Title: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them
Author: J.K. Rowling
Published: November 2016 by Arthur A. Levine Books
Genre: YA Fantasy, screenplay
How I got the book: I bought it
Summary:
J.K. Rowling’s screenwriting debut is captured in this exciting hardcover edition of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them screenplay.
When Magizoologist Newt Scamander arrives in New York, he intends his stay to be just a brief stopover. However, when his magical case is misplaced and some of Newt’s fantastic beasts escape, it spells trouble for everyone…
My Review:
It’s another Harry Potter story, so of course, I was bound to pick this one up.
We’re thrown back way before Harry Potter’s time set in America where Newt Scamander is researching and trying to protect magical creatures. He keeps them all in his magical suitcase where they co-live in their own respective habitats. It’s not until some beasts get loose that there’s a problem.
With the help of Tina Goldstein, a former Auror, and the help of Jacob Kowalski, a No-Maj (or Muggle), they go on a journey to find the beasts and bring them back to the suitcase.
There is one more beast roaming around called an Obscurus and it’s because of that they get into pretty big trouble with the Ministry of Magic.
Together they have to rally all the beasts and help wizards and Muggles alike against the Obscurus… and maybe save that beast as well.
All the characters were a love. Newt was especially my favorite with his quirkiness and Jacob was a wonderful addition to the cast since he wasn’t a wizard.
Tina took a little getting used to for me, but I think that was also because she was more trying to save her own job than actually help Newt for a little while. Queenie, Tina’s sister, was a fun character as well.
I found they had a well-rounded amount of characters for this story (and they picked a great cast for the movie).
This too is a screenplay. It was quick and easy to read as there were lesser details in it than the average novel. Still, it’s fun to get to know a little bit about the screenwriting process (from a writer’s point of view).
The book also had little illustrations and designs throughout the book with I felt completed it. They were pretty and fun to look at and added a little more to the story.
I saw the movie before I read this. This is the screenplay for the movie, so there were no surprises. Even still, this is one I would recommend seeing the movie first and then reading the book. You’ll get a little more out of the movie (visually so), but the screenplay is fun to read as well. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them by J.K. Rowling gets…
5 out of 5 stars
Favorite Quote:
“My philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice.” –J.K. Rowling, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them
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I believe there is the screenplay version and then there’s the book version written in a sort of encyclopedia form. I read the latter and I was super disappointed. It was under the same name, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It was, however, a short read.
Yes, that book you’re talking about is supposed to be the actual “textbook” that Harry Potter used at Hogwarts, I believe. I haven’t read that one though.
I think you’re right on that because it did read like one.
Yeah, that’s part of the Hogwarts Library collection that are companion books to the Harry Potter book series. It’s pretty dry and I mostly only looked at the notes in the margins by Ron and Harry. 😂 I think that if you watch the movie and read the screenplay, the textbook might get a little more interesting because you’re more familiar with the beasts.
I still want to read the textbook. I’m sure the notes are funny, lol.
I bought the Hogwarts Library for my birthday because the proceeds of the books go to charity. I read Quidditch Through the Ages. It’s quick and fun, adding more depth and history to the game Rowling created. Fantastic Beasts is similar in the sense that it only expands the wizarding world, but the notes are really funny and I remember flying through it many years ago. I need to schedule a re-read note that I have the physical copy. 🙂
That’s cool! I haven’t read any of the textbooks, but I want to though. I have Tales of Beedle of Bard (even though that’s not really a textbook), but I haven’t even read that one yet.
I’ll admit I bought the book just for the cover. 😉 But it was great and I realised how I missed little setting details in the film that I could grasp in the screenplay. I think the actors have done a fabulous job of bringing this alive. 5/5 from me as well. 🙂
It was awesome!
Have you taken the jacket sleeve off the book (assuming you have it in hardcover)? There’s a picture of the Niffler that’s really cute.
Yes, I have. The Niffler was one of my favourites because of the comic relief it provided. 😂
He was my favorite too! Even Newt enjoyed him even though he was such a pain, lol.
This story is so creative and amusing and sometimes horrifying – I would expect nothing less for Rowling. Loved the movie, have the screen play Have you read the Cursed Child?
I thought it was great! It’s my new favorite, lol. And yes, I read and reviewed The Cursed Child before this. That was great as well!
I am not so sure about this book. I tried watching the movie, expecting something more similar to Harry Potter series, and didn’t really like it. But maybe I should give it a shot?
I found it enjoyable. There were a lot of parallels to Harry’s time which I thought was cool. Though I enjoy anything that brings me back to Rowling’s wizardry world. 🙂
Maybe if you read the script you’d get something more out of it, but who knows? It may not be for everyone.
I enjoyed how you broke the book in it’s core parts, it made it very easy to read and understand.
Thank you! Have you read this one?
Sadly not yet, but it’s on the upper part of my reading list!
Well, it’s a quick one whenever you get to it. 🙂
Great review. Fine job!
Thank you!
It sounds awesome.
It’s cool! J.K. Rowling has an amazing imagination.
I can only imagine.
We had really similar opinions about this book 🙂 Any Harry Potter book will be read by me too!
And it will always be re-read again and again!
The movie was very well done and there are more planned. Great casting.
Yes, they did a fantastic job! I’m looking forward to the next movie.