ABOUT THE AUTHORÂ
Joanne Rowling is a British author best known for her Harry Potter novels. Rowling was born on July 31, 1965, in England. She writes under the pen names J. K. Rowling and Robert Galbraith.
After graduating from the University of Exeter with a degree in French and the classics, Rowling moved to London and worked as a researcher and teacher. She moved to Portugal in 1991 to teach English as a foreign language. It was around this time that Rowling began writing the first Harry Potter novel.
The first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was published in 1997 and garnered rave reviews. Over the years, the series has been adapted into a hugely successful film franchise.
She is also known for her philanthropic work, especially in the areas of improving literacy and supporting disadvantaged children. She has donated millions of dollars to various charities and established the Lumos Foundation, which works to improve the lives of children in institutions around the world.
Rowling is the recipient of multiple awards and honors for her contributions to literature and philanthropy, including an Order of the British Empire (OBE) and the Légion d’Honneur.
SYNOPSIS
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them appears as a textbook that Harry Potter and his friends use at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Newt Scamander, a Magizoologist who has traveled far and wide to study and document magical creatures, is the author of this work.
The book has two parts. Part one is an introduction to the study of magical creatures and provides a comprehensive history of the development of the field of Magizoology. Meanwhile, the second part is an A-Z guide to eighty-five magical creatures ranging from the Acromantulas to the Yetis. Each entry describes the creature, its habitat, behavioral patterns, and known magical properties.
Scamander shares insights into the magical world and the creatures that inhabit it. He also shares valuable commentary on the various magical laws that govern the handling of these enigmatic beings.
WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a fascinating read not just for Potterheads, but also anyone interested in magic. The book’s unique presentation and detailed descriptions of these supernatural beasts make for a fun and immersive experience.
The descriptions of every single beast are rather detailed. The footnotes and additional remarks by Scamander only add to its authenticity.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER ABOUT FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
This book clearly lacks the depth that the Harry Potter books stand out for. In fact, it feels like just any other textbook.
QUOTES
The centaur is given an XXXX classification not because it is unduly aggressive, but because it should be treated with great respect. The same applies to merpeople and unicorns.
Muggles have a great weakness for fairies, which feature in a variety of tales written for their children. These ‘fairy tales’ involve winged beings with distinct personalities and the ability to converse as humans (though often in a nauseatingly sentimental fashion).
CONCLUSION
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is both a must-read and an indispensable collectible for all Harry Potter fans. Others shouldn’t really mind skipping this book, for it is fairly ordinary in most aspects.
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A proverbial bookworm, Anusuya is always hungry for new stories and adventures.