Emily May's Reviews > Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two (Harry Potter, #8)
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3 1/2 stars. I completely get why many HP fans will be disappointed with this, but I have to admit: I really enjoyed it. I'd love to see this story play out on stage.
So yeah, I understand the sad feelings. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has a completely different vibe. Aside from being a play, it's also a more mature, character-driven, less magical story. It does not feel like an eighth Harry Potter book at all; there's a real disconnect between this play and the other seven novels. And you know what? I'm so glad.
I guess it's just what you're hoping for. To be honest, I never wanted another Harry Potter book. The thought of extending a series I loved so much actually made me NOT want to read this. I got to the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and thought it was magical perfection - the story had completed its arc in full and I put it aside feeling a slight melancholy, but a whole lot of satisfaction. I didn't want more.
However, if you went crazy needing more from the HP series, you'll probably be disappointed by this. If you feel there's a gap where something HP is missing, then I don't think this will fill it. Separate the two in your mind, and you have a better chance of liking it. Because this is something different - and I'm happy about it.
First, of course, it's a play. Right away it's going to be something unlike what we've seen before. I don't usually love to read plays, especially modern ones, but this one is very readable because the dialogue is wonderful. I don't know why people are saying "it's so obvious JKR didn't write most of this" because I think her style is all over it - the very fact that this play (which is meant to be viewed on stage) can be just as easily read like a book tells me JKR had a lot of input.
Also, it's funny. Much more consistently comical than the books, but with the same style of humour - i.e. lots of Ron being a buffoon.
The plot leaves a little something to be desired. Again, it feels different from the main series. It's not so much about the world and magic, but more about relationships, conflicts (particularly between Harry and Albus) and the dialogue between characters. I suppose this makes more sense in a play, where the story unravels through dialogue and not through an omniscient narrator.
And, as I touched upon earlier, it feels... older. I don't know how well kids will appreciate the jokes about growing old and how Ron now says "oof" every time he sits down. Or the family drama between Harry and his son, Albus. But I liked it.
I'm happy with this addition. I truly am. If it had been too similar to the seven novels, I feel it would have risked reopening a series that had been closed in a great place. Instead, we have something very unique and, for me, very entertaining. Some of the staging directions also leave me excited about seeing the play (when I win the lottery or acquire a magic wand, maybe).
One thing I have to say that I said in another comment thread: NOW, it's time to stop. This was a risky experiment and it turned out to be fun, but JKR needs to leave this world alone now. I really do not want to read about old-age Harry, Ron and Hermione rolling around in magical wheelchairs. So, just stop.
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3 1/2 stars. I completely get why many HP fans will be disappointed with this, but I have to admit: I really enjoyed it. I'd love to see this story play out on stage.
So yeah, I understand the sad feelings. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has a completely different vibe. Aside from being a play, it's also a more mature, character-driven, less magical story. It does not feel like an eighth Harry Potter book at all; there's a real disconnect between this play and the other seven novels. And you know what? I'm so glad.
I guess it's just what you're hoping for. To be honest, I never wanted another Harry Potter book. The thought of extending a series I loved so much actually made me NOT want to read this. I got to the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and thought it was magical perfection - the story had completed its arc in full and I put it aside feeling a slight melancholy, but a whole lot of satisfaction. I didn't want more.
However, if you went crazy needing more from the HP series, you'll probably be disappointed by this. If you feel there's a gap where something HP is missing, then I don't think this will fill it. Separate the two in your mind, and you have a better chance of liking it. Because this is something different - and I'm happy about it.
First, of course, it's a play. Right away it's going to be something unlike what we've seen before. I don't usually love to read plays, especially modern ones, but this one is very readable because the dialogue is wonderful. I don't know why people are saying "it's so obvious JKR didn't write most of this" because I think her style is all over it - the very fact that this play (which is meant to be viewed on stage) can be just as easily read like a book tells me JKR had a lot of input.
Also, it's funny. Much more consistently comical than the books, but with the same style of humour - i.e. lots of Ron being a buffoon.
