I understand -it's a stretch! - that there are likely to be people who are not enrolled on the HP fanbase, and also that there are people who might not like the book...but to admit it is a strange thing...

I have met some of these aggressive souls...they always sound like the ones who don't get the joke, and then become cross, in case the joke is about them...or simply that they feel excluded by not sharing the humour, and decide to let others feel their pain instead!

I wonder, in an age of equal rights and and self-awareness, why these irritable comments are expressed with such derogation that the look is visible from the page - and believe, in a true spirit of equality to say...if you don't get it, that's fine...but is it necessary to wet blanket everyone else's fun?

L Schofield, Cousdon, UK

Oh, I am so glad the 'potter' books are done. I can't stand to hear another word about any of them. No, I didn't and will not read those books. I am very happy to know I have not been affected nor infected by the writer or her 'potter' stories.

1776resister, Shirley, NY

Oh my gosh, at the drama and nonsense ... the papers didn't tell who was killed off, so what's the big deal?

The things people will find to get upset about ...

Angela, Houston, TX, USA

It is JUST a book people. Albeit, one that arrogantly goes against the Bible and dealing with mediums, witches and demonic spirits. It is amazing that SO FEW "Christians" dare speak out against the series. J. K. Rowling is getting her reward on this earth because she will certainly receive damnation for injuring the hearts and minds of the "little ones." Better a millstone,.... Let me "spoil" what is going to happen to those who reject the salvation offered by God, ...they face eternal damnation where there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Travis, Wichita, USA, KS

I think that is was VERy rude of the people to spoil it like that. Sure, when you know the ending you just have to tell it but they should have thought of the feelings of all of the people that they could have spoiled it for. It's very rude. And i think that they should have just kept quiet!

But, the only way that you can have the whole story is by reading the story. And it's not like the reviewers could put the whole book in the review! I am so looking forward to reading it. And i have not read any of the reviews for the book. I don't want to spoil it for myself.

I cannot believe that 6 people will die or 'meet their end'. Having not read any of the reviews I am wondering if Harry will die? And I hope that Hermione and Ron will finally get together! In the 5th movie it is getting really obvious. I just hope that they won't 'meet their end'

I hope that Ginny and Harry get back together! If one of them dies they should get back together before they die!! CAN'T WAIT TO READ BOOK 7!!!

allie, Indianapolis, IN, United States

U.S. newspapers have helped make Ms. Rowling and Harry Potter incredibly famous, selling millions of copies of these books to people who would not otherwise have heard about them.

If you don't want to read spoilers, don't read reviews. It won't ruin the "magic" for some people to know the ending before you do.

Stephanie, Seattle, WA, USA

First of all I think it's appalling that anyone from the Times Publishing Company would not know how to spell. Second of all I find it difficult to believe that the report in which this Ms. Kakutani writes, that she cannot find the appropriate words to use and makes them up as she goes. This places the Times' journalist validity called into question. Personally, I've always felt the company was way overrated and in these two instances I have been proved right. As far as Ms. Rowling's complaint against the Times and the reporter...I completely agree. The children of the world wait and wait for her books. People talk and children overhear what is said. It wasn't fair or necessary for this to happen. I think Ms. Kakutani wanted to be the first to review so it would look good for her. It's a very selfish and typical thing for someone who only thinks of of herself and her career; vicious, heartless, cold. Good luck with that career, lady, I'm sure you'll advance quickly.

J. Gundry, Bakersfield,

Whether you like the books or not it is a great opportunitity for millions of people around the world to join in on a positve shared experience. Imagine if the 100m sprint final was run the day before the olympics open in China next year! Please don't spoil the celebration

Ali Dehdashty, Tunbridge Wells, UK

This isn't about JK Rowling's "ego." It's the fact that some American outlets decided to break the rules by which everyone else in the world was abiding. (Familiar theme and, yes, I'm American.)

JK Rowling's book will sell in massive quantities and be enjoyed regardless but the NYT and those who sold the books early decided to cash in and, thus, tarnish some of the magic of the anticipation.

Julia , Abilene, TX/USA

What's funny about this, having read the NYT review yesterday, is that there is NOTHING in it that wasn't already available on Leaky Cauldron and all the other Rowling-endorsed fan sites.

Ian, London, UK

All very interesting reading, but have you noticed how very poor the standard of English is in some of these comments? What on earth does "Get a life" mean?

P. Crossley, Kiel, Germany

So if the Times and other papers wanted to wait til Saturday to publish the reviews, would it have made much of a difference? While everyone wants to get their hands on the books, are many of them going to be able to finish it before the reviews posted after the release date are available? Any movie review contains "spoilers," plot points that many of us wouldn't know about without reading or viewing the review. Why no uproar when movies are reviewed days and sometimes weeks in advance of their release? As was stated above, it's easy. You see "Harry Potter Review," you don't read it. If you do, don't complain to the writer. The warning is in the title.

Evan Daniels, Hamilton, NJ,

In response to those that say "just don't read the articles / reviews". We know not to read them, however there are people that are not interested in the Harry Potter books but do read newspapers. As we all know the books have been the subject of conversation for the last few months & those people are bound to be involved in those conversations & can then spoil it for others. From the newspapers perspective this certainly sells more papers. Anthing to get ahead I suppose.

