A Fond Farewell... (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling)

Member Name: robfeeney

Product:	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling
Date:	07/08/07 (57 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Harry lives up to the hype.

Disadvantages: The book almost fails to.

One might be excused for skipping straight to the end of J.K's latest tale of wizardry to confirm the fate of its famous protagonist. It's an issue which has occupied a considerable amount of column inches - not since J.R has a fictional death so occupied the minds of the public. Will Harry live up to his reputation as the boy who lived, and continue to potter around the world of Hogwarts and platform nine and three-quarters? The answer, as always, is complicated. What is straightforward however is the progression of the story. After the sprawling mess of the last two installments, Deathly Hallows and its six hundred and seven pages seem tightly plotted. The reader is moved quite rapidly from location to location, as Harry and co. follow a succession of clues towards a final confrontation with the book's unnameable evil. There is a fair share of incidents and accidents, and most importantly Harry finally begins to grow into the role of hero rather than over-hyped brat. The all important ending will please most, though (not wanting to give much away) Rowling will be fairly accused of bending the rules somewhat. No matter what you may think of it however, it is an ending, and the preceding story does well to set it up. It would almost be a shame to skip it.

Summary: Some welcome brevity after two ponderous tomes.