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Wizard’s Council: What are our opinions on the Hogwarts e-Books?

By W&W Staff

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Our Wizard’s Council convenes to consider the question of the hour: What are our opinions on the Hogwarts e-Books?

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Welcome to the Wizard’s Council. Back in olden days, before the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy in 1692, the Wizarding world was governed by the Wizard’s Council. This was the longest serving ruling body over the Wizarding World in history, and though it was disbanded in 1707 with the founding of the Ministry of Magic, it was still considering one of the wisest and august bodies to ever rule the UK and Irish Wizarding Worlds. (Sadly, the same cannot be said for the Ministry, which seems to only be as good as it’s current Minister.) Here at Wizards and Whatnot, we come together once again as this august body to think deeply on the issues of our time.

Philosophical Question of the Hour: What are our opinions on the Hogwarts e-Books? Excited? Or upset that what used to be for free on Pottermore is now being sold?

DAN: First of all, I must admit that I haven’t read these stories for free on Pottermore. Assuming they’re still available there, I don’t see any harm in bundling them in an e-book format for convenience. In fact, I don’t think I’d mind even if they weren’t still there. The e-books are only three bucks apiece on Amazon–that’s not enough to get me up in arms about a money grab, particularly when you consider that the e-books will also feature genuinely new material from J.K. Rowling.

On the other hand, dividing up these stories into three books does seem a bit opportunistic–why not just bundle them all into one volume? But back on the first hand, it’s a bunch of new (to me) Harry Potter content for $10.00. I’ll be fine.

As for the books themselves, they look fun. This blurb from Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable History is alive with that old Potter whimsy: “The Ministry of Magic felt strongly, however, that to construct an additional wizarding station in the middle of London would stretch even the Muggles’ notorious determination not to notice magic when it was exploding in front of their faces.’”

Whimsy seems like a driving force behind all of the books. Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists may tout itself as the “darker” of the three collections, but it still has the phrase “Pesky Poltergeists” in the title. But then again, Rowling has always been adept at blending light and dark.

Of the three books, I’m most interested in Unreliable History, if for no other reason than it’s the closest we’ve yet come to getting a version of Hogwarts: A History. Someday…

AYESHA: I agree with Dan’s point on the money aspect. The cost of one of J.K. Rowling’s previous spin-off books like The Tales of Beedle the Bard would be around $10.00, so it’s not unreasonable for these e-books to collectively cost around the same. I don’t mind that they’re divided thematically. It’s the same thing as dividing Quidditch Through The Ages from Fantastic Beasts even though they’re both informational texts. Granted, those books were written for charity so there was less doubt as to the motives behind the releases. But I understand that Rowling’s writing is worth something to me, so I’m willing to pay for it.

However, I’m sure there are fans for whom $10.00 is a big deal. If they suddenly don’t have access to stories that were once free, that can be a huge let-down. I’m hoping that the purpose of the e-books is to offer the stories in a more convenient format that doesn’t require phone or tablet users to use up all their data. Based on Director Rafferty’s statement about access, it doesn’t seem like exclusivity will be a problem.

I’m personally very excited about Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists. Politics is definitely in my wheelhouse and I’m always curious about the seemingly incoherent legal system in the wizarding world. In what kind of world does a Hipprogriff get a trial but a man accused of mass murder does not? I’d really love to see Rowling explain the ins and outs of the Ministry.

KELLY: I’m excited, but not really overly excited for the release of these ebooks. I would be a lot more excited if these were coming out as actual books, because then, even if I have already read the content on Pottermore, they would still be a great addition to my bookcase.

I feel like most people don’t even know about Pottermore and all of the great content on there (the site is also filled with so much information, it’s quite easy for even a massive fan to miss something), so it’s definitely a good thing they are compiling the content. I mean why not, right?

The first book I’ll download is definitely going to be Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies, which delves deeper into Hogwarts’ staff. The other books sound interesting, but it’s not as exciting to since it sounds like there won’t be any characters involved.

