Feeling Sorry For Myself. Nobody reads my Opusses any more! (-) (-) || ' - '

Fantastic Beasts But where to find them? Well, the answer is, as Harry Potter fans should know, in Newt Scamander's magnum opus, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which, coincidently enough, also happens to be the name of a new Warner Brothers film penned by none other that JK Rowling herself. This was announced three days ago, so the chances are you know all this already. There's also a sting chance that you've spent a not-inconsiderable length of time raking the Internet for information that doesn't exist and pure speculation. The former is frustrating and the latter misleading, but it does help us to get the blood pressure up and stole the fires of excitement. However, for those of you who don't already know about this, I will here write a short summary of what I know. In 2001, JK Rowling released a book in aid if Comic Relief called Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which is a textbook used by Harry and others in the novels. It included many creatures who we never see in the series but remain part of the world, and gives more information on creatures we have met. Dumbledore also makes reference to parts of the book in his annotations to The Tales of Beedle the Bard, which was released, I believe, in 2008. On the 12th of September (3 days ago) Warner Brothers released to the press their intention to make a film based on the author, Newton (Newt) Scamander and, presumably, his writing of the book as it shares its title (for now at least), and the screenplay shall be written by Rowling. We don't know much in the way of plot, understandably. We do know, though, that it will start in New York (and here a personal gripe begins, but I'll come to that later) and will begin 70 years before "Harry's story begins" which could refer to Philosopher's Stone, which technically was set in 1991-1992, thus making it start in 1921, or it could refer to the VERY start, that is Chapter 1 on Philospher's Stone (1981) which would make it 1911. Or there abouts, because 70 years is probably a rough number. That makes it begin in either Pre-War New York or 20s New York, so just before Gatsby was written so that sort of era. That is all we know officially, however we do know a little about Scamander's #life, and I'm pretty certain Rowling would like to elaborate upon the details. He was born in 1897, presumably in Britain for he went to Hogwarts, and after he left Hogwarts (about 1914 by my count) he joined the ministry working in House Elf Relocation. In 1918 he was offered a job to write a book on magical creatures and off he went around the world. He finished the book in 1927. He later went on to become Headmaster of Hogwarts and played a huge role in redefining the Categorisation of Beasts in law. And I'm only sketching out the main bits. We do know quite a bit more if you want to look for it. Now Warner Brothers has called this a new 'series.' Rowling hasn't officially said anything of the sort, so it may be wishful thinking, but I feel there would be enough material for one. However, if there was, I feel the first film, judging by the film's current title, would primarily cover the period 1918-1927, and perhaps make reference to earlier times. This would allow for later films to become slightly more adult, like the Harry Potter series, and potentially become a political film not unlike Lincoln with the passing of the amendment, only in this case is classification reform. It has also been said that the tone if the series will be very similar to the original series. Good. Right. That's most of the facts. Now onto the speculation. Well, as for plot it would probably record his journey's during the book's writing. Many sites (largely American) say the film is set in New York. They the go on to say the film we be about American Wizards and the American '20s. I don't think so. All that has been said is that the film STARTS in New York. This could well be for 15 minutes or less before Newt shoots off to another part of the world in his travels. So we cannot therefore presume this will be a largely American film with a British title character. Though I think American wizards would be great, I still want it to feel British and have strong ties both in character and plot to Britain. And knowing Rowling and her British ties and the indication that it will have a similar feel to the old films I think this will probably be the case. I feel another likely location would be Egypt, as that is mentioned a few times in the original series, with the Weasley's holiday in Chamber of Secrets and in Doge's obituary to Dumbledore in Deathly Hallows. Also, I think Shacklebolt had Egyptian links, though my mind could be playing tricks on me. So New York is certain, Britain is almost certain, I feel, and Egypt is highly likely. In his book, it is said that Scamander travelled in all five continents. I think the film will try to reflect this. That means probably mainland Europe. We've had German ties with Gregorovitch ad Grindelwald, which would be appropriate in time as well. We also have France and Bulgaria with Bauxbatons and Durmstrangs. I think at least one of these places will appear at some point, if not all three. Grindelwald was at Durmstrang as well which would be a nice link, and everyone wants to see what Bauxbatons Academy of Magic looks like. I don't know about South America, but there are a couple of references to Peru in the original series, so that could work. Asia could have anywhere. China would be interesting. As would Japan. And India would also be a fun place to see. If you have the book of FBaWtFT (abrev.) look at where creatures come from and there'll be many clues, I am sure. Australia would also probably e covered, and many even an Arctic or Antarctic region. As the Antarctic has such traditional history with exploration, that could well work. The last big question is who will play Scamander. I think it is dangerous to speculate at this moment. We can only work on people we know, and I feel it will be a newcomer, or a relative newcomer, at least at the beginning. Maybe later films may have an older actor play him. I think he would look a bit like Elgar in his old age myself, with a nice short British pipe. We could also see the Wizarding World during the World Wars and during their war with Grindelwald. Whatever, I am sure this will be a cracker of a film. JK Rowling is a great writer, and with some technical guidance should have no difficulty writing a great film. If you want to know more, there's a very good wiki page about Scamander with good citations. Sites like Muggle Net and Leaky Cauldron are good, but they are just speculative, and INSIST ON SAYING IT'S SET IN NEY YORK, which as you can tell slightly irritates me. True, it's the only setting we actually know, but she only said it STARTS there!!! Anyway, you can also read Scamander's book, Fantastic Beast etc. but it might be tricky to buy one at the moment. I've had one for years of course, but that doesn't help you. If you have any questions, do ask. I will try and find answers, or give my speculation, and also keep you up to date when things come up. I wouldn't be expecting any solid news this side of Christmas, but you never know. Anyway, I'm off to degnome the garden. Goodbye.

