Fantastic beasts: the crimes of grindelwald, the original screenplay Paperback – November 8, 2019

Such a great book, I love reading screenplays as opposed to watching a movie

“Fantastic Beasts - The Crimes of Grindelwald” is the second entry in J.K. Rowling’s ‘prequel’ to the Harry Potter Series. {Note: this is a screenplay and not a novel. You are reading the script for the movie; enjoy it for what it is.} Rowling is giving the Potter fans background information on many of the characters ~ most notably Dumbledor who has always been a bit of an enigma. Certainly, he possesses great knowledge and history about which we know nothing, so I find it interesting to discover some of his backstory.As a brief reminder, at the end of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was captured in New York with the help of our antihero Newt Scamander. But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escapes and the real mayhem begins. Now, Grindelwald escapes custody and sets about gathering followers to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings. In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore enlists Newt, his former Hogwarts student, who agrees to help once again, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.I was surprised at many reviews that complained that this was not a novel and so on. Note the work’s formal title ~ it says that it is “The Original Screenplay.” Like a play, a movie comes from a script or screenplay. This work is the script for the movie of the same name; hence, you are reading the screenplay and not a novel. It provides delightful information on many of the characters and information on the evolution of Rowling’s Wizarding World. Enjoy the ride ~ it is a delight!

Great book, a must for Harry Potter fans

First, to establish my Potter cred, I offer up preordering books, sitting up in one breathless, speed reading, pages turning so fast smoke started forming reading of The Deathly Hallows, pausing only to react at character deaths. Every book, every movie, the version of Fantastic Beasts that's a wafer thin, yet enticing, paperback along with a similar copy of Quidditch Through The Ages - all reside in loving harmony on my favorites bookshelf with The Tales Of Beedle The Bard.Heroes, humor, sport, coming of age in a truly magical world, family, friendship... The series has all this, and Snape, one of fiction's most debated, loved, and hated characters. Brava, J. K. Rowling, brava.When the first Fantastic Beasts screenplay came out, I hoped for the same excitement and delight, yet found it lacking. I felt the same about the movie - well executed, a visual spectacle, yet weak in plot, dropping breadcrumbs from the original series to keep rabid fans sated.Without spoiling this book (#keepthesecrets), I sadly feel the same after reading the second. The book flap promises it to be the second of a five book/movie series, and I'll still buy the rest because, well, reasons... Yet it seems more drawn out and visual spectacle, plodding the plot along slowly.The fantastic beasts of the title are everywhere, the illustrations and visual layout of the book absolutely lovely. I have no doubt the movie will match the richness of the world and Newt's ever-growing menagerie. The screenplay is written well enough to visualize the scenes quite clearly.It's been seeded with familiar names like *spoiler* and *spoiler* that don't fit the story, just to bring them into it. There's some definite retconning happening to make this fit into the same world, with the same characters that we're familiar with. Some plot elements feel like they're echoing the original series, and multiple romances thread through the book.And yet... As much as I feel it's a three star book, it feels a crime to do that to this author, this series. For the world she's created and keeps building on, for every fully realized new creature, every spell, every fan lifted into reading more by these books... I have to go with four stars, no less.A lovely example of the writing:"DUMBLEDOREDo you know why I admire you, Newt? More, perhaps, than any man I know?(off NEWT'S surprise)You don't seek power or popularity. You simply ask, is the thing right in itself? If it is, then I must do it, no matter the cost."

J.K. Rowling is an amazing writer. Well written, I feel I can see the character's in my mind. Love this book and it's series.

Awesome read

As a huge fan of Harry Potter since the release of SS, I absolutely loved this!! It is beautifully written, as to be expected coming from JKR, and the character development and storyline is excellent!! The reviews stating that it is garbage and doesn't make sense must be coming from people that have never read the Harry Potter books. Also, it is a screenplay and not a novel (which is clearly stated) so don't be upset when, SURPRISE, it is in screenplay format! For those that didn't enjoy the Cursed Child, I assure you this is not the disappointment it was and is well worth your time. This one, like the first, is a quick read, captivating and will leave you wanting more.

Got my niece this book to complete her series. This is a Christmas gift and last year I got Fantastic Beasts and she loved it.