J.K. Rowling's Book of Fairy Tales Finished: But Only Told to the Rich
Filed under: Charity
We have all been waiting eagerly to see what projects J.K. Rowling will embark upon in the post-Harry Potter days. News that she has not only chosen a project, but completed it -- a volume of fairy tales entitled The Tales of Beedle the Bard -- is thrilling indeed. Except when you read further. Only seven copies will be While the proceeds are headed to charity (surely a laudable goal), something in this news makes me queasy. When J.K. Rowling burst to the scene with her first Harry Potter books, much was made of her struggling, lower-class background: the welfare mom made good. And many pundits have lauded her tales for making reading exciting again for children everywhere. She made literature relevant to even those who were, like she was once, just squeaking by.
So the concept of exclusive literature leaves me cold. If you're interested in the etymology, however, it's more than appropriate: a bard was a poet employed by the wealthy to tell tales of their great deeds. I always thought of J.K. Rowling as something far more free-spirited; but it this bard's tales will only be told to a few.
Update: A commenter pointed out that I was incorrect that these would be printed -- the books are handwritten. However, the commenter says these copies will be available to the public; that is not true according to this source.
Charlie Sheen Gets Back To His Roots
The List #0147: Escape a Car Underwater
WHOOPS! Obama Makes Big Gaffe
Visit the Maldive Islands Before It's Too Late
H&M's Plus-Size Model Jennie Runk Says She Chose To Gain Weight
Jury Foreman: '18 Days Of Testimony Hurt' Jodi Arias
Okla. Sheriff's Deputy Finds Dog Guarding Body Buried Under Destroyed Home
Reptiles Make Home in UK Man's Cable Box
New Trayvon Martin Evidence Features Incriminating Photos, Texts From Teen
Springtime Budget-Busters -- Savings Experiment
Is This Woman Too Pretty To Work?
What It's Like To Talk To A 2-Year-Old
Mariah Carey Suffers Wardrobe Malfunction on Good Morning America
Parents Face Tough Choice When Tornadoes Bear Down
Mariah Carey Curses And Busts Out Of Dress On Live TV
The Story Behind Hairspray
Best Friends Reportedly Die Holding Each Other In Tornado
Killed Soldier In London Attack Identified
Bridge Collapses In Washington State
Rapper Accused Of Faking His Own Death To Escape Payments
Helen Flanagan Launches PETA Campaign As Only She Knows How
Candid Portraits Of Strippers After Hours
AMAZING PHOTO: UFO Spotted Over San Diego
LISTEN: Terror Inside Elementary School As Tornado Hits
Danny Tanner Is Fighting With Topanga
Jodi Arias Jury DEADLOCKED
Surgeons Remove Giant Hairball From Tiger
WATCH: Police Force Shows Up To Support 5-Year-Old Who Lost Her Dad
Teenager's 'Awww'-Inspiring Drawing Wins Big At Google
Brave Woman Stood Down Armed London Attackers
REVEALED: Disturbing Trend In Human Intelligence
PHOTO: Dog Guards Dead Victim's Body After Oklahoma Tornado Disaster