“The Tales of Beedle the Bard” Audiobook Released Today!
Audiobook lovers, rejoice! The brand-new audiobook edition of The Tales of Beedle the Bard is out today. This beautifully rendered retelling of five wizarding fairy tales read by stars from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films and the cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been long in the making, and we can’t wait to listen to it.
The book opens with notes from Albus Dumbledore introducing the stories within, so it’s only fitting that this section is read by Jude Law, who plays the professor in the Fantastic Beasts series. He’s followed by fellow Hogwarts professor actor Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick, Griphook) reading the first story, “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot.”
Since Hermione was the one to figure out the connection between the stories in the book and the Deathly Hallows, it makes sense that Noma Dumezweni, who played our favorite Minister of Magic, Hermione Granger, in the original cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, will be reading “The Tale of the Three Brothers.”
Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy) follows after, reading one of the darkest tales in the book, “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart.” This story was meant to teach young witches and wizards not to dabble in the Dark Arts, so hearing it in the voice of Lucius Malfoy will certainly be chilling.
The book takes a more whimsical turn after that, with the lovely Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) reading “The Fountain of Fair Fortune.”
Ron mentions that his mother used to read “Babbitt Rabbity and Her Cackling Stump” to him and his siblings, so Bonnie Wright, who played his sister, Ginny, will read the final tale in the book. Last, but certainly not least, Sally Mortemore, who played Hogwarts librarian Madam Pince in the film series, will read J.K. Rowling’s introduction to the book.
J.K. Rowling originally wrote and illustrated seven copies of the companion book, which was first featured within the lore of the wizarding world in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In 2008, she released it to the public as a means of raising funds for charity. It’s a beautiful addition to the world of Harry Potter, and we’re so glad to be able to hear these stories told verbally. If you close your eyes, you can pretend Dumbledore is telling you a bedtime story!
The Tales of Beedle the Bard is currently available to purchase through Audible for $14.95, or for free for Audible members until January 7, 2021. Check it out on the Audible website or app, and tell us which fairy tale is your favorite below!