Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
A Book Review By
Le Chupacabra
For the past few days, millions of people have been shedding tears because of loss. No, this has nothing to do with the London bombings.
The latest Harry Potter is an amazing journey that delves into the minds and hearts of our favourite characters from Rowling's world of magic. The sixth outing is a deep and profound read that left this reader's head reeling. No, it's not that it's complicated or anything. The pacing is superb and that Potter charm is in full effect: you simply cannot put this book down! However, even in the wake of sinister events and a rather macabre setting, The Half-Blood Prince is a startlingly humanistic adventure of self-discovery, acceptance, bravery, revelations, betrayal, friendship, love and yes, death. If you've read my opening sentence, or just browsed the Internet, you'll know that someone's dead. There, I've said it! People have speculated about it for (literally) years, and many were "unsurprised". However, after reading it, nothing prepares you for that shocker. It's incredibly sad and even sudden. True, quite a few people die in HBP but this one death will stand out in your mind. Regardless of your existing stance towards the characters of Harry Potter, the melancholy associated with this death is something all readers will feel.
Despite the events of previous books, they've all managed to end in a rather happy note, if you will. In HBP, the book ends in an extremely sombre tone. But don't let that keep you from reading because this book is simply a masterpiece.
The world of Harry Potter is now presented in a manner unlike any in the series. Lord Voldemort is back (if this comes as a surprise, then shame on you) and, unlike Book 5, is stirring up a whole lot of trouble. The whole Wizarding community is in disarray and instead of the colourful world we normally visit, it's become a sinister place that feels very real and closer to home that ever before. In spite of all this, the characters have never been as beautifully portrayed as they are here. While strife continues everywhere, the characters are still living on. They have matured along with JK Rowling's writing skills and act as a brilliant balance to the evil that threatens to consume all. Yep, love is also in the air, moreso than it was in Goblet or Order. Pacts are made and broken and there's plenty of snogging going on. These kids aren't well, kids, anymore. HBP is a great portrayal of everyone's slow and unsteady steps into the world of adults. Love becomes a strong theme as do the virtues of bravery, innocence, loyalty, friendship and self-sacrifice.
Even in the midst of raging hormones, normal life at Hogwarts continues with the same charm as always. There's a new Defence Against Dark Arts teacher, Quidditch still has everyone hooked, and the place is rife with jokes and puns. If you've been following the rest of series, you will be very much at home when reading HBP.
However, you will notice that things are indeed much more personal this time. We slowly find out more about each character, their resolves, their strengths, their weaknesses and what makes them tick. From Ron to Volde...You-Know-Who, each character seems much more real and human than they've ever been before…though considering Voldemort's state, it's debatable. Jokes aside, JK Rowling shows deep insight into the minds of her characters and their actions leave you pondering more than before. There are lessons worth learning here, some obvious, some more subtle. Also, while HBP answers many questions it raises more interesting and profound ones and given the whole mood and theme of this book, things are not always what they seem.
While this book may alienate smaller children, those that have grown up with Harry Potter will find that HBP resonates in ways you thought were not possible. Harry Potter has grown up indeed.
Taken as a precursor to the grand finale or as part of the Harry Potter mythos or even on its own merits, HBP is a brilliantly engrossing tale that you'll never forget! It manages to be deep, macabre and sad yet enlightening and funny all at once. While it's hard to tell whether this is 'better' or 'worse' than the other Harry Potter books, The Half-Blood Prince is still a journey that will not fail to entertain you.
The latest Harry Potter is an amazing journey that delves into the minds and hearts of our favourite characters from Rowling's world of magic. The sixth outing is a deep and profound read that left this reader's head reeling. No, it's not that it's complicated or anything. The pacing is superb and that Potter charm is in full effect: you simply cannot put this book down! However, even in the wake of sinister events and a rather macabre setting, The Half-Blood Prince is a startlingly humanistic adventure of self-discovery, acceptance, bravery, revelations, betrayal, friendship, love and yes, death. If you've read my opening sentence, or just browsed the Internet, you'll know that someone's dead. There, I've said it! People have speculated about it for (literally) years, and many were "unsurprised". However, after reading it, nothing prepares you for that shocker. It's incredibly sad and even sudden. True, quite a few people die in HBP but this one death will stand out in your mind. Regardless of your existing stance towards the characters of Harry Potter, the melancholy associated with this death is something all readers will feel.
Despite the events of previous books, they've all managed to end in a rather happy note, if you will. In HBP, the book ends in an extremely sombre tone. But don't let that keep you from reading because this book is simply a masterpiece.
The world of Harry Potter is now presented in a manner unlike any in the series. Lord Voldemort is back (if this comes as a surprise, then shame on you) and, unlike Book 5, is stirring up a whole lot of trouble. The whole Wizarding community is in disarray and instead of the colourful world we normally visit, it's become a sinister place that feels very real and closer to home that ever before. In spite of all this, the characters have never been as beautifully portrayed as they are here. While strife continues everywhere, the characters are still living on. They have matured along with JK Rowling's writing skills and act as a brilliant balance to the evil that threatens to consume all. Yep, love is also in the air, moreso than it was in Goblet or Order. Pacts are made and broken and there's plenty of snogging going on. These kids aren't well, kids, anymore. HBP is a great portrayal of everyone's slow and unsteady steps into the world of adults. Love becomes a strong theme as do the virtues of bravery, innocence, loyalty, friendship and self-sacrifice.
Even in the midst of raging hormones, normal life at Hogwarts continues with the same charm as always. There's a new Defence Against Dark Arts teacher, Quidditch still has everyone hooked, and the place is rife with jokes and puns. If you've been following the rest of series, you will be very much at home when reading HBP.
However, you will notice that things are indeed much more personal this time. We slowly find out more about each character, their resolves, their strengths, their weaknesses and what makes them tick. From Ron to Volde...You-Know-Who, each character seems much more real and human than they've ever been before…though considering Voldemort's state, it's debatable. Jokes aside, JK Rowling shows deep insight into the minds of her characters and their actions leave you pondering more than before. There are lessons worth learning here, some obvious, some more subtle. Also, while HBP answers many questions it raises more interesting and profound ones and given the whole mood and theme of this book, things are not always what they seem.
While this book may alienate smaller children, those that have grown up with Harry Potter will find that HBP resonates in ways you thought were not possible. Harry Potter has grown up indeed.
Taken as a precursor to the grand finale or as part of the Harry Potter mythos or even on its own merits, HBP is a brilliantly engrossing tale that you'll never forget! It manages to be deep, macabre and sad yet enlightening and funny all at once. While it's hard to tell whether this is 'better' or 'worse' than the other Harry Potter books, The Half-Blood Prince is still a journey that will not fail to entertain you.
No comments:
Post a Comment