The book was published in the United Kingdom on 2 July 1998 by Bloomsbury and later, in the United States on 2 June 1999 by Scholastic Inc. Although Rowling says she found it difficult to finish the book, it won high praise and awards from critics, young readers and the book industry, although some critics thought the story was perhaps too frightening for younger children.
Romanen blev udgivet i Storbritannien den 2. juli 1998 af Bloomsbury og i USA den 2. juni 1999 af Scholastic Inc. Selvom Rowling havde svært ved at færdiggøre romanen, blev den meget rost og vandt flere priser af anmelderne, unge læsere og af bogindustrien, selvom nogle anmeldere mente, at historien måske var for voldsom for mindre børn.