The Tales of Beedle the Bard, by J. K. Rowling

I think this simple little book shows Rowling's skill as a writer, more than the entirety of the Harry Potter series. You can tell that Rowling is a master of imitating a voice and style, and of course a master of parody. (Hello, the entire magical world mimics and mocks the structure of ours?) The whole thing is a Russian-doll framed narrative, with Rowling editing an imaginary Dumbledore. The purpose of the book is made evident in the first commentary: (other than simply for reading pleasure, it's) to parody fairy tales as cultural artifacts. Rowling continues her muggle/wizard racism thesis, noting that the Hopping Cauldron story has been bastardized throughout the centuries to A) show no muggle favouritism, B) censor tales too violent and gruesome for children. This is, of course, a laugh at people who say her stories are too dark for children: right in the middle of the book is a story that sounds like traditional fairytale, with lovers literally ripping one another's hearts out.

I'm less sold on the Hogwarts mentions, which I think are awkwardly inserted. I don't think Dumbledore's bitter tone regarding his feud with Lucius Malfoy has any real place in a mock-academic work; nor do Professor Kettleburn's lack of limbs. Dumbledore's occasional footnotes to "... many brilliant wizards... [footnote] such as myself," too, are a little overboard arrogant.