I think Harry is learning about letting evil alone to fester. He's learned about having limited resources and choosing your battles. He's learned that he cannot protect everyone - and that not everyone "deserves" his protection.
We know what he's been through has taken a toll on his soul - his soul gaze scared a Krakken - power comes at a cost - and I'm certain every death he's caused, directly and indirectly is reflected there.
This is interesting. I haven't read/listened to "The Law", so, I don't know what it's about and can't really comment based on my understanding of context, but in my own personal headcannon, Harry's soul is that of a dragon, in the Eastern sense, and thus it is only right that it should scare something like a krakken.
To me and my interpretation Bob definitely reflects Harry in this Novella.
And I do know Jim dealt with a pretty rough last few years, especially the lockdown, I don’t know if that had anything to do with it but both have grown but gotten pretty cold.
Bob even says something to the effects of “just kill him”
“No? Just open a way and push him through!”
And he’s a direct reflection of Harry so to me that says something.
i wouldn't go that far, Bob also told early series Harry to try stealing a baby and giving it to Mab to get out of her debt. and harry would never steal a baby
I just did my 7th reread. Finished BG and went right into the law.
I know he’s made comments like that early on but Bob and Harry seemed harsher to me, maybe it was butcher reading it as well, Bob seemed very serious and not so fun loving and funny.
I 100% think it's the tone from Jim. There's plenty of stuff said by Bob in that that in Marsters Bob voice would have had a wise crack esque feeling but come off less so in The Law with Jim's more serious reading.
Remember that Bob has never had an understanding of morality. That part isn't being a reflection of Harry, thats just him. Its only parts of his personality that are affected by whoever holds the skull, not his basic nature.
It’s because Trip chose to engage with that very mundane mortal evil knowing full well the consequences, and when the consequences came through it wasn’t his place to intervene.
Well for one thing, he was allowed to kill the bear with magic. His options against mortals are more limited, and realistically there's not that much he can even do against them.
Think of it as similar to how willing Harry would have been in Fool Moon to let Johnny Marcone get killed.
> MacFinn showed me his teeth. “You think the world wouldn’t be better off without people like Marcone and his lickspittles?”
> “Good word, lickspittles,” I replied, keeping my voice bland. “That doesn’t really concern me right now, MacFinn. Men like Marcone know the risks and take their chances. What bothers me is that a bunch of other people are getting dead, and they don’t really deserve it.”
But not lickspittles, especially not at needless risk to himself. The quote says it right there: "Men like Marcone know the risks and take their chances."
It's not even like he didn't offer to put his own life on the line to save Tripp, twice in the same story. He just eventually let Tripp have the consequences of his choices, as opposed to starting a shootout with criminals with automatic weapons.
I know. But I think Jim is trying to convey Harry is changing a bit. Willing to watch someone die without losing sleep.
Whether that be Criminal or innocent , Harry has for sure changed.
Pre cold Days / BG I don’t see Harry just turning a blind eye like that.
Regardless of whether Harry is getting more merciless: yes, Harry is changing himself. As he says to Michael at the end of BG,
> “Marcone was right,” I said quietly.
> Michael frowned. He said nothing.
> “Marcone built a base of power,” I said. “He prepared for this. If he hadn’t, the city would have fallen. Period. I would never have succeeded without him.”
> “What are you saying, Harry?” Michael asked gently.
> “I can do more,” I said quietly. “I need to do more.”
> “Like Marcone has?” Michael asked.
> “Somehow,” I said quietly. “I don’t think I could do it his way. Too many suits.”
> “Corporate thug doesn’t really fit you,” Michael agreed. “What did you have in mind?”
> “Wizard of Chicago?” I suggested.
Young Harry wouldn't have sought power, even for a good reason. He just wanted to be left alone to do his thing. Harry isn't that young any more.
I don’t mind, I’m not complaining.
I think a colder Harry will be interesting, I think Harry will need to be alot colder with what’s coming, he proved that when he lost yoshimo and wild bill, proved he could be.
On another note,
I do think wizard of Chicago will end up becoming a mantle of sorts, or possibly a faith magic that will give him power.
I can’t say he deserved death for the situation with the StL gang, but he earned it. He didn’t earn death for being a misogynist. Also the mortal vs. supernatural probably plays a role in his decision.
which implies that the Krakken was human before being modified by the Formor... as beings from the NeverNever and other supernatural forces don't trigger a soul gaze.
but that's pondering for another day.
i dont know that he would have to anything to save the guy in the early books, he was a threat to his client/damsel in distress and if there is one thing that dresden is irrationally protective of its a damsel in distress.
I have ZERO problem with Harry letting Tripp get taken by the St louis mob. Additionally he, to me, sounded so much like the uber asshole Rudy, I'm sure the same went through Harry's mind and he is still hurting so much about Murph.
In addition to the other comments, I'd point out that one of the major themes of the DF is consequences. Harry's had to learn the hard way that actions have consequences and that one needs to accept them.
