GrrlScientist is an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, aviculturist, birder and freelance science and nature writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she relocated from Seattle to NYC with her parrots after earning a BS in Microbiology (emphasis in Virology) and PhD in Zoology (Ornithology) from the University of Washington. In NYC, she was the Chapman Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History for two years, pursuing part of her "dream" research project by reconstructing a molecular phylogeny of the parrots of the South Pacific islands. GrrlScientist and her five parrots are currently relocating to Germany, where she will continue writing her blog while also writing a book and learning German. (Meanwhile, her parrots will continue to nibble on her extensive personal library.) If you appreciate GrrlScientist's writing, you can help pay her living expenses by hiring her to "blog" your conference, speak at your club or write articles for your publication (or by clicking on the Paypal button below). If you read an essay on this blog that you especially enjoyed, please nominate it for inclusion in 
tags: Harry Potter, books, book review
One of my devoted blog readers must be able to read crystal balls because he mercifully sent me a book about Harry Potter. Even though I have been going crazy waiting for the next movie and the last book to come out in July, this gift is a book that I never thought of reading while I wait, a book that I would never would have heard about if he hadn't sent it to me, in fact. And thank goodness that he did send this book; I can re-watch the first four DVDs and re-read the first six books only so many times before I start to feel guilty about not indulging in more substantial and diverse fare. This book, The End of Harry Potter? (NYC, Tor Press; 2006), by David Langford provides what I have been looking for.
In this well-written and interesting book, the author, who has won the Hugo Award 27 times (is that even possible? I guess it must be) explores the many Potter mysteries that remain unsolved so far. Mysteries such as; does Harry have part of Voldemort's soul in his scar? Why exactly does Harry understand Parseltongue (snake language)? What are the remaining horcruxes where Voldemort has hidden parts of his soul, and where are they hidden? Has Harry already seen one or more of these horcruxes in previous books? Is Albus Dumbledore really dead? Has Dumbledore left Harry a secret message in the Pensieve? And whose side is Severus Snape really on?
Langford spends time discussing the structure of a good mystery novel, telling us about such plot devices such as a McGuffin -- an object of desire that provides a convenient motive for all the narrative action. He also explores the background for many of the characters' names, giving the reader a whole new appreciation for the multiple layers of meaning that can be extracted from the books as a result. Additionally, the author investigates those annoying "Slips and Falls" that have driven readers crazy -- especially me, since I have taken to re-reading these books multiple times and in several languages. One of the most annoying and obvious slips in the entire HP series was the Priori Incantatem effect, where Voldemort's and Harry's wands connected, causing Voldemort's wand to produce echoes of its last spells, thus causing images of all the people that Voldemort killed to appear in reverse order of their deaths. But the order of Harry's parents' reappearance was reversed. Unknown to me, this error in the original edition of the book was corrected in later editions. Surprisingly, one slip that the author doesn't mention is Voldemort's reference to Harry's mother as a "muggle" in HP4, if I recall correctly. Perhaps that too, was corrected in later editions?
If you are an intense Harry Potter fan and you are anxiously awaiting the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, then this delightful and intelligent book is essential preparatory reading for you. It also is a quick read: this book arrived in the mail yesterday, and I devoured it in less than four hours, and am already re-reading it today on the subway.
Humanities & Social Science
Comments
I think Langford's numerous HUgos are mainly for "Fan writing" and editorial and journalistic stuff, not "Best Novel".
Posted by: coturnix | May 8, 2007 4:58 PM
It sounds interesting. I may have to pick it up. Like I said before, I do think that Harry has encountered one of the Horcruxes already. I'd be interested to know if Langford or anyone else agrees with me.
Posted by: Library Diva | May 9, 2007 12:19 AM
Posted by: Kevin Standlee | May 9, 2007 3:17 AM
If you would like something else to read try "What will happen in Harry Potter 7" written by mugglenet.com
I found it a very enjoyable read. It is possibly a bit of an easier read then "The End of Harry Potter" though.
Posted by: Emily | May 9, 2007 4:04 AM
If you want to know more him, Christopher Priest has written a very nice Portrait of Dave Langford.
Posted by: Jeremy Henty | May 9, 2007 6:03 AM
I'm holding out on reading non-series books until after I read the 7th one. I have no doubt that the books can easily and effectively shed more light on a deeper understanding of the books, but until the series is finished, my most pressing questions won't be answered. Gah!
Posted by: Brian Thompson | May 9, 2007 9:13 AM
harry has already encountered two horcruxes in the series (i'll leave you to suss it out unless you really want me to tell, in which case, i will), leaving him to find four more in book seven (according to dumbledore's calculations, there are six in total). he might have already encountered at least one of those four horcruxes in book five .. the locket that wouldn't open that was found while they were cleaning up 12 Grimmauld Place.
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | May 9, 2007 12:11 PM
Does Langford mention the horrid calendar errors in the first book?
Posted by: ACW | May 9, 2007 6:07 PM
I looked at the book tonight, Hedwig...I saw that. I guess I'm not the only person to re-read HP5 immediately after HP6! I'm conflicted on actually buying this book, as I suspect I won't want it anymore after HP7 comes out, but I do want to read it very badly.
I didn't read the whole book in B&N, but he made some interesting points about how the prophecy may or may not be fulfilled. I'd always imagined a massive confrontation between Harry and V that only one would walk away from. Maybe he'll kill him in a subtler way, like he was talking about with the blood V stole, or maybe, by destroying the one Horcrux, he's already fulfilled it. I guess we'll all get to find out in 2 and a half more months. It's hard to believe the series is over.
Posted by: LIbrary Diva | May 9, 2007 10:52 PM
ACW; do you mean "calendar errors" such as nearly headless nick being dead for 500 years, but stating that he hadn't eaten in nearly 400 years? oh, wait, that was book 2, wasn't it? but you know what i mean, errors like that?
library diva; i can't imagine being the author and having to finally say goodbye to my heroes after 17 years of thinking about, and writing about, them. what will she write about after this? i've already run across an interview with her where she says that she was thinking of rewriting the entire series after it was done ..
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | May 10, 2007 1:02 PM