BOOK REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 2 (early access)

Loved hearing your takes on this series! Thanks for sharing with all of us, and excited for the livestream!

I’m someone who loves looking into how symbolism is used in my favorite literature, and as a classics major, Rowling uses a lot of tradition symbolism in her writing, especially in the Harry Potter series. Some fans of Snape’s character were unhappy with how he died for various reasons. But I want to share some things I learned from a Harry Potter lecture that I think add some real beauty to it. Rowling seems to have drawn some inspiration from Dante’s Divine Comedy for Severus’ death scene. In the Divine Comedy, Dante travels through Hell, Purgatory and finally Heaven. As he is leaving Purgatory he is dipped into the river Lethe, where all of his memories are taken from him. Throughout his life, Dante had someone he loved from afar. It is always referred to as a chivalric love. And this person is known as the green-eyed Beatrice, for whom he wrote quite a bit of poetry. As Dante ascends from Purgatory to Heaven he looks into the eyes of Beatrice, who is riding in a chariot pulled by a golden griffin, or in French - Gryffindor. There are various levels to Heaven. And each time he ascends to the next level he looks into the eyes of the green-eyed Beatrice, until he finally reaches the divine presence. Can you see the similarities, as Snape gives up his memories to Harry and then says, “Look at me,” as he dies looking into Harry’s green eyes, his mother’s eyes. I know the biggest problem people have with Snape is that he is often a bully. And I think the biggest evidence they point to for calling him a stalker, or someone obsessed with Lily, is that in his memories there are a couple of times Harry thinks Snape looks at Lily greedily. I prefer considering how the character became how he was. (And he is definitely one of my favorite literary characters) When you consider the hints we get about his home life, we see a father acting abusive. We learn that his mother is a witch and his father is a muggle. And he is obviously proud of his magical heritage. So I can easily see how he would be drawn into the Death Eaters. You can draw parallels with how young people join gangs or other negative organizations, especially when they don’t have good family support. Snape is also the youngest teacher at Hogwarts. He became a professor only a couple of years after leaving school. I can see him using his bullying tactics as a way to establish authority. It is likely that there were students in his initial teaching years that remembered his as a student, and one who was a smart, nerdy kid who some people bullied. I don’t think it would be wrong to see him as someone who is emotionally stunted. And I think all of these factors could play into him becoming a teacher who would be more likely to bully his students rather than use constructive tactics. I’m NOT excusing his behavior, but rather trying to understand it. A little side issue I don’t see many people pick up on is how in the Half Blood Prince, Professor Slughorn is always going on about what an exceptional Potions student Lily was, while we see through Snape’s Potions book that he was a Potions prodigy. I always suspected this meant that Lily benefited from Snape’s friendship in this area as his best friend in their early Hogwarts years. Yet I do think Rowling left lots of clues about how when it came to crucial issues Snape typically did the right thing. We know he was working against Umbridge and alerted the Order of the Phoenix about Harry going to the ministry. He kept his promise to Dumbledore and worked to protect the students against the Death Eaters during his own tenure as Headmaster. And from the time he killed Dumbledore he had to live with most everyone thinking he was evil. I would really like to hear you discuss Snape’s memories during your livestream. While I enjoyed Alan Rickman’s portrayal of that scene there were so many more relevant details in that chapter. For one thing, you realize that when Harry’s Aunt Petunia talked about that “horrible boy” when discussing her sister, she probably meant Snape while Harry always thought she was talking about his father. And I loved the dialogue between Snape and Dumbledore. Such as Snape’s sarcasm when Dumbledore said he wanted Snape to kill him. Or how he responded when Dumbledore asked how many people he had watched die, and Snape said, “Lately, only those I couldn’t save.” I think that says a lot about his character. Plus I would like to hear your thoughts on learning Snape accidentally hit George with sectumsempra, or just anything that really struck you about his memories. Lastly, I would like to point out that Harry told his son Snape was “probably the bravest man I ever knew,” as you said the bravest Slytherin in this review. Since you have pointed out how the story focuses on the significance of different generations, I would like to add that I think Rowling was setting up the children of Harry, Ron and Hermione to potential heal the divisions between the houses. It is pretty obvious that Albus Severus was destined for Slytherin, not only because of his fears, which Harry tried to calm, but because his initials spell ASP (he is literally a snake).

