Harry Potter is preparing to leave the Dursleys and Privet Drive for the last time. But the future that awaits him is full of danger, not only for him, but for anyone close to him — and Harry has already lost so much. Only by destroying Voldemort’s remaining Horcruxes can Harry free himself and overcome the Dark Lord’s forces of evil.
In this dramatic conclusion to the Harry Potter series, Harry must leave his most loyal friends behind, and in a final perilous journey find the strength and the will to face his terrifying destiny: a deadly confrontation that is his alone to fight.
First read: 2007
Times read: 2 or 3
When I started this blog I was a little bit worried that I wouldn’t get to reread some of my favourite books since I now review every “new” book I’ve read. That’s why I came up with this feature. Every time I reread a book (which isn’t all that often, but still) I will keep track of my reading progress and thoughts on Goodreads, and I will then make a small post and review about it on here.
Thoughts while rereading…
Wow, this was one emotional rollercoaster of a reread, let me tell ya. As most of you will know by now, the Harry Potter series are my all time favourite books, and rereading Deathly Hallows only made me more sure of that once again. THIS BOOK. I think it’s my favourite out of all seven of them, because so much happens, and so much is revealed — the true genius of J.K. Rowling, for one. I don’t think there are any books I have a stronger emotional attachment to than this one.
It was the end of an era, all right?!
One of the scenes that most sticks with me is the one in the graveyard in Godric’s Hollow, when Harry finally visits his parents’ grave. Harry’s grief and sorrow in that moment is just so incredibly sad, and so well written. I think it’s one of the most beautiful scenes from the entire series.
I’m realising now I’m finding it extremely difficult to write something coherent about this book. So, what I’m going to do is just leave it at this and provide you with some amazing quotes from the book. Because, seriously, this whole book is practically one big quote.
Favourite Quotes
I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the most quoted sentence from the book:
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”
Dumbledore is just a big ol’ quote machine:
“Do not pity that dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love.”
A classic:
Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.
“After all this time?”
“Always,” said Snape.
Of course, this is a classic as well:
“Not my daughter, you bitch!”
I thought this one illustrated Harry’s character and role in the war particularly well:
“It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.”
I loved rereading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows again, and will probably do so many, many more times in the future. What’s your favourite book from the series?
Books Baking and Blogging 
haha I haven’t actually read any of it, but I liked reading what you thought of it. (-:
I sometimes forget some people haven’t read Harry Potter, haha! I’m glad you liked the post anyway! 🙂
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This is a lovely review 🙂 I love all the Harry Potter books, but this one is one of my favourites. I really, really love the part near the end with the resurrection stone – I was sobbing buckets by that point and had to put the book down to go and gather my emotions.
Thank you very much! 🙂 Yes, that is an amazing scene as well! I don’t cry when I read, but inside, I was crying buckets just like you!
YES TO THE ALWAYS QUOTE AND THE ‘NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH’ ONE. Best quotes ever ^.^ Harry Potter is seriously one of the best series–I feel like rereading them again, now!
RIGHT?! I love those quotes! Happy rereading, haha! 🙂
Hi Anne,
Great post and I basically agree with everything you said here. I agree this is easily the most emotional book out of the seven because so much is happening every page and I will be amazed if there are some people out there who aren’t deeply touched at least a few times during the books. Ron was infuriating during the camping trip, but I think we should cut him some slack because he did have the most to lose out of the Trio by coming with Harry and he really shouldn’t have to pay the price for Harry’s reckless behaviour either (remember how Harry lost their one safe refuge when he alerted the Ministry by removing Moody’s fake eye?).
There is one thing I am interested to hear from you though: what would you say to critics who claim DH is a bad book because of plot holes like the rather random wandlore rules?
That’s true, he *did* have the most to lose – I don’t think I ever really thought about that. It’s such a difficult situation they’re in… I love the psychological implications that has as well.
I think it’s a bit too rough to say it’s a bad book, because even though there might be small (or sometimes bigger) plot holes here and there, it’s still such a detailed story and SO many things come together. Things that have been referred to as early as the first couple of books. So I think it’s way too harsh to say it’s a bad book based on just those small plot holes. In any case, I love it! 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
Thanks for your comment. To be honest I was annoyed with Ron when I first read DH but then I realised the fact he had grave worries about his family’s safety (something Harry at least outwardly showed little concern about) and then he wished to come back right after he left meant he just had a moment of weakness and nothing more. I think sometimes our view of the story is biased because it is from Harry’s point of view meaning we are less likely to where other characters are coming from their views.
Yeah I agree I like to judge a fictional book on how enjoyable it is and whether it tells an interesting and emotionally moving story. I asked that question after I ran into threads like this so I felt compelled to discuss with other people.
http://forums.fictionalley.org/park/showthread.php?s=&threadid=159378&perpage=20&highlight=&pagenumber=1
I think that’s definitely true about Ron and Harry and the perspective we see it through. Something to keep in mind during a reread! 🙂