Harry Potter mania sweeps Malta

Stocks of fifth book sold out as J.K. Rowling gets the kids (and adults) reading Harry Potter mania swept Malta yesterday as hundreds of children and grown-ups poured into bookstores to buy the latest instalment of the Harry Potter series.

By 11 a.m. practically all bookshops in Malta had run out of supplies after hundreds of individuals swamped stores following a three-year wait for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth book about the schoolboy hero and his magical adventures.

Several others had no choice but to pre-book a copy, not due before another fortnight, as books flew off store shelves as fast as booksellers could stack them.

The planet's favourite boy wizard, penned by J.K. Rowling (whose personal wealth has now exceeded that of Queen Elizabeth), has turned into a global publishing phenomenon. The first four books have sold almost 200 million copies and the latest offering is set to become the fastest-selling and most profitable book yet.

Harry Potter fever reached spellbinding levels as enchanted kids and adults bought the book which so far is only available in hardback at Lm9.50.

"I have never seen anything like it. This is definitely a case of Potter mania," Sapienzas Bookshop manager Kristina Chetcuti said.

Fans kept calling the bookshop until 9.30 p.m. on Friday to book their copy. Orders for the book have been pouring in since October, she said.

To spice up the launch, animators dressed up in Harry Potter costumes did wonders to entice passers-by to venture into the popular Valletta bookstore.

Ms Chetcuti envisaged that the book would become the best-seller of the year.

"When the fourth Harry Potter book came out, the hype in Malta had not caught on the way it did abroad. But since then, the film version of the book was released, and this I believe is responsible for this surge," she said.

Chaucer's Books and Stationery co-owner Nicky Bonnici said the first shipment of books had practically been sold out through pre-orders. The remaining books were snapped up in just over an hour.

"People were queuing up by 8.15 a.m., even though they knew we open for business at 10 a.m. In the first five minutes alone we sold ten copies - that's quite impressive for a hardback copy," Mr Bonnici said.

Co-owner Gennaro Camilleri added: "We always knew it would be successful - but not to this extent."

Joanna Sammut, manager at Agenda Bookshop, agreed and said she never envisaged such an overwhelming response to the book.

"People of all ages have been coming in to buy it. With kids, especially, you can see their eyes gleaming as they are handed the book," she said, as she held a box containing the last few copies of pre-booked copies.

Walking out of a Valletta bookstore, Daniel Abela, 10, was distraught upon being told that the book had sold out.

"I dreamt about it all week and now I am very disappointed."

Daniel said he would now try and borrow it from a friend. "I can't bear to wait another two weeks for it," he lamented.

Jessica Borg, 13, was bubbling with excitement as she collected her pre-ordered copy.

"I can't wait to get home to start reading it. This is the most exciting story ever written," she grinned.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which reveals which character dies, is guaranteed to keep readers occupied for quite some time with its 766 pages.

The global launch was greeted with equal frenzy around the world yesterday.