Review Thread

[Dainsie]

JK has at last released the famed Beedle the Bard books used by the trio in Deathly Hallows. Contained in the book are 5 short stories, commonly known in the wizarding world as popular children's tales:

- The Wizard and the Hopping Pot
- The Fountain of Fair Fortune
- The Warlock's Hairy Heart
- Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump
- The Tale of the Three Brothers

What did you think of it?

[laura-tonks]

I thought it was absolutely brilliant! It took me about 40 minutes as I tried not to rush through it.
I really loved the stories themselves, particularly the Fountain of Fair Fortune because of the female strong characters. The Warlock's Hairy Heart was well placed to constrast against it, as it's much darker and doesn't have a happy ending.
Most of all however, I adored reading Dumbledore's notes on the various tales, especially the story of the Hogwarts pantomime!
I also liked recognising a few characters, such as Brutus Malfoy, Professors Kettleburn, Dippet and McGonagall as well as Hector Dagworth-Granger who Slughorn thought Hermione may have been related to.

I also loved the fact that the book seemed REAL, and Jo wrote about Dumbledore in the introduction as if he were a real character (which he is, obviously ).

I don't think the book will convert any HP-haters out there, but it certainly is a great read for fans of the books and films. I'd also like to make a request that people try to avoid taking advantage of special offers on this book as the money goes to charity-thanks xx

[wizardinventor]

I though that it was great and that it had that old world feel that made you wonder if they really had just come out of her head and not from the world itself! The first thing that I thought was how skinny it is, because I was so used to HP books being like bricks it was kind of a shock. I think I spent a good few minutes just starng at the cover in awe. Then I was torn between reading in the car and reading at home, I decided that I couldn't wait and propped it open to begin to read.

My favorite story would have to Babbity Rabbity and her Cackling Stump because to me it sounds like the most classic of the tales. But all of them were great and the Warlock's Hairy Heart adds a nice break from all of the whimsy that surrounds the pages.

One of the coolest parts was the way that the notes and introduction were written (as mentioned above) The way it was done made in seem as though Jo has just asked Hermione for the translation and asked McGonagall for the notes from Dumbledore's archive. The notes were nice and I like the way that she (as Dumbledore, I think) references the Series as "books about the life of Harry Potter", or something like that.

I have to agree about the pantomime, I burst out laughing at the time. Too bad that the great showdown in Book 7 didn't go along more like that!

All in all this book left me craving for much more and I was so sad when I turned the last page and saw the cover of the book. It has gone by too fast! I know that I will carry this book everywhere I go from now on.

[Slytherin Fox]

I was really happy to see this long-awaited book finally arrive at my doorstep. I must say, however, that I was a bit disappointed at its small size and the speed (less than an hour) with which I read the book from cover to cover. After all, this is JKR we're talking about, we are used to huge volumes, and a book like this can only leave us thirsting for more, right?

But all that aside, I loved all 5 of these stories, but my favorite was the Wizard and the Hopping Pot because this story teaches us how important it is for us to be kind to each other and take care to help one another. That is a very valuable lesson for all of us, I think, especially in this day and age. You never know when you might need some help from someone, too!

I loved the commentary by Dumbledore. It really lent a lot to the stories and made them that much more interesting and enjoyable, besides bringing back to mind some of our memories of the HP series. I am really happy that these commentaries included in the book. After reading these you almost feel like you know the great man personally!

I will buy anything that JKR writes and while this was a small book, it was still satisfying and fun.

[TeeNa]

I think it was purely amazing and I especially loved Dumbledore's comments. Jo's sense of humor, her honesty and talent are simply pouring out of those. The Laura Mallory parody thing was brilliant

The tales themselves are all very funny, scary and interesting at the same time. Nevermind the size of the book, reading it is a lot of pleasure!

[Ginevra_P]

I loved it!

The stories are amazing, I especially loved the Fountain of Fair Fortune. It teaches us that we all have the power to make ourselves happy. The notes from Dumbledore were a special treat, I thought. Especially how he included letters from the Malfoys. To me it's a treasure and I can just imagine myself reading these to my kids (somewhere in the distant future), they're just lovely.

[evanna11]

I really liked them
I can't decide which is my fav..The Tales of the three brothers, the fountain of fair fortune or Babbity Rabbity and her cackling stump.
The comments were really funny
I want to read the goat story now..(I forgot the exact name, but it was Aberfort's favourite..).

[jrtpuplvr]

I really enjoyed the comments after the tales. The tales themselves were great as well. I am really looking forward to reading them to my nephew. He will love the Wizzard and the Hopping Pot.

[BanaBatGirl]

I liked the whole book, although I must agree with Linda: It was too short.

On that note though, Dumbledore's comments were a joy to read and laugh about. Haha, especially when he pointed out that no witch has ever claimed to own the Elder Wand. LOL.

My favorite story was easily Babbity Rabbity....I dunno, it just seemed the most like an old story that generations would pass on. Also, I liked the lesson that one taught. My second favorite was probably The Fountain of Fair Fortune, or The Three Brothers. But all in all, it was a good quick little read.

[TheGirlWhoLived_818]

I just got my book today and only read the intro and part of The Warlock's Hairy Heart. So far it is pretty good.