Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Myth, Magic and Millions Of Books Sold

So you’re a big Harry Potter fan?  Really, you either are or you aren’t, there’s no middle ground and no grey area.  Although I own most of the books I must at this point put my hand up and say that, after the first one (read out of curiosity), most of the rest were read out of a dutiful sense that, having begun, I’d better carry on and get the series finished.  Perhaps just out of curiosity as much as real interest.

‘Deathly Hallows’ is the last book in the septet sequence, and rather a long way from being my personal favourite. (That would really be Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth of the series: epic Triwizarding battles, the death of Cedric – extra cheers for Twilight haters - and the really pretty rockin’ Cho Chang, how can you go wrong? Ginny Weasley is wet and a weed and you have my permission to say so.)

The tone of the book is rather grim, as might be expected so close to a climax.  Dumbledore, Harry’s teacher, the headmaster of Hogwarts is dead.  And the opposition to the Deatheaters, the Order of the Phoenix, must fight the enchroaching power of Voldemort, as he stakes his claim to governmental power and control.  The way is identified, through magical totems known as ‘horcruxes’ and something known as a ‘hallows’: but can it be done?

What’s wrong about this book, and what’s right? Well, one thing right is how many copies it’s sold. You can’t argue with millions of satisfied and ecstatic customers… can you? Well, not en masse, and if you value your life. What’s wrong with it… (sighs). Well, a lot of bestsellers are forgotten a century later, and many classics go unnoticed in their own era. A prophet has no honour in his own land etc. etc. … If you love J.K. Rowling, then go you. For me, at least when the oil runs out, I know I have some heavy duty kindling for the fire, or excellent door stops.