June 12, 2007
I know everyone's been talking about this ad nauseum, even so much that the bookie in London has stopped taking bets as to whether Potter bites the dust in The Deathly Hallows and is now taking bets as to who has the honors of doing so….but really?
Is it possible that Rowling would do that? Kill off her main protagonist?
I can see how she could think about a sacrificial lamb sort of thing with Harry–ie, he has to die so Voldemort dies. It makes sense in a heroic, epic sort of way. But. I just can't see her really doing it. I mean, she loves this character. She's lived him for more than a decade. It's hard to kill off characters *ahem* that one has gotten to know and love.
As an author, I can see her wanting to do it…but to actually, actually do it? I just can't.
What do you think?
June 12th, 2007 at 10:28 am
I’m about 50/50 on this one. I think it would be an interesting end to the series to kill him off, and it would certainly keep anyone else from writing him later. But, then again, I think that killing him off would annoy a lot of her readers. I think a lot of people want him to live, and want to hear about what happens to him later.
June 12th, 2007 at 10:44 am
If she kills him off I am going to be royally pissed. I’ll be pissed if Ron or Hermione bites the dust, too.
June 12th, 2007 at 11:15 am
It wouldn’t surprise me if she did. There has been so much hype about her books in connection with the movies that I think she may have become a bit desensitized toward her characters. Maybe the dollar, or the pound in her case, is just that much more important? I don’t know, but it bothers me a bit that her storyline which was originally aimed at what I thought was a teen audience has turned so dark and now more appropriate for an older audience. My daughter, 14, won’t even finish the 6th book.
June 12th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
It is getting darker, and I think it’s sort of okay since those who started with her have grown up along with Harry.
It is dark–but the battle between good and evil is always dark and frightening if it’s a real battle. So I’m okay with it (although, I still haven’t read The HBP).
Apparently, the last word of the book (and the series!) is “scar.”
She’s had that last chapter written for years, and so that’s what makes me think Harry doesn’t really die. It seems that only recently she’s been talking about her annoyance with the possibility of someone writing about Harry later, and the possibility of killing him off.
But who knows.
June 12th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
I think it’s going to end with Harry waiting for Ron, Hermione and Ginny to join him for dinner at a diner, and right after Harry selects a song on the jukebox, he’ll look up to see first Hermione enter, and then Ron. Ginny will be late, because she can’t parallel park. Meanwhile, a number of suspicious characters have entered, and some of them radiate Death Eater menace. And one of them gets up to go to the bathroom, and then Ginny comes in and Harry looks up…
…and the book ends.
June 12th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Update to above: the music Harry selects is “Time’s Scar.”
Heh heh heh…
June 12th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
The last sentence: “And that was the story of his scar.” Just guessing! I also think that Voldie, Snape & Neville will die.
June 12th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
I LOVE Jackie’s ending, lol…I don’t think she’ll kill Harry..I really don’t. I’m with Colleen. I can’t see her killing her hero. Now, I wouldn’t put it past her to kill Ron or Hermione. That really wouldn’t surprise me..ok, it would, but I wouldn’t doubt that it might happen. Hurrp up and read HBP Colleen!
June 12th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Well, as a writer (not published yet…as so many of us aren’t..), I know what it’s like to have a story in my head and know I must take it to its finish — no matter what anyone else has to say about it. But, perhaps, JK Rowling is one of those writers who didn’t know the end until she got there. I can see her doing what she feels must be done — however, since this was a series aimed at young folks, I’m not sure killing off Harry is a good idea…
June 12th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
First of all, I finally was able to get a copy of Rises the Night. Can I just say that I loved it even more than TRFA? This one rocked!
As for Harry Potter…I know JK Rowling has said that this is 100% for sure the last book, so her killing off Harry doesn’t really surprise me if she does. Nothing would surprise me with her.
June 12th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
PS. As for my thoughts on HP and how some people think the storyline got too dark…well, I remember what I was like at 16. I’m thinking she made the characters age appropriate. Being a teenager isn’t all sweetness & light. 99% of the time, it royally sucks, especially if you aren’t like all the popular kids. Just my two cents.
June 12th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
I am about 70/30 that Harry’s going to bite it…the theory you mention is why I think that. BUT, that theory comes fairly easily…so would she do something that predictable? Who knows!!!!
June 13th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
I’m inclined to say that Harry will die.
I might be disappointed if he doesn’t.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
I don’t think she would do it either. I can’t wait to find out though!