Harry Potter Book Out on Cassette

LONDON - Devotees of the young British wizard Harry Potter have snapped up more than a million advance copies of his latest adventure on audio tape.

The cassettes were to go on sale Monday in Britain for about $70. Fans can also pick up the 21-hour CDs for about $128 and listen to actor Stephen Fry reading every word of ``Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.''

Author J.K. Rowling is full of praise for Fry, who has also read the earlier adventures of the schoolboy magician on tape.

``He has a very, very attractive voice. It's quite patrician - but there's a touch of anarchy that's just right for the books,'' Rowling said. ``He's like somebody's uncle who's really good at reading aloud. It's a very intimate feeling.''

Fry also sees a serious strength in the stories.

``You couldn't have a higher moral purpose than to inculcate a high doctrine of friendship and loyalty amongst the young,'' Fry said. ``Stoutness of heart and sweetness of nature are seen as greater qualities in Harry Potter than intellect, strength or power.''

"Harry Potter Book Out on Cassette"

(Associated Press, April 2, 2001)

	"Harry Potter Book Out on Cassette" (Associated Press, April 2, 2001)
LONDON - Devotees of the young British wizard Harry Potter have snapped up more than a million advance copies of his latest adventure on audio tape. The cassettes were to go on sale Monday in Britain for about $70. Fans can also pick up the 21-hour CDs for about $128 and listen to actor Stephen Fry reading every word of ``Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.'' Author J.K. Rowling is full of praise for Fry, who has also read the earlier adventures of the schoolboy magician on tape. ``He has a very, very attractive voice. It's quite patrician - but there's a touch of anarchy that's just right for the books,'' Rowling said. ``He's like somebody's uncle who's really good at reading aloud. It's a very intimate feeling.'' Fry also sees a serious strength in the stories. ``You couldn't have a higher moral purpose than to inculcate a high doctrine of friendship and loyalty amongst the young,'' Fry said. ``Stoutness of heart and sweetness of nature are seen as greater qualities in Harry Potter than intellect, strength or power.'' Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Children's Edition, Unabridged 6 cassette set), J.K. Rowling, Stephen Fry (Narrator)