It has been a while and ultimately I had not been motivated to write about this “book”, while an addition to the Harry Potter Wizarding World it is not a hugely satisfying addition. That said, it does expand on the original stories and seeing the iconic trio as parents is compelling at least from the basic level. Nevertheless porting an award winning play to book form highlights the lack of descriptive and comprehensive world building that was so compelling about the original series. This “book” will be enjoyable to fans of the series but leaves a lot of space for questions. In addition, if this had been properly transformed from the stage into a descriptive and vivid story I would have found it a far more valuable extension of the originals.
While the play/book is titled Harry Potter and the Cursed Child this is much more of a story about Harry’s son Albus Severus. In similar fashion to the original trio, the duo that eventually forms between Albus Severus and Draco Malfoy’s son, Scorpius Malfoy provide the main thrust of adventure. Despite the 19 years of time that has passed since the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows there is still animosity between the duo’s fathers. While Albus and Scorpius throw themselves into Hogwarts life and adventure which is the main storyline I found myself generally finding Harry annoying. Seeing the original trio relatively undeveloped character wise from the original stories. Ron is still funny and bumbling in his way with Hermione still as book smart as ever. Hermione and Harry both work in the Ministry of Magic although it appears their reputations established them in these positions. Ron manages the Weasley magic joke shop. It is fun to engage in the Wizarding World 19 years later but given the main storyline there is not a ton of details around how things have changed in that period.
Of course, Voldemort is not forgotten but is not thought of as a existential threat any longer. However, his shadow tinges all aspects of this story and catalyzes events as the story reaches its climax. As I said earlier I found Harry annoying in this story and his parenting methods can largely be held responsible for the events that take place. It is his dismissal and callousness toward Albus Severus that drives his son to act.
The storyline centers around time travel which is compelling for a Wizarding World in which it was smaller concept during the original stories (Hermione’s experience with the time turner is referenced regularly). Time turners in this story have been banned and destroyed, that is all except one (which turns out to be two). In his anger towards his father Albus, roping in Scorpius, take action that ultimately changes the timeline of elements of the original stories. The most compelling element of this play come book was the counter-factual situations that emerge through the boys actions during time travel. As I said, this is not as grand and vivid adventure as the original stories but the driving concepts could certainly have been explored further in an additional book.
In the end though, J.K. Rowling herself said, ‘it is clear that once audiences see the play they will agree that it was the only proper medium for this story.’ Without providing spoilers it is clear how releasing a book that is simply the script of the play is limited in the imagery and description that would make this feel like a full novel addition to the series. My recommendation would be to watch the play, while elements are compelling and rewarding for big Harry Potter fans it does not quench a thirst for additional novels.
What is clear though is that this story clearly translated well to the stage and if details were fleshed out it could have also translated to novel format. There are exciting, amusing and frustrating stages of this story but I was not drawn into it in nearly the same way as the original Harry Potter series. In addition, due to the pacing of a play elements that were worth more consideration feel rushed, this may not have been the case in a novel form.
I do not want to spoil the story for either those that end up watching the play or those that read the associated book. While I did not feel fulfilled by it and Harry comes across as an unlikeable character for the most part there are sections that are interesting and may be more compelling for big fans of the Wizarding World.
The Weekly Book Report 