This is precisely why I don't take her seriously anymore or at least I believe that HBP was a hacked together fanfic put out so Jo could waste her time working with the movie people. She sepnt five books expounding on the theme that blood doesn't matter--that its your choices that determine who you are--and then blows it all to hell by making Tom Riddle evil from birth. Litterally the result of 'bad blood' not to mention the $#@& she pulled with Snape. I'm not exactly a fan of his character, but c'mon! it's blindingly obvious that she decided to screw over the guy's character because of her annoyance with all the rabid Snape and Draco fans.

In fact if you go through the book with a comb and compare it to the others it becomes clear this is an entirely reactionary book intended as a jab in the face. Look at the complete rape of Hermione's character! The fact that Dumbledore obviously has broken Harry's spirit in some form of twisted stockhold syndrome. God the entire book is more or less a backlash!

--bornagainpenguin

 

Yeah the whole "he's evil because he's a Gaunt" is mad bullshit, I always pictured the rise of Lord Voldemort to be something similar to the rise of Darth Vader in the newest Star Wars trilogy, except the trigger for his evil would be his abusive childhood orphanage and dead-beat dad rather than a pregnant illegal wife. Although, I suppose if JKR had done that, we might be sitting here blasting her lack of originality more than we already do.

 

No, not really. I mean alright keep most of the HBP, (WRT Voldemort and why he is who he is) and just lose the 'bad blood' %$#@ and you have a much much better story over all.

I'm not thrilled with the character rape in the book or the way she handled slapping Harry and Ginny together like a half-assed porn shoot; but let's face it they're only teens--how many grand love affairs with the power of troo luff did you have at age 16\17? And try to keep in mind that Harry (as seen in the books) is obviously woefully immature for his age emotionally and mentally.

There are plenty of problems with this series and the HBP created as many (bad) plotholes as it managed to fill--but just removing the 'bad blood' would jump the quality of the book from something that set the cannon on fire and then pissed on the ashes and back into that magical world that most of us would still love to be able to visit, warts and all.

[shrugs] who knows, JKR might be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat with this one, but so far it just doesn't seem likely...

--bornagainpenguin (who offers you a pinch of salt to go along with the above)

 

I would agree except for the fact that Draco in this book seems to be portrayed as an attempt to pander to all the rabid Felton fangirls. I mean, he's basically been a sniveling incompetent weakling and Harry's virtual bitch in about every way imaginable for five books, but in HBP he's a competent wizard who manages to sneak Death Eaters into the castle and get the better of Harry on the train. He's suddenly a competent enough Occlumens to hold back Snape's probing at Slughorn's party. And in the end, he has that sensitive and redeemable streak that the H/D slash lovers so like to instill in him. That and the Harry/Ginny puts me in the camp that thinks this entire book was JKR pandering to the popular fandom.

 

I couldn't agree more! I didn't say making the changes I suggested would make HBP a good book, just that it would limit its corrosive effect on the other earlier books. The improvement would be like the difference between say... a BigMac from McDonnalds vs a Steakburger from Steak and Shake... niether one is going to be as good as a nice juicy porter house angus but which one is better?

--bornagainpenguin (signing off to go eat before he embarrasses himself with another obviously hunger induced comparison)

 

yES, Some thing I always thought was if S. Slytherine was kind enough to be friend with other founders and able to build a school how can he be so evil. The logo of Slytherin house is "power and being cunning". So how does that can be wrong? Anyone in this world is atleast somewhat has a tendacy towards "power" and if they are not cunning enough to live in the world, then god bless them. I'm not saying at all to cheat somebody. I'm just saying using the brain claverly. So how can slytherins be that evil just because of being a Slytherin ? But about Malfoy it's another story. From the very begining of the serise he was depicted as a bad character and now instantly he has become redeemed. And how did DD know that he can't be a murderer ? If Harry was in DD's place that time can any body say Malfoy will not kill Harry ? This all is irretional. There is no reason given to any of this.

 

My dad, who is practically pure-japanese, and can read english fairly quickly; say, Goblet of Fire took him five days. Quick for a person who usually sticks with the japanese books anyway.

Took him well over five months to read HBP because of the sheer boredom.

He just didn't want to read it.

BTW, the Japanese edition of HBP is coming out in May... and the title is sheer bull. It translates to either Harry Potter and the Mysterious Prince or HP and the Prince of Mysteries. I was like, WTF!

 

No wonder really, It's boaring and annoying loads of times. Goes far as to make us throw the book to the near by wall.

 

As soon as i was into the 3rd Chapter i knew it was going to be miserable, oh but then came "the rising beast within" when he saw the filthy whore with the mudblood Thomas i lost it, plain and simply just chucked a tantrum...but i didn't fucking care it was well worth raging about the injustice of it. "Oh Harry my boy your going to have private lessons with me" WHAT THE FUCK? studying Riddles life? Nyx be damned...fucking pussy! i hope he dies in book 7. Sorry i tried reigning in my temper, it's just so hard.

 

It suxed!! I agree with all the negative things said about HBP! Gods it was such a disappointment.

Not only is Harry a wuss, and an annoying one at that, but he doesn't learn anything! ANYTHING from past mistakes! He was supposed to have a Snakey side, (i.e. cunning) and a little brains. BUT NOOOOO... he had to be the forge ahead and damn the consequences hero...

And another thing, what about Sirius? I think Harry’s feelings for him deserved more than a mere mention. Heck I was expecting him to be sitting in his room seething in anger and vowing to kick Voldies ass!

Then there is the training…. Four “lessons” with Dumbledore in which they look at the past… THAT’S IT???? Bloody hell old man. Harry’s got to have to fight the Dark Git in battle. Right now it’s like sending a lamb out to take care of the wolves! If it was me I would ATLEAST make sure that it was Lambo going out there armed to the gills with explosives, missiles, machine guns and backup in the form of a few tanks, helicopters and an orbital laser cannon. Do you just want Harry to die???

Stupid, senile, old coot.

 

I hated it. Harry spent most of the book whining and chasing after Draco. It was sooo boring.

 

Nice to meet a same country man who has a same idea about the book. Irational, annoying, supid...here the list goes.

And about the weapons...Well, as the old coot says "Agghh...You can love Harry." . I suppose as the current situation only thing Harry can do with Love is kiss LV to death untill he can't breath.
What else, he can't match up with even his own peers. So what is the meaning of talking about defeating greatest dark lord for centureis?

 

Good to see a fellow countryman with taste.

One of the main points that I didn't like about this book is the implication of "Love conqures all" concept that seems to be strongly hinted. I'm sorry but after having Hollywood rub that idea in every movie I'm a little tired of it. I'm really hoping I'm wrong.

 

If love conquered all, then the Grandma's of the world would be the dictaors.

 

I'm quite pleased how this book wasn't written in capitals : ) Although Harry's pathetic attempt at duelling Snape at the end nearly made me cry, he constatly whines about how he has no chance but then spends alot of his time chasing after blond boys, not training then cries for a while.

 

Exactly! All that "I want to be normal" shit really pisses me off.