Dinashan, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

this is nuts! who cares!

trent, Tex, USA

What a load of fuss about nothing! It's just a book at the end of the day! I happen to be one of those (apparently) rare people who doesn't like Potter but really what difference does it make if it's read a few days later than everyone else.
I suggest these people (especially the adults) should GET A LIFE and that parents whose children are nuts about Potter shouldn't encourage this frenzy to be first all the time!!!
Just don't read the Reviews!!!!

Maggie, Rimini, Italy

"is there life after potter???? "

Yes and I've written it!

Donal Thompson, Madrid, Spain

Could somebody please rein in Ms Rowlings ego please?

Not content with a spectacularly lucky break with the books , she is now demanding world media compliance?!?

Come on as Alfred says " get a life"

BG, Carmarthen, wales

It is easy to say people have the choice to simply not read spoilers, but sometimes headlines themselves are spoilers. It is not so easy to avoid those.

Jeff Jenness, Flagstaff, United States / Arizona

The star wars of books...now what will all the fans do....is there life after potter???? at least the series got kids off the video games..

erik L, san francisco, CA

be grateful rowling, there is no such thing as negative press. you should be thankful that your creations are making this much of a fuss. not even the bible was this sought after.

wiarumas, New York,

The New York Times previously was my all-time favourite newspaper. Their book section is usually a delight. Normally their reporters and other editorial staff do things in a way that is just so much classier than any other paper I know, but in publishing that review early, they destroyed to a large extent the esteem I held them in and I don't know how or even whether they are ever going to get that back. What was the reviewer thinking?!

Marianne, Johannesburg, South Africa

I fail to see why the media finds it necessary to spoil the ending of a series of books that have been followed by young and old alike. The whole point in reading a book is to follow the story line from beginning to end without having someone ruin your enjoyment of the reading by telling you what is going to happen. As the above poster stated I guess those following the series "if they don't want to know what the spoiler says, then just don't read it". The point is that there was an agreement by those publishing the book and the author that there was a release date and time agreement. Whoever has chosen to breach the agreement should be ashamed of themselves. The USA is the only one that has breached this agreement, I wonder what that means. Just food for thought.
Now before anybody goes wild I am a born and bred US citizen, so don't go crazy on the comment. I have not read any of the books but have seen 2 of the films. I plan on reading the books. The above poster needs 2 get a life

Elizabeth, Ohio,

Your headline suggests this article is about Rowling's response to the leaked document. You should add **SPOILER** in the headline. I didn't want to know how many people died in the book until I got the book and read it; if I did I want to know the ending now, I would have been reading the on-line reviews in the NY Times rather than your article.

J.K., Toronto, Canada

Shame on the NY Times for purchasing the book early and then running the review. They are setting a bad example with their unethical behavior.

RZ, L.A.,

Evidence that many people need to get a life. If you don't want to know what the spoiler says, then just don't read it.

Alfred Bommel, Newport Beach, California

I have not lost complete respect for the NY Times. I myself do not consider myself a major Harry Potter fan and I see this as disgusting. NY times just wanted attention and could care less about the wishes of the author and millions of readers. I am completely disgusted with them.

Albert Aydin, Holmdel, New Jersey

To Mary Battisti, Ithaca, NY

Dear Mary 'Brainstorm' Battisti, do you ever think? In tabloids spoilers (e.g.: Dumbledore dies?) usually appear in the form of huge headlines. Since a blink is enough to read it, you will get to know it unwantedly. Or someone else reads it and tells you about it before you can stop him or her. According to the books -which you probably never ever read - you only have the CHOICE to sit in a dark pit until you get your book.

dr. Gábor Muharos, Budapest, Hungary

It's similar to when I was a kid standing in line to see "The Empire Strikes Back" and a car load of people drove by us and shouted, "Darth Vader is Luke's father!!!" You could just feel the collective suckerpunch that all of us in line felt.

Ninja Clerk, Spokane, WA

"Much ado about nothing..."

spoiler, Green Bay, WI

As stated often in the books, everyone has the ability to make CHOICES. And that's just what they can do about spoilers - choose to read the spoilers or not to read them! It's all about saying NO and turning away. Don't read them folks, if you don't want to...NO ONE is forcing people to read spoilers. And, consider that some people actually WANT to read them, too.

Marie Battisti, Ithaca, NY

It's awful that some people think it's funny or clever to let the rest of us know what's going on. Many of us don't want to know until we recieve our own copies of this book what happens because these books are important to us.

Ashley Dalton, West Jordan, United States, Utah

Regretfully, there will always be some people who want to burst the bubbles of others. Perhaps this is because they have nothing better and constructive to do with their time.

These people could have at least waited until Saturday before releasing reviews of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Leeser, Long Beach, CA USA

Are you kidding me?!!!?? I am really upset right now. I didn't think when I clicked on an article about criticism on articles giving away information on the last Harry Potter book, that the article itself would give away information. I stopped myself after a few sentences, but I can't forget what I read. Many people like myself enjoy and care too much about reading the Harry Potter series. Journalistic integrity should protect an author's integrity. STOP GIVING AWAY INFORMATION AND DEGRADING A SERIES FOR PEOPLE!

Nicholas Goldstein, Washington, DC