From the Bookshelf of Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy…

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 & 2

John Tiffany (Adaptation),

Jack Thorne (Adaptation)

Start date: September 21, 2016

Finish date: October 13, 2016

Discussion: Book Discussions

Discussion leader: Andrea

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What Members Thought

Oct 07, 2016 Chani rated it it was ok

Finally got my hands on a copy of this! Having read it in a day, I'm not quite sure how I feel. When I first began reading, it just didn't have the same flare that Rowling puts into her books. It was kinda corny and I could see how it was a raw idea that she made a short story of as more of a fantasy. But then the book began to grow on me and it was fun to be along on a different course. Now, that said, I was only able to enjoy it because I didn't take it seriously. I don't consider this a book ...more

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Jul 31, 2016 EA Solinas rated it really liked it · review of another edition

When the Harry Potter series ended, I knew that it wouldn't really be over. Not permanently. For one thing, there was too big and devoted a fanbase. For another, too much money to be made.

And I was right, with the 2016 release of a new movie set in the same universe, and "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," a stage play that also serves as a sequel to the original series. While it lacks the narrative ebbs and flows of the books (three years pass in a few pages), it's a solid enough sequel that e When the Harry Potter series ended, I knew that it wouldn't really be over. Not permanently. For one thing, there was too big and devoted a fanbase. For another, too much money to be made.

And I was right, with the 2016 release of a new movie set in the same universe, and "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," a stage play that also serves as a sequel to the original series. While it lacks the narrative ebbs and flows of the books (three years pass in a few pages), it's a solid enough sequel that expands the story into the next generation -- there's dark overtones, plenty of new characters, and more magical shenanigans.

The story begins where the last book ends, with Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger sending their children off to Hogwarts. But Albus Potter quickly finds that he's regarded as a disappointment by everyone there -- not is he pretty bad at magic, but he quickly becomes best friends with young Scorpius Malfoy... and is sorted into Slytherin. As the years go by, both Scorpius and Albus are troubled -- Albus by the weight of his father's legacy, and Scorpius by malicious rumors that he's actually the secret son of Voldemort.

Meanwhile, Harry and Hermione discover that a new, superior type of Time-Turner is being created, and Harry begins having strange dreams that hint that something horrible is coming. After the two boys use a Time-Turner to try to right an old wrong, they find that they've messed up the timeline -- and as they try to fix the mistakes they made, they soon find themselves in the grip of a terrible enemy.

Like most time-travel-centric stories, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" becomes a little brain-twisty at times, but the core of it is essentially about two relationships. One is between the unlikely best friends Scorpius and Albus, two boys who seem like opposites... until you realize that both are burdened by the legacy of a father/rumored father. And the other is about Harry and Albus, a father and son who love each other but can't communicate well, and the clash between Albus' moody loneliness and Harry's overprotectiveness.

Admittedly the concept feels rather like a fanfic at times (especially the big reveal about a certain character's true identity -- no, I'm not going to mention who it is, but it's eye-rollingly fanficcy). However, it's a fairly well-written one, with some quirky dialogue ("I don't remember the last time someone asked my name." "What is your name?" "I've forgotten") and new characters who fit fairly well into the narrative. There are also some chilling glimpses of a Hogwarts-that-might-have-been, after twenty years of ruthless rule by Voldemort and his followers.

And of course, fans will see a lot of familiar faces -- not just Harry, Hermione, Ron and Draco, but a number of lesser characters in the past or alternate presents (such as Snape or Umbridge). And it does an excellent job fleshing out some of these characters, such as an older, grief-stricken Draco Malfoy, who ironically has more insight into Albus than Harry does. The scene where he and Harry discuss their families and experiences is one of the best of the play.

Probably its biggest problem is a few conversations that don't add much to the actual story or characters, but aren't well-written enough to be entertaining on their own (Ginny and Harry discussing Albus and his issues, which is quite cliched). It feels like it needed another rewrite or two in places, or a scene or two whittled down.

"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" has a somewhat fanficcy flavor, but is a fairly clever story with some solid dialogue, and two strong character-driven subplots. I doubt I'll be watching it onstage, but the story itself is certainly worth checking out for fans of this universe.
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Aug 19, 2016 Alex Moore rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I'm editing my review because the more I think about it the more I dislike it. I initially was ok with it because it was nice to return to the world of Harry Potter and check in on our favorite character's older selves and their families. Now that the rush of having read a new 'official' harry potter story is over, it's impossible to ignore the many plot holes and mischaracterizations of characters. Just about every character in the play doesn't feel like a true continuation of their book charac ...more

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Aug 19, 2016 Ivy rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

An enjoyable sequel to one of the greatest series ever written. Does it hold up to the originals? Well, actually, I'm not sure if that's a fair question. It's hard to compare a script to a novel. Just like the HP movies cut much from the books, I'm sure a novelization of this tale would flesh out a lot of the details and provide an even higher level of fan service. Would I like to see this as a novel someday? Yes please. But if that never happens, it's ok. The story is solid albeit sappy, there ...more

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Aug 01, 2016 Ben rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016

I really liked it. Being a script versus a typical novel did not hinder the storytelling at all for me. If you had never read the series before then, maybe it'd be more of a problem (you largely lose the scenery descriptions and such), but we all know each character very intimately. No problems there!

Some of the story was meh, like the flip flop way Draco suddenly became an ok person. The somewhat cheesy happy ending. Albus being Harry Jr...but overall it was exciting, engaging and exactly what ...more

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Aug 21, 2016 Phil Adams rated it liked it · review of another edition

I had a lot of problems with this book. It really had none of the depth of character or setting as the other books. I realize that this is a play and, consequently, it was limited in what it could do. However, I just really found no attachment to any of the main characters. As I was reading it, it also felt like a side story that would ultimately end with nothing of any consequence happening. The world would not change in any meaningful way.

If you are a Harry Potter fan, then it is a must read ...more

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Aug 04, 2016 S.C. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 04, 2016 JoeBlack rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: english, owned

I am speechless. This was just amazing, Wow! I thought it will be boring play with the characters from Harry Potter world but in the end it is a regular new story, maybe even better than some of the original books. I couldn't give more stars than 5! <3 ...more

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Sep 25, 2016 Lindsay rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

I'm reading this as well-polished fan fiction. Scorpius is adorable. The way it explores the impact we have on our children is almost casual vacancy. ...more

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Jan 07, 2017 Jim Hardison rated it liked it · review of another edition

A good story, nice to revisit the characters, but I would have much preferred a proper book rather than this screenplay.

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Oct 09, 2016 JoeBlack rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: czech, owned

Even in Czech it is still as good as in English. I couldn't find something I wouldn't like about the book. It is just as good as the previous books. Good job! ...more

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