[Books] J. K. Rowling - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay

About the book

Title: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | Author: J.K. Rowling | Publisher: Little, Brown | Illustrations: MinaLima |

Price: £16,99 | Genre: Fantasy | Type: Hardback | Pages: 282 | 

ISBN: 978-1-4087-0898-9 | Publication date: 2016 | 

Buy as Book, EBook, Audio book or German book

"Explorer and Magizoologist Newt Scamander has just completed a round-the-globe trip in search of the most rare and unusual magical creatures. Arriving in New York, he intends his stay to be just a brief stopover. However, when Newt´s case is misplaced and some of his fantastic beasts escape into the city, it spells trouble for everyone..."
                

First sentence

"A large, isolated, derelict chateau emerges from the darkness."

Author

"J.K. Rowling is the author of the bestselling Harrry Potter series of seven books, published between 1997 and 2007, which have sold over 450 million copies worldwide, are distributed in more than 200 territories and translated into 79 languages, and have been turned into eight blockbuster films by Warner Bros. She has written three companion volumes to the series in aid of charity: Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in aid of Comic Relief; and The Tales of Beedle the Bard in aid of her children´s charity, Lumos. Her website and e-publisher Pottermore is the digital hub of the Wizarding World. She collaborated with writer Jack Thorne and director John Tiffany on the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two, which premiered in 2016 in London´s West End. J.K. Rowling is also the author of a novel for adult readers, The Casual Vacancy, and, under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, of three crime novels featuring private detective Cormoran Strike, which are to be adapted for BBC television. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is J.K. Rowlings first screenplay."

Cover and title

The cover and the illustrations inside are made by MinaLima, two people bringing Harry Potter props to life. 
The cover is with golden embossed letters on a dark blue background and golden embellishments, which show some fantastic beasts on second glance. It is pretty and noble and simply precious - I adore it! The title is the same as the Hogwarts school book and this fits perfectly well, because Newt is writing exactly this book inside the story. 

My Thoughts

The world of Harry Potter is part of my life since the age of six. I´ve re-read the stories so often I´ve stopped counting. I don´t have to explain how excited I was as it was revealed that there will be a new story of the Wizarding World! I´ve watched the movie in cinemas as soon as possible and of course I´ve bought the screenplay as well - and I never regret it. 

„My philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice."
S. 131

Newt Scamander is travelling to New York - inside of his case a lot of fantastic creatures! Sadly, some of them escape and so he has to search for them while something incredible is frigthen the whole city! He meets Jacob - a No-Maj or as the British say: Muggle, as well as Tina and her sister Queenie. Together they have an adventure, they never imagined. 

„Yes, Mr Kowalski. See, they´re currently in alien terrain, surrounded by millions of the most vicious creatures on the planet. Humans."
S. 113

Fanastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is darker as the Harry Potter series - but maybe even more charming and funny. The stars of this books are the creatures - such wonderful animals created with so many details! This is why it makes sence to watch the film first, then you can recreate all the scenes of the movie while reading! Without the film I don´t think it is as great. I just love reading the book with the pictures in my mind of the movie - thinking about the Niffler (which is simply the greatest and cutest creature ever!) and the sweetest Bowtruckle Pickett. And of course Newt which is perfectly played by Eddie Redmayne and Jacob, Queenie and Tina... I just love to revel in memories! 
It is important to know that it is a screenplay - a script, not a novel! And you should know the movie :) The illustrations inside are incredible beautiful and make the script a masterpiece! A must have for every Potterhead! 

„People like you, don´t they, Mr Kowlaski." - "Oh - well, I´m sure people like you, too - huh?" - "No, not really, I annoy people."

S. 121

Result

You musn´t expect a novel, because it is no novel, it is a script. But the story is great and I love the movie - so the script is the perfect addition. You should know the movie and you will have a lot of fun reading it!