Blackeyedlily

i'm not the biggest snape fan in the books (alan rickman is an icon tho) but the context of lily actually being his best friend his entire childhood is fucking HEART BREAKING. came from an abusive home and the first person he ever cared about, and could talk about magic with. my heart... but at the same time, snape because he was in slytherin and influenced by future death eaters literally did become a wizard nazi and wholeheartedly followed that ideology until lily was in danger, dumbledore even chastises him for it in the flashback when he asks for his help. i think thats a way more valid criticism of snape than the stalker stuff, because theres proof in the books they were very good friends who drifted apart. to be fair dumbledore was also a wizard nazi who redeemed himself, but for a lot less longer than snape. remember when snape and lily first meet and she asks if being muggle born is a bad thing. snape hesitates. "no not at all" he says. his mistake was not keeping that energy his entire school life.

your totally right about the superiority of the books to the movies. so glad you guys decided to dive in to this series. it was awesome watching all your content on it!

Great review guys! Agreed with everything you discussed! As for Voldemort, it was that he chose not to love. Because of his upbringing, and because he learned that it destroyed his mother. So he sees it as a weakness. Did you guys realise that Dumbledore knew since Goblet Of Fire that Harry had a chance to survive the sacrifice? And that he couldn't tell him because it wouldn't then be a true sacrifice.

Trav Gorin

Due to time zones, I'll not be able to actively participate during the big livestream but there's one small thing I want to say: Harry chose to sacrifice himself because he *needed* to do so by his own will. Dumbledore knew in the end that that's what has to be done. He *could* not tell Harry to sacrifice himself, Harry needed to do so by his own choice - and it is that choice that was essential in order to protect everyone who was remaining in the battle of Hogwarts. Pure love and self sacrifice shielded them from magic attacks, just like Lilly's love protected Harry. Most underrated character in the series is Harry in my opinion too

Thank you for what you said about Severus! <3 I really cannot fathom how people can, after finally knowing his story, call him creepy/obsessed. It just doesn't make any sense. He never stalked her or pursued her after he broke off the friendship, and shows that he respected her decision to marry James, despite how much he was hurt by it. And to me, that is another type of love, and I think that is beautiful. To let a loved one go to be happy, even if that person would find happiness with someone else, and in Severus' case, his bully. Severus is definitely not perfect, and I too, love his flaws. I always argue that he is one of the most human characters in this series. He is not nice, but he will lay down his life for you even if you hate him. And that is powerful. His virtues outweigh his flaws, because saving actual lives is not something that should be overlooked. He did that without any personal gain. He didn't want the attention, in fact, we know this from the Dumbledore exchange - “My word, Severus, that I shall never reveal the best of you?’ Dumbledore sighed, looking down into Snape’s ferocious, anguished face. ‘If you insist …”

Michelle Linardis

Also, Hermione’s purse with everything in it was amazing. I love that it was a semi-formal clutch that is small enough to stuff in a sock under pants and it’s beaded and dressy enough for her to take to a wedding. Hermione also had the foresight to pack the guys’ personal items as well as the invisibility cloak. I don’t know why Harry becomes as idiot and stops carrying the cloak in the first place. If I had that cloak, I would literally have it semi attached to my body at all times. I’d use it as a pillow. I think showering would be the only time it was not on my person. Literally. Probably because i have some reasonably severe social anxiety and am an extreme introvert so being able to hide at a moments notice. You guys are right about Snape being essential to the story. Snape put himself in mortal danger to become the most evil wizard’s righthand man to spy on him. Harry was not exaggerating when he said Snape was the bravest man he ever knew. Also, Snape never stalked Lily. Ever. They were childhood friends and he loved her. In a moment of public humiliation, he called her unforgivable names and insulted her and ruined their friendship. He let her go and then dedicated the rest of his life to protecting her interests (aka harry and fighting evil).

Melanie P

I'll save my comments for the livestream :)

Zach Winters

Great discussion, and I COMPLETELY agree about Snape and Dumbledore! I just want to add, that I'm sure you can appreciate what it was like for us book fans when we read this book right at the release. When I got to the end of the chapter with Snape's memories, I seriously had to put down the book and cry for a few minutes before I could continue. I really thought Harry was going to die, and while I appreciated the whole arc, I was DEVASTATED. Harry is still my favorite character. The book was so heart wrenching, and then it was just so EPIC--it was all such as huge payoff, and I loved every minute of this book, especially those last chapters.

