839 Views
Re: I vaguely remember something of the sort, yes. - 09/11/2010 02:58:56 PM 1541 Views
This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies. - 09/11/2010 04:34:33 PM 1664 Views
Re: This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies. - 09/11/2010 04:36:29 PM 1643 Views
Very true. - 09/11/2010 04:40:24 PM 1883 Views
Re: Very true. - 09/11/2010 04:43:45 PM 2115 Views
Agreed. - 09/11/2010 04:53:46 PM 1652 Views
Re: Agreed. - 09/11/2010 04:58:59 PM 1754 Views

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