It's hardly Beedlemania as JK's fans buy book at witching hour

Published on Thursday 4 December 2008 09:05

POTTERMANIA has hit Edinburgh again – although on a much smaller scale than the hysterical scenes which greeted JK Rowling's last book launch.

Last year, bookshops throughout the city stayed open till midnight, with children and adults queuing to get their hands on the long-awaited book.

But last night it was just a handful of dedicated fans who gathered at Borders at Kinnaird Park to be the first to buy JK Rowling's latest offering. They dressed as their favourite characters and enjoyed a Hogwarts-style feast as they waited for the launch of The Tales of Beedle the Bard at midnight.

Despite the low-key launch, booksellers said they have received thousands of pre-orders for the book. Branches of Waterstone's opened two hours early today so children could pick up a copy on their way to school.

The book is known to fans as the volume of fairytales in the seventh and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It contains vital clues to the wizard's mission, but only one of the five stories is recounted in the novel itself. All profits will go to JK Rowling's charity, The Children's High Level Group, which helps vulnerable children in Eastern Europe.

Christie Roberts, 21, a student from Cowgate, attended the party at Borders last night. She and friend, Dinah Russel, 21, who travelled from Stirling, planned to stay up all night reading.

She said: "I think it's just the really hard core fans here. It's not one of the actual Harry Potter series, so it's more subdued than last time. It's for those of us who can't let go. I'm so excited."

Mischa Zielnska, 18, a student from Musselburgh, dressed as her favourite character, Tonks, wearing a bright green wig.

She said: "My mum and I are really big fans. We were pretty surprised when we found out about this book, as we thought there wouldn't be any more."

Cat Anderson, the bookshop's children's specialist, said it had already received 120 pre-orders for the book, although it had been quieter than expected last night.

She said: "I think people are being more cautious because of the snow and ice. It's also a school night, so we're having another Harry Potter event on Saturday."

JK Rowling is due to host a tea party for local school children at the National Library of Scotland this afternoon where she will be reading extracts. Ten local primary schools won tickets through the Evening News to take 20 pupils to the tea party.

One of seven original handcrafted copies of The Tales of Beedle the Bard will be on display. The seventh copy was sold at a charity auction for 1.95 million, becoming the most expensive modern book sold at auction.

Ms Rowling said: "I hope that The Tales of Beedle the Bard will not only be a welcome present to Harry Potter fans, but an opportunity to give these abandoned children a voice. It will encourage young people across the world to think about those who are less fortunate and help change many young lives for the better."

Alex MacKinnon, manager of Waterstone's George Street branch, said: "It's not on a par with a Harry Potter book, but the demand is definitely there. We're prepared for a deluge.

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