|
IN SINGAPORE
FANS OF THE HARRY POTTER SERIES - many dressed in wizard robes and conical hats, and carrying wands - cheered in jubilation when the doors of the Borders bookshop in Orchard Road opened at 7.10am yesterday, marking the launch of the final book in the series. -- ST PHOTO: EDWIN KOO
|
|
|
TEN years after the publication of the first Harry Potter book, fans finally learnt their hero's fate when the seventh and final instalment went on sale yesterday.
Part-time student Christina Chan, 22, who started queueing outside Borders bookshop in Orchard Road at 6.30am, spent the entire day reading the book, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, at home.
She said that she resisted diving straight into the last chapter to find out Harry's fate. 'I don't want to kill the suspense.''
She finished reading the book at about 4pm and did not like the happily-ever-after ending, which she found 'too cheesy''.
University undergraduate Shahida Hassim received the book at 8.30am - delivered by SingPost - and locked herself up in her bedroom to read.
She switched off her mobile phone and turned off the television set and radio so that she would not learn about the ending.
The 19-year-old emerged from her bedroom at 9pm with a smile on her face. 'I loved how J.K.Rowling tied up all the loose ends from the previous books so ingeniously!''
But one fan could not wait. Sixteen-year-old Adela Wong zoomed in to the last chapter minutes after paying for the book.
Like Ms Chan, she did not like the ending. She had expected a darker finale. 'The ending makes it a typical book for kids,'' she said.
The book, which went on sale at bookshops at 7am, was given a reception usually reserved for pop stars.
At Borders, more than 1,000 fans - many dressed in wizard robes, conical hats and carrying wands - formed a line that snaked around Wheelock Place.
The first person in the queue, 16-year-old Nicole Mok, had set up camp outside the bookstore since 9am on Friday. Like in 2005, her parents had booked a room at the Royal Plaza Hotel nearby and brought her food so that she would not lose her place in the queue.
She said: 'I just have to be the first one to get the book. I cannot wait any longer.''
Others such as Raffles Junior College student Kristine De Los Reyes arrived with sleeping bags and pillows. Said the 17-year-old who went to Borders straight after school on Friday: 'I feel tired, sleepy and dirty.'
As the hour of the book's release drew near, the crowd screamed in excitement.
Chants of 'We want Harry!' from some prompted a Cisco officer to comment: 'Really gila, lah!' Gila is crazy in Malay.
The crowds at other bookshops were more subdued. Kinokuniya bookshop staff in Ngee Ann City were greeted by 50 customers when they rolled up the shutters at 7am.
Popular Bookstore, above Orchard MRT station, was quiet at noon despite the presence of a staff member dressed up as Dumbledore. At MPH bookshop in Novena, customers bought their Harry Potter books without having to queue.
National serviceman Damien Yeo, 19, could not understand all the fuss being made about a fictional character.
Caught peeping at the ending of the book in Kinokuniya yesterday, he said with a grin: 'I'm going to buy only when the cheaper paperback version is out. I don't mind being a few months late.'
ndianah@sph.com.sg
|
