The Tales of Beedle the Bard (J.K. Rowling)

This post will essentially be Spoiler Free, however comments by other users may possibly contain information that spoils portions of the plot, so read at them your own risk. This book is second that I've completed for my 2018 TBR Challenge, so I am definitely on better track than I was last month.

bloomsbury.com

What it's about:

In J. K. Rowling's wizarding world, Beedle the Bard is our version of the Brothers Grimm, or Hans Christian Anderson. This book is a collection of magical fairytales that witches and wizards have grown up with, alongside a commentary from former headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore. This collections contains both stories Harry Potter fans know (Tale of the Three Brothers) and new ones to enjoy.

Why it's worth a read:

• The tales are quite short which allows for each to be read quickly, such as one a night, or on a bus trip.
• Although the morals are relatively simple, they are clear and effective and make for an enjoyable read.
• Part of the proceeds of this book go to charity, so it's a feel-good addition to your Harry Potter collection.
• If you want to learn as much as possible about J. K. Rowling's wizarding world, this is definitely a must. Not only does it tell the Tale of the Three Brothers, as mentioned in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, it also finally provides readers the answer to what on earth Ron is talking about when he mentions Babbitty Rabbitty, and gives some insight into his childhood.

Where it disappoints:

• The target age group for this one is a bit confusing. At first it seems like it would be a good one for a younger group, however the further on one progresses through the tales, the darker some of the stories get. The language also has some words that would be confusing to young audiences in order to make it sound like a tale of old.
• Some of the stories could use a little more detail to be more effective, or slightly more concise writing for greater impact.
• The whole book feels a little short. Considering Beedle the Bard is supposed to be legendary, it seems a bit odd that he is so famous for simply five short tales.
• Dumbledore's commentary is not the most interesting, nor do I think it would be appealing for children. I think for the most part  the book would have been better with two extra tales, and cutting out the parts from the old Headmaster.

Final Thoughts:

I did think the book was decent, but I was a bit disappointed with it overall. Unfortunately it was one of those books that I had waited for so long to read because I didn't think it would be the best...and I was right (self-fulfilling prophecy?). I liked some parts more than I thought I would, but thought that it really needed a little bit more to it in general. Not a bad read though, and I would definitely pick it up if you are a big Harry Potter fan.