Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

So, there it is, a review of the highly anticipated script of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I immediately bought and read the book once it came out. In my town, the book was sold out of course, but fortunately Waterstones in Amsterdam was prepared, so naturally I visited this amazing city to buy me some Harry Potter. However quick I was buying and reading, a 10 year old beat me tremendously when it comes to writing a review. Only 59 minutes after the release of the book, he published one. Impressive! Anyway, I read some reviews on this book (or script if you will) and they are mostly highly critical. It appears that for most reviewers the expectations were higher than Jack Thorne, John Tiffany and J.K. Rowling could meet. However, the die-hard fans are truly positive. Do I feel the same? Let’s find out!

“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 30th July 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 schoolage 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.”

A fan forever

Yeah, so I must admit I’m kind of on the die-hard fan side of things. While reading the script, I felt like I was rekindling with an old friend. It took me about two short parts of the afternoon to finish the book, because I just wanted to plunge in the Harry Potter universe. However, I must admit that the script is by far not as amazing as the original books. It is less detailed and the story is not very innovatory even though new plot twists arise. They feel a bit sudden, but they do make you want to read the whole thing in one go.

Characters

It is interesting to read how the main characters turned out and I was pleased with the introduction of new characters. Harry Potter turned out to be quite a worrisome adult and in my opinion Hermoine was the most likeable badass. The script focuses on Albus Severus Potter, the son of Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley. He is darker than his parents and he struggles with this darkness, especially in relation to the troublesome relationship with his father. He is sorted into Slytherin and becomes friends with the son of Draco Malfoy, who seems to be the more reasonable one of the two. Together they embark on an adventure, which I will write no spoilers about. Just a little hint, as is often in the Harry Potter series, time is once again of great importance.

Read it!

I loved that there finally was a new Harry Potter story available, even though it is not written by J.K. Rowling and even though it is a script of a play. I seriously feel like every Harry Potter fan should give the Cursed Child a chance and I think that if your expectations are not through the roof, you will be pleased with the story. Obviously, the play should be highly interesting to see as well.

That the Harry Potter hype is as strong as ever is proved by the fact that an exhibition opens in the Netherlands (Utrecht) on February 11th (my birthday, so yeah that’s kind of a perfect gift). I am hopeful that the future may bring us even more Harry Potter related stories and events and honestly, I can’t wait!

Verdict