July, 2007, will provide a double jackpot for Harry Potter fans. The movie version of book five: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will open in theaters on July 13. In this book Harry matches wits with the High Inquisitor, Professor Umbridge.
A variety of sources are carrying the news that the seventh and final book in the best-selling Harry Potter series will be on sale July 21, just eight days later. Entitled "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," it will conclude the series which documents young Harry Potter's adventures during seven years at the wizard boarding school, Hogwarts.
Jo Rowling, the author, has indicated earlier that two major characters die in book seven. She has also indicated that the final chapter will describe the futures of the books' major characters. It will be interesting to see if Rowling leaves room for future books set in the wizarding world. Alternatively, she may tie everything up so tightly there is nothing left to say.
Rowling probably won't write further books because she needs the money. She is reported to have become the richest woman in the United Kingdom, richer even than the Queen. On the other hand, she may continue to write because she has stories she wants to tell.
If you liked the Potter books and movies, check out the unabridged versions of the books recorded on CDs by British stage actor Jim Dale. He is simply excellent. He does all of the voices himself and each major character has his or her own distinctive voice. I believe that he won a Grammy for one or more of the recordings. The other DrC and I enjoy listening to them in the car on long drives.
