Now that the final Harry Potter book is out, publishing firm Canongate is hoping to get its hands on author JK Rowling, and persuade her to tell the tale of legendary Greek hero Orpheus.
London, July 23 : Now that the final Harry Potter book is out, publishing firm Canongate is hoping to get its hands on author JK Rowling, and persuade her to tell the tale of legendary Greek hero Orpheus.
Rowling, who studied Greek and Roman mythology at Exeter University in the 1980s, has already expressed a wish to cover the classics, and now Canongate wants to make her wish come true.
If Rowling does agree, then it will also be a coup for the Edinburgh-based publishers, who will be able to boast of having her amongst its ranks of celebrity writers who have contributed to its best-selling Myths series.
Orpheus is best known for attempting to rescue his wife Eurydice from the underworld.
A literary insider revealed to the Scotsman that now that the final Potter book had been released, the news could be made public.
"She has expressed an interest in updating the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, but the whole thing is being kept under wraps so not to overshadow the launch of the final Harry Potter book," the insider said.
"From the outset, the idea was to approach top-class writers from all over the world and invite them to retell any myth in any way they chose.
"In turn, their myths would be published all over the world. Already a wonderful array of writers have come on board, as have 24 superb international publishers," the insider added.
Katherine Rushton, publishing reporter with literary journal The Bookseller, believes that writing Orpheus' tale would be a great move on Rowling's part.
"People will go out and buy whatever JK chooses to write next, but updating Greek myths could be an inspired choice," she said.
"Mythology would provide that world of magic and fantasy that her readers have grown to love in the Harry Potter series. It would be fascinating to see how she interpreted classical myths and legends," she added.
Dr Jon Hesk, an expert in Greek literature at St Andrews University, feels that the author is also the ideal person to reintroduce the classics to today's generation.
"The magical element of classical mythology really seems to have made a big impression on JK Rowling, and Harry Potter is a hero in the Greek tradition. Because of her knowledge of classics, Rowling is ideally placed to re-examine the mythology of Orpheus," he said.
"It would undoubtedly help introduce Greek mythology to a new, younger readership," he added.
Hesk also thinks that Orpheus is the right choice for Rowling, for it has 'something that chimes with Harry Potter'.
"At the core of Orpheus is a tragic love story which is both classic and timeless. It is a lurid story with romance and horrible bloody death, and that is why it still fascinates people today," he said.
"One of the reasons why JK Rowling might be interested in it is that there is a magical supernatural element as well.
"Orpheus was destined to face great challenges and mighty adversaries while developing his power, and that is something that chimes with the character of Harry Potter," he added.
The final Potter book went on sale on July 21, and practically flew off the shelves, selling 8.3 million copies in the US in its first 24 hours.
ANI