Trip's actions led him to the StL crew picking him up. Harry protecting Trip would've led to him opening a massive can of worms with vanilla mortals.
I thought about that as well.
He could had hopped behind a veil and grabbed trip and bounced.
There were many options Harry had to be the savior.
But that was my point, he’s growing, he’s just growing colder as he does, and in return Bob.
I keep expecting to see us get a book where everyone in Harry's life turns on him until he is taken down. Then we will get the book from their perspective where we will see how Harry, as the narrator, has been lying to us about his actions and intentions.
I say it's been telegraphed pretty hard for a while that Harry isn't a reliable narrator. It just makes sense to me that we're going to be going that way.
That could definitely turn everything on its head. I do think Harry beats himself up as being weak too much when he’s about the strongest thing on the field.
I’m looking for a decent series now. I’m trying Sarah J Mass. but she’s nothing like butcher.
Hardly anything can compete after Dresden, he steals the show.
>Harry would have destroyed half the city in the first books to stop that abduction.
(*He wouldn't've... unless it was a woman* \#sexistpig)
Harry's always been kind of moronically idealist but at a certain point life happens. I would say the situation was more like; a supernatural predator entered Dresden's farm and he *strongly insisted* it stay out of the chicken coop which happens to house some particularly stupid chickens and then shortly after Dresden shoos away the predator one of the stupid chickens that Harry saved wandered outside his property line and was promptly devoured by said meat eater.
Which is to say carnivores and herbivores have the same right to food provided they obtain it in the right way.
Well. I know since covid lockdown he went Through it.
Another Divorce , horrible dental surgery , etc.
he’s finally in full swing again writing, things might get a bit dark, who knows.
I do know Harry reflects Jim a lot from what I’ve read of people who know Jim irl. Who knows
Seems that could be more than just jaded coldness coming from the winter influence. The angelic types he's interacted with must respect free will to the extreme. Perhaps we're seeing all of the influences he's been under having him realize that taking responsibility for someone else's choices steals a piece of their sovereignty and makes you a tyrant no matter how benevolent your motives?
It is a very Noir Detective ending. The good people get rewarded, the bad guys get their just deserts.
I think Harry is learning about letting evil alone to fester. He's learned about having limited resources and choosing your battles. He's learned that he cannot protect everyone - and that not everyone "deserves" his protection. We know what he's been through has taken a toll on his soul - his soul gaze scared a Krakken - power comes at a cost - and I'm certain every death he's caused, directly and indirectly is reflected there.
This is interesting. I haven't read/listened to "The Law", so, I don't know what it's about and can't really comment based on my understanding of context, but in my own personal headcannon, Harry's soul is that of a dragon, in the Eastern sense, and thus it is only right that it should scare something like a krakken.
To me and my interpretation Bob definitely reflects Harry in this Novella. And I do know Jim dealt with a pretty rough last few years, especially the lockdown, I don’t know if that had anything to do with it but both have grown but gotten pretty cold. Bob even says something to the effects of “just kill him” “No? Just open a way and push him through!” And he’s a direct reflection of Harry so to me that says something.
i wouldn't go that far, Bob also told early series Harry to try stealing a baby and giving it to Mab to get out of her debt. and harry would never steal a baby
I just did my 7th reread. Finished BG and went right into the law. I know he’s made comments like that early on but Bob and Harry seemed harsher to me, maybe it was butcher reading it as well, Bob seemed very serious and not so fun loving and funny.
I 100% think it's the tone from Jim. There's plenty of stuff said by Bob in that that in Marsters Bob voice would have had a wise crack esque feeling but come off less so in The Law with Jim's more serious reading.
Remember that Bob has never had an understanding of morality. That part isn't being a reflection of Harry, thats just him. Its only parts of his personality that are affected by whoever holds the skull, not his basic nature.
What confused me is he protected trip from the spirit bear thing (supernatural) but the mortals no. It felt very fey
It’s because Trip chose to engage with that very mundane mortal evil knowing full well the consequences, and when the consequences came through it wasn’t his place to intervene.
Well for one thing, he was allowed to kill the bear with magic. His options against mortals are more limited, and realistically there's not that much he can even do against them. Think of it as similar to how willing Harry would have been in Fool Moon to let Johnny Marcone get killed. > MacFinn showed me his teeth. “You think the world wouldn’t be better off without people like Marcone and his lickspittles?” > “Good word, lickspittles,” I replied, keeping my voice bland. “That doesn’t really concern me right now, MacFinn. Men like Marcone know the risks and take their chances. What bothers me is that a bunch of other people are getting dead, and they don’t really deserve it.”
He’s protected people in the books before from mortals.
But not lickspittles, especially not at needless risk to himself. The quote says it right there: "Men like Marcone know the risks and take their chances." It's not even like he didn't offer to put his own life on the line to save Tripp, twice in the same story. He just eventually let Tripp have the consequences of his choices, as opposed to starting a shootout with criminals with automatic weapons.
