Pottermore announced today a collaboration with Audible to publish the Hogwarts Library book Quidditch Through the Ages, written by J.K. Rowling as esteemed Quidditch writer Kennilworthy Whisp and narrated by BAFTA- nominated actor and star of hit TV series The Walking Dead, Andrew Lincoln. The audiobook will be published on 15th March 2018 globally for the first time, and is available to pre-order now exclusively at audible.com.au/quidditch.
The publication will be the first time that fans will be able to experience a truly immersive edition of QTTA thanks to sound design from Pinewood Studios. Using real objects and spatialised sound, Pinewood’s award-winning team have created effects that thread through the recording, including a section which places listeners into the frenetic heart of a live Quidditch match.
This audiobook will also have additional content by J.K. Rowling, in the form of 2014 Quidditch World Cup match commentary by Ginny Potter, the Daily Prophet’s Quidditch correspondent (narrated by actress Imogen Church), and Rita Skeeter (narrated by actress Annette Badland), as they analyse players’ tactics and gossip about the game’s celebrity spectators.
Pottermore will make a portion of the proceeds from this audiobook available to both Comic Relief, and J.K. Rowling’s own international charity Lumos – charities which help some of the world’s most vulnerable children and young people to have a better life.
Andrew Lincoln, on narrating Quidditch Through the Ages, said: “The wizarding world of Harry Potter is one that I always wanted to get the chance to step into. What makes this project so special, is not only that it allowed me the opportunity to create something my kids love and enjoy, but it also supports great causes, like Comic Relief.”
Ravina Bajwa, Commisioning Editor, Audio, at Pottermore Publishing, said: “Kennilworthy Whisp’s Quidditch Through the Ages is the most authoritative work on Quidditch in the wizarding world. Andrew Lincoln has done an astonishing job interpreting Whisp’s magical textbook into an enchanting vocal performance. His narration brings out both the charming humour in J.K. Rowling’s writing, and the vibrant characters that have inhabited the world of Quidditch throughout time.”
Tracey Markham, Audible Ltd. Spokesperson, said: “We are excited to offer Audible listeners the chance to enjoy an incredible performance of yet another essential component of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. With emotive narration from Andrew and state of the art sound design, you’ll truly be immersed in this colourfully richly universe.”
Matthew Gain, Head of Audible APAC, said: “Ever since we first made the Harry Potter series available on Audible in 2015, they have been consistently among the highest rated, most downloaded, and most listened to audiobooks in our store.”
Quidditch Through the Ages charts the game’s history from its early origins in the medieval mists on Queerditch Marsh, through to the modern-day sport loved by so many wizard families around the world. With comprehensive coverage of famous Quidditch teams, the most common fouls, the development of racing brooms and much more, Quidditch Through the Ages is a must-have sporting bible for all Harry Potter fans and Quidditch lovers, whether you’re an amateur player or a veteran Chudley Cannons season-ticket holder.
The additional content by J.K. Rowling, describes characters from the original books returning as grown-ups with their families to watch the Quidditch World Cup final, including Ginny Potter nee Weasley who is now correspondent for the Daily Prophet newspaper.
About Pottermore
Pottermore, the digital entertainment, news and e-commerce company from J.K. Rowling, is also the publisher of the Harry Potter ebooks and digital audiobooks.
About Audible.com.au
Audible.com.au is owned and operated by Audible Ltd. Audible, the world’s largest seller and producer of downloadable audiobooks and other spoken word content, invented and commercialized the first digital audio player in 1997, and has since been at the forefront of spoken word entertainment. In 2017, Audible.com.au customers downloaded an average of 17 audiobooks during the year, while Audible listeners globally downloaded 2.6 billion listening hours. Audible content includes more than 200,000 audio titles from leading publishers, broadcasters, entertainers, magazine and newspaper publishers, and business information providers.