Two simple words. To a writer, they can mean the accomplishment of one project. To a reader, the end of a book or a series. In fact, this past July was the end of an era for me. In fact it was the second end to the same era. The final installment of the Harry Potter series was on the big screen. I admit it. I am a big, make that a huge Harry Potter fanatic. In case you didn’t know I wrote my master’s thesis on the series. In fact the final book came out the spring before I wrote my thesis. Back in July of 2007, I remember standing in line at midnight to pick up the final book and then racing home to start reading it. I spent the weekend devouring that book with a box of Kleenexes handy. However, while the books were over, I had the movies to at least look forward to. Now they are over, too. I did go to the midnight showing to see the final film before I left for Germany and I was excited. But that excitement was mixed with the sadness of knowing that now one of my all time favorite serieses was really over, for good.
I know I can revisit the characters by rereading the books and watching the movies over and over, but it isn’t the same as picking up one of the books for the first time or seeing it come to life on the big screen for the first time either. While it is fun to revisit characters, it is sad when their stories end too.
What are some stories (books or movies) that you didn’t want to see end? As a writer do you anticipate the ending or dread it? Are you a Harry Potter fan? If so, did you see the last movie? What did you think?
Hey Kasey, welcome back! You came back with one hot topic. Yeah, I found myself sniffling a little while watching the HP movie because it hit me that there would be no more Harry. It's definitely a bitter sweet feeling when a series ends. I feel anxious when I read the last of the books and wanting to know how everything wraps up but then I don't want it to end either. It's like saying good-bye to an old childhood friend. I actually feel that way with some single title books..it's hard to let go of them.
ReplyDeleteI know it's not a movie or a book but I hated seeing TV show 'Cheers' end because it was the end of a great comedy and the end of my time living in Hawaii. I spent that last night watching the last show with all my friends who I made while there. I had a difficult time watching the show because I knew it would be the last time I would see some of my friends because of the great distances between us.
Great post, Kasey! Glad to have you back among us again.
HUGS,
JD :)
Hi Kasey,Glad you're home. I hope we'll be hearing some about the trip and conference in the future. As for "Harry"--I'm probably odd person out, but I never got into it. That's not to say one day I won't--via DVD--but haven't yet.
ReplyDeleteIf I can think of one that I enjoyed every installment of (altho not every part of every installment) it was "Lord of the Rings." I did hate to see it end. I do often hate to end a book because I enjoy it--but then if I'm enjoying it that much, I'm probably staying up all night to finish it because it's so good, and so it ends even sooner.
Love the post, Kasey. We missed you!
It was a lot of fun, but it is good to be home. I missed you all too!
ReplyDeleteJD, I felt the same way when I read the last book. I remember when Cheers ended too. I used to watch that show with my dad all the time. I think the TV show that I missed the most when it ended was Friends. I still watch the reruns all the time.
Barb, I love LOTR too! I am so excited that they are making The Hobbit into a two part movie!
Friends, Cheers, and NYPD Blue - all sad when they ended. Difficult to see something that was so good come to and end!
ReplyDeleteI remember reading the last Harry Potter book extremely slowly. I wanted to savor it b/c there would be no more. Once I got to the end, I re-read the ending numerous times. It was hard to believe that the final chapter was done.
Great post, Kasey and glad you're back! Can't wait to hear about it :)
As a writer I am always thrilled with the words "The End". As a reader, those same words make me very sad, especially when I'm reading a book or series I love. HP was very emotionally for me as well, b/c I started reading the books at a very turbulent time in my life. Harry was a nice break from reality.
ReplyDeleteI am, however, looking forward to some new substitutes. Namely, the Mortal Instruments coming to the big screen as well as The Host and The Hunger Games making it to feature film. In books I am looking forward to the next installment of the Hex Hall series as well as Matched.
As for HP, I'm now looking forward to the time that my son can be old enough to read the books.
Kellie, that is how I felt reading the last Harry Potter, even though I still polished it off in a weekend.
ReplyDeleteBeth, I have heard such great things about The Hunger Games. I plan on starting those after I finish one of my book club books. I have The Host in my tbr pile too.
Anyone else read the Artemis Fowl series? I loved it and those would make great movies for kids young and old!
ReplyDeleteKellie, I have read Artemis Fowl and I agree! They would make excellent movies.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I'm just not a LOTR fan. I saw the movies, and enjoyed them, but I preferred Harry Potter. I read the last book in a weekend, and of course, drug my husband to see them. He enjoyed the last two because they were darker and full of fighting. But, I will never forget sitting down to watch the first movie. I rented the dvd and I'd stayed home because I was sick...it was raining and cool and by the time the first fourteen notes of that lovely music had played...I was totally hooked. Sorry to see it end.
ReplyDeleteLori