|
Page 1 of 2 As you probably already know, the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, came out over the summer. More than eleven million copies were sold in the fi rst 24 hours, breaking the record for fastest selling book ever; the previous record of nine million was held by book six. This was what some fans had waited a decade for. Some readers, myself included, finished the 759 page book in less than a day.
To me, Harry Potter is not just a book about a bunch of kids doing magic. It is a story about people I have grown up with. I cried when Sirius died, and again when Dumbledore died, and even more in the fi nal battle at Hogwarts. I got butterfl ies in my stomach when Harry and Ginny finally kissed. I laughed at Colin Creevey’s countless attempts to befriend Harry. I groaned whenever Crabbe and Goyle walked in the room. I wished I could have learned to fly a broomstick and play quiddich, learn to change teacups into canaries, and master apparition. How cool would it be to live in an ancient castle with talking portraits, moving stairs, and rooms that change into whatever you require? But it’s also more than that. Author J.K. Rowling has used the series to make subtle commentary on society. She addresses prejudice, war, murder, poverty, corrupt governments, and propaganda in the media. These topics are surely not meant for a fifth grader. One of the best parts of reading these books are watching the themes change, the topics grow darker and more mature, and seeing Rowling’s overall writing skills improve. But what happens now that the series has ended? A quick look on Facebook shows that not everyone is taking the news as well as others. “I’ve read Harry Potter #7, now what am I supposed to do with my life?” is a question pondered by many. In fact, there are over 5,300 members of this group. That number pales to the 66,000 who claimed “After Harry Potter Seven comes out, I won’t have anything to live for.” But best of all, there are over 130,000 members in the Mrs. Weasley appreciation group who rejoice that the sweet mother of seven told off a Death Eater using some rather foul language near the end of book seven. What can these fans do to fill the gaping hole left by the end of Harry Potter? There is no substitute for a weekend curled up with Harry and friends, but there are some things that can help ease the pain. First, there are the two remaining Harry Potter movies. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is scheduled for release in November of 2008, with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to be released sometime after. The films are notorious for leaving out major plot elements to keep the length reasonable, but for many fans, this just is not acceptable. Only time will tell if the remaining movies will include allthe fights, love stories, jokes, and deaths as the books. Regardless, I am sure there will be huge turnouts at each midnight release. If you want to experience the magical world of Harry Potter first hand, wait a few years. In late 2009 or early 2010, Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida will add The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to its Islands of Adventure theme park. Visitors will be able to explore Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forrest, and Hogwarts through rides and attractions. As for those who are unsatisfied with the epilogue at the end of Deathly Hallows, you may be in luck. Rowling told “The Today Show” that she “probably will” write an encyclopedia with information not included in the original seven books. This will include back stories of characters, including Dean Thomas, and more of what happens after the fall of Voldemort. Most of the loose ends have been tied up in various interviews with Rowling since, but it will be exciting to have another Potter book to enjoy. However, do not hold your breath waiting. Rowling is taking a much deserved break before she will consider writing again.
Views: 2017
|
Perspectives 
