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| Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) | 
| Author: J. K. Rowling
Creator: Mary Grandpre
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $34.99
Buy Used: $5.84
You Save: $29.15 (83%)
New (170) Collectible (86) from $8.90
Avg. Customer Rating:  3198 reviews
Sales Rank: 51
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 784
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.4
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.4 x 2.2
ISBN: 0545010225
EAN: 9780545010221
ASIN: 0545010225
Publication Date: July 21, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: ExLibrary book in good condition with a mylar cover, library markings, spine cocked, lite page edge creases, lite shelf wear
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| Customer Reviews:
 rating Jim Dale's performance August 18, 2008
Rather than review the book, which I find to be generally outstanding and a satisfying end to the series, I'd instead like to review Jim Dale's reading of it.
This is my second "reading" of The Deathly Hallows, but my first foray into audiobooks. I thought it would be good filler during a road trip and beach vacation when I would be unable to actually pick up a book. Now home from that trip, I can't stop listening to it.
Dale's pacing slows me down and allows me to appreciate details I probably skim past while reading at my usual steady clip. His inflection draws you in, brings Rowling's rich world out of the words, gives a wink and a nod during the fleeting happy moments, and sets you on edge as tension rises. He provides a distinctive and appropriate voice for each character, bringing life to their personalities.
The one rather major exception I take is with Hermione's voice; the younger women's voices in general sound a bit strained, but not distractingly so. Hermione's parts, however, are spoken with a whiney inflection that elongates the last syllable of words and gets high and squeaky at the end ("Haa-rryyYYY"). Rather than making her sound reproachful or thoughtful, as I'm sure is intended, it makes her sound a bit dim-witted, almost like a thoughtless stereotype of someone with a disability. Emma Watson (Hermione in film), in contrast, manages to enunciate each syllable while simultaneously spitting out the words like the intellectual bullets they usually are.
To sum it up: while drifting off into his otherwise excellent reading, it's jarring and distracting to suddenly have such strange portrayal of a character who speaks with such frequency.
 HP fan. Love the book August 18, 2008
Like many I wouldn't have wanted the series to end, but all good things apparently do
Good, but not great... August 16, 2008
My husband and I have listened to all J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books on tape, and have loved them all. We finally got a chance to hear Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on a road trip this summer. While we enjoyed it, we thought that it was good--but not great.
The late Albus Dumbledore had charged wizard Harry Potter to seek out and destroy horcruxes. Harry is allowed to bring his closest friends, Ron and Hermione, with him on this dangerous mission. Dumbledore bequeathed each of them a gift, but without any instructions on how they are to be used. Harry receives a snitch, Ron an illuminator, and Hermione the children's book The Tales of Beedle the Bard. The trio decide to forego their final year at Hogwarts in their quest to accomplish Dumbledore's assignment. Their achieving success is especially important as Lord Voldemort now controls both the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts.
I found the plot was too long, too involved, and too spotty. At 21 hours, it was often difficult to keep things straight. There was just way too much going on, and much of it wasn't necessary to the story. The Deathly Hallows was definitely darker than the previous books and I missed the emphasis on Hogwarts. On the plus side, we learn much more about the history between Lily and James Potter (Harry's Parents), Professor Snape, Lupin and Sirius Black. Also, reader Jim Dale is a master and perhaps the best narrator alive. His dozens and dozens of voices are just amazing.
While I felt there were some problems with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, as a whole, the series is definitely a classic for children and adults alike. It has already been announced that Rowling will publish a book called The Tales of Beedle the Bard in December. Maybe it will give Harry Potter fans who are going through withdrawal a little bit of a fix.
jennya August 13, 2008
This was a great ending to a great series. I loved all 7 books in the series and this was an exciting ending to an epic story.
There were tears but also great triumphs that make it worth reading over and over again.
Exceeded my sky-high expectations August 13, 2008
The final Harry Potter volume has it all: action, adventure, depth of emotion, and (best of all) a thoroughly satisfying climax to the entire series. Definitely exceeded my high expectations.
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