The final installment of J.K. Rowling’s beloved seven book series left fans crying, cheering, and yearning for more of the wizarding world.
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“People who read the book as children or teens, today they’re in their twenties and thirties”.
Harry Potter and the Cursed child was released at midnight on Saturday.
Harry Potter enthusiast Mariette Lewis and her mum Lisa were among the first muggles to converge on Dymocks Books on Sunday morning.
He gave the new book a six out of 10 and said: “It’s a really good story”.
The book, released at midnight EST on July 31 in book stores all over the USA, is the eighth story in the “Harry Potter” series. Worldwide release parties of the latest book are being held this weekend. Harry himself is now an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father of three school-age children. “And the people just keep on coming”, she wrote.
Fans play the fictional game of Qudditch at the event. Scholastic, the U.S. publisher of JK Rowling, has printed 4.5 million copies of the book.
Another spectator, 32-year-old Ashley Nottingham, said he was left speechless: “It’s blown away every theatrical boundary I’ve ever known”.
The Wall Street Journal’s Kate Maltby was less impressed, calling the plot “a mess” and full of holes.
Young Harry Potter enthusiasts from around the world queued outside the ornate Palace Theatre for a glimpse of Rowling and the cast of the production. No, J.K. Rowling – creator of the boy wizard – said Saturday, in comments that are sure to disappoint diehard Potterheads.
Asked about Broadway plans, she told reporters: “I’d love it to go wider than that”.
She added: “This is the next generation, you know”.
“I’d like as many Potter fans to see it as possible”, Rowling said on the red carpet outside the Palace Theater, as fans cheered and poked camera phones over crowd barriers in hope of getting a picture.
The British writer said it was not a hard decision to put her Potter creation onstage thanks to producer Sonia Friedman’s vision for the show.
“I went to MegaCon this past year as a student and I thoroughly enjoyed going”, said Catchings, who said she was “super excited” and that she had “been waiting forever for this”.
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Rowling has always been clear about not wanting to write more Potter stories, but the play represented the ideal opportunity to give fans something new without compromising on that.
