Reviewed: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling

Friday 12 August 2016


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child | J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne | July 2016
Rating:
Goodreads | Book Depository


As a massive Harry Potter fan, I am always excited at the prospect of new stories from this world. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is no exception and I was SO excited at the idea of meeting these characters again later in their lives.

 

I think it's important to remember that this is a play. It is designed to be acted out and so it is mostly dialogue with some stage directions thrown into the mix. I'm not particularly a huge fan of reading plays but this read really well. Maybe it's because I already know some of the characters or maybe it's because you can feel Rowling in the dialogue and so it still feels like Harry Potter.

Some of the things I loved: the little throwbacks to previous Harry Potter books (particularly the first scene in King's Cross), meeting old characters, revisiting previous events from the series, the relationship between Albus and Scorpius and the father-son relationship between Harry and Albus.

 

The Not-So-Perfect: I want to avoid spoilers but the major "twist" in the story felt a bit odd to me. It didn't quite add up with what we already know about a certain character and I didn't love the idea. The villain of the story felt a bit stereotypical and lacking in depth but, again, this is just a script and I can appreciate that the person acting out the scenes would bring more to the role. I also felt that the friendship between Albus and Scorpius was heading in a certain direction and was very surprised that it didn't. It felt like it was being seriously hinted at and I think it would have brought a whole new dynamic to the story if it were to happen.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I absolutely love these characters and returning to this universe. It's not perfect but I think it probably has to be seen to be fully appreciated. 

Have you read the play? What are you thoughts? I'd love to know!


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2 comments:

  1. Nice! Hearing a nice mix of things over this one! I've even read the spoilery reviews, because I am soooo very very undecided on this one, so I thought, why not see what it's all really about! By the time I decide to read it (if I do) I will likely have forgotten all the spoilers! LOL! The perks of poor memory I guess! LOL!

    I think what has me all hesitant is reading about my favorite characters from the mind of someone else. I don't know how much of a role Rowling played into the creation of this, but I thought I heard it really wasn't too much. But again, I could be wrong, because yeah, poor memory! LOL! People have likened this to fan-fiction so that has me nervous because while I appreciate the idea of fan-fiction, I could never be one to read it or write it myself.

    But regardless, glad to see you enjoyed this one for the most part! It still remains at the very top of my maybe list going back and forth one way or another nearly every day and with every review! Heehee! Nice review, if I hadn't already said it! ;)

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    Replies
    1. Haha that is definitely a perk of having a poor memory! I wish I could forget spoilers that I read! I know what you mean though, the reviews are definitely mixed for this. I can see why people have likened it to fan fiction as some things just don't really add up to what we already know about the world but for me, personally, knowing that JK had some input and must have OK'd the plot made me really want to read it.

      I'll keep an eye out for your review if you do decide to read it and hopefully you'll enjoy it!! Thank you! :D

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