The Seven Best Moments of the “Quidditch Through the Ages” Audiobook
Quidditch fans are rejoicing with the arrival of a new edition of Quidditch Through the Ages. On March 15, the Pottermore Shop released an audiobook version with extra content as read by Walking Dead and Love Actually star Andrew Lincoln. We’ll be counting down the most hilarious and action-packed moments of this new edition.
1. The Golden Snitch’s Backstory
Lincoln takes on the voice of the author, Kennilworthy Whisp, and describes specific Quidditch games. In the voice of Madam Modesty Rabnott, he explains that she has to go into hiding after stealing a creature used in a Quidditch match. Madam Modesty succeeded in rescuing a Snidget, which was once chased in the game. Afterward, the Golden Snitch came to replace it. This lively anecdote gives us a peek into what Quidditch games were like in the sport’s infancy.
2. Lincoln Voicing Bathilda Bagshot
Lincoln is at his best when imitating the voices of Harry Potter characters such as Gilderoy Lockhart, Ludo Bagman, and my favorite, Bathilda Bagshot. Lincoln’s attempt at imitating a cantankerous old woman is some of his best work. He gives each of these characters their own personality or in the case of Lockhart, too much personality.
3. Animal Sound Effects
As Lincoln is narrating, a barrage of sound effects accompany his performance. Each Quidditch team has a unique sound that appears when it is introduced. One of the teams, the Kenmare Kestrels, has a particularly loud and breathtaking bird call. You can also distinctly hear Quaffles, Bludgers, and Snitches buzzing around.
4. The Origins of Quidditch Teams
Like a Seeker attempting the Wronski Feint maneuver, Lincoln dives into the history of the Quidditch teams. We hear of the famous rivalries (not just between the Gryffindor and Slytherin teams at Hogwarts) and the winning streaks that the teams hold. Every team has at least one outlandish story to its name, such as the player Dai Llewellyn being eaten by a Chimaera, why the Wigtown Wanderers wear meat cleaver emblems, and how the Appleby Arrows Seeker was attacked by wasps!
5. Rita Skeeter Reports on Dumbledore’s Army
The last part of the audiobook is the bonus content, which is recorded audio of the 2014 Quidditch World Cup. We get to hear from familiar characters, notably Rita Skeeter. The narrator’s sarcastic and venomous voice is a hysterical take on the gossip columnist. As soon as Harry Potter and his friends show up at the Quidditch match, Rita weaves a web of rumors. She takes note of every interaction among Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the rest of Dumbledore’s Army. Rita is so intent on watching for Harry and his friends to cause trouble, she barely pays attention to the Quidditch match.
6. Viktor Krum Showing Everyone Up
Viktor Krum has reentered the world of Quidditch post retirement. Ginny Potter commentates on Krum’s performance, and he’s easily the most exciting player on the field. What’s great about Krum is that, even though no one thinks he can win the match, he doesn’t care what they think. He’s just happy to fly again. You feel as if you’re sitting in the stadium, hoping that he will capture the Snitch. Potter fans, up to now, have never read of Krum winning the World Cup. When he does win the match, it’s the perfect closure for his story. For once we see a stoic Krum with tears of joy.
7. Ginny Potter Hexes Rita Skeeter
Ginny has always been talented with spellwork and protective of her family, and we get to see some of this during the Quidditch match. To her dismay, Ginny is seated next to Rita Skeeter. Rita spends the time recording all her slander on her notepad. Eventually, Ginny has had enough, and she hexes Rita. Rita’s audio commentary stops, and we hear Ginny’s voice announcing to readers that Rita’s narration of the match is finished. Go, Ginny!
This audiobook edition of Quidditch Through the Ages is the next-best thing to watching Muggles play Quidditch live, and it’s now available to buy on the Pottermore Shop. Long live the sport of wizards!
