Of the characters in Rowling's universe I sympathize most with Severus Snape because, primarily, I absolutely despised Harry Potter and his phenomenon when it first manifested several years ago. I railed against the books and the final throes of (high) reading culture that they signaled, swore off friendships, persecuted enemies and loved ones in equal stride. It was solely in an intelligence-gathering effort that I read The Sorcerer's Stone . . . though less so with Chamber, Azkaban, Goblet, and Order, and arguably lesser still when I reread the set. Not that I've abandoned my mission—to eliminate fun, wherever it is being had!—just that I'm going about it by a circuitous route.
So, anyhow, I'm not done with Half-Blood Prince yet, having unwisely blown precious hours of the weekend seeing a few shows, eating meals, etc., and now I'm forced to suffer the ignominy of toting this tome on the Metro—which is all part of my grand, inscrutable scheme, naturally, but is maybe a bigger pill to swallow in the District than in some cities. I caught more than a few knowing glances this morning, both conspiratorial and contemptuous, which came at no surprise after having thrown them myself for a couple years. Not in my seat, with that Washington Times! You're not really reading Sammy's Hill on the way to your internship, are you? I fell into two conversations with total strangers about American foreign policy while reading Imperial Hubris; now I'm praying that no one asks me about Blast-Ended Skrewts.
Mostly because I know about Blast-Ended Skrewts, and we all know, who read these books, whether we do so as silly, childish fanboys or for justifiable reasons that do not compromise our elitist sensibilities. It's one thing for a book to really capture public attention, like, say, Into Thin Air; and another for a stream of books to attain a great deal of public confidence, like, say, the Oprah's Book Club label; but the Harry Potter series is the perfect storm of both phenomena. Did you catch those numbers that Kevin Drum posted? It's often noted that this is a unique moment, but, 10 million copies marks that as something of an understatement. Ten million copies, most of which read over the course of 24 hours? That's absurd.
There's an epiphenomenon at the root of the books' success, I suppose: The books are fun and easy to read and lots of people read them, then many many more read them specifically because they are so widely read that they become as much part social artifact as episodic adventure. But that's not what I really had to say about Half-Blood Prince. Short review (100-odd pages from the finish line): Suffers from the imperial hubris that we saw in Order; it's too long, and an editor with some say-so could make these books shorter, quicker, and tenser. I half wonder whether Rowling isn't bulking up these books (i.e., failing to trim them) in order to pacify a perceived public notion that more means better. Related anecdote: While I was sitting through a disastrous layover last Wednesday at DFW airport, I saw a UPS-type deliver a large, Potter-decorated box to the terminal bookstore. I cased the scene and cornered the clerk when the shop was empty. He told me that it took at least two signatures to open the case, then explained that there was no price at which a copy could be made available that was worth his job, and then (somewhat loudly) suggested that I might try checking with another bookstore, or flying somewhere. The hope is that my plan to finish the book in the office without arousing too much suspicion will be more fruitful. Really, though, just a casual observer here.
Posted by Kriston at July 18, 2005 11:50 AMGreat title.
Posted by: Ezra at July 18, 2005 1:36 PMCan an epiphenomenon lie at the root of that to which it is ephiphenomenal?
My explanation for the increasing length, along with the "Do you know who I am? I'm J.-Fucking-K. Rowling!" possibility, lies with the formulaic structure of the books. Each follows the academic year, beginning in the summer holidays, the trip to school, first term, Christmas, etc. All through these moments are setpiece scenes, and the number keeps growing. Not all have to happen in every book (aw, Harry missed the Sorting), but most do, and they take up ever more space. I'm wondering if the last book will break the mold, and if so, how it will be received. I think the comfortable rhythms of the schoolyear contribute a lot to the popularity of the book, so we'll see.
God, I can't believe I'm writing this comment.
Posted by: JL at July 18, 2005 3:47 PMThis is a safe place, JL.
Posted by: Kriston at July 18, 2005 4:09 PMShonde, that's all I can say.
Posted by: kiosk Ian at July 18, 2005 6:21 PMCan an epiphenomenon lie at the root of that to which it is ephiphenomenal
Unless we're radically redefining what an epiphenomenon is or using "lie at the root" in some kind of non-causal formulation, then, I think by definition, no.
But back to the important subject at hand -- I believe this book is shorter than the last. Kevin Drum has a handy chart, the existence of which should make everyone here feel better about themselves.
Posted by: tom at July 19, 2005 9:32 AMOK, that was poor usage on my part. I hope the point was clearer. But I already linked to the charts, buddy.
Posted by: Kriston at July 19, 2005 10:27 AMOK, that was poor usage on my part.
You know, after posting the above, I thought to myself that someone could spend most of their days picking apart poor grammar and usage at my site. So, maybe less with the stone-throwing while in the glass house for me.
To return to geeking out: I'm now doing what I should have done last week and rereading, or at least reskimming Order of the Phoenix. I'm intrigued by a little detail I noticed in the last full paragraph on page 116. Coincidence? Probably, but I'm intrigued . . .
