Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Book 7

By: J.K. Rowling

Narrated by: Jim Dale

Length: 21 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

"'Give me Harry Potter,' said Voldemort's voice, 'and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded.'" 

As he climbs into the sidecar of Hagrid's motorbike and takes to the skies, leaving Privet Drive for the last time, Harry Potter knows that Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters are not far behind. The protective charm that has kept Harry safe until now is broken, but he cannot keep hiding. The Dark Lord is breathing fear into everything Harry loves and to stop him Harry will have to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes. The final battle must begin - Harry must stand and face his enemy.... 

©2007 J.K. Rowling (P)2007 Listening Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic Reviews

"To call Dale a 'reader' of books is like saying Monet was a Sunday painter." (Los Angeles Times)

I'm so sad it's over!!

I have to admit I always wondered what the big deal was about this series; although I saw some of the movies years ago and enjoyed them, I never read the books. When they became available on Kindle/Audible however I ordered the first book for my 8 y.o. daughter thinking she’d like to listen to it. Then I thought I’d try it out and see if I liked it myself; I was a little hesitant having already seen the movie and worried that listening to the book might be repetitive. But, I learned quickly that I was SO WRONG. There is SO much more detail, storyline, insight and humor, amongst many other things, woven into the pages that of course you don’t see on a DVD. I ended up listening to all 7 of the audiobooks in just under 2 months, and I finished Deathly Hallows about 4 days ago and I feel SO EMPTY! Lol! There is nothing else that will measure up/compare to this series or its writer. I am going to start on JK Rowling’s ‘adult’ books next I think, but I have half a mind to re-listen to my favorite Harry Potter books first, even this soon after finishing them, which I’ve NEVER done. I love the characters, the effortless way the story builds throughout all 7 books and I love the fact that something that might have happened in book 2 or 3 might be referenced in later books. I also loved the “real” way that certain things that weren’t obvious in the beginning of the series (i.e. whom Harry ends up with) develop in a way that feels completely natural and of course like that was meant to happen all along. Nothing in any of the HP books feels forced or conveniently created to serve a plotline that otherwise might be struggling. Despite its theme of witchcraft and wizardry Harry Potter seems very human and even relatable at times, thanks to the genius woman who created him, especially when it comes to his relationship with his closest friends. I think that’s why it’s so hard to leave them behind.

Oh and yes, I agree with many other reviewers that Jim Dale was the one and only narrator who could've brought this story to life in the amazing way that he did. So many characters, so many distinct voices, and he nailed them all in a way that I found myself comparing HIS version to the movie versions and, in many cases, finding I preferred Jim's.

I will miss Harry, Hermione, Ron, Sirius, Dumbledore, Hagrid, Snape, all the characters who made these books what they were, but I might have to revisit them soon because I’m not sure I’ll be able to handle this impending post-HP depression hahaha. Wish me luck...

68 of 72 people found this review helpful

Neither Can Live While The Other Survives

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Not only would I, I've already given away dozens of copies as gifts to friends and family. This is the only literary series ever written that keeps the quality of the writing high and getting better in each volume, right up to the very last word, while not forgetting or dropping or bungling a single minor character or secondary plot line.This is the book that grabs the reader by the heart and twists, as young people are forced to strike out on their own to save the world from unspeakable evil. More than once, all appears lost, and Harry and the reader think things can't possibly get any worse....until help arrives at the last second, from the most unlikely of sources!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Book 7?

The Battle of Hogwarts; Ginny's kiss; Harry's parents' reappearance; Harry's ultimate sacrifice; the shocking revelations about Severus Snape that turn everything Harry and the reader thought they knew about him upside down; the riveting scene in which all seems lost until so many unlikely combatants (including centaurs, house-elves, hippogriffs, and giants (including Hagrid's brother) join the fray....and of course the brilliant series epilogue, Nineteen Years Later, which all by itself is easily worth the cost of the book.

Have you listened to any of Jim Dale’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is Mr. Dale's magnum opus, in which he is able to brilliantly portray not just characters of all ages and both genders, but characters of all sorts who are not even human! He deserves worldwide acclaim for unparalleled narration of this or any series. This is a breathtaking achievement.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely, and I almost did, taking time off of school and work to listen, and stopping literally only to sleep!!This is the best novel you'll read this year; despite the fact that it is the series finale, it also easily stands alone and is a fully adult novel.

Any additional comments?

[PLEASE PRESS 'YES' IF YOU FOUND THIS REVIEW EVEN SLIGHTLY HELPFUL!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!]

200 of 233 people found this review helpful

Flawless Finish to a 5-Star Series

Though I snapped up and immediately listened to the whole series, this is the only review I'm doing of Harry Potter as it's where Rowling and Dale's true genius shines forth. "The Deathly Hallows" ties everything, and I mean everything together in such a brilliant way. From the incredible awe and enchantment of the very first book, through all of them, and here to the masterful and mature finish, skill flourishes like a magic quill on a scroll of parchment.
Let's see. How about the polyjuice potion that was so delightful in "The Chamber of Secrets" that becomes commonplace then part of a daring plan to rob Gringott's in "The Deathly Hallows"? House elves introduced early who become keys to solving the mysterious "R.B" of a locket/Horcrux? Dementors that crippled Harry early on who become used a watchdogs? And let's start with dragons: from the birth of Norbert in the first book, to being a part of a challenge in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, to becoming part of an ingenious escape from the bowels of the earth.
See how it all works? Why it's genius? Rowling, in each book, manages to plant early clues, foreshadow all that will be important, to great effect. But that she managed, no, excelled in shading things from each book to this grand finale is mind-blowing.
And through it all, each character grew and matured. She even had the guts to have Harry turn into a snarling teenager in "The Order of the Phoenix" and brought him through that to become the fairly wise young man he winds up as.
"The Deathly Hallows" has it all. Plus, it has Jim Dale narrating perfectly. How he managed to make each character distinct throughout, to breathe so much life into each written word is beyond me, but boy do I appreciate it. He was a real treat to listen to with perfect pacing, even tho' I wound up listening at 1.25 speed because I just can't handle delayed gratification: I wanted to hear Harry's story NOW (even though I've read each book, like, a million times!).
Treat yourself to the series, yes, but don't, DO NOT miss out on this last piece of one of the tastiest most perfectly seasoned pies around. Rowling and Dale are awe-inspiring, and I can't wait to listen, from book one on up, to this series again and again...
And again...

49 of 61 people found this review helpful

Magical

This whole series never gets old to me. I always have it on while I'm running around the house. The narrator gives a truly magical performance. He is truly amazing!

28 of 35 people found this review helpful

Finally finished!

What an amazing series!
Jim Dale, best narrator on the planet. Different voices for each character, brilliant. So easy to visualize each one's personality.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Best book I've ever read

not only was the narrator brilliant at reading. the story is outstanding. 10/10 would recommend.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Incredible last installment to a great adventure!

Once it got rolling, you simply couldn't stop listening. Started off full of doubt and worry, but the story arc was perfect in the end!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

What can I say, Harry Potter is the best!

Jim Dale is the most talented narrator and makes the books come to life even more so than the movies.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

wonderful

jim dale is a wonderful listen. his emence chatacter profile can be enjoyed again and again and again. of course the HP series is monumental for my generation so no need to review for that. 5 stars for me.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Culmination of Genius

J M Rolling brings it all together in this crescendo of a novel that brilliantly ties up every loose end and story arch from her previous novels. The battles, from heroic frenzied war scenes to inward moral dilemmas bring us insights anew into our most beloved fictional friends and hated literary enemies. Impressive, supremely satisfying , and absolutely her best work yet.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful