2007年VOA标准英语-Retailers Prepare for Release of Final Harry Po

By Barry Unger
Washington, D.C.
19 July 2007
 

Fans of the Harry¹ Potter book series are anxiously awaiting the release on Saturday of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The book will be the seventh and final in the popular series from author J.K. Rowling about a boy wizard. VOA's Barry Unger has more on the upcoming release. Sean Maroney narrates².

The new Harry Potter  book cover

It was quite a scene two years ago upon the release of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Young people -- and some not so young -- lined up in bookstores around the world to purchase the book, which was the sixth in the popular series about a boy wizard. A similar scene is expected Saturday when the final book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, comes out.

The release cannot come soon enough for some Harry Potter fans. Andreas Haayak is one of them. "It is very exciting. [There is] much drama."

"It is so exciting I don't know,” adds Kaliee Klipp. “I guess it is just one of those stories you can just fall into and it is so satisfying when you read it and I love the way she writes. The characters are so lovable."

The popular book series has sold more than 325 million copies in more than 60 languages since the release of the first Harry Potter book in 1997. The stories take place in a magical world of wizards and witches where young Harry battles an evil wizard who killed his parents.

A poster advertising3 the current Harry Potter movie

The release of the final book comes little more than a week after the international release of the movie version of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix⁴," the fifth book in the series.

The anticipation⁵ has led book retailers⁷ to increase their security measures to avoid leaks before Saturday's official release date.

Laura Porco is the director of merchandising for Internet retailer⁶ Amazon. "The books are being kept in a special area that is patrolled 24-hours a day, seven days a week,” she explains. “Only certain employees with special credentials⁸ are allowed in these areas and they are only allowed to handle the books as necessary to pack and ship them."

Daniel Radcliffe in a scene from Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix

Not even Harry Potter himself knows what will happen in the final book. Actor Daniel Radcliffe recently said, "I have, of course, asked and got very cryptic⁹ answers which just make me more anxious to find out what happens, but I really have no idea what goes on it, unfortunately."

It has been reported in recent days that the entire book has been leaked online to file-sharing sites throughout the Internet. But that is unlikely to dampen the enthusiasm of fans to find out how the book – and the series – ends.

1 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。

2 narrates   

v.故事( narrate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• It narrates the unconstitutional acts of James II. 它历数了詹姆斯二世的违法行为。 来自辞典例句
• Chapter three narrates the economy activity which Jew return the Occident. 第三章讲述了犹太人重返西欧后的经济活动。 来自互联网

3 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

4 phoenix   

n.凤凰，长生(不死)鸟；引申为重生

参考例句：

• The airline rose like a phoenix from the ashes.这家航空公司又起死回生了。
• The phoenix worship of China is fetish worship not totem adoration.中国凤崇拜是灵物崇拜而非图腾崇拜。

5 anticipation   

n.预期，预料，期望

参考例句：

• We waited at the station in anticipation of her arrival.我们在车站等着，期待她的到来。
• The animals grew restless as if in anticipation of an earthquake.各种动物都变得焦躁不安，像是感到了地震即将发生。

6 retailer   

n.零售商(人)

参考例句：

• What are the retailer requirements?零售商会有哪些要求呢？
• The retailer has assembled a team in Shanghai to examine the question.这家零售商在上海组建了一支团队研究这个问题。

7 retailers   

零售商，零售店( retailer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• High street retailers reported a marked increase in sales before Christmas. 商业街的零售商报告说圣诞节前销售量显著提高。
• Retailers have a statutory duty to provide goods suitable for their purpose. 零售商有为他们提供符合要求的货品的法定义务。

8 credentials   

n.证明，资格，证明书，证件

参考例句：

• He has long credentials of diplomatic service.他的外交工作资历很深。
• Both candidates for the job have excellent credentials.此项工作的两个求职者都非常符合资格。

9 cryptic   

adj.秘密的，神秘的，含义模糊的

参考例句：

• She made a cryptic comment about how the film mirrored her life.她隐晦地表示说这部电影是她人生的写照。
• The new insurance policy is written without cryptic or mysterious terms.新的保险单在编写时没有隐秘条款或秘密条款。