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audioandereadergrrly's review against another edition
4.0
I am a fan of Harry Potter and mythology. In this book, the two come together to discuss how the two are linked through historical artifacts. I loved hearing about ancient beliefs and how they were woven into the writing of Harry Potter. I loved hearing about the old manuscripts. Every chapter was organized like a different Hogwarts class. Listening to this audiobook was like listening to a documentary.
Though I loved the organization and topic of the book, I had to dock a star for the voice acting of two experts: one laughed through most of what she said, and another spoke so low and fast that they sounded like they were whispering; I had to increase the volume during these parts, which was frustrating. I think this would have been very cool to see as a documentary on tv.
Though I loved the organization and topic of the book, I had to dock a star for the voice acting of two experts: one laughed through most of what she said, and another spoke so low and fast that they sounded like they were whispering; I had to increase the volume during these parts, which was frustrating. I think this would have been very cool to see as a documentary on tv.
mimig312's review against another edition
4.0
Good informative read for the Harry Potter fan. The book takes a deep dive into the magical creatures, spells and inspirational figures throughout history that contributed to magical folklore. Along with commentary from the American and British audio book narrators, HP and British museum curators and others involved in the HP creative development process, we learn how history informed JK Rowling's writing.
The beginning of the book was a bit all over the place, but once it got going with the chapter structure devoted to certain magical topics (charms, herbology, mystical creatures, etc.) It greatly improved.
A worthy read for devoted Harry Potter fans.
The beginning of the book was a bit all over the place, but once it got going with the chapter structure devoted to certain magical topics (charms, herbology, mystical creatures, etc.) It greatly improved.
A worthy read for devoted Harry Potter fans.
songofmysoul's review against another edition
Documentation format just isn't my cup of tea (listened to audiobook)
lamom77's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful book detailing the origins of magical ideas from Harry Potter and where they came from and how they have progressed over time. It was a nice surprise to have several of JK Rowling's drawings and notes from her writing of the books. Highly recommend for any Harry Potter fan.
suzannemseidel's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
This was a fun exploration of the history of Harry Potter. There are lots of different voices and topics. If you like Harry Potter and the real-life history of magic, you'll enjoy this.
linde99's review against another edition
5.0
This is everything I wanted and more. It contained so much information on the different topics and classes. I loved reading on different artefacts, and seeing drafts of the Harry Potter series. It was awesome
owlyreadsalot's review against another edition
3.0
This was a nice collection, but didn't have everything I was hoping for. That didn't take away though, from all the magical pages that filled this edition. Even so, it did leave me partially sad. Like mentioned above, there were a few things I felt kept dragging, and other parts that I wanted more of. But, I would still recommend to any Harry Potter fan. Just know, you might not fall completely in love with it. It's okay though, anything Harry Potter related can never be uninteresting. It's definitely worth picking up.
wannabekingpin's review against another edition
4.0
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Any author, especially any aspiring one, should read this book, just to see how books earning millions to billions are constructed. And how books, in general, the good ones, get written. What it takes, what an overwhelming web it can be. But how it absolutely can be done.
This book describes the basics of how the whole Harry Potter world was created. From the symbolics surrounding the characters, characters that were in our history, to places, buildings, potions, magic beasts…
My Opinion: As an aspiring author I have found a lot of good in this book. Many authors, of course, if not each one, have their own strategies. The key is to find one fitting you. R.R. Martin somewhere wrote he’s the kind who plants a seed and watches it grow, meaning he starts writing and sees where it goes. While Rowling had this whole month-by-month sheet of data, scribbles and scrabbles, several ideas for a single scene, and so on. But as a reader… As a reader who grew up with Harry Potter, loving that world of hope and magic, I found this book full of repeated information. “And this relates to that, and this is equivalent of that in real life, and that means this…”
Either way, the book is fun. I’d say it’s unnecessary for a reader, but might be good for an author, but definitely a fun read either way. So I give it a 4 out of 5.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Any author, especially any aspiring one, should read this book, just to see how books earning millions to billions are constructed. And how books, in general, the good ones, get written. What it takes, what an overwhelming web it can be. But how it absolutely can be done.
This book describes the basics of how the whole Harry Potter world was created. From the symbolics surrounding the characters, characters that were in our history, to places, buildings, potions, magic beasts…
My Opinion: As an aspiring author I have found a lot of good in this book. Many authors, of course, if not each one, have their own strategies. The key is to find one fitting you. R.R. Martin somewhere wrote he’s the kind who plants a seed and watches it grow, meaning he starts writing and sees where it goes. While Rowling had this whole month-by-month sheet of data, scribbles and scrabbles, several ideas for a single scene, and so on. But as a reader… As a reader who grew up with Harry Potter, loving that world of hope and magic, I found this book full of repeated information. “And this relates to that, and this is equivalent of that in real life, and that means this…”
Either way, the book is fun. I’d say it’s unnecessary for a reader, but might be good for an author, but definitely a fun read either way. So I give it a 4 out of 5.