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SEPTEMBER 25, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Posted by JEREMY
Source: Harry, A History
In a new interview
conducted by Melissa Anelli as part of her preparations for writing her new book, Harry, A History, J.K. Rowling talked briefly about the Death Veil in the Department of Mysteries.
JKR: Everyone wanted to go beyond the veil.
MA: This is very canon-based, but there are some things that as a fan, there are things I just gotta know. A lot of fans see the veil as that separation -
JKR: It's the divide between life and death. I tried to do a nod to that in The Tale of Three Brothers - she was separate from them as though through a veil. You can't go back if you pass through that veil, you cannot come back. Or you can't come back in any form that will make either person happy anyway.
But when they surround that veil [in Order of the Phoenix], I was trying to show that depending on their degree of skepticism or belief about what lay beyond - because Luna, of course, is a very skeptical character. Luna believes firmly in an afterlife. She's very clear on that. And she feels them speaking or hears them speaking much more clearly than Harry does. This is the idea of faith. Harry thinks he can hear them; he's drawn on. But Harry's had a life that has been so imbued with death that he now has an uncharacteristically strong curiosity about the afterlife, especially for a boy of 15, as he is in Phoenix. Ron's just scared, as I think Ron would be - he just knows this is something he doesn't want to dabble with. Hermione, hyper-rational Hermione - 'can't hear anything, get away from the Veil.' So if you walk through the veil, you're dead. You're dead. What you find on the other side, well, that's the question.
Do I believe you go on? Yes, I do believe you go on. I do believe in an afterlife, although I'm absolutely doubt-ridden and always have been but there you are.
I had not anticipated, though really I should have done, how interested people would be to go beyond the veil. And lots of people, including Dan [Radcliffe], wanted to go through the veil. But then that shouldn't surprise me because teenagers are very interested.
MA: Dan sort of does get to go beyond the veil.
JKR: Yeah, he does, but not literally through the veil
MA: Not charging through. Ginny, Ginny can hear it because she's been...
JKR: I think women are more likely to hear than men. [Ginny and Harry] really are soulmates. I think she's like Harry. She's got an intellectual curiosity and she's got something of belief. Hermione [is] totally rational. "Let's all back away from the Veil and let's pretend we heard nothing."
You can purchase the book, Harry, a History at this link via Amazon.
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Auror
(Moderator)
Points: 2213
Jeremy says:
Loved this interview!
Thank You Melissa for posting it!
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 7:54 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2621
hbluvhp says:
Always and interesting topic of discussion. I love to hear JK Rowling's thoughts on the afterlife and the ideas beyond the veil. Something to think about...
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 7:56 PM EST
Witch
Points: 621
GarryDotter89 says:
What great news, she's writing another book! I can't wait for it! She is such a brilliant woman. I bet the book will be such, ah, so fantastic! It's also great to hear teh news about this on my birthday! Awesome, J.K.
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 8:34 PM EST
Auror
(Moderator)
Points: 2213
Jeremy says:
She is not writing another book,
it is written by Melissa Anelli, and is already in stores.
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 8:49 PM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27909
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
woohoo!!
I love reading new stuff about the veil and everything :D
?????????????????????????????????????
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 9:29 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 492
SoccerChick22 says:
That was interesting to read. I love to learn about what JK says.
:-]
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 9:55 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1829
Lady Leo says:
I definetly wanted to go beyond the veil. I wanted to know what happens to those who fall/go beyond the veil. But I guess its up to our interpretation.
And I don't remember that Ginny could hear the voices? Where does she say that?
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 10:20 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 865
Rudeboy2025 says:
It's great that we finally get the word from her on the veil. Cool info.
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 10:24 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 575
Canis Diris says:
I haven't been back to the site in a while but I just had to come back when I read this. Pretty good interview, there should be more HP news, it is getting really slow around here, wonder what will happen to the site after the final movie.
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 10:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 531
mrsharrypotter4500 says:
yay I really wanted to know more about the veil!! That makes since i think?
Posted Sep 25, 2008 at 11:55 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2852
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
Wow. Thats very interesting. I've always like the viel and what effect is had on different people. Its good to finnialy see what JK had in mind when she was writing this.
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 12:33 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 438
Ainhoa says:
I feel like Dan, I would love to go behind the veil and see what's there!
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 12:43 AM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 3911
Hecate3fold says:
Interesting the way she speaks of all of the characters as if they were real people. From what she has stated here, their personalities are far more developed than what she portrayed in the books. She has created in her mind how everyone would react to any given situation. It's like she knows them on a personal level.
I don't know if all writers are like this, but maybe it's a good thing that she has given them a rest for now and moved on to other things.
It's evident that Harry and the others are alive and well and could flow into another book at the drop of a quill.
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 1:07 AM EST
Head House Elf
Points: 2756
Dobby says:
Everyone buy Harry, A History on November 4th! Or pre-order it now! Melissa Anelli is awesome. You know she's awesome because Joanne Kathleen Rowling wrote a forward for her book. That is all.
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 1:23 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 55
Amy S says:
I liked hearing what J.K. had to say about the veil. It was something that I thought deeply about when I read it and wondered what other people thought. Thanks to J.K. for writing about it in the first place...
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 2:23 AM EST
Witch
Points: 819
accio_kim says:
Wow, that's really interesting. It does seem that there is such a huge fascination about that veil. Also, what seems to fascinate me most, is that in the movie there wasn't even a veil, just some smoke. But then again, Harry has blue eyes in the films...
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 3:08 AM EST
Witch
Points: 819
accio_kim says:
Sorry for the WB bashing, but well, you know.
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 3:10 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2424
bonniewrightrulz says:
Finally,we get a J.K.R interview.Its been so long since i read one.Thanks a lot for the interview,it was nice reading about the veil.
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 3:58 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1389
Luna! says:
Yay! J.K interview! I love her she's so amazing and a beautiful and talented author.
I can't wait to go and get it so I can read more about it. I love those canon-books that discuss issues related to Harry Potter it's great!
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 5:08 AM EST
Furry Little Problem
Points: 4522
Juicybit says:
New interview with JKR - how cool. Also now we have two books to buy (or ask for) for Christmas: this one and The Tales. They both come out in December, right?
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 5:19 AM EST
Furry Little Problem
Points: 4522
Juicybit says:
Okay, I'm sorry, Harry, a History is due out in November.
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 5:25 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2496
KissingDraco says:
Loved it. And we will all know what is behind the veil once we die. We should look upon our death a bit like Dumbledore: "Its the next great adventure".
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 5:47 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2363
Nataly says:
That's a perfect and very interesting interview! Thanks for posting it
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 8:06 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 9051
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Very deep comments. I realy find them interesting. It adds a flavor and nuance to the story and it effects. I like the way it effects the characters.
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 9:42 AM EST
Witch
Points: 903
flaumfeder says:
I hunger for every little detail about the HP world! Gimme more, pleeeeaase!
That's really deep, facinating stuff.
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 2:05 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1909
Hermione5 says:
Wow, for a fleeting moment, I thought JK was going to write a new book titled Harry, a History...
I liked the idea of the veil in the books, and I liked JK elaborating on it, and how the characters react to it and why. :)
Posted Sep 26, 2008 at 2:44 PM EST
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