Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - A Review
To all who are reading this,
As mentioned in the Coffee Book Tag I posted a few days ago, there is a new book in the spellbinding series by J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two is based upon a new story by Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne. The book is actually in script format, created by Thorne for the two part stage production in the West End, London. Published 31 July 2016, many bookstores across the globe released the book at midnight, with avid readers and fans waiting eagerly for the chance to revisit the magical world. I got my copy a few days later, and whilst I was excited, part of me was scared. Why? I guess you need to read on...
There may be spoilers.
Blurb
The eighth story. Nineteen years later...
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.
I've been a Potter fan since the beginning. I would re-enact scenes from the books with friends in the playground, always miffed when I wasn't allowed to be Hermione (I invented a Gryffindor sister for Draco, at this stage). I've got well thumbed copies of the books, seen all the films, been sorted into my Hogwarts House (Hufflepuff), and my Ilvermorny House (Thunderbird) on Pottermore. I've visited the Studio Tour once previously with university a few years back, and I'm going back this month. I've been to Platform Nine and Three Quarters at Kings Cross in London. I have merchandising coming out of my ears. I was one of those kids who wrote fanfiction like there was no tomorrow.
And yet, when it came to the hype surrounding Cursed Child, I was wary. It's all very good having an epilogue where all is well, but knowing that we were going to re-enter that world... I was nervous, but hadn't been overly excited like some people were. I'd like to see the show eventually, but I know that will never happen. I have no virtually no enthusiasm for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (due for release this year).
I'm rambling, aren't I? I don't sound like much of a fan...
The cover for Cursed Child takes its inspiration from the stage play, where inside a woven, bird-like nest of a Golden Snitch, sits a forlorn looking boy with messy hair. Is this a young Harry or one of his children? Is this the eldest, James Sirius? Is it, the only daughter, Lily Luna? Or this is, the middle child, Albus Severus? Reading the blurb, it becomes clear fast who this is - this is the child named for two powerful wizards, Headmasters of Hogwarts, both of whom shaped and changed Harry's life.
As previously stated, the book is in script format, which makes for interesting read. It's sectioned into Part One, and Part Two, with the varying acts that take place. There is little description, only there seemingly for the actors, but we don't need it. You already know the existing world, and the creative world building that has taken place through the books and the film adaptions.
The story splits between Harry, who married Ginny. Both of them are older and more frazzled than ever. The other half of the story belongs to his young son, Albus. Albus is worried about which House he will be sorted into, and although he is friends with Rose Granger-Weasley (the child of Hermione and Ron), he instantly makes friends with Scorpius Malfoy (the child of Draco and Astoria). And as soon as they arrive at Hogwarts, things start to change. Albus is placed into Slytherin with Scorpius, he struggles with his lessons and is becoming estranged from his father. He starts to see himself as a disappointment, and not only that, Harry wants him to stop being friends with Scorpius, because of a rumour. A rumour that Scorpius is actually the child of Voldemort. Both boys plunge into chaos and time travel when they decide to steal a Time Turner and change the past - they are going to save Triwizard Champion, Quidditch player and Hufflepuff, Cedric Diggory.
Let's refresh our memories with something Hermione told us in the film of Prisoner of Azkaban (2004):
Naturally, our young heroes do not get the message, and a whole host a dangerous world shifting occurs. Every time they enter the past, things are starting to move out of balance, and create dark unlikeable moments. The second half of the script takes up in the midst of these dark times, and with the aid of characters long since gone, things start to fix themselves up. Hereupon lies, the mystery of the Cursed Child, and it all relates to a prophecy...
I was really disappointed with this. I tried my hardest to like it, I really did, but there was something about it I didn't enjoy. I felt like it was trying too hard, melding elements of the books together. With that in mind, sometimes the writing seemed like fanfiction, especially in relation to the truth about the prophecy. At times, it made for uncomfortable reading.
The characters didn't seem right, and although it is nineteen years on, I felt like it was a dramatic shift from epilogue and opening of the play to maybe several Acts in. One of those is notable in Act One, Scene Seven, the exchanges between Harry and Albus at the Potter home. I didn't much care for the children either - I know that growing up is rough, but I started not caring for Albus at all. Scorpius however, was an interesting addition, and although he sometimes seemed a little bit like Ron, I found him to be a redeeming feature. Like Albus, Scorpius has a tough time of it at school and at home, but he has a "can do" attitude that is refreshing through the doom and gloom.
Having said that, the stage play could be completely different. Actually having others portraying the characters and creating the love and tension from the script on a stage, taking Polyjuice Potion (I wonder how that's going to happen on stage)... I think it would make for interesting viewing. I'm hoping that there is going to be an official live recording of it on sale on DVD or Blu-Ray soon, for those who are unable to get tickets, like it sometimes happens with concerts of special theatre events.
Granger-Weasley family (left), Potter family (centre), Malfoy family (right)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is available in eBook format, as well as hardback edition from most retailers.
More information on the play can be found: Cursed Child, London.
