We have a book length
Scholastic Books sent out a press release talking about the recycled paper that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be printed on. In this press release, it was revealed that the US Hard Back Edition of the final Potter book will be 784 pages. Here is the press release:
All 12 million copies of the U.S. edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be printed on paper that contains a minimum of 30% post-consumer waste (pcw) fiber. Moreover, 65% of the 16,700 tons of paper used in the U.S. first printing will be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the global standard-setter for responsible forest management. This historic commitment is the largest purchase of FSC certified paper to be used in the printing of a single book title. The vast amount of paper needed to print 12 million copies of the 784-page Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows makes the decision by Scholastic to invest in environmentally preferable paper a significant step in the company’s ongoing commitment to responsible environmental stewardship.
Thoughts?
March 20th, 2007 at 11:14 am
I’m not surprised that its this long. There are a LOT of loose ends that need to be tied up.
March 20th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Oh, and 12 million copies times 768 pages is 9,216,000,000 pages (9 billion)!!
March 20th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Can I ask if I’m the only one whose gut reaction was “784? That’s IT??”
March 20th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
I thought the same thing “784? That’s IY??” I Feel Its Not Long Enough I Thought this book would’ve been longer then that.
March 20th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
I think we should be pretty greatful about the length. A bigger book doesn’t necessarily mean a better one. I think we need to remember that even though we don’t want to see the end of Harry’s story. I think this is a great length and realistically Deathly Hallows will be the 2nd longest in the series. Im guessing that the UK edition will probably be 710-720 pages
I cant wait till the cover art is released!! All in all, im pretty happy that JKR revealed on her website about a month ago that Deathly Hallows was her favourite in the series… im confident that we will get a great book on July 21st.
March 20th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
I am in 100% agreement with Greg (in T) here. I agree that the bigger book does not necessarily mean better (think OoTP). I think this is the perfect length for JKR to tie up loose ends without going overboard and being overly verbose and stuck on minutae.
I guess we shall all see!
March 20th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Yay! I’m pretty happy! =]
March 20th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Well this comment has nothing to do with topic but, I was Listening to Episode #19: Was Snape at Godric’s Hollow? greg said ” what if Snape went to Dumbledore before Voldermort killed Jame’s and Lily, told Lily Your gonna sacrifice your self to protect Harry etc… Well, Snape has fellings for Lily what if he really wanted to kill Dumbledore, to exact his revenge on Dumbledore for telling Lily to Sacrifice her self, I would love to here everyones opinion on that.
Well Love The Podcast Keep up the Exellent Work!!!!!! Looking Forward to next Podcast. ^_^
March 20th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Okay I have to say I love your podcast! I just read all six books from November 2006 to January 2007. I have become obsessed! I love your prognostications and share your thoughts with some of my other adult HP fans/friends! I love your Snape theory (love with Lily, offered to save her, etc). Greg might think this is lame, but I would love to hear your prognostications on the future of Tonks and Lupin!! I love that idea of them ending up together, fighting side by side!!!
Keep up the great work!
March 20th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
My head is happy with the length, but my heart thinks nothing will ever be big enough
A vicious cycle, that.
March 21st, 2007 at 1:33 am
Wow these things are getting popular. My only comment is 784 pages means very little to me. I mean is it big print or small print? A word count may be more accurate in ascertaining a true length. Maybe I am just ignorant in the laws of publishing but it seems to me that the print size is different in some of my Harry Potter books.
Dee needs a kick start (feel free Penny) Havent checked the recipe for the steak yet but still trying to find out what kind of animal a delmonico is.
I like the recycled paper story reminds me of the oh so sweet smell of the paper mills in the south east. Ick.
March 21st, 2007 at 5:29 pm
In reply to Aaron’s comments about the difference between Harry Potter editions, the U.S. font type is definitely bigger. That, combined with the chapter pictures is the reason why the U.S. books have so many more pages than the Uk versions (usually about 80-90 pages more). By the way, does anyone have any idea who the UK illustrator is for the Deathly Hallows? Its been Jason Cockcroft for the last two books but im not sure about this one…
March 21st, 2007 at 8:04 pm
So, I’m ok now. I think I was just shocked when I first saw that it was shorter than OotP. But I’m good now, promise lol.
March 21st, 2007 at 8:08 pm
I know, sometimes I really do stop and think… we are actually going to be getting this book and somethimes that thought makes me a little nervous… im going to have to savour this book for as long as I can… either that or read it all through the night, lol
March 21st, 2007 at 8:11 pm
I’m already planning on taking a sick day from work the Monday after the book comes out. Either I will still be reading (doubtful) or I will be so depressed I won’t be able to get out of bed.
March 21st, 2007 at 9:28 pm
For starters, Ootp quite frequently trades places with HoP as my favorite book of the series. Secondly, I think we can’t possibly assume what 784 pages will mean in regards to this book. In pasts novels we were guaranteed certain elements would take up a certain portion of the book: whether it be Quidditch, lessons, the obligatory first feast etc. these things sucked up multiple chapters and sometimes over a hundred pages and in this book we’ll be getting none of these things - it’s a complete mystery to us.
March 21st, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Good point, Poe.
March 21st, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Taking into account Poe’s thoughts, I think it is pretty fascinating to ponder the fact that we won’t have the traditional structure of the previous books. Will we have a trip to Diagon Alley? Classes at Hogwarts? A trip on the Hogwarts express? Feasts in the great hall with cholesterol-high food fare?? It will be interesting to see where this adventure will take all the characters we have grown to love all these years.
March 21st, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Thanks for explaining that Greg in Toronto. Everyone is making such good points. Did it ever get verified that the last word is still scar? Will Emma Watson sign for the last two movies? Google entertainment news is making it sound grim. Any ways this book is gonna be so good. The fact that JK Rowling has said it to be her favorite is good enough for me to well do what ever it is I do. Thanks again Aaron
March 27th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
784 pages seems appropriate. We can’t yet say what elements are left out as Poe and Toronto Greg mentioned (JK did mention there are no Quiddich matches). I am not 100% convinced Hogwarts will be open to students- i’m just not- will McGonical be able to convinced parents Howarts will be safe. Will it even matter if Harry gets his way and not even attend.
These are the elements I can say are in:
Harry turns seventeen on Privet Drive.
Bill weds Fleur (Percy makes nice?)
Hermione and Ron decide their rolls (follow faithfully or work Harry’s mission into their education)
Learn what becomes of Draco and Snape.
Harry visits Godrics Hollow.
Harry meets up with Order of the Pheonix to devise battle plan (Potter goes after horcruxes while Order runs diversions)
Harry tracks down locket, cup, etc. (most of the book i think and become increasingly dangerous)
Harry confronts Voldemort and learn of Draco’s, Snape’s, Pettigrew’s true loyalties.
End of Book? Neville V Bellatrix?
784 pages should draw these plot lines out, and others, nicely.
April 8th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
I just have to say it is the perfect length: not to long, not to short. Big smiles from me!!!
April 22nd, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Thank You
July 18th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Does everyone agree that Half Blood Prince font was bigger than the rest? When it first came out thats the first thing I noticed. Lets hope that Bloomsbury/Scholastic haven’t done that same with this and its really 578 pages in the original 5 books sized font. Otherwise.. like Half Blood Prince, I’ll be disapointed.