SPOILERS for book 7
. . . These books ceased to be specifically for children halfway through the series; by Goblet of Fire, Rowling was writing for everyone, and knew it.
The clearest sign of how adult the books had become by the conclusion arrives — and splendidly — in Deathly Hallows, when Mrs. Weasley sees the odious Bellatrix Lestrange trying to finish off Ginny with a Killing Curse. ''NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!'' she cries. It's the most shocking bitch in recent fiction; since there's virtually no cursing (of the linguistic kind, anyway) in the Potter books, this one hits home with almost fatal force. It is totally correct in its context — perfect, really — but it is also a quintessentially adult response to a child's peril.
Read the rest of King's excellent analysis.
3 comments:
I sat and read the whole thing Sunday afternoon in my copy of EW (yes, I actually subscribe). He has written about Rowling before in EW: he seems to be quite a fan.
I've always been a little curious about King's spiritual understandings, especially after The Stand.
I know it's probably bad form to even mention this, but I think a part of the reason this works so well in the book is how wonderfully the character of Mrs. Weasley has been played in the movies. I don't know the name of the actress, but I think she pretty much nails it.
King's take on HP was just great. It is hard not to love the man. His book on writing hit me the same way.
I doubt he is any kind of Christian, though I would love it to be otherwise.
Post a Comment