Jenny MacRunnel

I really appreciated the conversation surrounding "For the Greater Good" and "sacrificing a few for the many" about Dumbledore. It helped me understand your perspectives towards him more, and in the situation with Harry, I will say I'd agree. In the end, it was Harry's choice, and his choice was to sacrifice himself for the people he loved. I still think Dumbledore as a whole, throughout his life in the HP universe, is a beautifully complex character that is constantly reminding you there is a fine line between doing what's right vs. what's right for oneself.

jay luna

I don't think that Dumbledore is evil. I just don't like him. I understood his motives, I didn't like the excecution. At the end of the day he prioritized greater good. Also c'mon, he took away the victory from Slytherin on the last night of school (House Cup) just because he liked Gryffindor more, how can you like a person like that haha :D

Mała Gosia

The last three chapters of this book are my favourite. The way Harry's death, march is written is just so much more powerful than the visualisation in the movie. It shows how powerful writing can be. I've always been furious that the film changed the final confrontation too. Harry owns Voldemort the whole time and does not even have to lift a finger to win, and he dies like the ignorant human he is; instead of disappearing, what the movie was thinking there, I have no idea. “Be a man try for some remorse” is one of the most badass things any hero has ever said to their villain too! I think it says so much about Harry that even after all Voldemort's evil, he still tried to save him from being forever stuck in limbo.

Josh Z

Dumbledore doesn’t sacrifice Harry. He sets up the situation where Harry has the choice to sacrifice himself and make that sacrifice actually bring down Voldy. Harry also had the choice of not coming back to life and fighting for humanity. Harry never chose the easy path in this book, he chose the right path which was incredibly hard. Dumbledore also gave Harry the tools (the resurrection stone) to give him the strength and comfort to sacrifice himself (if he chose to do it). I really appreciated your commentary on Snape and Dumbledore. Both great characters. Snape’s love for Lily is one of the reasons Voldemort never doubted Snape’s loyalty. He did just think Snape lusted for Lily because it was all he understood. It’s the same way that Voldemort doesn’t consider the power of house elves because he considers them beneath him. So the house elves were able to outmaneuver Voldemort’s immense power and he doesn’t take their power into account when he makes protections for his horcrux (specifically the locket). I like that the idea of love being so powerful was an idea that Harry even scoffed at early in the book series. I loved Percy’s redemption and Fred’s death was absolutely heart wrenching. Seeing it in the book (and not in the movie) was so powerful. I can’t wait for your livestream ... i’ll have to be there!

Melanie P

Thank you guys! It was so great following the books with you! But I hope in youtube stream you talk about your thoughts on Harry's development in this book - it's a big book for him and his walk to death is my most favourite moment from him and exemplified why Harry is the hero of this story. Also loved the focus on Ron - his and Harry's relationship deepening after the Horcrux scene is one of my favourite scenes between them.

CAST ADAM DRIVER!!!!

I don't know if you've heard, but HBO Max is reportedly developing a TV series about Snape. I have no idea what to expect, but if they manage to do it right, it could turn out a masterpiece. What a character. Always❤️ Thanks for the ride!

Kamilla Mari

Thank you for reviewing the books guys! Been here ever since you posted the first book review on YT and looked forward to it every Monday after got back from the gym. I will try to join the live stream but it will be 4am where I live. Fred's death makes me cry every time read or watch the movie to this day 😭

Eshi

Yeah it was all done just so well!!

I couldn’t agree more with your assessment of this last book. That has been my biggest issue with the last movies. You nailed it... the movies were decent visualizations for bookreaders. In the movie, Voldy did not crucio harry’s “dead” body. I also loved the part in the book when Kreacher rallies the Hogwarts house elves to fight the death eaters. Since they cut so much of the house elf story line overall, I understand why they cut it. I also prefer the book version of Hermione kissing Ron because she does it after he says they need to get the house elves to safety because they are basically slaves and we can’t command them to die for us. It was a very huge character development for Ron.

Melanie P

I’d love to see your book reviews for hunger games. The books are a bit shorter than these and only being a trilogy makes it an easier task.

Melanie P

I saw your post on yt and came here immediately!!

Melanie P

Honestly never clicked a notification so fast before 😂 Looking forwards to hear what you guys have to say!

Kamilla Mari