Hermione: If some part of Voldemort survived, in whatever form, we need to be prepared. And I’m scared.
Ginny: I’m scared too.
Ron: Nothing scares me. Apart from Mum.
The plot leaves a little something to be desired. Again, it feels different from the main series. It's not so much about the world and magic, but more about relationships, conflicts (particularly between Harry and Albus) and the dialogue between characters. I suppose this makes more sense in a play, where the story unravels through dialogue and not through an omniscient narrator.
And, as I touched upon earlier, it feels... older. I don't know how well kids will appreciate the jokes about growing old and how Ron now says "oof" every time he sits down. Or the family drama between Harry and his son, Albus. But I liked it.
I'm happy with this addition. I truly am. If it had been too similar to the seven novels, I feel it would have risked reopening a series that had been closed in a great place. Instead, we have something very unique and, for me, very entertaining. Some of the staging directions also leave me excited about seeing the play (when I win the lottery or acquire a magic wand, maybe).
One thing I have to say that I said in another comment thread: NOW, it's time to stop. This was a risky experiment and it turned out to be fun, but JKR needs to leave this world alone now. I really do not want to read about old-age Harry, Ron and Hermione rolling around in magical wheelchairs. So, just stop.
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Reading Progress
March 6, 2016
– Shelved
July 31, 2016
–
Started Reading
July 31, 2016
–
9.33%
"Rose: The rumor is that he’s Voldemort’s son, Albus.
A horrible, uncomfortable silence.
It’s probably rubbish. I mean . . . look, you’ve got a nose.
*giggles*"
page
32
A horrible, uncomfortable silence.
It’s probably rubbish. I mean . . . look, you’ve got a nose.
*giggles*"
August 1, 2016
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 250 (250 new)
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[deleted user]
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Jul 31, 2016 10:02PM
I had to literally put the book down and laugh out loud for a solid minute because I thought the exact same thing when I read the line about the rumour.
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Ooh, I just finished this like five minutes ago, and I loved it as well. I also considered it as a separate entity of the HP books as well. Though I do sort of want to go back and read The Goblet of Fire again. XD I get the split opinions as well, but I smiled so much, I can't help myself.
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Ridiculously hard unless you have about £700 to spare per ticket (about $920). To avoid having to pay that much, you have to be online as soon as the initial tickets go on sale - you'll be put in an online queue and you'll have to hope you get through before they sell out :(
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Wonderful review, Emily! I think you have some good points. Even though we differ greatly in opinion, I know I need to reread this once I'm less disappointed to see if my own opinion changes again.
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I know. I'm going to try but I'm sure once again I won't get lucky :(
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And I don't get it why people think it's betraying their character in original series, people do change, it doesn't mean we stop maturing at certain age, and honestly I don't like if Harry is too perfect without flaw, it's not Harry at all, and it's not easy to be a parent with teenager, at least he's trying, he made mistakes all right who doesn't make mistakes in their life? but for a guy that didn't have role model in his life, how could people expect he'd be totally perfect from the start? Totally good in everything?
And you're right, it needs a closure, no more sequel, just like JKR said too, Harry Potter is done in this book, there's nothing to milk anymore from HP. :) I just hope she will write another fantasy book again.
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I'm really glad that it felt separate to the main story. There were times when I was like, wow, this dialogue is cliche, but then I imagined it in play form in my head and it got a lot more awesome.
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I agree that this probably shouldn't continue as a series any longer, as we've had enough (as much as I love HP).
That said though, I will be quite keen for Fantastic Beasts the movie, and probably will even buy the screenplay they're releasing (yep a book on the same day as the movie - you probably already know this though).
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The Belatrix being the mother bothers me just simply because of time. She was the first person that popped into my head as well, but she would have needed to be pregnant when Harry was at the Malfoy's and he. Just given birth while fighting it out at Hogwarts.. Seems crammed for a timeline. Like an easy fix to a question.
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