Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Book Review
As a big Harry Potter fan, I never thought we’d get another book in the series. I didn’t jump on the Harry Potter bandwagon until “The Order of the Phoenix” came out, but once I did, I was hooked. Whenever I’m unsure about what to read next, I always go back to Harry Potter. There’s something magical about J.K. Rowling’s world of a young, orphaned boy discovering he’s a wizard. But could the new book, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” written as a play, live up to the previous books?
The answer is both yes and no. Although J.K. Rowling co-wrote the story with John Tiffany and Jack Thorne, the actual play was written by Jack Thorne. While he manages to capture much of Rowling’s charm, the play format means much of it depends on performances, set design, and special effects, which can get lost on the page. Most people won’t get to experience the live version, and that feels like a real loss. But if you use a bit of imagination while reading, you can still have a memorable experience.
Some Spoilers Ahead
The story picks up years after Harry has defeated Voldemort. His son, Albus, is about to start at Hogwarts but worries he’ll be sorted into Slytherin. And that’s exactly what happens. Albus struggles with being Harry Potter’s son and all the expectations that come with it. This tension between them is central to the story.
Albus becomes friends with Scorpius, Draco Malfoy’s son. This friendship is unusual given their fathers’ history, and rumors that Scorpius is actually Voldemort’s son make them unpopular at Hogwarts. Even Rose Weasley-Granger, Hermione and Ron’s daughter, distances herself from Albus.
Meanwhile, dark forces are gathering, and Harry starts having nightmares about Voldemort. As head of Magical Law Enforcement, and Hermione being the Minister for Magic, things get chaotic when a Time Turner is discovered. Amos Diggory, Cedric’s father, asks Harry to use it to save his son, but Harry refuses. Albus overhears and, with Scorpius, decides to steal the Time Turner to save Cedric.
Their choice has dangerous consequences. As they travel back to events from the Triwizard Tournament, each trip changes the present in significant ways, showing us what the world would have been like if Harry had failed.
Reliving Classic Moments
The premise allows readers to revisit iconic moments from the original series and brings several beloved characters back, including Professor Snape, who has a surprising twist. The new characters also leave an impression. The relationship between Harry and Albus feels real and complex, though Albus can be annoying with his constant whining. Scorpius, however, stands out as the true hero and is compelling to read about. His character even brings Draco to life in new ways, making him enjoyable to read.
Relationships and Romances
Ron and Hermione fans will love seeing more of their banter and relationship dynamics. There’s even a small nod to a potential Draco/Hermione connection, which is quite funny. Ginny and Harry are fine but don’t stand out as much romantically. The new generation’s romances are less developed due to the play’s time constraints. While Scorpius likes Rose and Albus crushes on an older woman, I couldn’t help but wonder if there were deeper feelings between Albus and Scorpius.
A Nostalgic Return
Overall, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is a nostalgic journey back to what made Harry Potter special: the characters. While Jack Thorne doesn’t always nail the voices, and some choices might upset readers (like what happens with Cedric Diggory), it’s a play worth reading for die-hard fans. Even though not all favorite characters make appearances, I’m thrilled we get to return to this world. I can’t wait to see the play performed on stage.
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