What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this is a grim, violent book. Deaths occur in nearly every chapter, and suspense, misery, and pain permeate much of the story. Because of this, though we know younger kids will read this wonderful end to the Potter series, we have rated it for age 12 and up.
Families who read this book could discuss the publishing phenomenon that is Harry Potter. Why has it been successful? What is different about it from other books and series? Is it just hype, or something more? Also, what do you think about the way author Rowling ends the series? Are you satisfied? How is it different from what you expected? Do you wish anything was different? Do you understand the complex reasoning that leads to the denouement?
Common Sense Review
The long-awaited finale to the biggest (in every sense) publishing phenomenon in history crashes to a thunderous ending (don't worry, no spoilers here). Bringing the series total up to around 4,100 pages, Book 7 in the saga of the Boy Who Lived will not disappoint.
Author J. K. Rowling retains her crown as the queen of plotting and pacing. Never for children, and rarely for adults, has there been an epic story arc this complex, convoluted, and carefully constructed. This final book makes it clear that there was hardly a wasted word or event in the whole series as everything comes together here in Book 7 in a way that's satisfying -- and that rewards close reading of the previous books. One example: Way back in Book 1, when Harry gets his wand, Mr. Ollivander says to him, "The wand chooses the wizard." A throwaway line? A bit of color? Think again.
Rowling has said that she wrote the final chapter of Book 7 before the other books and locked it away in a safe deposit box, so that she would always know where the story was going. One can see here the benefits of that approach.
Rowling has lost none of her magic touch. Though there is, at times, a bit too much exposition, it's enthralling, exciting, suspenseful, surprising, clever, and moving from beginning to end. But there's one thing it isn't -- fun.
You can't say she didn't warn us. Rowling has publicly stated that fighting pure evil involves hardship, sacrifice, and death. And the best word to describe this final book is grim.
Much has been made of the many deaths in this book and, to be truthful, it's a bit of a bloodbath. Deaths occur in nearly every chapter, beginning with the epigraph with two quotes about death, one each from Aeschylus and William Penn. But it's not just the deaths that make the book so gloomy -- it's the unremitting suspense, misery, and pain that permeate so much of the story. Gone, for the most part, is Rowling's usual comedy relief. Gone are the joyful diversions, such as Quidditch, snogging, and fun with Hagrid. Gone, in fact, are any distractions from gritty survival and relentless, obsessive pursuit of a single goal. The entire book has the tone of Frodo and Sam's last slog across Mordor and up Mount Doom.
One has to admire Rowling for not flinching from the consequences of her setup, and also for the clever way she avoids some of the worst scenarios that readers have posted over the years since Book 6 was released.
But mostly one has to admire her for her unrelenting dedication to creating one of the great fantasy epics of all time -- dedication that has resulted, in this digital age, in bringing children's books back into the mainstream of popular media and culture.
From The Book
Nobody laughed this time: There was no mistaking the anger and contempt in Voldemort's voice. For the third time, Charity Burbage revolved to face Snape. Tears were pouring from her eyes into her hair. Snape looked back at her, quite impassive, as she turned slowly away from him again.
"Avada Kedavra."
The flash of green light illuminated every corner of the room. Charity fell, with a resounding crash, onto the table below, which trembled and creaked. Several of the Death Eaters leapt back in their chairs. Draco fell out of his onto the floor.
"Dinner, Nagini," said Voldemort softly, and the great snake swayed and slithered from his shoulders onto the polished wood.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
0 |
