2008 Woodie Awards
The Potter era comes to an end
Will the Boy Who Lived stay that way?
Sarah Lavery
Issue date: 7/18/07 Section: Features
It's the end of an era. On July 21, Harry Potter will lay down his proverbial wand, and trillions of Muggles everywhere will say goodbye to their literary hero.
The first six Harry Potter books have sold over 325 million copies worldwide, and through the sale of corresponding toys, movies and companion books, it's spawned an economy of its own. With J.K. Rowling's final book slated for a July 21 release, she's already beaten all of her previous presale records.
If pre-sales at Hastings Entertainment on Northfield Boulevard are any indication, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is already in high demand: more than 500 copies have been reserved. The night before the highly-anticipated release date, the store will host a Potter-party, inviting fans to show up dressed as Harries, Hermionies and Dumbledores to receive their copy of the book at 12:01 a.m.
Even though the Potter series has long been regarded as children's literature, MTSU students are among the most anxious.
"It's quite good fun to see everyone dressed up," senior business management major Jennie Smith says of the release party. "Plus, to see the same happiness you have mirrored in everyone else's faces is truly magical."
As every true fan knows, Rowling's seventh and final Potter novel will resolve the coldblooded prophecy that either Harry or the nefarious Lord Voldemort must die - for neither can live while the other survives. The books have become increasingly dark with each passing year at Hogwarts, and readers everywhere are coming to the realization that their deepest fears just might come true:
Potter could, indeed, be obliterated with the flick of a wand and a single "Avada Kedavra," and Rowling could once and for all prove that her series doesn't belong in the realm of bedtime stories.
"I think Voldemort will die. That just seems to be a given," Smith says. "But Harry will live. Because that's what he does."
Ever since Rowling revealed in 2006 that fans will have to say goodbye to two major characters, predictions have been flying. Will the Boy Who Lived end up as the Boy Who Died to save his magical kingdom? [See Sidebar for other hints and ideas Rowling has confirmed and nixed about the last book.]
The first six Harry Potter books have sold over 325 million copies worldwide, and through the sale of corresponding toys, movies and companion books, it's spawned an economy of its own. With J.K. Rowling's final book slated for a July 21 release, she's already beaten all of her previous presale records.
If pre-sales at Hastings Entertainment on Northfield Boulevard are any indication, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is already in high demand: more than 500 copies have been reserved. The night before the highly-anticipated release date, the store will host a Potter-party, inviting fans to show up dressed as Harries, Hermionies and Dumbledores to receive their copy of the book at 12:01 a.m.
Even though the Potter series has long been regarded as children's literature, MTSU students are among the most anxious.
"It's quite good fun to see everyone dressed up," senior business management major Jennie Smith says of the release party. "Plus, to see the same happiness you have mirrored in everyone else's faces is truly magical."
As every true fan knows, Rowling's seventh and final Potter novel will resolve the coldblooded prophecy that either Harry or the nefarious Lord Voldemort must die - for neither can live while the other survives. The books have become increasingly dark with each passing year at Hogwarts, and readers everywhere are coming to the realization that their deepest fears just might come true:
Potter could, indeed, be obliterated with the flick of a wand and a single "Avada Kedavra," and Rowling could once and for all prove that her series doesn't belong in the realm of bedtime stories.
"I think Voldemort will die. That just seems to be a given," Smith says. "But Harry will live. Because that's what he does."
Ever since Rowling revealed in 2006 that fans will have to say goodbye to two major characters, predictions have been flying. Will the Boy Who Lived end up as the Boy Who Died to save his magical kingdom? [See Sidebar for other hints and ideas Rowling has confirmed and nixed about the last book.]
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