Can You Hear Me Grinding My Teeth?
Some mean-spirited fool–who should be whacked by every Harry Potter fan in the world–somehow managed to get a copy of Deathly Hallows, then scanned it and posted it onto the internet. Though it has been taken down thanks to some fancy footwork on the publishers part, spoliers are cropping up everywhere, including the news articles reporting the crime. 
 I have avoided said spoilers by keeping my information source limited to The Leaky Cauldron –where I just read that the freaking New York Times has posted their review complete with spoilers less than two days before the book comes out, thus destroying any hope oodles of Potter fans had of reading the book on their own and discovering Harry’s fate. (I will be writing a letter of complaint.)
I don’t understand the mentality of these people. Potter fans have waited years to get to this point. Why ruin it? What sort of petty joy is there in that? I can’t even imagine how disappointed J.K. Rowling must be at this moment. At any rate, from this moment forward my TV is staying off, I’m not going to poke around the internet, and tomorrow night at 12:01 I will be at my local Wal-Mart with my iPod earbuds in my ears to avoid hearing anything anyone else might have heard about the book in the check-out lane. Then I am going directly to my house, where I will curl up with the book and settle in.
At least, that is the plan. What about you other Potter fans? What’s your Harry-plan? 
July 19th, 2007 at 8:29 am
I’m a bad girl. I found a site yesterday (from an article talking about the evil spoilers, oddly enough) that scanned in the last chapter. It also had a bunch of spoilers, but they seemed to contradict themselves, so I have little faith in most of it. I’m surprised Scholastic hadn’t found it yet. I am shamed to admit, however, that I read the epilogue. I won’t tell anyone what it said because its just for my own personal knowledge, but I did read it.
I had to see who made it to the end. Whether or not I like the answer, knowing makes me feel more secure when I read a book like this. Mary Higgins Clark kept killing off my favorite characters and it made me crazy. My book comes from Amazon on Saturday and I’m very excited.
I hope you’re able to make it to the end without anyone ruining it for you.
July 19th, 2007 at 8:32 am
I’m so anxious to read this book I can’t stand it. I’m torn between wanting to know and wanting to find out as I read … damn it.
July 19th, 2007 at 10:34 am
We’re a family of HP fans, too, but we’re also pressed for time and cheap
So… we’ll try to stay unspoiled somehow and wait to borrow our brother’s copy ASAP 
July 19th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I’m not an HP fan, but I think it’s abominable for folks to do this, especially the NY Times. Hang them all!
July 19th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
In defense on the NY Times article, which I just read, it doesn’t give away anything in terms of major plot. Nothing, at least, that readers wouldn’t already expect. Mostly a review on the series, her writing, etc. I agree they should’ve waited until Saturday, at least, to publish the review, though. I’m psyched for my copy!
July 19th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
I don’t plan to buy the book no time soon, my brother plans to do what you are doing. But it’s a crying shame whoever put that on the internet. Anyone who does this needs to be held accountable financially.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Andrea, you are a bad girl! I can’t believe you checked the spoilers and read–GASP!!!–the ending. (Precious is planning on doing the same thing, but I am a purist. I simply cannot read the ending first.
)
Jill, I remember in OotP I *had* to know who died, so I flipped to the back and read it. I have to admit it did take some of the angst away, but since this is the last Potter book I’m going to curb the urge and read it all the way through with no peeking.
Fedora, I don’t know how you’ll wait. I applaud your restraint.
Marilyn, I agree. Morons, the lot of them.
Andrea, thanks for letting me know that. After being warned away I didn’t read the article. Also, JK Rowling has issued a statement about it and, needless to say, she’s not happy. I just can’t wait for the book. I want it now.
July 19th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Oh, Rhonda, it isn’t really any admirable restraint I have–I just have too many other terrific books tempting me anyway (including some of yours
) And I still have to find book 6, which is lying around here somewhere…
July 19th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I hate folks who spoil the ending like that. I must admit, I accidentally spoiled a book for someone–I’ll never forget the look on her face. And that was in eighth grade.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
I am lining up at the local WalMart also with son in tow and ear plugs !!!!!