“Harry Potter” series author J.K. Rowling is at it again.
Today marks the release of her new book, “The Casual Vacancy,” her first novel written for an older audience. As of press time, the book was already at No. 1 on Amazon’s Top 100 Best Sellers list.
Like many fans, freshman English and economics major Anna Morgan, 18, would love to see Rowling revisit the magical series that made her famous.
She started reading the books in third grade and is now a chaser on the Quidditch team at UF.
Morgan said she plans to read Rowling’s new book eventually, but “comparison is inevitable.”
According to the book’s description on Amazon, “The Casual Vacancy” is 512 pages of adult content, touching on themes like death, politics, drugs and crime.
UF professor of English Brandon Kershner said he’s interested in reading the novel, but he’s in no rush.
Kershner said he predicts some people who usually don’t read serious novels will read “The Casual Vacancy” simply because they loved Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series so much.
“I think it will do well by ordinary novel standards — but nothing like ‘Harry Potter’ standards,” he said.
Brooke Austill, a 22-year-old journalism junior, agreed.
“Since she is so famous, people will be reading it more to see what new aspects she is bringing to her writing,” she said.