Quidditch Through the Ages by J.K. Rowling, Kennilworthy Whisp, Andrew Lincoln Published by Pottermore from J.K. Rowling on March 15th 2018
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Length: 3 hrs and 10 mins A perennial best seller in the wizarding world and one of the most popular books in the Hogwarts School Library, Quidditch Through the Ages contains all you will ever need to know about the history, the rules - and the breaking of the rules - of the noble sport of Quidditch. Packed with fascinating facts, this definitive guide by the esteemed Quidditch writer Kennilworthy Whisp charts the game's history from its early origins in the medieval mists on Queerditch Marsh through to the modern-day sport loved by so many wizard and Muggle families around the world. With comprehensive coverage of famous Quidditch teams, the commonest fouls, the development of racing brooms, and much more, this is a must-have sporting bible for all Harry Potter fans and Quidditch lovers and players, whether the weekend amateur or the seasoned Chudley Cannons season-ticket holder.
Narrated by Andrew Lincoln, this is the first audiobook edition of Whisp's book ever to be released. Andrew is a People's Choice Awards winner and a BAFTA nominated actor, best known for his role as Rick Grimes in the TV series The Walking Dead. His other film and television credits include Made in Dagenham, Strike Back and Love Actually.
Bonus Content Included
This audio edition of Quidditch Through the Ages includes over an hour and a half of exclusive bonus content, featuring The History of the Quidditch World Cup, written by J.K. Rowling in 2014 for pottermore.com, now brought to life in audio for the first time. Explore some of the Daily Prophet's reports on the preliminary rounds of the 2014 Quidditch World Cup, also written by J.K. Rowling, via the voices of our two commentators, Ginny Potter and Rita Skeeter. Feel like you're listening to a real-life Quidditch match with this unexpected duo as they report live on the Final of the 2014 Quidditch World Cup.
15% of the proceeds* received by Pottermore Limited from this audiobook will be made available by the publisher to Comic Relief and Lumos Foundation for their work with children and young people to help them have a better life. 20% of these monies will be used by Comic Relief and 80% will be used by Lumos Foundation.
Comic Relief is a registered charity in the UK with charity nos. 326568 (England/Wales) and SC039730 (Scotland). Lumos Foundation is a registered charity in the UK with no. 1112575.
*Proceeds means the cash-price or cash-equivalent price less sales taxes.©2018 J.K. Rowling (P)2018 J.K. Rowling
5 Nuts
Every time Pottermore releases one of the audios I am first in line to request them from Overdrive. It doesn’t matter that I’ve read them a million times, these are totally worth listening to. For several reasons.
First, the actors they choose to narrate are always top notch. But that’s not the main reason I got this one. In fact, I didn’t even recognize this narrator. I requested this for the extra content.
If you want my review of the main content of Quidditch Through the Ages, you can find that here. Today I’m here to talk abut the extra little bits in this audiobook version of the book by JK Rowling.
First, this version of the book not only supports Comic Relief (as it did in the past) but JKR’s charity Lumos was well. There’s a little explanation about Lumos and what it does read after the main book but before the full extra content is presented. It’s actually pretty darn cool. Go check that shizz out.
Then the extra content is performed. Not read, performed. You get Quidditch correspondent Ginny Potter’s rundown of the World Cup tournament matches all the way up to the final for whichever year it’s supposed to be (sorry folks, I was half asleep while I was listening. As interesting as it was it was late into the night by this point). Then comes the part I enjoyed most about this edition.
Ginny Potter and Rita Skeeter give alternating play by plays of the Quidditch Cup final, Ginny of the match and Rita of her Dumbledore’s Army gossip as she watches them watch the match. Rita’s observations are hilariously awful and Ginny often corrects her and, eventually, hexes her. Go Ginny!
Ginny’s Quidditch commentary is fabulous, I felt like I was watching the match myself. JKR’s writing of the match and the actress’s performance her completely on point. I was obsessed, any sleepiness I had been experiencing was gone for the moment. I was enthralled. Ginny made me laugh, she painted the match inside my mind so well that it might as well have been before my eyes. And there were plenty of references to the original books.
At least 3 members of the Bulgarian team were originals from GOBLET OF FIRE including the beloved Viktor Krum. I couldn’t help but cheer for them, just like Harry and MOST of his children. I see that Cursed Child reference in there, JKR! Don’t you dare.
But at least, unlike in CURSED CHILD, from the little character moment you get via Rita Skeeter the characters remain as they always were. No out of character Golden Trio here. This is all beautiful canon.
I LOVED this edition of the book, particularly the extras. Seeing Ginny in her future element was fantastic! I love seeing how great she has become as a woman, as a mother, as a character. This cements her spot as a personal favorite.
What’s your favorite Potter audiobook? Share in the comments below.
From my shelf to yours,
Erin
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