Title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Series: Harry Potter (#8)
Authors: John Tiffany, Jack Thorne, J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
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.
But now that I’ve actually read it, I can clearly say two things:
a) I LOVE SCORPIUS MALFOY SO MUCH.
and,
b) Despite that it is the “eighth” Harry Potter novel, it doesn’t quite feel like Harry Potter.
It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the book (I sort of did), but the magical feeling I used to get when reading a new HP book was almost non-existent. I know lots of readers say it’s because of the script format, but that wasn’t my case at all. It had more to do with what happens to the characters, how they have developed over all these years, and a few other things that were definitely too far-fetched (and totally bonkers) to belong in an HP book. And by far-fetched/bonkers I mean so many WTF moments that fellow readers actually warned me about.
HOWEVER, all the silliness of Cursed Child made me laugh out loud constantly. I couldn’t help it, it was just too much. So despite it all, I enjoyed it. After my initial shock, rage, and disappointment (somewhere around the middle of the book), I allowed myself to relax and think that everything I was reading was nothing more than a reaaaaally small gift for us readers from the HP world.
With that said, I won’t tell more about it in fear of spoiling the book (because trust me, just the minor detail spoils a lot) but I will say that the only thing that is like HP, and what readers WILL probably enjoy, is the friendship that blooms between Albus (Harry’s son) and Scorpius (Malfoy’s son). I liked it. And Scorpius Malfoy more than anything else because he is the one that steals the spotlight in this book. He’s very well the reason why everyone should read Cursed Child.
Final Verdict:
In other words, Harry Potter and the Curse Child is basically like a J.K. Rowling approved fanfic, nothing more. At least, that’s how it felt like to me. So if you are looking for a mind-blowing and powerful novel at the same level of the other HP books, then I’m afraid you’ll be terribly disappointed. And a bit ragey? Maybe a lot.
And yet, I do suggest reading it because it’s a short read and you all have to be in the loop anyway. Don’t let peeps tell you! Check it out of the library if you don’t want to pay so much for a copy (it IS quite expensive and not that worth it). But you do have to meet Scorpius Malfoy one way or another. You have to meet him. So do it for him, okay? Good. 🙂
(Note: Mischief was not really managed in this book but I’ve always wanted to use that in an HP review) 🙂
I didn't know it wasn't written entirely by J.K. Rowling. I'll read it eventually since I'm a big fan of HP, but I'm not happy with the script format…
Yes, I feel that every HP fan should read this book. I'm sure certain things are worthy of HP, despite its terrible execution. I also didn't know it wasn't written by J.K. up until a week or so ago. It's a bummer.
As a non HP Fan I am happy for those of you who are–nothing like getting a new book for a series that's supposed to be over!