omly

I was talking to a (non-lj) person via email about what my disappointments about the book were, and figured I would post them here.

I feel almost petty for my complaints, but they revolve almost entirely around Slytherins. I love Snape. Love the snark, love the irony, love his conflict of character. I felt like the big "Snape reveal" was too fast. I am rereading it, but it just doesn't allow a slower and fuller realization of his complexity.

Also JK had said something to the effect that "although many Dark wizards have come from Slytherin, not all Sltherins are Dark wizards." I really thought we would get some good examples. Not to say that I didn't appreciate the Snape reveal, but it just seemed like over all she was reemphasizing that Slytherin=bad/selfish. Another point where I was frustrated with this same point was in the Room of Requirements and then the Great Hall where JK pointedly remarks about how *not one Slytherin* fights Voldemort's side. Why not? Even if you take the perspective that a Slytherin would only act in their self-interest, given that Voldemort has gone from his original "purebloods first" idea to full blown insanity, do you really think *not one* would have felt that they might be better off without him winning?

And I hoped to see Draco developed. As we saw that he couldn't kill Voldemort, even knowing that his parents never mind himself would be in danger if he failed. I am not saying that he necessarily should have been a hero/good guy, but I would have liked to see him developed more. I think he could have been a really interesting character. Then afterwards, I felt like "why did JK even bother including him". His mention is incredibly brief, and the only storyline purpose he seemed to serve was "and once again Harry Potter did the right thing even though his enemy might not have". I know some have said that Harry saving Draco saves his own life later because of Narcissa, but I am not convinced of how necessary that bit was.

There are other little literary complaints like the slow bits in the middle and then the mad rush in the end, but sometimes life is like that. I disagree with the idea that Hedwig's death was necessary to make him feel alone enough. If he could leave Ron and Hermione, I think that he could have left his owl behind too. But mostly its the Slytherin thing that gets me.
But then again I am a self-proclaimed Slytherin lover ;)