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"There was [an instance] where a child was going to die of an awful childhood condition before the book came out," he said. "So we did the only thing we could d

"There was [an instance] where a child was going to die of an awful childhood condition before the book came out," he said. "So we did the only thing we could do and referred it to the author to decide how to handle it because it's her story, not ours. "History doesn't tell the outcome of that sad story, but I'm sure it was a happy one." Ouch.

Normal_gaussian 10y ago
An interesting quote. I know I wouldn't publicise it - it is rather vulgar to use the death of a child to improve ones public images; publicly granting such a request will also bring the problem of more being made in the future. There is also the risk to the book to consider. I can completely understand if an author chose not to give anybody special consideration. It is an unfortunate fact that it is impossible to guarantee the security of such a reading. Not an easy decision, and I think the publisher is speaking out of turn by mentioning that such events have been considered.
- nsgi 10y ago
  I also wonder if some of the requests this statement inspires will be less genuine.
- ceejayoz 10y ago
  > Not an easy decision, and I think the publisher is speaking out of turn by mentioning that such events have been considered. Such events have already been publicly confirmed. Here's two: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1417303/J.-K.-Rowling-read-unfinished-book-to-dying-girl.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1... http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Natalie_McDonald http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Natalie_McDonald
cmrdporcupine 10y ago
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1417303/J.-K.-Rowling-read-unfinished-book-to-dying-girl.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1...
fit2rule 10y ago
This is doublespeak at its absolute finest. A child died at the end of this (article) story, so that'll be your last thought about GCHQ/Harry Potter: children die, and we have to have an exclusive, secret society with self-granted powers in order to stop this, or else. Or else, children will die, unhappy.

Normal_gaussian 10y ago

An interesting quote. I know I wouldn't publicise it - it is rather vulgar to use the death of a child to improve ones public images; publicly granting such a request will also bring the problem of more being made in the future. There is also the risk to the book to consider. I can completely understand if an author chose not to give anybody special consideration. It is an unfortunate fact that it is impossible to guarantee the security of such a reading. Not an easy decision, and I think the publisher is speaking out of turn by mentioning that such events have been considered.

nsgi 10y ago
I also wonder if some of the requests this statement inspires will be less genuine.
ceejayoz 10y ago
> Not an easy decision, and I think the publisher is speaking out of turn by mentioning that such events have been considered. Such events have already been publicly confirmed. Here's two: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1417303/J.-K.-Rowling-read-unfinished-book-to-dying-girl.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1... http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Natalie_McDonald http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Natalie_McDonald

cmrdporcupine 10y ago

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1417303/J.-K.-Rowling-read-unfinished-book-to-dying-girl.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1...

fit2rule 10y ago

This is doublespeak at its absolute finest. A child died at the end of this (article) story, so that'll be your last thought about GCHQ/Harry Potter: children die, and we have to have an exclusive, secret society with self-granted powers in order to stop this, or else. Or else, children will die, unhappy.