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WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Fans of the lightning bolt wizard dashed in and out of Barnes & Noble at the Arena Hub Plaza this weekend, hoping to wave their wands – or wallets – in search of the latest book in the Harry Potter series, which was released a minute after midnight on Sunday.
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts I & II” is the eighth and latest book in the Potter series, written by Jack Throne, J.K. Rowling and John Tiffany. But unlike the novels of wizardly past, this one has a twist.
“It’s a play, it’s not like a regular novel,” Barnes & Nobel assistant store manager Sean Yustat said.
The book, which is set almost 20 years after “The Deathly Hollows” and focuses on the children of Potter and more – is written as a screen play and includes narrations and stage directions.
The bookstore giant kicked off the release with multiple events – a Countdown to Midnight Party on Saturday night, with the fun continuing throughout the day Sunday, when a local theater group offered a little help.
Members of Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre gave guests of the bookstore a table reading of selected scenes on Sunday afternoon.
“We didn’t want to reveal spoilers, and the book is full of spoilers,” Maureen Hozempa, of Dallas, said as she discussed how the group decided on scenes to read.
Members of the group, which included Hozempa, Alison Scott, of Wilkes-Barre; Natasha Bogutzki, of Shavertown; Kalen Churcher, of Plymouth; Meg Davis, of Wilkes-Barre; and theatre choreographer Dan Pittman, of Chambersburg, expressed that the general public may be caught off-guard since the book is not a typical novel. But they say the script is easy to follow and allows the reader to use their imagination.
“People that aren’t used to reading scripts – it may be an adjustment,” Pittman said, with the group adding that the script allows fans to see the story from a different perspective.
“We got the book here last night at the release, we started reading it this morning,” Hozempa added. “It’s really, really good. I’m one act in, and I can’t put it down.”
Fans were able to sign up for a pre-order list, which Barnes & Noble had enough books to cover. However it wasn’t long after noon on Sunday that the bookstore was already sold out.
But Yustat told disappointed fans not to lose hope – they’re expecting a re-stock Monday.
The store is currently taking reservations for the re-stock, and is including a 20 percent discount on the book until Aug. 8. Normally, “Cursed Child” retails for $29.99, and with the discount it drops to $23.99. Yustat also added that members can receive an extra 10 percent discount, which can drop the price further.
Even though some didn’t get what they came for, many still stayed to enjoy the multiple activities that were set up in honor of the release.
Coloring stations for each “house” of magic were available, as well as a photo frame reading “Have you seen this wizard?” resembling the wanted poster from the movies.
Molly Verbyla, of Mountain Top, came to the store with her daughter in hopes of snagging a copy before it sold out. Although she was unlucky, she opted to sign up for a book reservation and stuck around to watch the table readings.
“I’m a longtime fan,” she said. “I’ve read the stories multiple times.”
Although she loves the novels, Verbyla expressed concern with the new script setup.
“I’m very weary. I tried to read a script book from Stephen King when he did it, and I just didn’t care for it. But I’m willing to give it a shot.”
Krista Jackson stopped in with her family while visiting the area from Effort to see if a copy was still available.
Jackson said her older daughter had pre-ordered online, but her younger daughter wanted a book for herself. She missed out, but said she’ll just order it online, and is interested to see the new script form.
“I think it’s neat to see it in a different way,” Jackson said. “Everyone will have their own interpretation of it.”