What didn't you like in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?

Question

First of all I thought it was a great book. Just wondering if you would have liked something to have happened that didn't or something to not have happened that did...of course we wish some of the deaths didn't occur.

I personally think it ended a bit abruptly, I wanted more. I also wish that the epilogue was longer and gave more detail into their lives.

Answer 1

With regard to the epilogue, JK Rowling stated in an interview on the Today show (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19959323/from/RSS/) that originally the epilogue was much more detailed, with all the children named (Bill and Fleur have more children than just Victoire), many details about their professions and details about more characters like Luna.

BUT, she didn't feel it was right, it felt like she was trying to hammer out details - she decided that a slightly ambiguous epilogue would be more appropriate. The high demand for details is what is actually making her consider writing a Harry Potter Encyclopedia (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/19935372/), though she first wants a well deserved vacation!

What I was slightly disappointed about was the final battle between Harry and Voldemort - I understand why it happened as it did and appreciate the conclusion very much, but I would have loved a magical showdown of sorts, a climax to rival the twin cores mystery and power that gripped me in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

I am very happy Harry lived!

Answer 2

The only thing that I truly liked about the last book is the fact that Harry found love in Ginny Weasley, he got a family through her family and in the kids she gave him, and Ron and Herminone finally got it together and realized how much they truly cared about each other.

The mere fact that JKR is going around giving interviews about so much that should have been put in the book is disgusting to me. After we have spent so much time and money investing in the Harry Potter series, I think the least we, as fans, could have received is a detailed, well written book.

I don't want to see her on some news/talk show program explaining what should have been put in the book.

I too have heard that she might publilsh an encyclopedia with updates on the characters. The proceeds from this book would go to her favorite charities.

So in order to donate more money to favorite charities, she cheats the fans, purposely leaving out key information? How noble of her.

As much as I believe in helping others, that's one book I'd never buy. In fact, I'll never buy another thing JKR ever writes, that's how disappointed I was about the book.

Answer 3

I wish it wasn't as draggy in the middle... it just felt like it dragged on for awhile in the middle when they were out searching for the horcruxes and stuff.
And I wish there hadn't have been an epilogue. J.K said she doesn't want another authour to pick up on her story, but the epilogue is like open meat for the vultures! The whole 'new generation' thing doesn't really work since she doesn't want to continue the Harry Potter series the way she has for the past 17 years.
Apparently the epilogue was more detailed, like about every kid of every person and such, but J.K said it 'didn't seem like a good piece of literature' so she went with what we read.
overall the epilogue seemed kind of pointless. We could've easily imagined what happened after Harry defeated Voldemort (in such a short battle... 0.o) instead of having a new generation. I mean, I bet she wrote it for all F.F writers to work off of more than anything since she's not going to continue, but still... it'd be nice to have mystery, to make up what you think the rest of their lives would be like.

Other than that I liked it =) Really funny moments, really sad moments...
I still liked HBP better... dunno why, just did, even if it was totally spoiled for me (the Snape killed Dumbledore thing, but I didn't believe it. Since I knew it when I read the part I wasn't all that shocked or sad...). D/H was great in general xD

Answer 4

I think more emotion should have gone into the deaths of some of the characters. I didn't even cry except when Dobby died. And guess what? That was one of the more emotional death scenes. All of the other character deaths are so rushed. You find out they're dead then you just move on to the next thing. Here's an example that makes me mad:

As Ginny and Hermione moved closer to the rest of the family, Harry had a clear view of the bodies lying next to Fred: Remus and Tonks, pale and still and peaceful looking, apparently asleep beneath the dark, enchanted ceiling.

That's it? Lupin was the last father-like figure in Harry's life, and all he gets is one measly sentence?

Now don't think I'm one of those people who despise everything about the books, in fact, the Deathly Hallows is one of my favorite books. I'm just a little disappointed, that's all.

Answer 5

I didn't like 4 things: 1) The middle bit when the trio is looking for the horcruxes and camping out, etc, was a bit too long-winded to me. 2) Both Lupin and Tonks dying. Poor Teddy became another orphan. 3) Percy should have died instead of Fred. 4) The epilogue was too short and inconclusive.

Answer 6

I actually wish there hadn't been an epilogue. I sort of like having a bit of mystery at the end of my books. Sort of wondering what happens next you know? I don't want to be told what happens nineteen years after the actual plot is over

And I liked the ending. Yes, maybe it was a bit abrupt, but if it was longer I'd probably say it dragged on.

Answer 7

well, i didnt like all the details about harry, hermione and ron running away and hiding at the forests of the whole country. that consumed many pages without any meaning.
also i didnt like the fact that the true action like the battle at hogwarts and what happened at the forbidden forest with voldemort was too short!
finally i hated the epilogue. i think it was too happy for a series like harry potter. everybody having kids..saying buy at the hogwarts platform? draco being there with his family? why? he had to be in azkaban...anyway, i would prefer to read about harry being auror, chasing bad guys and protecting the wizarding world!

Answer 8

I wish the epilogue was longer, I was kind of surprised that not THAT many main characters died, I thought that more people were going to die. But it was VERY VERY good! I loved it, but I wish J.K. Rowling would have put more into the book.

Answer 9

Yeah same here I didn't want George to die. And same thing with a longer epilogue too, but J.K. Rowling has done tons of interviews saying what happens to all the charatcars in more details, plus she's thinking of publishing an 'encyclopedia' of the charactars (their familys history and what their jobs are, etc). Heres a link to a MTV interview with her mainy talking about future encyclopedia: http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1565517/story.jhtml

Heres another with her saying what happened to some charactars: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19959323/

Hope this helps!

Answer 10

I agree that it was a phenomenal book, I think it was actually the best in the series.

I think that George's reaction about his twin being killed wasn't really enough, I think she could have described that well, aw well as Harry's reaction to Hedwig's death.

Also, I think that Snape's memories were really well done, but he could have died a better death. That was a part that was missing something.

I cried when Dobby died (no rhyme intened), it seriously made me cry. He died a good death though, saving Harry. I think the saddest part for me was when Harry made his grave and they put the clothing on him. I believe he really played his part throughout the books.