by Jack Thorne
Read: July 31-August 1, 2016
Published: July 31, 2016
Genre: Play
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 a 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. (Amazon)
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Why did you read this book?
Harry Potter has been and always will be a huge part of my life. It is for this reason that I was a bit hesitant to read this new play, which isn't even written by my beloved favorite author. (If it ain't broke, don't fix it, am I right?) However, when a friend asked if I wanted to see if Meijer still had a few copies, I couldn't help but go along. Sure enough, the book was still there, but I wasn't ready to make the decision. To read, or not to read? So I carried a copy around the store with me while we looked at clearance items. Of course, once I'd held it that long I grew attached and couldn't part with it. (I grow attached far too easily, I'm afraid).
What did you like about this book?
Despite not being written by J.K. Rowling, the characters mostly felt like the ones I'd grown up with. Of course, they were a bit different, but they've gone through 19 years without me. I enjoyed the idea of time-travelling and it's repercussions, something that I would have liked to see more of in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Something that I felt was portrayed rather well was Harry's struggles as a father and his survivor's guilt. He's never going to just live happily-ever-after and he has to learn to live with that. My favorite part of this book/play was probably Scorpius Malfoy (something I certainly didn't see coming). I was able to see myself in him, just as I was able to see bits of myself in Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Despite the limited nature of a play (in my opinion), he was a well-developed character.
What didn't you like about this book?
Oh boy. I hate to say this, but I was a little disappointed. I'll start with Albus, shall I? I couldn't relate to him. I've always been able to relate to Rowling's characters in some small way...and that's just the problem. This isn't Rowling's character. Yes, she named him, but she didn't give him his personality. To be honest, I found him to be downright insufferable at times. It's really hard to root for him. Next is the format. There was so much information that we weren't privy to because it's impossible to fit all of that into a play. We didn't really get to see what Albus and Scorpius were like at school or how their friendship was built. We got the basic plot with very few details. It was like watching the movie version of the book (which, I suppose as play, that's kind of what it is). I feel like this story would have been better told in novel form. Although, if I didn't have the Rowling's series to compare it to, I wouldn't have minded as much. (Much like Albus, The Cursed Child just has a lot to live up to after its predecessor's legacy). I was also disappointed that there weren't mentions of Teddy Lupin. I thought he might be featured, or at least mentioned, considering Harry is his godfather. Lastly, there were parts of it that just felt ridiculous (ahem, riddikulus), kind of like I was reading fan-fiction minus the smut. I mean, teenage boys do not hug that much. They just don't. I half expected them to start making out (or rather, snog) by the end of the book/play. Also, one plot point, one major plot point, that I just refuse to except is...actually, stop reading here, if you don't want things spoiled. I'm about to write about a huge spoiler and as much as I'm upset by it, I don't want to ruin it for anyone else. So, stop reading now. I'm going to type the spoiler in white, so you'll have to highlight it to read it. The major plot point that I refuse to except is that Voldemort had a daughter. It is completely out of character in my opinion. There is just so much fan-fiction there that I can't take it seriously.
Bottom-Line:
Despite all of the shortcomings, I still enjoyed reading it. I would recommend it to other Harry Potter fans so they can form their own opinion. I could be a little harsh, but that's only because I am very protective of the series and I don't want it ruined in any way, even if it's just a small way. I will definitely read it again in a few months after my brain has had time to process. In the meantime, I think I'll reread the series.
"That's the thing, isn't it? About friendships. You don't know what he needs. You only know he needs it." -Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne
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