The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later.
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.
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Initial reaction upon finishing:
Wow. Am I ever glad I was able to read this. As any Harry Potter fan in the US, I was super sad when I heard that they were doing the play in the UK and I would never see it because…let’s face it…I’m poor. I would have had to win the lottery to get over there just to see this play. So when they announced that they would be releasing the script as a book I was super pumped. I honestly can’t even fully describe the excitement to you, but if you are also a Harry Potter fanatic you probably feel me. So, needless to say I was terrified to read this book, even though I was super excited for it. Why? Well…what if it didn’t live up to my expectations? What if they killed all the characters I loved and just made a mess of things? What if I had the worst time adjusting to the format? There were so many what-ifs. But I braved them all, and dove in to this book and exited with zero regrets. Here are a few of my non-spoilery thoughts on this 8th Harry Potter book…
- It’s important to remember that this is going to be different than the original 7 books. For starters, this is a play script. It is written as a play, with lines for characters and some vague stage directions. If that is going to be an issue for you and take away from your experience then I would highly recommend you not do that. Also, our beloved trio…well, they have grown up. They have grown up jobs and do grown up things (well, maybe not Ron all the time). They aren’t at Hogwarts galavanting off on adventures constantly and breaking all the rules all the time. So even though they are there, they are in their adult roles. I really hope that doesn’t disappoint you, but I know some people didn’t like that. It’s ok to not like that aspect, but I think its important to remember that they are adults and to go in with that mentality.
- The conflicts with Albus and with his father Harry Potter made so much sense. Harry dealt with so much as a kid, so having the past follow him…well that’s a no brainer. And Albus…he has to live in his father’s shadow. I can’t even comprehend how difficult that would be as a child. You go to Hogwarts and are expected to be as great as the wizard that saved the wizarding world…good luck. I think this play really explored that well (and I bet seeing it as an actual play would make it even better).
- The story really explored what could have been. I think after we all finished The Deathly Hallows we were all left wondering about what could have been. This story really explores that and made me really satisfied with how the original stories had ended.
- Not only did I get to go back to the world that I have grown up with and loved, I also got to see so many characters that have held a special place in my Harry Potter loving heart. Between talking portraits and dreams, I got to see so many characters. It warmed my heart. Also, Ron and Hermione finally made sense to me. I mean, I was happy they got together but I never completely understood it. They were adorable. So stinking adorable.
Honestly, I really enjoyed this story. I am one that doesn’t mind reading stories as play scripts, so I got fully invested and did find myself completely absorbed into the story (especially the last act guys…oh man). To sum it all up…yes, this is a different Harry Potter story. I really hope you don’t go into it expecting the same old same old, because you won’t get it. Go in with an open mind. Because this story can really take you places. It took me places, it made me feel like a kid again…completely invested in a Harry Potter story while sitting on the couch at my mom’s house. It was so nostalgic for me. And I loved where this story went and I think it would be amazing to see as a play.
So glad that I could read this book.
But now…I have a few suggestions for new books JK Rowling. Prequel series to the Harry Potter books and whatnot. So feel free to shoot me an email so we can discuss 😉
Alright, the real question here…who has finished this book? Definitely curious to hear your thoughts and feelings. Also, what other stories from the Harry Potter world would you like to read?
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Great spoiler-free review! I finished within hours of getting my copy and definitely need to go through it a few more times. My instant reaction was that a lot of it read like bad fan-fiction, but I attribute that reaction to fast reading and not getting the story in its intended context–on stage. All the time travel was a bit much for me and the play went places I really didn’t want it to go–such as the place in the past where the final showdown happens. There were bits I really loved–Scorpius won my heart–but a lot that I still need to chew over.
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I definitely agree. I had to sit on it for a little. I really wonder if part of the reason a lot of people have been saying a it’s basically fan-fiction are just not getting the full story because it’s a play. There is a lot we don’t see and miss out on. There were parts I felt pretty meh about. I didn’t like the solutions to each time travel but I like where it all ended (and it showed Ron + Hermione FOREVER!). And yes!!! I never thought I would love a Malfoy so much.
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