Monday 4 July 2016

Harry Potter stuff I'm looking forward to

I think many will agree that being a Harry Potter fan has always been extremely exciting and tremendously frustrating at the same time. Despite the fact that the last HP book came out as long ago as 2007 now is no different. In fact, those of us who remain faithful fans have much to look forward to again – it’s like we’ve been given a special reward for our life-long allegiance. Here is the list of things I’m personally looking forward to the most: 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, 31 July 2016 


It might not be exactly what I had in mind whenever I was thinking about the continuation of Harry’s story but I’m not going to turn my nose against it. I can’t wait to read it. I try not to get my expectations too high or to imagine what we’re going to find there, because that’s a sure way to a major disappointment, but sometimes I just can’t help it. I’m not sure how I feel about the fact that it was written by someone other than J.K. Rowling, but they say that it is based on her original story, so I guess the playwright was following her own vision while creating the play. It does sound like a legitimized fanfiction though. The playwright, Jack Thorne, admits himself to be a total Potterhead, so that must count in his favour. But can you at all imagine having J.K. Rowling’s actual stamp of approval on your own fanfiction? How cool that must be! And terrifying! Gosh, I have so much to say on the subject, I think I’ll just have to write a separate post dedicated to it))) 

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Illustrated Edition, 
4 October 2016 

I am a proud owner of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Illustrated Edition. I have to say that I’ve spent more money on that book than I’ve ever spent on any other but it is truly worth it. It is an amazing edition and every now and then I enjoy just holding it in my hands, slowly turning its pages, reading passages that I practically know by heart, while drinking in its lovely and oftentimes quirky illustrations. I will not miss the second one for the world. I can’t wait to discover Jim Kay’s unique vision, because I’m sure there’ll be plenty of surprises waiting. Just look at these beautiful pages and tell me that you won’t be rushing off to buy it if/when you have the chance or the money. 




Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film), 18 November 2016 

I can’t believe we’re getting another magical adventure in our favourite magical world. I already love Newt, Tina, Queenie and Jacob and I can’t wait to discover the story written by J.K. Rowling herself. It’s got to be great, right? To tell you the truth, I kind of worry about its success at the box-office and its popularity among fans and non-fans alike, but I think we can trust Jo to create an amazing, riveting, head-spinning story, filled with a necessary amount of fun, humour, mystery, danger, plot twists and magic. Also, it would be very interesting to read the actual script that will be out on 19 November 2016. It will be a great study of J.K. Rowling’s method. 


Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (book), 14 March 2017 

I’ve always had a particular fondness for this textbook. I mean it’s all about magical animals and it’s a Hogwarts textbook! I own an original book – a thin red one with Jo's illustrations – and it’s high time I had a new one. I know that there have been other editions but I could never make up my mind about buying them, except one other (Russian language edition) that I bought for my family. I’m really hoping to read some new information in the new book, but so far I’ve only heard that it’s going to contain new illustrations by Jonny Duddle and a new foreword from J.K. Rowling. No word as to whether it’ll actually contain new stuff but I could swear I’ve read somewhere some time ago that it would. 

Whew! 

So what are you looking forward to the most?

14 comments:

  1. I have a strong desire to own ALL of the new HP illustrated editions! Fantastic Beasts looks SO GOOD, I can not wait to step right back into the Wizarding World :D I'd never even heard of the new FB book coming out but you can be sure it'll be on my wishlist LOL! And The Cursed Child of course, it's coming out SOON!! Eeep! Awesome post Farida^^ it's amazing that years after DH came out we still have so much HP goodness to look forward to :D

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    1. We are probably the luckiest fandom ever. If only J.K. Rowling decided to actually write another HP book...

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  2. I didn't know the Cursed Child was written by someone else... I don't know how I feel about that either. HP and the Cursed Child is the thing I'm worried about the most. I hope it'll be good, but I'm scared that I won't like it. There's way less pressure on the Fantastic Beasts movie and I'm looking forward to it the most. It looks magical! I just bought my own copy of the illustrated Sorcerer's Stone and I'm going to try and get Chamber of Secrets when it comes out, but I usually procrastinate when buying expensive books. I didn't know they were coming out with a new edition of Fantastic Beasts. I don't even have any of the HP textbooks. I totally need to reread it.

    There's so much HP goodness coming out this year! It's fantastic!

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    1. I know what you mean about the Cursed Child. I'm also worried about that. I mean I left the 7th book with a certain picture of Harry, Ron and Hermione in my mind and I'm afraid to see it shattered.

      However, here's the link to an interview with J.K. Rowling, the playwright and the director of the play. I found it very interesting: https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/jun/05/jk-rowling-harry-potter-cursed-child-jack-thorne-john-tiffany-interview

      Maybe you'll find it somewhat reassuring. And you totally need the HP textbooks: Fantastic Beasts, Quidditch Through the Ages and Tales of Beedle the Bard. Those are great too. But I think you can wait till the new ones are out)))

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  3. So many awesome HP things to look forward to in the near future! I'm most excited for Cursed Child (which I can't believe is almost here!) and the Fantastic Beasts film. Eddie Redmayne is such a great actor, and I'm sure he'll be wonderful as Newt!

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    1. Yeah, so many goodies waiting for us just round the corner. I can't wait to get my hands on the Cursed Child play and finally see the movie! From the pictures I've seen it looks like it'll be on a truly grand scale. The MACUSA alone looks spectacular.

