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Harry Potter: Adults just as excited for last book |
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Written by Marissa Hutton-Gavel
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Thursday, 19 July 2007 |
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 It happens for many reasons — some that are a mystery — but adults and kids alike are jonesing for the latest Harry Potter book like, well, whatever you jones for.
The symptoms include laughing like school girls, fighting over paperbacks and speaking in tongues about some guy called Hagrid. If you or someone you know is displaying any of these characteristics, call them a nerd, then borrow the book to see what the hell they’re talking about. The last book in the saga, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” hits stores Saturday, July 21. We talked to two adults to ask them, “What’s big deal about Harry?”
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Jodi Anderson, 34, works for Central Weld County Water District
Why Harry Potter? What drew you in to the books?
Purely by accident. I’m an avid reader. In 2000 I was recently divorced, and my mom had purchased a set of the first three books. She let me borrow them. I was actually thinking to myself, “I don’t want to read children’s books!” Little did I know I couldn’t put them down! I like a suspenseful story and it seemed to catch my attention.
Which have you enjoyed more, the books or the movies?
The books! I’ve always liked books better than the movies in anything. The books always have more details and movies never compare to my imagination.
Do you have a favorite character? Why is he/she/it your favorite?
I like them all, but I think Dumbledore is my favorite. I have a soft spot in my heart for him, for always looking out for Harry but still letting him make his own choices.
Do you think that these books are more suited for adults or kids?
I think they are for older children who know the difference between fiction and reality. But they are wonderful for adults also. I don’t know that they are appropriate for small children.
How are you getting the last book? When are you reading it?
I’ll probably get it at Wal-Mart or Target. That is how I got the first three books. And, of course, I’ll start reading it immediately! :)
What will you read after the last book?
I’ll go back to reading the crime novels that I normally read. Harry Potter is really out of the norm for my reading tastes.
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Robin Finnestead, 28, in the Peace Corps, 2000 Colorado State University graduate
 Why Harry Potter? What turned you on to the books?
I was watching the news one day, and I remember there was a story about a little girl who had somehow managed to get one of the books ahead of the scheduled publishing date and it was a really big deal. I thought that anything that encourages children to read or to be as excited as that little girl was must be worth at least a look. I wandered through Barnes & Noble a few weeks later and saw the Harry Potter display and thought that I might buy the book as a present for a child’s birthday that was coming up soon. So I bought a copy for her and a copy for myself.
Do you like the movies or the books better?
I like the books better. They are, of course, far more detailed and you get a real feel for the characters that J.K. Rowling has developed. It’s always a little disappointing to see a character that you’ve imagined one way depicted another too, maybe you never thought of Harry’s scar in that position, or Hagrid may be smaller than you imagined. I also enjoy the very British colloqialisms that we Americans rarely hear!
Do you have a favorite character?
Other than the obvious favorite, Harry, I really thought Sirius Black was a fantastic character. He really gave Harry a glimmer of hope and family love that he had been missing!
Do you think the books are geared more toward adults or kid?
That’s a tough question. I think I’m going to have to say both. I know that’s sort of a cop-out! The first few books were designed for children with awe and magic and all those great fantasy things. There is an element for adults too, especially as you go through the series and it becomes darker and darker. If I was a parent I think this would be the perfect thing to read to children as they were growing up; it really lights up their imaginations.
How are you getting the book? When will you read it?
Unfortunately, I live in the Caribbean now and we don’t have access to the book. My family is shipping me a copy as soon as possible. My mother assures me that as soon as SHE is done with the book, she will send it along anyway! The book is banned for sale here because of the themes of witchcraft and wizardry. I will read it as soon as it arrives!
What will you read after since this is the last one?
I guess we’re all going to be truly sad after this last book. I am looking forward to it, but I know that it’s also going to be so depressing to read the last page because there will never be another. I guess until the next Tolkien, Bradbury or Rowling comes around we’ll all just have to reread our old battered copies of Harry Potter. | Only registered users can write comments.
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