Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Our Review

The eighth story. Nineteen years later… 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.”

If by some chance I had never heard of the Harry Potter series, if I had been living under a rock for example, then the bright cover of this book would have called to me.

The only thing that gave me cause for concern was that it’s a play and I haven’t read one since school but I am pleased I read it.

The opening page is set in Kings Cross where book 7 left off with the children and parents stood on platform 9 and ¾ and it was absorbing from the get go.

The scene with Albus and Rose on the Hogwarts Express was a far cry from Harry’s journey to Hogwarts in that Albus and Rose have their pick of cabin mates.

The sorting hat scene was an interesting one as was the third year train scene. That scene was also a little sad.

Albus and Harry’s relationship is a fraught one, one in which they constantly misread and misunderstand each other’s needs, wants and intentions.

On the other hand Albus and Scorpio’s relationship is lovely to read about. I also enjoyed the bit of information about Draco and Dudley. Draco’s character was probably my favourite from this play. Harry on the other hand is distinctly out of touch and unlikeable.

There were many times during this book where it made me laugh but also several that made me wince or feel sad. Harry’s conversations with Dumbledore and his sharp treatment of Minerva were among these moments.

I liked that many of the old favourites were included in the book at the same time as introducing a host of new characters.

My favourite thing about the book was the way it portrayed the complicated nature of relationships between parents and their children.

In short it was fantastic and I didn’t want it to end.

Our Final Rating...

Sun, 1st January 2017