Posted on 03/08/2005 8:35:28 AM PST by Grendel9
Harry Potter uncovered By Simon Freeman, Times Online
Four months before its release, the latest instalment in the adventures of Harry Potter is already the fastest-selling book in British history.
Today, the frenzy of anticipation among young old fans alike was cranked up a notch with the publication of the front covers of J K Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
The cover illustration, by Jason Cockcroft, for the childrens edition, which is due to be published on July 16, shows Harry and Professor Dumbedore, the headteacher of Hogwart's wizarding college, surrounded by a circle of flames
Dumbledore has already been tipped as one of the favourites to die in the sixth book after Rowling said one of the lead characters would be killed off.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
The name "half-blood" indicates that the title character is like Hermione and several other characters, "a mud-blood." But what if one of the supposed "pure-bloods" were found to be not so pure-blood...say Malfoy? JUst what Rowling would/could do with such a theme I have no idea. But we all know the lady IS talented!
Lord Valdemort is the half-blood they are referring to, I believe. It was revealed in earlier volumes that Valdemort's mother was a witch, but his father was a "muggle".
****NERD ALERT****
Not so, according to Rowling. It's likely to be a currently unknown character.
Well, this is one 59-year-old man who's looking forward to the release of this book. Pretty soon, we'll get to see the first over-long thread blaming the Harry Potter books for everything from decreased church attendance to outright Satanism.
It's always fun, and I get to read the book, too.
I pre-ordered the book a couple of months ago when my daughter ran shrieking into the room to tell me that it was on sale. If everyone stays nice on this thread, I'm going to let her read it later. She enjoys discussing the books with adults.
http://www.mugglenet.com/viewer/?image_location=HBP.jpg
The American publisher's (Scholastic) cover.
Those aren't going to be the covers of the US versions..I'm a nerd, I've already reserved my copy..
The article says the "half blood prince" refers neither to Potter nor to Valdemort.
Malfoy Dursley.
Betcha a dime.
I'm with you MM.
Have you listened to the books on tape version? The guy reading does all the voices, just incredible.
but do not overlook the rise in the interest in Latin study in secondary schools - sure to cause SAT and GPA's to rise (has been demonstrated!)
me too!!!
I guess I am a nerd too. I preordered the book the first day it was possible. I even have a copy of the sword from the second movie hanging on my wall. Well I collect swords, so it is just one of several.
At 48, I find the books to be a delightful distraction into a world where anything is possible and normally does happen. Hurray for Harry Potter and J.K.Rowling!!!!!
To those that think/believe ill of the books, I ask that they please read the first one and see for themselves. There is not one passage in all 5 of these books that praises evil or Satan. Evil is to be fought against, to be defeated, to scruggle against even when it looks to be hopeless.
As for it being anyway anti-christian, the characters in the book celebrate the traditional Christian Holidays of Christmas, Easter, and Holloween. God is referenced several times. And magic ability is something you are born with. A gift/power to be nurtured and trained for the good not for the evil, as the dark arts are not taught at Hogwarts.
In the final analysis, it is a series about good and evil. About friendship, loyalty, education, knowledge, and the will to face the dark face of evil.
It is a story of the growth of a young man, raised with out love, and pulled head long into a world he knows nothing about. His fears, his self doubt, his bravery, and his loyalty. All this is done in the classic British boarding school environment.
LOL! I recall my daughter's similar enthusiasm when the second book was released. She wanted to be in line at Books-A-Million at midnight, the minute the book went on sale. They happened to have a Harry Potter lookalike contest for the unveiling as well. We dressed her up and joined the hundreds at the bookstore. She won the contest and the free book! With each additional release I always let her read it first. Amazingly, she finished the last book in 24 hours. We have truly enjoyed the Harry Potter books at our home.
I'm such a dork. I can't wait for this book to come out.
I'll take that bet - there is no Malfoy Dursley. ;-)
Ditto.
I'm guessing Hagrid, but that's just me... Of course, that'd make Grawp a full-blood (giant) prince, which sorta makes sense to the story.
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