J. K. Rowling: The Wizard Behind Harry Potter
2000 biography by Marc Shapiro
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
J.K. Rowling: The Wizard Behind Harry Potter is a 2000 unauthorized biography of J. K. Rowling by Marc Shapiro, published by St. Martin's Griffin. The book reached #4 on The New York Times Children's Bestseller list.[1]
Cover art of the first edition | |
| Author | Marc Shapiro |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Biography |
| Publisher | St. Martin's Griffin |
| Publication date | 2000 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
The book focuses on Rowling's life and the success of the Harry Potter series, and was described as an attempt to capitalize on the franchise's popularity.[2][3]
Reception
The book received generally negative reviews. The Toronto Star called it a "celebrity rip-off" and a "shameless bid to cash in," while The Birmingham News wrote that it contained little new information and relied heavily on previously published material.[4] A The Washington Post article similarly found that it offered little beyond widely available information.[5] The book has also been discussed in the The Buffalo News, The Journal News, Jackson Citizen Patriot, and The Clifton Journal.[6][7][8][9]