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  4. The illustrated editions would be fantastic to own! I haven't gotten my hands on the first one yet. I'm truly excited about the Fantastic Beasts movies. I don't think it can 'let me down' as much as The Cursed Child has the ability to. That one worries me but I'm still incredibly excited for it.

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    1. Yeah, I mean with so many expectations surrounding the Cursed Child and the fact that we all probably have a certain picture of our favourite characters after DH that we don't want to see destroyed, it's almost impossible not to be afraid about what we're going to find there. But I hope I won't be disappointed. I really want to enjoy it.

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  5. I am a bit nervous about the fact that Jo didn't write the play herself. When I first heard that, it was surprised that she would let anyone else write into the wizarding world, let alone Harry's life. It seemed a little like something sacred was being broken. (A little dramatic, I know.) But I more comfortable with the idea now especially since it was her idea and she sanctioned it. So I trust her and I trust them to do this world justice.
    The illustrated editions are going to be so beautiful. I love my copy of Sorcerer's Stone, I do wonder how they'll do the later books, they're so freaking big!
    I didn't remember that the screenplay for Fantastic Beasts was being published as well. That's pretty cool. I'm a sucker for play scripts and screenplays. For some reason, I really enjoy reading them. (maybe it's the actor in me showing.)
    This is a great list and it's given me a reminder of a couple things to watch out for. Thanks!

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    1. You're right, I haven't even thought of that - the books ARE getting bigger and bigger. I just hope they will take their time and supply the rest of them with as many illustrations as needed be, instead of skipping the whole chapters and moments like they did with chapters and moments on the old Pottermore site. I was really disappointed with that.

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  6. It's definitely an exciting year for us Potter fans!

    I know exactly what you mean about The Cursed Child not be quite what you were thinking of - I love fanfiction but I've never been much of a next-gen fan, so I'd definitely have hoped for something in the Marauders era instead of a sequel but *shrugs* I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it goes!

    I'm definitely looking forward to the Fantastic Beasts movie, and like Micheline I actually had no idea there was another Fantastic Beasts book to come, so that's interesting. The trailer for the film looks awesome, but I've been debating skipping any other trailers that might get released before the film comes out - my friends and I were talking recently about how recent trailers have shown too much of the film and it means you lose some of the surprise. Something I want to think about some more!

    I actually don't own the illustrated edition, but looking at those pages and hearing how excited you are makes me think I should be reconsidering that! Maybe I'll put them on my Christmas list this year!

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    1. I've never been much of a next-gen fan either. In fact, I'm much more interested to read about Harry and Ron's first years at the Ministry of Magic; as they train to become Aurors and uncover all sorts of plots and mysteries along the way, with Hermione giving them a helping hand (from Hogwarts) once they hit a brick wall or landed themselves in trouble)))

      I'd also LOVE to read a book about Hogwarts Founders - I find them fascinating. But at this point I'll take any HP-related story!

      They are reprinting all Hogwarts textbooks once again and as I understand they'll be available both in hardback and paperback and with new cover art and (possible?) illustrations. I do have a spot for J.K. Rowling's drawings though. And while I know that I'll be buying another FB book 100%, I'll have to wait and see Quidditch Through the Ages and The Tales of Beedle the Bard before making up my mind.

      Oh, you've got to have the illustrated editions for your collection! It's a must! I know they are not cheap, but they are definitely worth it)))

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  7. Gah, those illustrated editions are GORGEOUS! I *almost* considered buying those, instead of the series in paperback, but I would be so afraid to read them if they were my only copy! Maybe I'll save up for them, one at a time, just to look at. ^_^

    At this moment, I think I'm more excited about Fantastic Beasts for one, simple, silly reason. If Cursed Child isn't as good as the series, I won't have years of familiarity with the characters to fall back on in recovery. I won't be able to console myself with thinking 'it's okay, it's just extra, you don't have to listen to it.' I've only begun reading them for the first time and by the time I finish Deathly Hollows, I'll probably be reaching right for Cursed Child to finish it off. Part of me wishes I'd read the series years ago, just to have that buffer. That part of me almost wants to hold off reading Cursed Child for a year or so. (Which won't happen, of course.)
    Fantastic Beasts looks like so much fun! Aside from being set in one of my favorite time periods, I love that it takes place in Harry Potter history and will help to develop and explore even more of the Wizarding World and build up its lore.

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  8. Yeah, you definitely need a much less expensive set for reading and enjoying the books! Mine are all dog-eared and crumpled, but I love them that way:) And when I take my illustrated edition, I dare not breathe on it, lest I leave a mark :D So do save up and have them too - they are a must have!

    I know what you mean. I am kind of worried about Cursed Child myself. I read the books for the first time years ago and I've been rereading them on and off every since, so I've created a certain happy image for the trio and their lives after Deathly Hallows, and now I'm so afraid to see it shattered. But a rabid fan part of me just wants to experience this overwhelming rush of reading a HP book again. It will be like in good old times))) I'll have to stay away from the Internet, though, in case I come across spoilers before I finish reading.

    I agree that with Fantastic Beasts it's very different. It's a totally new story and a totally new and unfamiliar set of characters to discover and fall in love with. And I adore 1920s! So my only concern is that it might be kind of rushed, like it almost always is in films. What if we don't get to spend enough time with the characters? What if we don't get the feel of them from just seeing them running around on screen? What if we don't get a chance to truly know them through such a medium? My only consolation and hope is that it was written by J.K. Rowling herself and that's saying a lot:)

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