I didn't want to invade the HP threads with this. Has anyone read
The Ickabog? It's a political fairytale, one that she mentioned she was considering at the time HP&tDH was released back in 2007.* Finally she put it out after all these years. I was skeptical if I would love or simply like it. It's aimed at a slightly lower age than HP, at least to me, although there is a great deal of death (like with traditional fairy tales). I've liked most things she's written so far (HP of course, the
Tales of Beedle the Bard book,
Fantastic Beasts).
The Casual Vacancy was the only bump for me, although I wouldn't say I hated it. It was worth reading once, I guess. I will read
Cormoran Strike one day. I only decided I want to read those books once the series is finished, since I'm not quite sure if I'll love it or not and if I wait until it's completely finished, I can push myself through to the end just to have read it one time even if I find it unsatisfying. I saw the other day that she said the
Cormoran Strike series could go on another 10 books though, which shocked me because I thought it was supposed to only be around seven or eight to begin with. I guess she's enjoying writing them.
So I don't know, I may end up trying it out rather than wait that long for it to finish.
Anyway,
The Ickabog. Because of the pandemic, she made it available online for free here:
http://www.theickabog.com/ It'll be available to buy in the Fall and the proceeds will go to charity. I was kind of glad I was able to read it first, because I know I want to buy it now. I thought the ending in particular was well-done.
When they discovered the Ickabog was actually a real creature and not just a lie, that was the peak part of the story for me. Partly because of the Ickabog's song about how humans were offspring of Ickabogs, too, from their ancestors, Bitterness and Hate, and then later when the Ickabog's offspring are born and are opposites. One thing I like about Rowling is how she usurps the reader's expectations while still being satisfying, at least that's how I feel; I thought for sure the Ickabog would be shot before the story even got to the chapter titled "Flapoon Fires Again" which would only lead you to expect that outcome even more. But perhaps my favorite part of the whole thing was the very ending when Fred's story is resolved with him having calmed the monstrous Ickabog for it to give birth to a more peaceful offspring. My only real disappointment would be Lady Eslanda not having a bigger role in the climax; I really thought she was the one impersonating the butler when Spittleworth arrived, but nope. It's a very quick read. I would definitely recommend it. I actually felt it was much better than my expectations, considering the title.
* She talked about a HP encyclopedia back then, too, and I hope that actually comes about one day as well. Basically a published compilation of everything from Pottermore would be great.
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