This does, however, lead back to the problem of what Rowling (and Rowell) were actually trying to achieve. They both grow up in ways neither Harry nor Draco could in Harry Potter. And both Simon and Baz are forced to come to grips with the simple fact that what they know about the world simply isn’t true. Agatha is torn between being seen as the prize for when Simon completes his mission and wanting – demanding – a life of her own. His bid to complete a prophecy led to utter disaster, although it isn’t clear if he actually realises what he’s done. The Mage’s zeal for social reform is not misplaced, but he’s caused both short and long-term problems for his world. Baz owes more to fanon Draco than the real Draco.Īnd yet, this does allow Rowell to put forward some intelligent deconstruction of the characters. The canonical Draco did not wear leather pants, nor does he really start to grow up until Half-Blood Prince. Indeed, part of the reason I hesitated to read this book was that I’d never seen the Draco fandom as particularly healthy, nor did I see any reason for Harry to consider getting into a relationship with him. Many of the smaller characters – some important, some only mentioned in passing – are expies of Potterverse characters too. Simon is obviously Harry, the Mage is Dumbledore, the Humdrum is Voldemort, Penny is a combination of Ron and Hermione, Agatha is Ginny, and Baz is Draco. It is impossible to assess Carry On without noting just how much it draws from Harry Potter and its fanon. In the end, Simon and Baz – officially a couple – set off to explore the post-war world. And this leads to a deadly fight that ends with the Mage’s death, and Simon losing his magic (it makes sense in context). Simon’s growing obsession with Baz leads him into a complicated family situation and a growing love affair, culminating in discovering the Humdrum’s true nature and the Mage’s role in its appearance. And when Baz fails to return to the school, Simon starts to worry about him. He honestly doesn’t know what to do with himself. Everyone is choosing sides, save for Simon. The Mage, having embarked upon a process of social reform and claimed Simon as his Heir, is on the verge of starting a fight with the old families. An enigmatic entity – the Humdrum – is creating blank spots, places where magic is gone forever. Unfortunately, Simon is caught in the middle of a war. Owing to some complex magic, the two boys are roommates. And he has a rival, Baz, who is literally a vampire. He has a best friend – Penny – and a girlfriend – Agatha – he admits, privately, that he feels little for. He was discovered by the Mage when he turned twelve and invited to Watford School of Magicks, where he had a whole string of adventures that the text talks about in vague detail.
Simon Snow is an orphan, the first wizarding child born (as far as anyone knows) to normal parents. If you don’t, you may find it something of a challenge. If you like the characters, as well as the commentary, you’ll probably like the book.
There are elements of the story that provide effective commentary on the Potterverse’s oversights and moral blindspots, but other aspects of the novel that have oversights and suchlike of their own. The plot draws heavily from Rowling, then attempts to deconstruct the Harry Potter books. Rainbow Rowell has done just that.Ĭarry On has a complex history, linked to one of Rowell’s earlier books, but it is effectively stand alone. If you believe there’s a demand for such books, write them. Rowling does not have a lock on magic boarding school stories, let alone the ‘growing up gay’ or ‘teen romance’ genres. Why not? Rowling set out to write a very specific kind of book – and it’s rather entitled to demand she changes what she’s doing to suit you – but there’s no reason you can’t try to write it yourself. Whenever I hear the demands for representation, my general response is to suggest the demander try writing the story for themselves. It’s just that Harry Potter is not that sort of book. That is not to say there’s anything wrong with a ‘growing up gay’ or ‘teen romance’ series, because there isn’t. What mattered was how he finally beat You-Know-Who. It did not matter, in the long run, who Harry married.
#Carry on rainbow rowell homosexuality series#
Romance and sexual identity is not a big part of the series because it would detract from the story itself. Harry Potter is a boarding school story combined with a magical adventure tale. The demand has always irked me for several different reasons, starting with the simple fact that Rowling was not writing a ‘growing up gay’ or ‘teen romance’ series. the inclusion of characters who are not the traditional heroes of such stories. There has been, ever since Harry Potter went mainstream, a demand for ‘representation’ – i.e.
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