We all admire J.K. Rowling’s imagination, and we all desire to have even a small moment of her brilliance and craft for storytelling. If you don’t agree, you either haven’t read the Harry Potter series, haven’t seen the Harry Potter movies or you hate the world and anything happy.
But, for those of you who are lovers of all things magical and fantastical, the “Hogwarts Library” book set is a must-read. The set is a compilation of three books: “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” “Quidditch Through the Ages” and “The Tales of Beedle the Bard”. They are a blatant testament to Rowling’s boundless imagination and creativity.
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is written by pseudonym Newt Scamander, a researcher and admirer of the mythical and magical beasts in the wizard world. The copy presented to readers is one used by Harry Potter and Ron Weasely in their studies with Hagrid while at Hogwarts, complete with their occasional sarcastic teenage commentary.
The A to Z chronology of these fantastic beasts is clever and highly educational, including official Ministry of Magic Danger Classification ratings. Each beast is described in physicality, in character and personality, in native habitat, and in whether or not they are a danger to wizards and muggles alike. It seems that Plimpies and Puffskeins would make truly wonderful and amusing pets, though we will decidedly avoid Runespoors and Demiguises.
“Quidditch Through the Ages” is written by pseudonym Kennilworthy Whisp. The foreword by Albus Dumbledore warns against defacing the book, lest you feel the wrath of Hogwarts Librarian Madam Pince. The chapters inside explain everything you could ever wish to know about the game of Quidditch, from the history of how brooms came to fly in the first place, to how the game developed, to the official rules and regulations. It is surprising, from a muggle standpoint at least, that there is more to Quidditch and its history than simply beating up other players with speeding bludgers and catching the infamous snitch.
“The Tales of Beedle the Bard” is a compilation of bedtime stories told to wizard children. They are similar in style to the fairy tales told to muggle children, though their content is darker than expected, resembling the original muggle fairytale versions by the Brothers Grimm.
This copy of the tales includes five separate stories. Each is examined and explained in the thoughts of Albus Dumbledore, allowing us a passage into his mind of sage advice and experience. Some muggles might even say they prefer these wizard tales over those of Snow White or Cinderella. Plus, there is a strange satisfaction that comes with reading the actual “Tale of the Three Brothers,” even if you already know it by heart from the Harry Potter series.
The amazing part of this book set is that it demonstrates Rowling’s ever-creative mind; from the names she comes up with (for wizards and beasts alike), to the histories, to the way she incorporates the aspects of the wizard world into that of the muggle world in which we sit. She seamlessly weaves together the two worlds and the creatures that reside in both of them, making us feel as if it is actually possible for there to exist a magical world of which we can only imagine and dream.
This book set is a gift from Rowling to the world in more ways than one. First, it makes us smile and unconsciously extend our imagination. Second, and more importantly, the proceeds from the book sales goes to the UK charity Comic relief to help people living incredibly difficult lives across the UK and the world. Is there a better justification for buying an entertaining book than for charity? So, don’t hesitate to once again dive into the magical world of Harry Potter, because we definitely don’t regret it, and neither will you.
