J.K. Rowling, The Tales of Beedle the Bard Review

Overall Rating

wise, funny

none

JK Rowling proves, again, that she is one of the greatest writers alive today. Tales of Beedle the Bard is brilliant. This small book of five stories with commentary and footnotes is timeless children's literature, having merit on many levels.

First, of course, each of the five stories is a great read. The commentary by Albus Dumbledore serves to enhance the reader's/listener's insight into the deeper meaning of each story, which leads to the second level of merit: the presence and brilliance of commentary sections, complete with footnotes, teaches children that the scholarly approach to literature is normal. Your four-year-old will be reading critiques and footnotes without thinking it odd, without being bothered by the extra trouble, and being well rewarded for the effort by insightful, or amusing, or sometimes hilarious bonuses to the main story. At the human/spriritual/ethical level, each of JKR's five tales/fables explores the human condition and leaves the reader wiser. Finally, the educational level: the reader will learn the English language painlessly, engaging with complex ideas through the medium of good writing. One wishes J.K. Rowling could be head of education councils, worldwide.

Here's just one of many examples of wit in the book. Other's mileage may vary, but I laughed out loud at this, which is part of the necromancy commentary following "Babbity Rabbitty":
"As the eminent Wizarding philosopher Bertrand de Pensees-Profondes writes in his celebrated work _A Study into the Possibilities of Reversing the Actual and Metaphysical Effects of Natural Death, with Particular Regard to the Reintegration of Essence and Matter_: 'Give it up. It's never going to happen'."

Yes, one wishes Bertrand Russell were alive to read it. He would have loved this book. All in all, _Tales of Beedle the Bard_ is a wonderful book for children and adults. It belongs in every library.