We all start the same way, I am sure: we sort out the edges and get those pieces- the foundation- built first.
Then, you start picking out big "landmarks" within the puzzle. You build as much of the big building in the background as you can, then you move on to the bus, or the red-specked patch of green that turns out to be a grove of apple trees. Your progress starts very, very slowly, but soon turns to steady pace.
Then there's a turning point. A point where all of a sudden everything is coming together. You see where the trees join the building, lines that looked unnecessary become a part of the big picture and small things that had appeared to be just random parts of the background are suddenly vital to the big picture. Your pace speeds up, and you continue accelerating until you finally put the last piece in place and stare in wonderment at the completed work.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is that tipping point.
The first two books laid the foundation of the story, they put us in a position of understanding the wizarding world, the characters and the danger of Lord Voldemort.
Books three, four and five were the big chunks of the landscape. They played integral roles in shaping the big picture, but one without the others, or without the beginning stories is virtually worthless.
Book six is the tipping point. The strands of the story are brought together in a tightly woven narrative. We still see everything through Harry's limited perspective, but flashbacks are utilized in conjunction with a series of lectures from Dumbledore explaining how the wizarding world got to where it is.
At the end of book six, we can see just how the puzzle is going to look and we are being thrust headlong toward the finale, faster than we thought possible.
Book six lets us know why we are where we are in this story, and tells us where we will be going. It is the setup to the end, the culmination of a lifetime's worth of magical research and reconnaissance.
Also, it's the Snape-iest book of them all.
And now, I have broken my promise to you all from yesterday, I have again talked about Harry Potter and I am sure the internet will soon implode. You've been warned.
A blogging friend of mine posted a bookish meme, after reading it on another blogging friend's site. I can't not participate! This post was written in response to the 30 Days of Books.
The full list:
Day 01 – The best book you read last year
Day 02 – A book that you’ve read more than 3 times
Day 03 – Your favorite series
Day 04 – Favorite book of your favorite series
Day 05 – A book that makes you happy
Day 06 – A book that makes you sad
Day 07 – Most underrated book
Day 08 – Most overrated book
Day 09 – A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 10 – Favorite classic book
Day 11 – A book you hated
Day 12 – A book you used to love but don’t anymore
Day 13 – Your favorite writer
Day 14 – Favorite book of your favorite writer
Day 15 – Favorite male character
Day 16 – Favorite female character
Day 17 – Favorite quote from your Favorite book
Day 18 – A book that disappointed you
Day 19 – Favorite book turned into a movie
Day 20 – Favorite romance book
Day 21 – Favorite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favorite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favorite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your Favorite book of all time
