Bookstores to open early for
new 'Harry Potter' book
By Matt Holsapple
Summer
Reporter
Local bookstores are preparing for the release of
the newest installment of the Harry Potter book series. The last time
the public was in such frenzy over a book, it was because of death threats.
J. K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
will be released on Saturday. The book had a first printing of 3.8 million,
the largest ever, and the mania surrounding it has hit local bookstores
with more force than almost any book in memory.
According to Murray Shugars, the children's book
buyer for Von's, said the only other book to be greeted by this much anticipation
since Von's opened was Salmon Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses."
After the release of "The Satanic Verses," Rushdie
was forced to go into hiding to avoid a contract put on his life by the
then ruler of Iran. Shugars said the surrounding media coverage brought
people into Von's in droves to buy the book.
"It was probably the biggest book that nobody read.
This book ('Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire') has a similar fervor
and will probably have similar sales. The difference is people will read
this," he said.
Von's, as well as other area bookstores including
Barnes and Noble and Waldenbooks, have been letting customers reserve
copies of "Goblet of Fire" for weeks.
Heather Keenan, a department manager for Barnes and
Noble, said the numbers of people preordering "Goblet of Fire" are more
than any other book in the two years she has worked at the store.
"This is a major, major release," Keenan said.
Barnes and Noble and Von's will both be opening at
midnight on Friday, allowing customers to buy the book when it is officially
released at 12:01 Saturday morning. Although music stores commonly use
this tactic for major releases, tonight marks the first time that either
store has used it for a book.
Although the frenzy surrounding "Goblet of Fire"
is at the highest levels anyone can remember, the first three books in
the series, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," "Harry Potter and
the Chamber of Secrets" and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,"
were all extremely popular.
Shugars said it is likely that with the release of
"Goblet of Fire," Rowling will have an unprecedented five books on the
New York Times Bestseller List — hardcover versions of each of the
four titles, as well as the paperback version of "Sorcerer's Stone." This
is even more astounding considering that these are children's books.
Even though they are children's books, their appeal
has transcended age. Shirley Heeter, assistant manger of Waldenbooks,
said, "These books cross a wide variety of age levels. You can hear the
excitement in people's voices, whether they are adults or children."
Shugars said a lot of different types of people are
coming in to order the book. "I am seeing either parents of kids or grandparents
or the Rosie O'Donnell types — the ones that see themselves as grown
children," Shugars said. He also said there have been college age people
as well as children that have reserved copies.
Shugars said Rowling's books were good and well written,
but he didn't know if they would be considered good enough to become classics.
"They're solid books," he said," but not that good."
He said other authors of children's fantasy, like
Phillip Pullman, Lloyd Alexander and C.S. Lewis — known for his series
"The Chronicles of Narnia" — are all much stronger writers than Rowling.
"I keep wondering if, 50 years from now, people will
be reading these books," he said.
Shugars did say he understands the appeal of the
books. He said Rowling uses an interesting formula and blend of fantasy
and mystery that is not found in most traditional fantasy books.
Shugars said the best thing about the phenomenon
is that it has brought people into the store that wouldn't normally be
interested in young adult or children's books. Now he can suggest additional
books to them.
"I know these books well," he said, "but more people
are apt to take my advice once they know about the 'Harry Potter" books."
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