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Harry Potter Scribe Slams Spoiler-sports, Ponders Return to Hogwarts
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book cover courtesy Scolastic, Inc.
Memo to the Old Gray Lady: You do not mess with a woman well versed in potions and spells. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is Quidditching and screaming over an early, rather spoilery "review" of Deathly Hallows published earlier this week by the New York Times. "I am staggered that some American newspapers have decided to publish purported spoilers in the form of reviews, in complete disregard of the wishes of literally millions of readers, particularly children," the scribe reacted.
With but a day to go before the series' finale goes on sale, all Rowling will say is, "Harry's story comes to a definite end." Yet "students" of Hogwarts may not have seen the last of its familiar trappings. "Because the world is so big, there would be room to do other stuff," Rowling tells the AP. "I am not planning to do that, but I'm not going to say I'm never going to do it."
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Jul 20, 2007 10:54 AM
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Matt, I won't get a chance to read Harry Potter for another week till I'm on vacation. But, you got to tell me, straight up is Voldemort really a sled like the spoilers suggest? I just can't take the suspense anymore, come on help a girl out!
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Jul 20, 2007 11:12 AM
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I read the NYTimes review and I have to say that I didn't think it gave away more than a typical book review. It didn't give away the fates of the characters. Did I not read it correctly or is it because I'm not that into Harry Potter? My goodness, it's not like state secrets for pete's sake! What's all the hullabaloo about? The book is still going to sell in outrageous numbers and JK Rowling is raking in so much money to last till the 30th century. Stop wasting people's time with lawsuits and injunctions. Sheesh!
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Jul 20, 2007 11:40 AM
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If it gave away the fates of the characters, why bother reading the book Nadia. I understand what all the hullabaloo is about. The book isn't released yet and the NY Times gave away the charactor's fates? I'd sue too. If this was just one book, it might be more forgiving, but this is the 7th book in a series. It's like watching a TV show for years and before the last season comes on, everyone already knows how it'll end. What would be the point?
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Jul 20, 2007 11:59 AM
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My "understanding" (because I refuse to read it) is that the Times review does not specify who dies, but spoils some major, critical events.
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Jul 20, 2007 12:11 PM
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Shame on the New York Times!
And I hope Ms. Rowling sticks to her guns on this being the last HP novel. Though - I'd love to see a prequel - or a next generation-type series of books!
Wouldn't you love to see Severus Snape and/or Hagrid as a student?
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Jul 20, 2007 12:36 PM
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I just read the New York Times review (I know I have no will power). Yes, it does give away plot points that you wouldn't get in the noraml back cover desciption of the book. And it's between the lines, nudge/nudge and cultural comparisions is very suggestive on how the book ends.
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Jul 20, 2007 12:58 PM
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I don't want to know anything about the book, so I (along with many other the-leaky-cauldron.org readers) sent a letter to NYT to chastise them for spoiling anything about the book.
Nadia - I think you have missed the point. I don't think it has anything to do with money. It has to do with integrity. Not ruining it for the rest of the world. They had a choice between doing what was right and what was easy and they chose easy.
Tazzy - I too would love to see a "prequel", but I would be satisfied with Hogwarts: A History the book Hermione is always going off about.
And MWM, why is the tag for this entry Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix?
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Jul 20, 2007 1:24 PM
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Got it! I guess because I haven't read the books (I wait for the movies on pay cable), I didn't feel like anything was ruined for me. Sorry!
--Nadia  ">
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Jul 20, 2007 1:58 PM
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No problem Nadia. I haven't read any of the books either, so I figured if I tried to explain it like a TV show, it'd come off better. I re-read my comment and I didn't mean to come off as rude, so I hope you didn't take it that way. 
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Jul 20, 2007 2:10 PM
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Had to read these comments with my eye half open, so I could slam it shut just in case there were any spoilers!!
After investing all these years in these books, I do NOT want the outcome ruined!
I'm with you Dawn! I would LOVE to read the History of Hogwarts.
AND I would love some prequels too Tazzy. Hagrid and Snape etc as students would be great! And then, a jump in to the future when the kids are grown and out doing their thing.
JK Rowling is such a spectacular author, we could keep her busy for YEARS to come!
It's great to see this much excitement for a BOOK, instead of a video game!
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Jul 20, 2007 2:11 PM
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And MWM, why is the tag for this entry Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix?
Because one doesn't exist yet for HPDH, and this way folks searching on the latest-produced film will see this story. 
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Jul 20, 2007 3:12 PM
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I've read the article, and you'd really need a magnifying glass to read enough between the lines to pick up anything substantial. As for the legality of it, you know they're able to back up the statement that the book was purchased, not stolen; they're not looking to shell out a couple million dollars to post a review! And anyone who has actually read the Times knows that it's not really the reading material of choice of most children, and any adult that didn't want to read it, well, gee, there's that whole 'choice' thing!
I also take a bit of offense to Ms. Rowlings' statement that "some American newspapers" posted reviews, when in fact publications in France, Italy, Austria and the Czech Republic [and those are just the ones I know of] also printed not only reviews, but possible spoilers! Given the amount of money we Americans have put in her pocket, pointing a finger at us instead of a more blanket statement seems kind of rude.
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Jul 20, 2007 5:42 PM
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I don't get the hullabaloo about this whole thing.
If YOU don't want to know ANYTHING until you get the book then why the hail would you read a BOOK REVIEW a few days prior to you getting your own book? Is the NYT FORCING you to read their review? No. Unless the spoiler is in the first sentence or in the headline, then I don't think the NYT did anything really wrong...
People who read the review are probably those who DON'T care about being spoiled.
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Jul 20, 2007 6:30 PM
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