July 31, 2016
320
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 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.
My Review:
Yesterday at exactly 11:00 pm mountain time, I was notified that my pre-ordered Harry Potter book had finally arrived to my kindle library. I squealed and jumped for joy. I have waited a long time to read this play/book and it exceeded my expectations. It quite frankly blew my mind at some points and left me crying during various parts.
I have made it a goal during these last few years to read a new Harry Potter book in less than 24 hours. And I did it! I could not put this book down. It was so good to read about old friends, like Harry, Ron, Hermione and be introduced to new ones. My post-potter-depression seems a little less bleak now.
Lets get started shall we? First off, Harry. Harry is still one brave beast of a man, who is always trying to do good. Now he is the head of a department in the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father of three children. If there is one thing we have learned about Harry from all the books, it is that he values relationships above all else. He will do anything for his family and friends.
Now the father and son relationship. The relationship between Harry and Albus is a difficult one. Harry really tries to reason and understand Albus. But he feels like he doesn’t know how to be a good Dad, when he has no example to go by. With his father James, Sirius, and Dumbledore, the main male figures gone from his life, Harry struggles to be a father figure.
Albus is a rebellious teenager, inquisitive, and foolhardy, but also lovable. He is trying to find his identity in the world. He is also dealing with the fact that his Dad is famous and is constantly living in his father’s shadow. Wherever he goes, he is reminded about who is dad is and how the “boy who lived” saved the wizarding world. I really felt like Albus was a relatable character. You can understand how he feels being compared to his father and being an outcast at Hogwarts. There were some times he would say hurtful things to Harry, that made you want to slap the kid, but you understood his frustrations. He did value his relationship with best friend Scorpius above many things, which is something that I can respect.
Scorpius is Draco Malfoy’s son and by far my favorite character in the book. He was witty, had a dry sense of humor, and kind, even though he was considered a loser and outcast. He dealt with many burdens and rumors. He seriously had a heart of gold because he would do anything for his best friend Albus.
There were a couple of things that I did not like about this book. One, it was really short, Two, there were many time jumps that often times left me confused. Finally, it is in play/script form, so it doesn’t flow like most books.But overall it was a great read, I like the other books better for sure, but this one really helped you with closure. I definitely want to see the play now, just to see it live action might alter my opinions a bit.
This is Harry Potter like you’ve never experienced it before. Heads will inflate, bookcases will eat, duels will happen, centaurs will be abound, and plots will be exposed. Be prepared for thrills and human emotions like you’ve never seen before, in four disorienting acts. Welcome to theater my friends. LUMOS!
Watch Out For: Death, bullying,torture, arguments, some kissing, and minor cursing.
You are so fast! I’m enjoying it, but trying to get used to the time jumps! And I do kind of miss the description and details of the wizarding world that the books allowed.