Media Type: Hardcover Book
Title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two
Series: Harry Potter #8
Authors: J.K Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne
Publisher: Pottermore
Pages: Hardcover; 320
Release Date: July 31, 2016
Source: Purchased
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Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
HDB Rating: 4 Keys to My Heart
Recommended to: Readers who enjoy play manuscripts and the Harry Potter wizarding world.
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.
It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.
While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.
Where to begin? For those of you that have been reading our blog for a bit, you know that I’m a huge Harry Potter fan. I watch the movies every year at Christmas, I re-read the books every few years and consider myself an avid fan. Despite all that, I was nervous about this new release. The 7 Harry Potter books are, in my humble opinion, a perfect story. The ending was enough for me and I was worried I would be disappointed by opening up another story in that universe. I can say that I was fretting over nothing.
Cursed Child picks up 19 years in the future, Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron and Draco all play a part in the story and it was fun to see them interacting as adults. Of course the main characters are their children, Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy. I won’t go into any spoilers, but I will say that their friendship is one to be inspired by.
Reading the stage directions and dialogue really brought this story to life for me. While it was a short(er) read than a standard book, I think it really added a lot. If I ever got the chance to see this play in person, I’d be overwhelmed with joy.
There is a lot to learn from Albus and his relationship with Harry. The eloquence with which Harry bumbles his interactions with his son are endearing and cringe worthy. Frustrating as it is is for Harry as a parent, there is definitely a lot of love there. Unlike a lot of the original 7 books, Harry is not the good guy in this and I kind of love J.K Rowling for making him more flawed.
Final verdict: If you enjoy the Harry Potter franchise/universe, I think you’d enjoy this play. Leave your expectations at the door and enjoy a heartfelt coming of age story. You won’t regret it.
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Media Type: Hardcover Book
