J. K. Rowling, the adored creator of Harry Potter, has a new
book for fans, titled “The Tales of Beedle the Bard,” the proceeds of which
will go to a charity for children in need in Eastern Europe co-founded by the
British writer.
J. K. Rowling has changed the world with her seven books
about the adventures of brave and kind boy wizard Harry Potter. “The Tales of
Beedle the Bard” is her unofficial farewell to the beloved character and goes
on sale Thursday, Dec. 4.
The book already exists as a limited edition of seven
copies, each lovingly handwritten and illustrated by the author herself. The
special offer created a frenzy, as proven by the incredible success one of the manuscripts
had, when it was sold at auction for an outstanding $4 million in 2007.
That money was donated to The Children’s Voice, a campaign
organized by The Children’s High Level Group (CHLG), the charity co-founded by
Rowling with European parliamentarian Emma Nicholson. This is the same charity
which will benefit from soon-to-be sales of the book.
One can only expect “Tales of Beedle the Bard” to be a
best-seller, given Rowling’s extraordinary popularity. Her “Harry Potter” books
have sold more than 400 million copies and have been translated into 67
languages since the release of the first novel “Harry Potter and the
Philosopher’s Stone,” in 1997.
“The Tales of Beedle the Bard” is connected with the Harry
Potter universe in that it is mentioned in the final novel, “Harry Potter and
the Deathly Hallows,” and it purports to tell those precise five fairy tales.
Only one of those five, “The Tale of the Three Brothers,” was recounted in the
novel.
Bloomsbury will distribute the book in Britain and Scholastic in the United States.
It may also not be the last time avid admirers of Harry
Potter’s put their hands on new written material regarding their hero. Rowling
has said she intends to publish an encyclopedia, with proceeds once more going
to charity.
Earlier this year, the esteemed writer sued a purported fan
who planned to publish an encyclopedia based on material collected on his
website over the years. Steven Vander Ark,
a 50-year-old former middle school librarian and Harry Potter aficionado, operated
a fan website named ‘The Harry Potter Lexicon’ for years and was even praised
for his work by Rowling.
He planned to publish a 400-page book, listing
alphabetically names, places, potions, spells, creatures and objects present in
the Harry Potter world, based on the website. Rowling sought to block the publication
of the book, arguing that it was based all too much on her own seven “Harry
Potter” books, and ultimately won.
At the time, Vander
Ark notoriously broke down into
tears while testifying, declaring his fervent admiration for Rowling’s books.
The author’s reply was succinct and unyielding: “A fan’s affectionate
enthusiasm should not obscure acts of plagiarism.”
