Patricio Tarantino, founder and editor of The Rowling Library e-zine, has knocked himself out for Issue #100 with not only an outrageous quantity of pages, a centenary one hundred, but with extraordinary quality as well. In addition to articles from TRL’s regulars — A. Dalla Palma, Rio Romero, Iris T. M., Oliver Horton, and several pieces from Patricio — Issue #100 features articles from Hogwarts Professor writers Nick Jeffery and Beatrice Groves, each contributing a signature piece from their research focus (Nick writes about the importance of the English class system in Potter and Strike and Dr Groves speculates about the epigraphs of Hallmarked Man and their possible alchemical meaning).
The only downside to the issue? It begins with a history of the magazine produced by The Rowling Library, which group also hosts a remarkable website of resources for Potter Pundits and publishes non-fiction works that focus on subjects of great interest to Rowling’s international audience. This introductory history ends with its author, Patricio Tarantino, admitting that Issue #100 may be the last hurrah for the e-zine. He writes:
This milestone—issue number 100—arrives at a crossroads. It could well be our final issue, closing a chapter that has spanned nearly a decade of dedication and passion. Or perhaps there will be a #101 appearing in May, just four weeks from now, continuing our monthly journey through the Wizarding World. The honest truth is that I don’t know yet which path I’ll take. The decision will come later, after we’ve had time to reflect on what these 100 issues have meant and where our energies might best be directed going forward.
For now, what matters most is celebrating what we’ve accomplished together—contributors and readers alike—in creating 100 issues dedicated to exploring, analyzing, and celebrating the work of one of the most influential and important writers of our times. Whether this marks an end or just another chapter, what truly matters is that we enjoyed every step of this magical journey together.
I hope the TRL team will consider publishing six issues a year rather than twelve or some other method of keeping the e-zine coming, though I appreciate the hard to believe labors of assembling issues with remarkable content of lasting value in a format that is simultaneously attractive and engaging.
Download the pdf of Issue #100 here or just start reading it. Congratulations to Mr Tarantino and the TRL regulars on passing the mammoth milestone of 100 issues with such grace and flair and many thanks for the many hours of challenging and instructive reading to be found in each new issue and the archives.
