Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Review (pretty Much Spoiler Free)

I wasn't sure what to expect when I embarked upon reading the final installment of a fantasy series that has captured the hearts of millions, but in the end I was surprised and delighted- JK Rowling did a tremendous job.

I saw a lot of growth in Rowling's writing in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- her writing was more contemplative, her metaphors deeper, and her themes and archetypes a lot more philosophical. She wrote what needed to be written, and told her story in a way that reflects a wonderful tradition of influence in fantasy fiction.

She reminded me a lot of Tolkien with this book (in the structure of the story), which is saying something. Her storytelling style and main action took a departure from her usual format with the pilgrimage of Harry and his friends for the final horcruxes, and the various examples of the wizarding world descending into a tyrannical dictatorship.

I think some people may have trouble with this novel, because it is not like all the other books- it is a different sort of story. One that reflects Harry, Ron and Hermoine boldly stepping from youth into the adult world, outside the safety of their school.

That being said, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was long. Really long. I've read long books before, so that's not generally a problem, but despite the fact that it takes place over approximately the same time period as the other books, it feels almost like two or three books pulled into one, with the amount of 'mystery solving' that occurs. I think it's easy to empathize with Harry's exhaustion by the end, because in some places we really are prompted to stop and say "Geez and he's still gotta do THIS and THAT..."

The twists and turns of logic are dizzying, but ultimately satisfying, since they're tying up 7 books worth of plot. The addition of the Deathly Hallows in the last book felt odd, since there was little inkling of them anywhere else, but did not feel tacked on.

Specific Points:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows brought a lot of character development to characters both alive and dead- Dumbledore, Lily and Snape being the most pivotal ones. I think their back stories went a long way towards establishing the simple humanity of these characters, and Harry's maturation in realizing that fact. After all, it's a part of growing up to realize that our lives are not simply made up of heroes and villains.

Romance did not play a huge role in this book, but it did make some important appearances, and Rowling instead played further with the concept of friendship and strong community. Ron's trepidations, for instance, are addressed. But only to further strengthen the trio's friendship. The chemistry between Ron and Hermoine is left up to the reader's imagination.

In addition to this, I was impressed that she encourages the reader to consider the many possible interpretations of 'the greater good' by showing a few of the many ways it could be used as a justification for war, slavery, or even self-sacrifice. This subtle philosophical/ethical debate served to strengthen the overall themes of the book for me, and truly make it a fantasy story that comments on our own political climates.

Tests of courage, tests of friendship, tests of faith- while not over brimming with action, The Deathly Hallows nonetheless succeeds in representing an epic struggle of the heart in the face of brutality. I enjoyed this book immensely, and it has motivated me to keep Harry Potter part of my irreplaceable works of fantasy storytelling.