The film is full of cracking one-liners. Plus lots of silly dialogue that, for some reason, makes one glad to be alive
Oil companies stand accused of cheating London motorists out of £1.50 a tank after the price slumped again on world markets
More...
Date set for final Harry Potter book: July 21
Last updated at 10:07am on 02.02.07
Harry Potter author JK Rowling
Actor Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter
The seventh and final Harry Potter book will be published on July 21, it has been announced.
Publisher Bloomsbury revealed the long-awaited date.
July 21 is a Saturday and the book will go on sale at midnight. Bookstores are bracing themselves for unprecedented scenes of Potter mania.
More here...
• What will Hermione say, Harry?
• Spears caught a Brit short in the men's room?
• 'Jude made me lose my innocence,' says Sienna
• Jemima thrills with more than a hint of Hurley
Click here for more showbiz news
Author JK Rowling has said that two characters die in the final instalment - and fans will be desperate to discover if Harry is one of them.
Rowling revealed the name of the seventh book in December. It will follow Harry during his final year at Hogwarts.
The author has hinted that two of the main characters will meet their ends.
"We are dealing with pure evil here. They don't target extras, do they? They go for the main characters - well, I do," she said.
The last book, Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, broke UK records by shifting 2,009,574 copies on its first day of release.
It is 10 years since Rowling published the first book, Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone. The Harry Potter series has sold 325 million copies worldwide and been translated into 64 languages.
The first four books have been adapted into hit films starring Daniel Radcliffe as the boy wizard.
Online retailer amazon.co.uk started taking pre-orders for Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows on December 22.
Head of books Christopher North said: "Customer demand on the back of JK Rowling's announcement of the title back in December was incredible. At one point, the orders we received for the book were more than five times higher than those for the rest of the Top 20 selling books combined.
"Now that the publication date has been announced, we expect another massive surge of pre-orders from the UK public.
"July 21 will be Harry Potter Day all over the world.
"It may be a long time before we see another book that commands as much anticipation, attention and demand as this final book in the Harry Potter series."
Reader views (5)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
The Harry Potter books have been a huge success and encouragement for children to begin reading, especially young boys. The character, Harry, is someone every boy can relate to, as he started out thinking he was just a normal kid. Also, I have never know a book to appeal so much to both children and adults.
As for me, I have always loved to read, and my friends and I have lenghthy discussions about what J.K. Rowling could possibly come up with in the final installment. We are all greatly looking foward to Harry Potter and the Deathy Hallows. It will be a very sad day, however, when I finally realise there is no more to come. No doubt the books will continue to be read repeatedly by many people, both adults and children, all over the world.
In respect to Daniel Radcliffe's role in the stage production Equus, I say well done. It is great for many to know he is able to cover more difficult and diverse roles than only Harry Potter. No one wants to be a one-show pony. To all those who oppose his decision and question why he would consider such a role, remember this- he can't stay as the beloved boy-wizard forever.
So, my final words. Bring on the 7th book!
- Hannah, Christchurch, New Zealand
I find the whole Harry Potter thing, particularly the gratuitous hyping of an extremely badly written series of books, a horrifying mirage of absolute nonsense. But, of course, the final effort could prove me wrong.
Can't wait for JKR's follow-up money-spinner; perhaps a slim volume (please!) on how it feels to be rich and famous on the back of zilch.
- Ted, Shetland Isles
I'm 26 years old, and I've followed this series since it's original publication. I had the Potter-fever before it became the mad craze it is today. Heck, my little brother (who is now 16) insisted that we see every single movie at the midnight showing the day it comes out and that we wait in line at midnight for every single new volume.
Even though I am sad to see the finality looming ahead, I'm still thrilled to read the conclusion. I also am extremely interested to see what the Potter Trio will do once the final movie is made. I applaud Daniel Radcliffe for branching out and testing the barriers and limits... that not only takes extreme talent, but an incredible fortitude and sense of self.
I'll see y'all in the bookstores at 12:01am on July 21st!
- Hope Darby, Florence, Alabama US
13°c
17°c
