Supriya's Banter
The Tales of Beedle the Bard
Author-JK Rowling
ISBN: 9780747599876
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Theme- magic/witches/fairytales
Rating:3.5/5
Age:9+
The Tales of Beedle the Bard is one of the many offshoots of the Harry Potter series.
Before we dive into this book, let us take a moment to run through the background and reiterate its place in Potter’s universe.
These tales are apparently written by Beedle the Bard, a fifteenth-century wizard with a luxuriant beard and a soft spot for muggles. He distrusts dark magic and abides with a firm belief ‘that magic causes as much trouble as it cures.’
Echoing the dark pensiveness of Grimm’s fairy tales, these stories by the Bard are meant to assist wizard parents. Like Grimm’s tales, they are passed on from one generation to the next to acclimatize the young witches and wizards to life’s hard and painful truths.
Professor Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School, takes pride in endorsing and supporting Beedle’s views. No wonder he holds the tales close to his heart. In his will, he bequeaths the book to Hermione, one of his exceptional and brilliant Muggle-born students.
As explained in Rowling’s foreword, the present narrative is a brand-new translation by Hermione Granger.
The book consists of five tales: ‘The Wizard and the Hopping Pot,’ ‘The Tale of the Three Brothers,’ ‘The Fountain of Fair Fortune,’ ‘The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,’ and ‘Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump.’
Potterheads will recall ‘The Tale of Three Brothers’ from The Deathly Hallows and bask in the nostalgia all over again. Some, like me, may go running back to Harry Potter’s fictional universe, yet another time.
Each of these stories is followed by Professor Dumbledore’s wisdom—his insights on the wizarding world’s history, personal anecdotes, and even explanatory notes on complex concepts.
The Footnotes by Rowling clarify specific terms for Muggle readers.
Wrapped in a shroud of mystery and magic, the tales are sure to bring a lot of joy and laughter to Potter enthusiasts. The icing on the cake, in many cases, is an unexpected climax.
Like the Potter series, the theme of kindness winning over acumen, wit, and wisdom over brilliance, generosity over possessiveness is carried through Beedle’s tales. Rowling makes sure the readers remember that good things come to those who take care of others, include, rather than divide, lift others who have less, and believe in themselves.
She even makes it a point to mention it in the foreword-
“The heroes and heroines who triumph in his stories are not those with the most powerful magic, but rather those who demonstrate the most kindness, common sense, and ingenuity.”
A promising companion to the series! The book amuses, delights, and enchants.
As a writer, Rowling takes liberties and modulates her form, structure, and tone, showcasing her versatility and skill.
All proceeds and royalties from the project are donated to Lumos, a charity benefiting children in desperate need of a voice; that is all the more reason to pick up the book.
A first-class magical adventure!
Not to be missed by fans of Rowling’s wizarding world!