Audio Opuss I was thinking earlier (dangerous, I know) that it would be really quite nice to have an Opuss audiobook. That is, when someone has completed a piece, they can choose to have a recording of them reading it, so that others can hear it as well as read it. And then we could have featured readers as well as featured authors. Just a thought. If you like the idea or have any further suggestions, please like and/or comment.

I Am Still Here Just to let you all know I am still respiring and not expiring...yet. I have been awfully busy in the past few months thinking about applying to Cambridge University to do what was initially going to be history but now looks like it could be Classics instead. I've also been busy with exams and school and with travelling and all sorts of other exhausting activities that have prevented me from Oposting as often as I'd like. But I am still here, I will write something as soon as I can think of something worth writing about. I will try to check here a little more regularly to see what is going on, but in the meantime goodbye, until our next meeting.

The Dickens Riddell Hello everybody. It has been quite a while since I wrote everything, and you mustn't expect much more until the summer, however a pressing (well, to me at least) matter has brought me here at this busy time to address you all. A year or so ago, a man called Chris Riddell was commissioned to do a poster for The Observer newspaper entitled 'Dickens' heroes and villains.' You may not know Chris Riddell, or at least not by name. His art is fabulous and highly destinctive. He illustrated the Edge Chronicles series of books, and also has done a large number of books for younger readers, he also does a weekly political cartoon for The Observer which appears at the beginning of their Comment section. If you still don't know who I mean, type Chris Riddell into your search engine and he should come up pretty quickly. Anyway, back to the poster. This poster was fabulous. It really created the characters before you eyes. I like Dickens, but I don't know all of his stories (or what goes on in them at least, for I do know the names) and yet from Riddell's illustrations I felt I knew them instantly. Dickens gets a bit of a bad press, both as a person and as a writer. "He was paid by the word, you know!" is a frequently voiced phrase by English teachers across the land. Now, this isn't far from the truth. He does feel a little wordy at times- to his betterment, I believe, for the language is very evocative and engaging, but perhaps it needs a renaissance. George Cruikshank is the original and brilliant illustrator of Dickens. His work is very beautiful, skilful...and stuffy. I feel that there should be a re-release of Dickens works with a new illustrator, someone who can evoke the same brilliance in his own special way. I am of course alluding to Mr Riddell. I think that Chris Riddell should illustrate many (if not all) of Dickens books and have them published. Perhaps by Penguin. Or Bloomsbury...or whoever! Cruikshank's work won't go away, it won't be replaced. There will just be another interpretation of dickens words in illustration. This, I feel, will help to give Dickens work the breath of #life it needs to become popular in all circles once again. Let me know what you think of the idea in the comments, and look up Riddell's work if you don't already know it. Thanks for reading.