Yours with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: Harbour by John Ajvide Lindqvist
As mentioned in the Coffee Book Tag I posted a few days ago, there is a new book in the spellbinding series by J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two is based upon a new story by Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne. The book is actually in script format, created by Thorne for the two part stage production in the West End, London. Published 31 July 2016, many bookstores across the globe released the book at midnight, with avid readers and fans waiting eagerly for the chance to revisit the magical world. I got my copy a few days later, and whilst I was excited, part of me was scared. Why? I guess you need to read on...
There may be spoilers.
Blurb
The eighth story. Nineteen years later...
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.
I've been a Potter fan since the beginning. I would re-enact scenes from the books with friends in the playground, always miffed when I wasn't allowed to be Hermione (I invented a Gryffindor sister for Draco, at this stage). I've got well thumbed copies of the books, seen all the films, been sorted into my Hogwarts House (Hufflepuff), and my Ilvermorny House (Thunderbird) on Pottermore. I've visited the Studio Tour once previously with university a few years back, and I'm going back this month. I've been to Platform Nine and Three Quarters at Kings Cross in London. I have merchandising coming out of my ears. I was one of those kids who wrote fanfiction like there was no tomorrow.
And yet, when it came to the hype surrounding Cursed Child, I was wary. It's all very good having an epilogue where all is well, but knowing that we were going to re-enter that world... I was nervous, but hadn't been overly excited like some people were. I'd like to see the show eventually, but I know that will never happen. I have no virtually no enthusiasm for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (due for release this year).
I'm rambling, aren't I? I don't sound like much of a fan...
The cover for Cursed Child takes its inspiration from the stage play, where inside a woven, bird-like nest of a Golden Snitch, sits a forlorn looking boy with messy hair. Is this a young Harry or one of his children? Is this the eldest, James Sirius? Is it, the only daughter, Lily Luna? Or this is, the middle child, Albus Severus? Reading the blurb, it becomes clear fast who this is - this is the child named for two powerful wizards, Headmasters of Hogwarts, both of whom shaped and changed Harry's life.
As previously stated, the book is in script format, which makes for interesting read. It's sectioned into Part One, and Part Two, with the varying acts that take place. There is little description, only there seemingly for the actors, but we don't need it. You already know the existing world, and the creative world building that has taken place through the books and the film adaptions.
The story splits between Harry, who married Ginny. Both of them are older and more frazzled than ever. The other half of the story belongs to his young son, Albus. Albus is worried about which House he will be sorted into, and although he is friends with Rose Granger-Weasley (the child of Hermione and Ron), he instantly makes friends with Scorpius Malfoy (the child of Draco and Astoria). And as soon as they arrive at Hogwarts, things start to change. Albus is placed into Slytherin with Scorpius, he struggles with his lessons and is becoming estranged from his father. He starts to see himself as a disappointment, and not only that, Harry wants him to stop being friends with Scorpius, because of a rumour. A rumour that Scorpius is actually the child of Voldemort. Both boys plunge into chaos and time travel when they decide to steal a Time Turner and change the past - they are going to save Triwizard Champion, Quidditch player and Hufflepuff, Cedric Diggory.
Let's refresh our memories with something Hermione told us in the film of Prisoner of Azkaban (2004):
Naturally, our young heroes do not get the message, and a whole host a dangerous world shifting occurs. Every time they enter the past, things are starting to move out of balance, and create dark unlikeable moments. The second half of the script takes up in the midst of these dark times, and with the aid of characters long since gone, things start to fix themselves up. Hereupon lies, the mystery of the Cursed Child, and it all relates to a prophecy...
I was really disappointed with this. I tried my hardest to like it, I really did, but there was something about it I didn't enjoy. I felt like it was trying too hard, melding elements of the books together. With that in mind, sometimes the writing seemed like fanfiction, especially in relation to the truth about the prophecy. At times, it made for uncomfortable reading.
The characters didn't seem right, and although it is nineteen years on, I felt like it was a dramatic shift from epilogue and opening of the play to maybe several Acts in. One of those is notable in Act One, Scene Seven, the exchanges between Harry and Albus at the Potter home. I didn't much care for the children either - I know that growing up is rough, but I started not caring for Albus at all. Scorpius however, was an interesting addition, and although he sometimes seemed a little bit like Ron, I found him to be a redeeming feature. Like Albus, Scorpius has a tough time of it at school and at home, but he has a "can do" attitude that is refreshing through the doom and gloom.
Having said that, the stage play could be completely different. Actually having others portraying the characters and creating the love and tension from the script on a stage, taking Polyjuice Potion (I wonder how that's going to happen on stage)... I think it would make for interesting viewing. I'm hoping that there is going to be an official live recording of it on sale on DVD or Blu-Ray soon, for those who are unable to get tickets, like it sometimes happens with concerts of special theatre events.
Granger-Weasley family (left), Potter family (centre), Malfoy family (right)Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is available in eBook format, as well as hardback edition from most retailers.
More information on the play can be found: Cursed Child, London.
Yours with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: Harbour by John Ajvide Lindqvist
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