Book Thirty: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

As much as it pains me to say this, I've under appreciated this volume of J.K. Rowling's much beloved series.  It's never been a favorite of mine mainly because of the incessant whining that our dear Harry seems to do.  The child whines about everything from losing Quidditch privileges to being ignored by Dumbledore to Occulmency lessons by Professor Snape.  Sure, Harry, I get it.... it's tough to be you.  But damn, boy!  Don't you know we're at war here?!

I've always thought Rowling tried too hard with this tome.  Developing too many characters and not well enough.  Professor and High Inquisitor Dolorous Umbrage is the clear winner here.  Firenze was a solid contender.  Grawp, however, was not.  He felt forced as if Hagrid just needed to be out of the way for a bit.

What I fell in love with more this read around is Dumbledore's Army.  Neville Longbottom, the long suffering herbologist.  Luna Lovegood, the loveable oddball.  Seamus and Lee Jordan, I love them all a little bit more this time around--particularly Neville.  He is clumsy and introverted when we first meet him.  Here, Neville, becomes an integral part of D.A. and parlays those skills into legend.

My Sweet Niece admitted today that the book can be scary at parts.  It's interesting to hear those comments.  I, too, think the Order of the Phoenix takes on a much more serious tone.  Young readers examine love and loss here.  Rowling is straightforward.  And when Harry confronts Professor Dumbledore, Rowling allows us to rail in anger and frustration alongside Harry.  Dumbledore's ability to humbly accept his punishment, if you will, is all the more frustrating.  This time, though, I was struck by how Rowling allows Dumbledore to mirror Harry's feelings and to address them without trivializing them.  Don't we all wish for validation of our hopes, dreams, and fears?


As I see it, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is, at it's core, a beautiful tale of life and maturation. Hidden among this fantasy of good and evil, are honest life lessons that wizards and Muggles alike can take to heart.