The Magic comes to an end
The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a Wizarding classic, first
came to Muggle readers’ attention in the book known as Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now, thanks to Hermione
Granger’s new translation from the ancient runes, we present
this stunning edition with an introduction, notes, and
illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by
Albus Dumbledore. Never before have Muggles been privy to
these richly imaginative tales: “The Wizard and the Hopping
Pot,†“The Fountain of Fair Fortune,†“The Warlock’s Hairy
Heart,†“Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump,†and of
course, “The Tale of the Three Brothers.†But not only are
they the equal of fairy tales we now know and love, reading
them gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter. The stories are accompanied by delightful pen-and-ink
illustrations by Ms. Rowling herself, featuring a still-life
frontispiece for each one. Professor Dumbledore’s
commentary—apparently written some eighteen months before
his death—reveals not just his vast knowledge of Wizarding
lore, but also more of his personal qualities: his sense
of humor, his courage, his pride in his abilities, and his
hard-won wisdom. Names familiar from the Harry Potter novels
sprinkle the pages, including Aberforth Dumbledore, Lucius
Malfoy and his forebears, and Sir Nicholas de
Mimsy-Porpington (or “Nearly Headless Nickâ€), as well as
other professors at Hogwarts and the past owners of the
Elder Wand. Dumbledore tells us of incidents unique to the
Wizarding world, like hilariously troubled theatrical
productions at Hogwarts or the dangers of having a “hairy
heart.†But he also reveals aspects of the Wizarding world
that his Muggle readers might find all too familiar, like
censorship, intolerance, and questions about the deepest
mysteries in life. Altogether, this is an essential addition to our store of
knowledge about the world and the magic that J. K. Rowling
has created, and a book every true Harry Potter fan will
want to have for their shelves.
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