'You've never heard of The Tales of Beedle the Bard?' said Ron incredulously. 'You're kidding, right?' (From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) Published by the charity Lumos in association with Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, The Tales of Beedle the Bard is the first new book from J. K. Rowling since the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The Tales of Beedle the Bard played a crucial role in assisting Harry, with his friends Ron and Hermione, to finally defeat Lord Voldemort. Fans will be thrilled to have this opportunity to read the tales in full. An exciting addition to the canon of Harry Potter, the tales reveal the wonderful versatility of the author, as she tackles with relish the structure and varying tones of a classic fairy tale. There are five tales: 'The Tale of the Three Brothers', recounted in Deathly Hallows, plus 'The Fountain of Fair Fortune', 'The Warlock's Hairy Heart', 'The Wizard and the Hopping Pot', and 'Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump'. Each has its own magical character and will bring delight, laughter and the thrill of mortal peril.
Translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger, the tales are introduced and illustrated by J. K. Rowling. Also included are notes by Professor Albus Dumbledore, which appear by kind permission of the Hogwarts Headmasters' Archive. Lumos is a charity founded by J. K. Rowling which aims to make life better for disadvantaged children. Registered Charity Number: 1112575.
Cleverly written with commentaries about the stories and how they relate to reality and what lessons are to be learned from the story.
This is an interesting set of stories, written as if they were fairy tales for wizardling children, along with some quite humourous interpretations and discussions of the bowderdisations that occured, quite as if they had been written in the real world and the changes that would have happened to a story over time.
The stories vary in quality. The Wizard and the Hopping Pot is probably my least favourite a story about sharing with others. The Fountain of Fair Fortune is all about learning to deal with life and that nothing is easy - one of my favourites. The Warlock's Hairy Heart is a bit gruesome, but would probably appeal to those who like their tales to end in nastyness.
Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump is a clever tale of persecution and how a Witch evaded capture and changed some minds.
The Tale of the Three Brothers is a wizardly warped story about the proverbial three brothers and tricking death.
Overall not a bad set of stories. A nice look into the world of Harry Potter.
Reading updates
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13 June, 2009:
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13 June, 2009:
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