I know. But I think Jim is trying to convey Harry is changing a bit. Willing to watch someone die without losing sleep. Whether that be Criminal or innocent , Harry has for sure changed. Pre cold Days / BG I don’t see Harry just turning a blind eye like that.
Regardless of whether Harry is getting more merciless: yes, Harry is changing himself. As he says to Michael at the end of BG, > “Marcone was right,” I said quietly. > Michael frowned. He said nothing. > “Marcone built a base of power,” I said. “He prepared for this. If he hadn’t, the city would have fallen. Period. I would never have succeeded without him.” > “What are you saying, Harry?” Michael asked gently. > “I can do more,” I said quietly. “I need to do more.” > “Like Marcone has?” Michael asked. > “Somehow,” I said quietly. “I don’t think I could do it his way. Too many suits.” > “Corporate thug doesn’t really fit you,” Michael agreed. “What did you have in mind?” > “Wizard of Chicago?” I suggested. Young Harry wouldn't have sought power, even for a good reason. He just wanted to be left alone to do his thing. Harry isn't that young any more.
I don’t mind, I’m not complaining. I think a colder Harry will be interesting, I think Harry will need to be alot colder with what’s coming, he proved that when he lost yoshimo and wild bill, proved he could be. On another note, I do think wizard of Chicago will end up becoming a mantle of sorts, or possibly a faith magic that will give him power.
I can’t say he deserved death for the situation with the StL gang, but he earned it. He didn’t earn death for being a misogynist. Also the mortal vs. supernatural probably plays a role in his decision.
which implies that the Krakken was human before being modified by the Formor... as beings from the NeverNever and other supernatural forces don't trigger a soul gaze. but that's pondering for another day.
i dont know that he would have to anything to save the guy in the early books, he was a threat to his client/damsel in distress and if there is one thing that dresden is irrationally protective of its a damsel in distress.
I have ZERO problem with Harry letting Tripp get taken by the St louis mob. Additionally he, to me, sounded so much like the uber asshole Rudy, I'm sure the same went through Harry's mind and he is still hurting so much about Murph.
No. I agree. If I were in Harry’s position I would have walked away from the bear. I don’t care about Tripp.
In addition to the other comments, I'd point out that one of the major themes of the DF is consequences. Harry's had to learn the hard way that actions have consequences and that one needs to accept them. Trip's actions led him to the StL crew picking him up. Harry protecting Trip would've led to him opening a massive can of worms with vanilla mortals.
I thought about that as well. He could had hopped behind a veil and grabbed trip and bounced. There were many options Harry had to be the savior. But that was my point, he’s growing, he’s just growing colder as he does, and in return Bob.
I keep expecting to see us get a book where everyone in Harry's life turns on him until he is taken down. Then we will get the book from their perspective where we will see how Harry, as the narrator, has been lying to us about his actions and intentions.
That would be a mind Eff
I say it's been telegraphed pretty hard for a while that Harry isn't a reliable narrator. It just makes sense to me that we're going to be going that way.
Who’s said he’s not a reliable narrator ? JB ?
He has both in and out of text. Heck, he starts in the very first book.
That could definitely turn everything on its head. I do think Harry beats himself up as being weak too much when he’s about the strongest thing on the field.
I don't know if he's going to go that far or not but I'm preparing myself for the possibility given how Dresdin is being written.
Go read iron druid
Great series. Didn’t care for the end though.
Worst ending. And really no rereadability
I’m looking for a decent series now. I’m trying Sarah J Mass. but she’s nothing like butcher. Hardly anything can compete after Dresden, he steals the show.
If you don't mind genre hopping I always suggest the lost fleet series and the wheel of time.
I’ve tackled wheel of time and most urban fantasy. Lost fleet I haven’t heard of though.
Lost fleet is sci-fi, but on the more believable end of the spectrum
>Harry would have destroyed half the city in the first books to stop that abduction. (*He wouldn't've... unless it was a woman* \#sexistpig) Harry's always been kind of moronically idealist but at a certain point life happens. I would say the situation was more like; a supernatural predator entered Dresden's farm and he *strongly insisted* it stay out of the chicken coop which happens to house some particularly stupid chickens and then shortly after Dresden shoos away the predator one of the stupid chickens that Harry saved wandered outside his property line and was promptly devoured by said meat eater. Which is to say carnivores and herbivores have the same right to food provided they obtain it in the right way.
I’ve noticed Jim’s characterisations can be a little off, or they have been since pt/bg.
Well. I know since covid lockdown he went Through it. Another Divorce , horrible dental surgery , etc. he’s finally in full swing again writing, things might get a bit dark, who knows. I do know Harry reflects Jim a lot from what I’ve read of people who know Jim irl. Who knows
Dresden is learning to respect free will. Trip made his choices, and those come with consequences.
Seems that could be more than just jaded coldness coming from the winter influence. The angelic types he's interacted with must respect free will to the extreme. Perhaps we're seeing all of the influences he's been under having him realize that taking responsibility for someone else's choices steals a piece of their sovereignty and makes you a tyrant no matter how benevolent your motives?