The Ka of Harry Potter.

First a word of warning. This post is about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and my thoughts upon reaching the conclusion of J.K. Rowling’s wonderful series of books. Obviously there will be spoilers below and I wanted make sure that I give you, the constant reader, the due diligence of warning.

Anti-Climatic. That is the best way of summarizing the state of my mind on this beautiful Monday morning. The Deathly Hallows was a wonderful book, full of twists and turns, and providing a fitting conclusion to the world Rowling has created. However, the anti-climatic feeling I am now experiencing comes not from a failure on the part of the author but from my own sense of loss. For many years now, I have prided myself on being a very astute reader of these novels and, if I do say so myself, quite good at deducing various plot twists. I would be very embarrassed to know exactly how many hours I have devoted to either thinking or talking about the world of Harry Potter. Prior to the release, I had speculated that Snape’s loyalty stemmed from his feelings towards Lily. I knew in my heart that Harry was a Horcrux, yet also believed that he was going to survive. These predictions and theories have now come to an end.

I believe this is a large part of why I feel the way that I do. Riley is now slowly making his way through the books. There is no doubt that Sophie will one day read the novels. However, neither of them will have the years of anticipation before picking up the next installment. They will not spend hours speculating with friends about possible outcomes because they can simply read the next book. I find this sad because, at least for me, one of the greatest joys of Harry Potter has been this speculation.

Now that the series is completed I find myself comparing it to another series that I spent years waiting for its completion. Stephen King’s The Dark Tower is also 7 books. The wait between books was longer and more emotionally draining than the wait for Harry Potter. When I first picked up the Gunslinger, Stephen King warned in his introduction that he will probably die before he completes the series. I remember very clearly learning that he had been hit by a van and was in very serious condition. I experienced an immediate feeling of panic, knowing that The Dark Tower would not be completed. However, Ka had a different plan. This is where the comparison comes in. After completing The Dark Tower, I was amazed and in awe of what King had accomplished. To this day I am amazed by The Dark Tower for being “more than I could have ever dreamed” while Harry Potter seems this morning to be “what could have been”.

I don’t want to give the impression that I did not enjoy the book or, by extension, the series as a whole. It would be most unfortunate if I gave that impression. I love these books. But this Monday morning as I sit and type, a part of my life that I have enjoyed over the years is now over. I guess that I am writing this in order to come to terms with my loss. However, life is constantly changing and these books will now take on a different role. Ka is a wheel.