A rant about a popular rant....

[conuly]

Many people are claiming that it is impossible for the characters in HPB to be "ooc" because, after all, JKR wrote the book, and they're her characters, so they're always in character!

I'm not going to argue over whether or not they are in character. I will say, however, that it is possible for them to be out of character, or, at least, to have inconsistent characterization, which is just about the same thing.

If JKR had written five books that involved a sweet kid who never would hurt a fly, and then, in the sixth book, had him go on a murderous rampage for no reason whatsoever - that would be out of character. If Harry had been writing Hermione love letters for the past five books, and dreaming about her, then to have him suddenly declare his undying love for McGonagal in this book would be out of character. If Voldemort suddenly appeared at Hogwarts with some chocolate and said he just wanted to make up - that would be out of character, and it doesn't matter who writes it.

None of that happened in this book, granted, but my point still stands. It is entirely possible for JKR to have written this book with all the main characters out of character. Please don't use this post to argue that they are or aren't, because I'm not getting into that. Just... be logical, thanks.

Oh, and incidentally? If you're reading these books because of the Harry/Draco or Ron/Squid love, or whatever else you've got going - I'll move a complaint that you *may* be reading them for the wrong reason. Even in book 6, the relationships aren't the focus of these stories.

Comments

[snale.livejournal.com]

Then again, I'm typically slow to see fault and quick to forgive...
Those are wonderful qualities to have. Hang onto them with both hands.

Here's my take on the character inconsistencies:
I certainly don't feel that they shouldn't be maturing (which they are), but to me it seemed their basic characteristics in this book were strangely off. Harry hardly thought of Sirius more than once, Hermione didn't seem to be looking things up half as much as usual, none of the kids seemed to really care about Hagrid beyond the obligation they felt to him... When you take into account that only a few weeks had passed between OotP and HBP, it's rather shocking that their behaviors and feelings should have shifted so much and with little or no warning.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have Draco Malfoy. We've had hints of what we'd find, but until this book we never saw how much he really loves his mother, and how scared he can be under that viscious veneer. I thought we got to see changes in his character, but done in a really gradual and insightful way.

[sporks5000.livejournal.com]

I just interpreted the lack of Harry thinking of Sirius and Hermione perusing the library as Rowling wanting to keep the book more focused. I'm sure that they occurred frequently during the half a year plus worth of days that she didn't specifically touch on for the duration of the story. Same with Snape's defense against the dark arts lessons.

I did see the lack of Hagrid as a little disturbing. Perhaps Warner Brothers was putting some pressure on her? I seem to recall a rumor that Robbie Coltrane's contract only lasts through movie five.

[snale.livejournal.com]

I just interpreted the lack of Harry thinking of Sirius and Hermione perusing the library as Rowling wanting to keep the book more focused

Which brings us back to the gazillion pages she spent telling us about Ron frenching Lavender and Hermione being jealous over it. If the book was to be really focused, she could have gotten that across and moved on...
Anyway.
All the nitpicking in the world isn't going to change the book as it stands, so... Ho hum.

[sporks5000.livejournal.com]

Bu I think that those were worth putting in the story because the fan community has proved, resoundingly, that this was what they wanted.

...Not that it's at all what I wanted, but still...

[snale.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I think the fan community is happier with lots of room to build their own fantasies about the characters. But when it comes down to it, I'd rather read a well-written book with lots of detailed, realistic characters than one that plays to the crowd.

[conuly]

I'd rather read a well-written book with lots of detailed, realistic characters than one that plays to the crowd.

Preaching to the choir here. Every time I see comments that some author should do this or that thing "otherwise they're cheating the fans", I have to pipe up and say that good authors are true to their story, and the fans can go hang. And being true to the story might mean writing something that pisses every last one of your fans off, but if that's the story you have to tell, you're stuck with it.

[sporks5000.livejournal.com]

Once again Connie has proven that she kicks ass.

I'm not even surprised anymore.

[conuly]

Aw. *gets comment engraved*

[sporks5000.livejournal.com]

darn tootin'

But the industry doesn't work that way.

Sadly enough, it looks as if JKR really might have sold out...

[snale.livejournal.com]

Okay, she might feel pressured... but realistically, she shouldn't.

What publisher is actually going to tell her they won't publish her new book if it doesn't have x, y and z in it? I think JKR is in a position where pretty much anything she writes will be gobbled up by her legions of fans all over the word -- and the industry people know that. They might poke at her now and then, but I don't really believe that she's writing anything she doesn't want to write.

That isn't to say she's not writing directly to the fans at this point. But if she is, I suspect it's because she feels the need to do so. Unfortunately, in my opinion.

[conuly]

Yes, but a red pen will work marvels....

[snale.livejournal.com]

:)