Release Date: December 4, 2008
Number of Pages: 108 + 17 pages of introduction = 125 pages (UK)
Number of Chapters: 5 stories + 1 followup per story by Albus Dumbledore + introduction = 11 chapters
Number of Words: Unknown
This book originally only had seven copies, each hand-written and illustrated by JKR herself. Six were given to the people who helped her most during Harry's years. Only one was offered to the public, and besides, who has £2 million just lying around? Apparently, Amazon.com does. Here's what they have to say:
The standard published edition of this book includes:
All five fairy tales from the original books
A brand-new introduction
Albus Dumbledore's thoughts on each of the stories
Brilliant illustrations reproduced from the original hand-crafted books
The published Collector's Edition of this book includes:
All five fairy tales from the original Beedle the Bard
Reproduction of JKR's handwritten introduction
Ten brand-new illustrations not included in the original or standard editions
Velvet bag embroidered with JKR's signature
Outer case disguised as a Hogwarts schoolbook
Metal skull, corners, and clasp
Emerald ribbon
Replica gemstones
Review of the Original
There is no easy way to define the experience of seeing, holding, or reading J.K. Rowling's The Tales of Beedle the Bard, so let's just start with one word: "Whoa." The very fact of its existence (an artifact pulled straight out of a novel) is magical, not to mention the facts that only seven copies exist in all the world and each of the never-before-told tales is handwritten and illustrated by J.K. Rowling herself (and it's quite clear from the first few pages that she has some skill as an artist). Rowling's handwriting is like the familiar scrawl of a favorite aunt--it's not hard to read, but it does require attention--allowing you to take it slow and savor the mystery of each next word.
So how do you review one of the most remarkable tomes you've ever had the pleasure of opening? You just turn each page and allow yourself to be swept away by each story. You soak up the simple tales that read like Aesop's fables and echo the themes of the series; you follow every dip and curve of Rowling's handwriting and revel in every detail that makes the book unique--a slight darkening of a letter here, a place where the writing nearly runs off the page there. You take all that and you try and bring it to life, knowing that you will never be able to do it justice. With that, let's dig in and begin at the beginning, shall we?
You can read reviews of the book on Amazon.com, but beware of spoilers!!
Review of the Published
When I first set off towards the bookstore to purchase my copy of the Tales of Beedle the Bard, I expected no more than a maybe fifty-paged book with a corny imitation cover and cheap pages. How wrong I was.
The book itself is at least equal to the content in it's impressiveness. The pages have a thin, delicate feel and the cover feels oh-so-smooth. It makes me feel as though I bought one of JK Rowling's handwritten copies myself. The cover has a very intricate blueish design and a picture of Babbitty Rabbitty's Cackling Stump. It's instanty recognizable.
An interesting note is that the sign of the Deathly Hallows appears in the Fountain of Fair Fortune. Just a small tidbit.
The stories themselves are highly entertaining and I felt as though I was learning real fairy tales. Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump was the story that entertained me most (quite possibly because it pertained the most to Harry Potter) and it was very intruiging to see the Tale of the Three Brothers outside of Deathly Hallows. Each story includes it's "own magical character, that will variously bring delight, laughter, and the thrill of mortal peril." (Quote the back of the book.)
Each story is followed by notes on that particular story by professor Albus Dumbledore (written "around eighteen months before the tragic events that took place at the top of Howarts' Astronomy Tower." Quote the introduction.). These notes contain clarification and other interesting information about the wizarding world and Hogwarts. We learn why Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington was deheaded and that Hogwarts actually did a play on one of the tales. The notes are often quite humourous and informative, and contain the history of the story, controversy, etcetera.
This book is a must-buy. Really. And that's not just because it's related to Harry Potter, because it holds little resemblance to the books. I was actually quite sad to see that nobody in my local bookstore was examining the book, which was in quite plain sight, almost blocking the door. To everybody, Harry Potter fans and haters alike: Buy this book!
= This page contains plotline points and has spoilers.
