Rating: 4 1/2
I am indeed a Harry Potter fan. Not the kind of fan who feels the need to dress up in a Hogwarts uniform when I get home, but I have been known to collect HP stationary and merchandise (only because I receive so many as gifts!) and I have in the past organised a No 12 Grimmauld Place party...complete with Black family tree, house-elf heads, doxies, puffskeins and a screaming portrait (stains of dishonour!!)... Which is why there is no way I could have avoided buying The Tales of Beedle the Bard, and no way I would not have bought the special edition. I have not been disappointed on either count.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard are five short stories that have been compared in tone to our muggle Aesop's Fables. They are short, amusing anecdotal tales aimed at teaching lessons of morality and truth to young witches and wizards. It is the final story in the book that has particularly relevance to Harry Potter, which is revealed in later books through his mentor, Albus Dumbledore.
The Wizard and the Hopping Pot is an amusing tale of a miserly wizard getting his just desserts and being taught compassion. The Fountain of Fair Fortune is a somewhat romantic tale of four people searching for a magical fountain to cure their ills and grant their desires. The Warlock's Hairy Heart is the story of a young warlock determined never to fall in love, and reads far more like a Grimm Brothers fairy tale, with its mystery and dark ending. Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump is another jovial tale of a foolish king determined to be the only great sorcerer in the kingdom and quickly duped by a wily charlatan, who blackmails an old witch to do his bidding. The Tale of Three Brothers is the fifth and final tale and perhaps the most reminiscent of our muggle fairy tales with three brothers attempting to cheat Death.
These stories are indeed lovely little fairy tales, but it is Dumbledore's notes that are the icing on the cake. Enchanting and witty, they are full of Dumbledore's warm and mischevious humour, and give another little glimpse into the mind of a wizard Harry Potter fans have all grown to admire and love. Perfect for Potter fans, but entertaining enough for anyone who enjoys fairy tales to read, the Tales of Beedle the Bard are a very welcome addition to my Potter collection.
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6 comments:
Kiddo and I loved reading this together. Here's our review.
The special edition looks awesome, but I'm not sure I want to pay that much for it. *is thinking it over*
Thanks for the review! :)
That party sounds like so much fun!
And I agree with you. I really liked the tales, but it was Dumbledore's notes that made me love this book.
I cannot wait to read this one!
special edition, very nice :)
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
The special edition looks great! But alas, I've to give it a miss since I've a budget, hehe.
I thought of the special edition as an investment...well no not really, but I knew I'd be kicking myself when they're only available on ebay for hundreds. Ok, yes, I am that kind of potter fan!
Heather - Thanks for the link.
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