Posted by: JL at July 19, 2005 1:48 PMWant to share with the class? Or are we in spoiler territory? I'll have to check the reference later.
Posted by: Kriston at July 19, 2005 2:00 PMIt's not so much a spoiler in itself, as it's a detail from the earlier book. But it does connect (possibly, probably not, but it stood out to me) to the events at the conclusion of the new book, particularly in light of the speculation regarding an unknown proper name. Given that, I think it's best anyone interested look for themselves.
Posted by: JL at July 19, 2005 2:09 PMpp 116 in the hardcover version? it could be different pages on different versions/editions.
Posted by: catherine at July 19, 2005 3:54 PMDo I have to admit I bought it in hardcover? I guess I do. Yes, the hardcover edition.
Posted by: JL at July 19, 2005 4:16 PMBut I already linked to the charts
whoops... sorry for the redundancy, then.
on the larger point about the page counts, though -- I disagree that tighter editing would make the books better. For me the books' appeal comes from the world and characters in it. So long as the quantity of the text doesn't dilute the quality of those things, I think bigger is better. Sure, subplots and digressions hurt the structure of the book, but the plot isn't really what's drawing people in -- it's pretty straightforward chosen one versus ultimate evil sort of affair, with the attendant family backstory ala Star Wars. Sure it's epic and all that, but not anything that's really worth honing by tightening things up. I'd rather just stay immersed as long as possible -- and if I emerge confused, then there's that much more justification for the second reading.
Posted by: tom at July 19, 2005 4:48 PMthat's okay, JL. i have all the hardcovers, though i've only bought the last two - the rest i stole from my sister :)
Posted by: catherine at July 19, 2005 5:02 PMokay, i actually went and looked up the paragraph. i have some speculation regarding that object referenced there...if we are allowed to discuss it. it's kinda spoiler-y, sorta. but nothing earth-shattering.
Posted by: catherine at July 19, 2005 5:54 PMi have some speculation regarding that object referenced there...if we are allowed to discuss it.
Googling around, I see that the hardcore fans have already grabbed hold of this tidbit (search on a few of the relevant nouns and you should find various theories.) Let me also say: wow, Harry Potter fan fic. I should have known. I wonder if they have H/R stories? Probably.
Posted by: JL at July 19, 2005 7:49 PM> I disagree that tighter editing would make the books better. For me the books' appeal comes from the world and characters in it. So long as the quantity of the text doesn't dilute the quality of those things, I think bigger is better. Sure, subplots and digressions hurt the structure of the book, but the plot isn't really what's drawing people in...
I haven't read a single Harry Potter book myself. In terms of the universe-expanding page-count-to-plot-development ratio, though, I can only assume that Rowling couldn't hold a candle to Mervyn Peake among the ranks of the fantastic.
Posted by: Dan at July 19, 2005 10:35 PMWow. So people really do read these books...
Posted by: sarah at July 20, 2005 2:45 AMTom: Having finished the book my opinion about the editing is a little changed. The problem isn't nearly as evident in HBP as it was in Order, in which Harry Potter must've had the exact same dream/out-of-body experience three or four times and experienced the exact same detentions just as many. Rowling's relationship with editors is the cause of much speculation around editing circles. Regardless, HBP has the tight, quick-moving ending that Order lacked, so I think my complaints were fairly addressed.
JL: Why don't you go over to Cath and Tom's blog and take advantage of their advanced spoiler technology? They have the best Harry Potter forum going, and you write pseudonymously anyway, so you can indulge a little. Me, I'm exposed. Anyway, I forgot to check up that reference you mentioned.
Posted by: Kriston at July 20, 2005 11:02 AMAnyway, I forgot to check up that reference you mentioned.
I just posted it where you recommended, suitably concealed.
Posted by: JL at July 20, 2005 11:30 AMBelieve it or not, it's the Harry/Draco slash fic that seems to be most popular.
Posted by: Julian Sanchez at July 21, 2005 12:43 AMBelieve it or not, it's the Harry/Draco slash fic that seems to be most popular.
That makes sense. A very twisted kind of sense, but nonetheless.
Posted by: JL at July 21, 2005 8:57 AMDid you happen to notice that you used the exact same headline as the Going Out Gurus? Ouch.
Posted by: GOGs suck at July 28, 2005 10:31 AMI hadn't noticed. (I'm not a GOG reader.) Same headline was also used by The Daily Show.
Posted by: Kriston at July 28, 2005 11:09 AMYou should see the way Christine's eyes glaze over and tongue protrudes from her mouth when someone mentions the Potter in her presence.
BTW, I got her the "Book Lovers" edition of Trivial Pursuit for her birthday. Have you tried it? The questions are, well, a little uneven. Half are truly difficult (for me, at least), a quarter are random and the rest are pop-culture/school classics. It's impossible to finish a game in under 2.5 hrs.
