Readers go just wild about Harry
Tills chime as the eighth instalment in JK Rowling’s series hits the shelves
Wizards descended on bookstores around the country yesterday morning as the latest Harry Potter instalment hit the shelves.
By 11.25am, after less than half an hour, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was already sold out at the Dorothy Butler Children’s Book Shop in Ponsonby, Auckland.
About 200 people — most of them dressed as characters from the blockbuster series — packed into the store, one of many around the country holding events to coincide with the release.
Sixty copies were on sale at the Ponsonby store, but 30 of those had been ordered in advance, leaving only 30 for fans.
Co-owner Helen Wadsworth said the turnout was a surprise.
“We were getting our friends to come because we didn’t think anyone would come.”
The launch at 11.01am was marked by Wadsworth, dressed as “Hellie” Potter, welcoming fans singing happy birthday to Harry Potter before the first box of books was opened.
The store gave a free copy to one lucky fan who had dressed up as her favourite character, Hermione Granger. The winner, 10-year-old Grace Bridgeman from Grey Lynn, beamed when she talked about her favourite book series.
“I like how it’s set in a wizardy world. I like Hermione because she’s really smart and can do cool spells,” she said.
Tabitha Sellar was eager to start the book she had waited “a long time” for. She has read all seven of the previous Harry Potter books — almost one for each of her 8 years — and planned to start reading the Cursed Child yesterday afternoon.
“I want to find out what happens. It’s got a lot of adventures,” she told the Herald.
Grace Brannigan’s Slytherin beanie and Hogwarts T-shirt stood out in the sea of Harrys and Hermiones. The 12-year-old said she preferred Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood to the series’ three main characters.
“I think they are quite underrated female characters. Everyone just looks at the golden trio — Hermione, Harry and Ron.”
The book broke records in the United States for being the most pre-ordered book since 2007 when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released.
The book’s release coincided with JK Rowling’s birthday.
In Britain, bookstore Waterstones reported that orders had already passed the six-figure milestone.
The book, which is the script of a two-part play running in London, is the eighth in the Harry Potter series. It revisits many familiar characters while introducing numerous new ones.