RYAN: Like Kelly, I’m excited about the e-books. At the same time though, the excitement is just lukewarm. One of the magical things about reading a Harry Potter book is holding it in your hand, even though I got the digital version of Cursed Child. But no matter if the books are digital or physical copies, the stories will still be read and loved. The fact that J.K. Rowling is releasing e-books of stories that are already on Pottermore or could be posted there may be surprising to fans. Pottermore is always the place to go for fresh information on the Potterverse, other than Fantastic Beasts, Quidditch Through The Ages, Beetle and the Bard; where the proceeds went to Comic Relief. But $10.00 for the stories might just limit fans from reading the books. Personally, I’m willing to pay the money That’s what Rowling’s writing is worth to me.

I really like that the stories are broken up into the three books, one book would just feel jumbled up. Me personally, I’m gunning for Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide. I want to dive into the nooks and crannies of Hogwarts. I’m dead curious about what happens when the Sorting Hat can’t place a student, and if it happens often. Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists, also perks my interest as the horrors of Azkaban are mentioned. The three books seem to explore the light and dark sides of Hogwarts, which Rowling has shown us in the Harry Potter series.

I just hope the e-books are well received. As Ayesha pointed out, fans might not be so thrilled about the $10.00 price for the books. Then again, maybe fans will find convenience in having e-books filled with Pottermore stories. Only time will tell.

Piles of the new Harry Potter script book ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One

KATIE: I’m on board with everyone on the fact that a $10 total doesn’t make it seem as though the e-books are all about profit. At the same time, though, why monetize what was once available for free? Sure, these e-books will include new material from J.K. Rowling. But why not just add that information to Pottermore instead of making fans pay for it, as has been done up until this point?

It’s not that I’m not excited about all the new Potter content we’re getting this year (I’m particularly looking forward to Fantastic Beasts). True, these e-books aren’t necessarily providing a continuation of the series, but rather details and backstories to create richer content. And for the most part, I love these new insights into the Potterverse. But I was perfectly content with the way the series ended with Deathly Hallows, and now almost ten years later we’re being inundated with a new Pottermania. I feel like they’re trying to recreate the excitement of the original franchise, but for the most part these efforts are falling flat.

Not only that, but there’s so much backtracking. Once free information is now being sold in a new format. There are rumors of a Cursed Child movie, even though Rowling stated at its inception that a play was the best and only medium for the story. She says that Harry Potter is all said and done, and yet the wheels keep on turnin’. I’m not disappointed but I’m not excited, either; overall, I’m perplexed. It seems like Harry’s having every ounce of life squeezed from him in an attempt to remain relevant. It’s an absurd notion, I know, because Harry Potter has made such an impact as a cultural phenomenon that it will always be relevant.

I guess what I’m getting at here is this: We’re nearly a decade out of the series, and the nostalgia is still more powerful and exciting to me than any new information the Potterverse may have in store. I love Harry Potter, and I don’t want to see him strung out.

MARNIFER: Hearing about these new e-books set off my “opportunistic capitalism” radar at first — but learning the titles and content won me over. Phrases like “incomplete and unreliable” and “pesky poltergeists” get me revved up to hear new stories told in her signature funny style. I am particularly excited about the new stories featuring McGonagall and Slughorn. I will be less thrilled if the preexisting content suddenly disappears from Pottermore after the e-books are released.

I’m on the side of “print is not dead” and do wish these were books I could hold in my hands. Nonetheless, I am most looking forward to Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies. Learning more about legendary teachers and other Hogwarts staff evokes warm tingly feelings which are wholly welcome after the depressing experience of reading the Cursed Child script.

Will we hit the point of Potter overload, I wonder? Katie makes some very valid points about the series feeling put through the wringer. Can the history of Hogwarts’ doorknobs and floor tiles be far behind? To be fair, Rowling could probably make that an enchanting read. Here’s hoping that’s always the case!

Next: Potter Productions: A Very Potter Musical vs. Cursed Child

Our Wizard’s Council meets every other week, unless there is an emergency session. Check out our other entries here.

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