Saying goodbye to the Harry Potter novels is difficult for everyone, author Stephen King, one of the most widely read, popular and prolific writers of our time, is no exception. In a column he wrote for Entertainment Weekly detailing his thoughts on the looming end of the Harry Potter novels, Mr. King eloquently relates the feelings of many Potter fans around the world with the final book by J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, only two weeks away.
He writes:
When it comes to Harry, part of me — a fairly large part, actually — can hardly bear to say goodbye. I’d guess that J.K. Rowling feels the same, although I’d also guess those feelings are mingled with the relief of knowing that the work is finally done, for better or worse.
And I’m a grown-up, for God’s sake — a damn Muggle! Think how it must be for all the kids who were 8 when Harry debuted in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, with its cartoon jacket and modest (500 copies) first edition. Those kids are now 18, and when they close the final book, they will be in some measure closing the book on their own childhoods — magic summers spent in the porch swing, or reading under the covers at camp with flashlights in hand, or listening to Jim Dale’s recordings on long drives to see Grandma in Cincinnati or Uncle Bob in Wichita. My advice to families containing Harry Potter readers: Stock up on the Kleenex. You’re gonna need it. It’s all made worse by one unavoidable fact: It’s not just Harry. It’s time to say goodbye to the whole cast, from Moaning Myrtle to Scabbers the rat (a.k.a. Wormtail). Which leads to an interesting question — will the final volume satisfy Harry’s longtime (and very devoted) readers?
Mr. King answers that question, going on to talk about the possible endings of the book, he predicts Deathly Hallows won’t end in a 10-second blackout, and ultimately wraps up this splendid column by saying:
But there’s comfort. There are always more good stories, and now and then there are great stories. They come along if you wait for them. And here’s something I believe in my heart: No story can be great without closure. There must be closure, because it’s the human condition. And since that’s how it is, I’ll be in line with my money in my hand on July 21.
I’m crying. I’m sitting at my desk at work….crying. I don’t want to say goodbye and I refuse to do so! I will still be on TLC soaking in the news and I will still be on the forums. Well said Mr. King and Long Live HP!
It just hit me. This is THE end of the series. only two weeks and there will be no more of the books to be read. there will be no more impaitent-ness for the next one. I can’t imagine how Jo must feel about finishing this book. I don’t want it to end but i know it has to.
I’ll probably drowned in my tears while reading this. I cried just reading this article.
some people think its an obsession, when really, harry potter is what got me into literature and reading. where would i be without it? If i had never once picked up a harry potter book , i wouldn’t be the same person. This is like a hobby. It takes me away from reality and brings me into this world where im cheerful and careless about what is happening out there.
but it has to end. it will end the way it was always meant to end. and though it may be sad and unpleasant, it is what it is.
stephen king is such an inspiration to me, just as is j.k. rowling. it is so great to hear that he is, like so many other, sad to say goodbye to the series. teartear*
It just hit me. This is THE end of the series. only two weeks and there will be no more of the books to be read. there will be no more impaitent-ness for the next one. I can’t imagine how Jo must feel about finishing this book. I don’t want it to end but i know it has to.
I’ll probably drowned in my tears while reading this. I cried just reading this article.
some people think its an obsession, when really, harry potter is what got me into literature and reading. where would i be without it? If i had never once picked up a harry potter book , i wouldn’t be the same person. This is like a hobby. It takes me away from reality and brings me into this world where im cheerful and careless about what is happening out there.
but it has to end. it will end the way it was always meant to end. and though it may be sad and unpleasant, it is what it is.
stephen king is such an inspiration to me, just as is j.k. rowling. it is so great to hear that he is, like so many other, sad to say goodbye to the series. teartear*
well, now i’m all misty-eyed. I’m one of those kids that he was talking about! i first read it when i was 8 and now i’m, well, 19, but still. that’s a whole lot of my childhood.
Damn it, He’s made me cry. Thats not good for my ego! Thats why he is the greatest “male” author in the world ;) So eloquent with his words and boy is this piece poignant – oh man, I’m sobbing again….
I can’t say it any better than Stephen or everyone else here. He has spoken the words we all feel. How wonderful, and sad we all are. But we are not alone in this. And I think the ripple effect after it’s over, will be even bigger. And we will all realize how important Harry is to the world. We love you Jo and thank you Stephen for speaking for us all!
so appropriate. I am one of those eight year olds!...well now 18 soon to be 19. But it is so true, that when that book closes, its like closing childhood altogether.
He just put everything I’ve been feeling for the past few months into words. I swear, this made me want to crawl under my covers and just start blubbering. In fact, I may do that right now. He’s right about everything; the ending, the childhood aspect, and the abundance of Kleenex.
Posted by Sue on July 06, 2007 @ 12:21 PM
So true, Sue. So true…what he wrote makes me on the verge of tears. Wow.
"But Harry set Dobby free, and he was over the moon about it!" said Hermione. "[i]And[/i] we heard he's asking for wages now!"[br]"Yeah, well, yeh get weirdos in every breed."
sniff Hear, hear!