ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joanne Rowling, popularly known as J. K. Rowling, was born on July 31, 1965 in Yate, Glouctershire. She is an author, a film and television producer, a philanthropist, and a screenwriter.
She wrote The Harry Potter Series under the pen name of J. K. Rowling on the suggestion of her publishers, K standing for Kathleen. Another pen name she uses is that of Robert Galbraith for The Cormoran Strike Series.
Often termed as the bestselling books in history, The Harry Potter Series have made Rowling immortal in the world of literature. Apart from the seven main books in the series, she has also authored some well-known books that often appear as references in the main series.
Rowling has been the recipient of several awards and honors for her work in the fields of literature and philanthropy. She has supported many charities worldwide. Known as Lumos, her charity promotes the institutionalization of children all over the world.
Rowling presently resides in Scotland with her family.
SYNOPSIS
The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a collection of stories for young witches and wizards. The stories are like the fairy tales of the muggle world. This particular edition of the book has been translated by Hermione Granger and includes Professor Dumbledore’s valuable insights on each of the stories.
The collection includes five stories. The first story, The Wizard and the Hopping Pot, concerns a wizard who refused to help his muggle neighbors and was taught a lesson by his pot. Professor Dumbledore’s commentary on the story sheds light on the relationship between the magical and non-magical folks over the centuries.
The Fountain of Fair Fortune is the story of three witches and a knight, who band together to seek good fortune.
The Warlock’s Hairy Heart teaches the importance of embracing pain. Dumbledore’s notes for this story are reminiscent of the Horcruxes.
The fourth story, Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump, is about a foolish king, a fake magician, and a real witch.
The last story is The Tale of the Three Brothers, which goes on to play a crucial part in The Harry Potter Series.
WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD
Not for the first time, J. K. Rowling has conjured magic with her enthralling stories.
Every story in the book not only imparts an important moral lesson, but also offers pivotal clues to The Harry Potter Series. Interestingly, those who have read the original series will already be aware of some aspects of these breathtaking tales.
A particularly interesting aspect of the plot is that, unlike muggle fairy tales, none of the witches were damsels in distress and needed any rescuing by men. They took matters into their own hands, instead. Also, for a book based in a fairy-tale-like setting, the book surprisingly does not suggest magic as a solution to any problem.
That said, what clearly stands out as the highlight of the book is Professor Dumbledore’s commentary on the stories. His remarks on the true messages conveyed by the stories and their influences on generations of wizards and witches makes The Tales of Beedle the Bard more than just a children’s book.
WHAT WE DID NOT LIKE ABOUT THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD
For hardcore J. K. Rowling fans, five stories will never be enough. But then again, considering the wizardry Rowling often evokes in her novels, no amount of stories will probably ever be enough.
QUOTES
No man or woman alive, magical or not, has ever escaped some form of injury, whether physical, mental, or emotional. To hurt is as human as to breath.
Hope springs eternal.
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And then he greeted Death as an old friend, and went with him gladly, and, equals, they departed this life.
CONCLUSION
The Tales of Beedle the Bard is an impeccable work of fiction. One of the rare twenty-first-century books that is not just a one-time read, this short story collection is highly recommended to people of all age groups.
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