http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/ 15 en-us Copyright 2007 Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:39:10 -0400 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss In keeping with J.K. Rowling's precedent of ending with the seventh book, this is our seventh and final question for "Closing the Book on Harry Potter." Of course, you can and should continue to share comments to your heart's content on any of the aforementioned queries. We just won't be stoking the conversational fires with additional postings. So, the inevitable question: Now that you have read (or are reading) "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," how will you channel your magical energies after closing the book? Start reading the entire series again from chapter one? Craft your own fan fiction? Or simply move on to other pop culture and/or literary obsessions? Tell us how you're coping now that the Hogwarts hype is beginning to die down. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/2007/07/question_seven_what_now.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/2007/07/question_seven_what_now.html Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:39:10 -0400 So you finally got it. The last Harry Potter book is in your hot, little hands, which means the next few days will be devoted to nothing but reading "Deathly Hallows." Assuming you can pause from poring over J.K. Rowling's text, we would love to hear about your reading experience. Is the book living up to your expectations? And, if you're already finished, are you overwhelmed with grief that the Hogwarts experience has ended? One caveat: Out of respect for those who have not finished reading (or -- horrors -- haven't even started yet), please keep your responses spoiler-free. We really don't want to be forced to send a howler your way. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/2007/07/question_six_reviewing_the_hal.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/2007/07/question_six_reviewing_the_hal.html Sat, 21 Jul 2007 07:43:58 -0400 The release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is now just hours away. In the Washington, D.C. area, plenty of Potter parties are scheduled for this evening. How will you commemorate this literary milestone? Will you be in line at your local bookstore, a temporary tattoo of a lightning bolt plastered across your forehead? Or will you wait until the crowds wane before making your wizard connection? Share your plans, and your memories of previous Potter parties, below. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/2007/07/question_five_potter_plans.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/2007/07/question_five_potter_plans.html Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:16:27 -0400 With just one day until All "Hallow's" Eve, we turn to broader, cultural issues related to Harry Potter, prompted by today's piece in Style by Bob Thompson. To directly borrow the query raised in that article: Did the Harry Potter books really change the world? Are more kids reading and are children's books more popular because of Rowling's novels? Or, as Thompson's story implies, is that all a bunch of bunk? Share your comments below, and don't forget to join Thompson for an online Q&A on this very subject today at noon ET. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/2007/07/question_three_the_wizard_effe.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/2007/07/question_three_the_wizard_effe.html Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:50:00 -0400 So much for avoiding spoilers. In a development that should not come as a huge surprise, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is surfacing on the Internet. File-sharing platforms like BitTorrent and other Web sites are circulating pages from the book and plot summaries (some of which could be fake), much to the chagrin of publisher Scholastic. Potter fans, what do you think of this development? Are you heading straight to BitTorrent to snag your copy of illicit Rowling? Or do you think it's despicable that those darn techies are trying to ruin the joy of the reading experience for the rest of us? Start uploading your thoughts below. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/2007/07/question_three_the_leak.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/2007/07/question_three_the_leak.html Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:47:27 -0400 You had some interesting things to say yesterday about the possible death of Mr. Potter, from the sad -- "Harry is the quintesential tragic hero. Which means that he is going to have to sacrifice himself to save everyone" -- to the optimistic -- "If Harry dies, I think he'll be resurrected before the very end." You can continue that debate here, but now it's time for a new question: J.K. Rowling has said that readers will find out something "incredibly important" about Harry's mother, Lily Potter, in the final book. What do you think that important something will be? http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/2007/07/question_two_mommy_matters.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/2007/07/question_two_mommy_matters.html Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:58:45 -0400 Welcome to "Closing the Book on Harry Potter," a place where fans of everyone's favorite wizard can gather to trade comments about the soon-to-be-released final book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." Every day for the next two weeks, we will post a new question in this blog, then give you Hogwarts scholars the chance to discuss it amongst yourselves. (Anyone seeking more Potter fodder can head straight to our Hogwarts Hub.) With speculation growing by the millisecond, we have to kick off the ongoing conversation by asking the obvious: Will dear Harry die in the upcoming book? Informed hypotheses, wacky theories and emotional pleas to save The Boy Who Lived are all welcome, so start commenting now. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/2007/07/question_one_the_death_of_harr.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/harrypotter/2007/07/question_one_the_death_of_harr.html Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:26:53 -0400