Saturday 21 July 2007

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!!

After so many months of anticipation, we're only a few hours away from getting to lay our hands on what will surely be one of the greatest masterpieces of the 21st century; Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows. Like me, HP maniacs all over the world are counting down the hours, which seem to be dragging on for months.
I actually suffered a scare about a week ago when I realised that I didn't have enough money to buy the book, and had actually resorted to buying it next month! (oh, the horror!!). But thanks to my dear cousin, who has been borrowing my HP books for the past few years, decided to do me a favour by buying the book herself. God bless her.

Now, all you fans must be aware of the reported leaks about the story. There was the friggin New York Times for one, who decided to post a "review" on their website and gave Ms Rowling a nasty surprise. I dunno whether it was a true review or not, but I didn't read it anyway. After all, we didn't wait all these years for nothing. (there was also some idiotic guy who confidently claimed on his talkshow that Harry would be starting a muggle business at the end of the book. Git.)

So, while we're all feeling giddy with excitement, let's look back at the past books & how they've affected us (I can't believe its all going to end!!).

Book 1: I had actually seen a trailer of the Sorcerer's Stone movie (I hate it when they change the names, why couldn't it be friggin Philosopher's Stone, there's a distinct difference in the meaning of the two words) before I even learnt of this book. I saw a young Daniel Radcliffe jumping up & trying to clutch at some letters that were flying about everywhere. Then I saw Hermione teaching Ron 'Wingardium Leviosa' & everyone swishing their wands, and also the goblins at Gringotts. I thought they were conducting some wierd orchestra then, and had no idea as to what it really was. Anyway, I first read this book when I was 11 years old. A cousin of mine went abroad to India & brought the first 4 books, and recommended them to me. He claimed that they were very "funny". It was a book, plus it was funny and these were two things I just couldn't resist. It took me 3 days to read the first page, but after that, I was just glued right till the end. It was fascinating...

Book 2: I called my cousin a few days after Book 1 and managed to borrow Book 2. Spent virtually all my free time slumped on a chair and reading it. It was fantastic...

Book 3: Managed to get hold of it, but unfortunately my mom prevented me from readin coz it was during the exams after all. It was a long & agonizing wait, but I eventually got through it and spent the holidays once again slumped on a chair. I found this book a little strange though. Not in a bad way, mind but maybe coz Harry was showing signs of growing up, while I was still only 11.

Book 4: By this time, I had introduced Harry Potter to a couple of people. Both of them loved it and have remained avid fans since. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and after reading it, I was delighted to find out that the first movie was going to be released soon. Then there was that long wait till the 5th book was released.

Book 5: I remember the hype that was caused even here in Male'. They released the book at 4.00 in the morning, though I didn't go there. I only got it that evening just before I went to bed. This book was very different from the previous ones. All that time I thought I was going to read about the adventures Harry & co would be facing while they were at Hogwarts. But this book was a lot darker, more emotional & to my intense delight, looooong. A sinister plot was shaping up. Admittedly, I didn't understand some of the emotional aspects of the book, like I felt irritated at times when Harry lost his temper. I re-read this book an year or so afterwards, & understood some things that I would not have even thought of before. You know, its part of growing up. Anyway, I devoured this one in 8 days (I had to go through a tough, tight schedule...thats my excuse. I like to take my time while reading too, feeling everything thats written in it. I just don't understand these so-called "speed readers") & was already anticipating the next one.

Book 6: I just loved this one. The first few chapters where Harry spent at The Burrow & the Hogwarts Express were a little disappointing, coz I thought they were very rushed and didn't have the same emotional qualities seen in the previous books. But it was just brilliant afterwards. It was dark, it was sinister, and of course there was all the fluff and funny moments. But Ms Rowling showed her brutality by killing off one of my favourite characters at the end. I actually could not believe it at first, and reread that part. But overall I enjoyed it immensely. The plot was just brilliant.

Book 7: Here we're at last. Its been a long, wonderful journey, a journey that began when both Harry & I were 11, and its going to end with both of us as 17 year olds. Its ironic that I read the first book 7 years ago! Its goin to be a busy week for all of us (my unit tests begin next Sunday...gah!!) and I would like to wish you all the best on the final outcome of the book. I'm feeling all giddy at the moment; I can smell the book now...(and I don't care what my English teacher says; I'm NOT going to spend all week reading Newsweek instead of, according to her words, "Stupid, childish stuff like Harry Potter")

Let's all thank Jo for providing us with this miraculous feat of ingenuity. This may be the last book, but the legacy of the whole series will never die. For evidence, see Star Wars. It ended 30 years ago and still remains strong. And now I'm off.

-Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!


5 comments:

//Sub/Corpus said...

i dont understand the craze about harry potter ...
i've never read a harry potter book ...
but i guess if the world is going crazy about the final release ... it must have been really good ...
but i am seeing some webistes on digg claiming that its not as good as its cracked up to be ...
but i guess people r different ... one mans junk is another mans treasure ...
enjoy the book ... i hear its available for download already ...

Imma said...

u shud try readin the books pal, then u'll understand all this hype. i've had a few ppl askin me that same question, and only after readin the books did they know what a wonderful thing it really is. anyway i'm not the sorta person who gets all crazed up for nothin...
and its available for download?? its not supposed to happen u knw...whoevers doin it is not doin it legally
oh yeah and i suppose u've watched the movies...they're crap compared to the books

Unknown said...

I'v got 3 hours till i get my hands on my copy.. i am so excited.. lol :)

Happy reading..

Unknown said...

i read it!
and im not disappointed!
im just happy with the ending and everything
and im pretty sure you won't be disappointed
so many years of work.. so many plans.. everything just falls into its rightful place at the end of the book
its just amazing!

Unknown said...

am i the ONLY one who doesnt have the final book?!?!

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